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Old 09-05-2007, 01:15 PM
 
Location: SF,CA
184 posts, read 428,653 times
Reputation: 229

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I'll be relocating to the are this month. My workplace is located right off of Stevens Creek Blvd. in Santa Clara. I'd like to find a nice area for a single, late 20's lifestyle, walkable/bike friendly would be great. I like good rest. and shops, things like that. I'd love to live closer to SF but I think the commute would wear me out. Any good options within a close drive to the area? I've been told Santana Row is nice, but it looks very chainy and is def. not inexpensive. I've also read Moutain View is a good option, just wondering if it's too far to drive. Thanks in advance for any advice
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Old 09-05-2007, 09:42 PM
 
Location: SF Bay Area
14,318 posts, read 21,536,971 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eightiesfan View Post
I'll be relocating to the are this month. My workplace is located right off of Stevens Creek Blvd. in Santa Clara. I'd like to find a nice area for a single, late 20's lifestyle, walkable/bike friendly would be great. I like good rest. and shops, things like that. I'd love to live closer to SF but I think the commute would wear me out. Any good options within a close drive to the area? I've been told Santana Row is nice, but it looks very chainy and is def. not inexpensive. I've also read Mountain View is a good option, just wondering if it's too far to drive. Thanks in advance for any advice
I don't think MV is too far to drive from Santa Clara. The whole area between Palo Alto and San Jose really just blends in with everything that these places (and places in between) offer, just a short drive away. Downtown San Jose has a booming 20s scene. You may want to check around there also. It's close to SC.
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Old 09-08-2007, 02:55 AM
 
Location: In the Redwoods
29,998 posts, read 49,943,175 times
Reputation: 22638
Mountain View is a great town, and you can easily get from there to Santa Clara - without heavy traffic, I'd say 15 minutes tops. It's definitely more "young" than Santa Clara, and has more stuff to do... I have friends/family in both of those towns, all in their 30's, and they'd probably concur. You might also look in Palo Alto, Los Gatos and Menlo Park, if the prices are in your budget.
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Old 09-11-2007, 04:45 PM
 
Location: SF,CA
184 posts, read 428,653 times
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Thanks for the info buckfush & gizmo. I'll check out the areas you all suggested. Out of curiosity, how far could I go up towards the city on the 280 or the 101 and not have a traffic/commuting nightmare everyday? I'm assuming those are the 2 hwy's I'd want to take right? Is one of the hwy's worse than the others as far as traffic goes?
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Old 09-11-2007, 05:11 PM
 
Location: yeah
5,716 posts, read 15,813,123 times
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Always take 280 over 101.
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Old 09-12-2007, 01:02 AM
 
Location: In the Redwoods
29,998 posts, read 49,943,175 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by krudmonk View Post
Always take 280 over 101.
Well, I wouldn't say that... 280 always has lighter traffic, but if you're traveling during odd hours & going somewhere right off 101, it doesn't make sense to take 280. I live really close to 101, so I stick with that one unless it's rush-hour.
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Old 09-12-2007, 01:04 AM
 
Location: In the Redwoods
29,998 posts, read 49,943,175 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eightiesfan View Post
Thanks for the info buckfush & gizmo. I'll check out the areas you all suggested. Out of curiosity, how far could I go up towards the city on the 280 or the 101 and not have a traffic/commuting nightmare everyday? I'm assuming those are the 2 hwy's I'd want to take right? Is one of the hwy's worse than the others as far as traffic goes?
Unless there's construction or accidents, 280 always has the lighter traffic... but it's not as convenient as 101 (and exits are really spread-out), so it really depends on when & where you're driving. To answer your other question, I'd say not to live farther north than Redwood City. Otherwise you're looking at 30-60 minutes each way, which can get tiresome. And yes, 101 and 280 are the main Peninsula freeways... we also have three connecting those, which are 380, 92, and 85. Don't worry, you'll figure it out quickly!

Last edited by gizmo980; 09-12-2007 at 01:15 AM..
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Old 09-18-2007, 06:48 AM
 
72 posts, read 96,979 times
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I would also go with 280 given a choice. I always found it a more "pleasant" drive, and parts going into SF were even scenic (to me). All I remember seeing on 101 is the road as I recall, and it seemed to be a bit more dangerous (the median appears narrow in sections). Plus, 280 is closer to Stevens Creek. If you are an outdoors person, there are areas close to the foothills nice for hiking (definitely not urban, though).
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Old 09-27-2007, 12:35 AM
 
30,399 posts, read 34,662,769 times
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Santana Row is very chainy and expensive. It's nice in a sterile, artificial, kind of way.

Mountain View is nice. Tends to be a little more expensive than SJ or Santa Clara. Commute is farther. But you are closer to San Francisco for weekend entertainment (San Jose is dull)

As far as freeways go, try to live closer to 280. 101 is terrible for traffic. Your workplace will be closer to 280 as well.

P.S. Some people DO commute from San Francisco to the valley for work (and vice versa)...but I personally think they're nuts. Count on driving an hour 1 way, maybe more.
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