Work in Fremont, Live in SF? Am I Crazy? (San Jose: appointed, real estate market)

[tired of being inside]

To the fine folks at the forum that I haven't spoken to in quite some time. I owe you guys a lot, having given me priceless guidance when I first moved out here from the east coast 3 years ago. Now, due to a potential job opportunity, I'm considering a move to the Bay Area.

So, the gig is a good one with a company that I'd love to work for. But it's in Fremont, and way on the outskirst, in an office park area at there. Suburban as hell and I'm a city guy. I currently live in downtown Long Beach and work in downtown LA. I love the LBC, love Hollywood, Silver Lake, Santa Monica, the whole LA thing and I mean right in the heart of it, not in the suburbs.

Thus, my question for you good people: Is it conceivable that I could work in Fremont but live in SF? I've been there many time and love Union Square, the Mission, Russian Hill, No Beach (the Marina's okay). So that's the kind of environment I would want to move myself, my wife and two young boys to.

If SF is just too stupid a commute, are there any cities closer to Fremont that might work (I'm not too into Oakland, lukewarm on Berkeley)? Are there any cool, funky, arty neighborhoods in San Jose (is San Jose closer)?

As always, thanks to the crowd for insightful answers.


[+] Rate this post positively

[sonarrat]

Of course it's conceivable.. it's just a matter of whether you want to do the commute, which can be brutal. If you take 101 and the Dumbarton instead of the Bay Bridge and 880, that's a little less stressful (I didn't say faster). San Jose is certainly closer, and cheaper, but there's nothing that can compare to those SF neighborhoods.

[gone down south]

Are you willing to commute more or less an hour each way? Going down the Peninsula (280 or 101), it would be an easy drive, not too much traffic, but you'd be spending an awful lot of time in the car.

Maybe look at Palo Alto/Redwood City/Menlo Park as a place to live? Not quite the "big city", but not exactly suburban either.

[humboldtrat]

Try BART from SF to Fremont - but it's $11.20 round trip BART - Station List and that can add up month after month. I would look at downtown San Jose which is much closer.

[tired of being inside]

Not to be a wiseacre, but does San Jose have a downtown? I've heard other posters say it's one giant suburb but I don't know, again, I've never really been there.

[Freezer41]

San Jose has a downtown. Downtown San Jose: Silicon Valley's City Center | Home

You could live somewhere like this Luxury San Jose Condominiums: New Condos & Homes in San Pedro Square from AxisSanJose.com

It would be a better drive than SF by far

[Sunnnee]

Yes, your crazy! You must love paying allot in Gas. I hope you have a Hybrid.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by tired of being inside

Not to be a wiseacre, but does San Jose have a downtown? I've heard other posters say it's one giant suburb but I don't know, again, I've never really been there.

Yes, I live on SJ's downtown. If you're expecting the equivalent to San Francisco, you'll be disappointed. However, it is a real downtown that offers a decent basic urban lifestyle.

They've recently built 4 high rise condo complexes in downtown SJ. Unfortunately, they haven't sold much because of the down real estate market. The developers are not lowering prices, so a lot sit empty.

But I've lived in SJ for 13 years now, and they have steadily improved the downtown the whole time I've been living here.

The downtown features a large combined public/university library, theater, restaurants, a concert arena, light rail (won't take you to Fremont, though), tech museum, art museum, San Jose State University...and that's just the stuff I can think of off the top of my head.

I believe there is an express bus that runs from downtown SJ to Fremont, athough if your workplace is not centrally located in Fremont, this might not help much.

You can check out your transit options at: www.vta.org

I don't want to oversell downtown SJ (I admit I love living here, but I also work downtown and walk to work every day--but that won't be the case for you). However, I definitely think you should take a look.

Also, there are some cute urban neighborhoods just north of downtown SJ as well that are worth a look.

Also, if you like the SoCal weather, SJ's climate resembles SoCal more than San Francisco does (warmer and sunnier, especially in summer).

[silverkris]

You said that you have two young boys? Are they school-age? Then you will have to consider school districts.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by silverkris

You said that you have two young boys? Are they school-age? Then you will have to consider school districts.

The school district is a legitimate question. In San Francisco, I believe they have a lottery system, so your kids might have to go to school across town. But don't take my word for it...ask people in the SF forum.

I can't imagine the schools in downtown SJ are all that great, either....but since I don't have kids, I'm not the best person to ask.