Rural (or rural-ish) neighborhood 30 min commute from SJ? (San Jose, Oakland: apartments, rentals)

[albval]

Hi,

I just got a new job in SJ (near border of Campbell) and I have a horrible commute from Oakland (the 880...sigh).

I'm looking to move when my lease is up, but I don't know much about south bay neighborhoods--or which ones would decrease my 1hr+ commute.

I'd like to drive for 30 min, TOPS. Can someone tell me about any communities that aren't too pricey, older, & hopefully rural or rural-feeling? My dream is to have a garden or space to garden...

Thanks in advance for your help! I appreciate it. -Val

[jaijai]

maybe a rural / semi-rural place in los gatos but it depends on what you mean by "too pricey".
what is your rental budget?

[gone down south]

What's "too pricey" for you?

[sonarrat]

It can't get much worse than the commute you've got now. Morgan Hill would fit the bill - that's where I grew up. Unlike the points north in the South Bay, there's room to roam, lots of animals around, and relatively few apartments. There is a lot of new development around the train station, and for the most part it was built up in the '60s and '70s, so it will feel newer than Oakland.

[mstnghu2]

I agree with sonarrat. Morgan Hill is the first place that comes to mind for me . Southern Almaden Valley in San Jose (south of Almaden Expwy.) also is very rural, but expensive. The Santa Cruz mountains and San Jose's east foothills could also be options. All of the places I've mentioned could fit your criteria, but it really comes down to your budget.

[bigdumbgod]

San Jose has a lot of old rural properties on the eastern outskirts (the foothills and up), and the southern area along Old Almaden Road towards the Almaden Reservoir. These are the places you could have enough room for gardens and livestock. Los Gatos and the small towns up in the Santa Cruz Mountains have many of these properties as well.

[jaijai]

Yea, somewhere off hwy17 on the eastern side of the summit (on either side).
Even off Summit Rd. although it may make the commute (during commuter times) a bit over 30 min.
Scotts Valley on the western side of the summit as well but, again, the commute will be over 30 minutes but it may be worth it.
Scotts Valley is in S.C. county O.P. and though you'll have to deal with hwy17 traffic you'll also have the advantage of being very close to the coast if that's important to you.
Again, pricey but you need to reveal what you mean by "too pricey".

[albval]

Hi,

Thank you for your responses! I'd like to get away with 1500-2k/month for a 1-bedroom, & hopefully much less! I pay 900 now.

[jaijai]

Originally Posted by albval

Hi,

Thank you for your responses! I'd like to get away with 1500-2k/month for a 1-bedroom, & hopefully much less! I pay 900 now.

With that budget you can find a place in the areas that i mentioned.
Although "much less" won't do it.
Here's an example.

Actually, this place looks good although i don't know exactly where it is.
Furnished One Bedroom Granny Unit (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/apa/2929488304.html - broken link)


And if you like Santa Cruz mountain funky:
Round House in the Redwoods (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/apa/2928861110.html - broken link)

Here's another:
Los Gatos Mtns Cottage (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/apa/2920800096.html - broken link)

and:
Los Gatos hills, bay view, sunny, free standing home, major util incl (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/apa/2922066421.html - broken link)

And if you're a nudist:
One Bedroom Cabin in Mountain Paradise (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/apa/2928042024.html - broken link)

I'm always looking in the S.C. mountains for myself. Unfortunately my budget is "tighter" than yours.
A couple of these look good if you're looking to live in nature and do some gardening and have a free standing place without having to share walls, floors or ceilings. The good ones go fast as they are few and far between so if you're interested, move quickly / don't hesitate.
And of course "on paper" is one thing. Often rentals like these look great until you visit. And "cottages" and "cabins" are often euphemisms. So you'll need to do lots of traveling and looking needless to say.

Good luck finding a place.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

If you are willing to live someplace funky and offbeat, with Latino flavor, you might look at Alviso. It is surprisingly rural feeling for a place so close in.