Looking for FAMILY city in southern half of bay area (San Jose: real estate, to rent)

[YuryM]

I live in Walnut Creek, Ca (east bay area) and soon me and my family will have to relocate somewhere close to Redwood city inside 40 min drive (with no traffic). I'm asking for advise of what place may I choose to live in, as I spent many hours online researching, and could not find anything like Walnut Creek I so got used to live in. What I like so much about it and what I'm looking for:

- feel safe on a street at late time
- good kinder-gardens and elementary schools for my kids (3-10 years old)
- there are many good parks for kids to play in, beautiful surroundings
- it's not boring, I mean there should be downtown with some sort of entertaining infrastructure like shopping centers, movie theaters, restaurants, cafes, some museums and classes for kids etc.
- home prices are not overwhelming, like not quite old 2/3-bedroom 1200 sq feet condo/townhouse in very good condition for under $500K. This is important as I'm going to buy, not to rent.

So shortly speaking it should be inexpensive FAMILY city, and not boring to some degree. This is what I get used to have in lovely Walnut Creek. The whole peninsula is too expensive, I seemingly cannot afford it, further to the south prices are dropping, but quality of school are much lower. The only inexpensive place with good schools I found is Pleasanton, but it's pretty far away, and seems to be boring to live in.


Thank you for any recommendations!

[StandingRoomOnly]

If you are determined to buy something for under 500k in a safe neighborhood with great schools in the south bay within a closer distance to mountain view you will have to be extremely flexible and most likely compromising on the condo/house age and work that needs to be done on the condo/house. And to boot, these properties go extremely fast so you may need to be willing to bid up or get a good offer in right away...

Almaden San Jose will meet most of your requirements...and I think works as an equivalent to walnut creek. Two and three bedroom condos in this area aren't many, and once they do come on the market, you will have to pounce on them!

[jaypee]

Look in Pacifica.

[mstnghu2]

Originally Posted by jaypee

Look in Pacifica.

I'm pretty sure that doesn't really meet the OP's criteria.

[YuryM]

Any thoughts about Pleasanton? Real estate precises are affordable there, and schools seem to be very good, but I heard from my friend that demand is a way over what is offered, meaning school classes are overfilled, I do not if it's true or not. I drove by few times but never stopped, and I have no idea regarding safety and how much fun to live there. Please advise

[jaypee]

Originally Posted by mstnghu2

I'm pretty sure that doesn't really meet the OP's criteria.

Really? In what way?

[jaypee]

Originally Posted by YuryM

Any thoughts about Pleasanton? Real estate precises are affordable there, and schools seem to be very good, but I heard from my friend that demand is a way over what is offered, meaning school classes are overfilled, I do not if it's true or not. I drove by few times but never stopped, and I have no idea regarding safety and how much fun to live there. Please advise

Pleasanton's just fine if you don't mind the 2-hr roundtrip to RWC everyday. I used to live in RWC and drove to Pleasanton for work -- never again.

[YuryM]

Originally Posted by jaypee

Pleasanton's just fine if you don't mind the 2-hr roundtrip to RWC everyday. I used to live in RWC and drove to Pleasanton for work -- never again.

Google maps shows 40 min with no traffic, my job suppose pretty flat schedule, I can start at 10 am and finish at 8 pm, I know it will be longer than 40 min anyway, but 1 hour each way is kinda Ok for me. So other than traveling time, any other things should I concern about? Thanks

[mstnghu2]

Originally Posted by jaypee

Really? In what way?

The OP specifically said "- it's not boring, I mean there should be downtown with some sort of entertaining infrastructure like shopping centers, movie theaters, restaurants, cafes, some museums and classes for kids etc.

Pacifica doesn't have this at all. SF is somewhat close, but that would be a headache to have to head there every time.

Not to mention, most of Pacifica just has a depressing run-down feel to it and has terrible weather. It also feels far removed and isolated from the rest of the Bay Area. It's also definitely not in the southern half of the Bay Area as the OP requested.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by YuryM

I live in Walnut Creek, Ca (east bay area) and soon me and my family will have to relocate somewhere close to Redwood city inside 40 min drive (with no traffic). I'm asking for advise of what place may I choose to live in, as I spent many hours online researching, and could not find anything like Walnut Creek I so got used to live in. What I like so much about it and what I'm looking for:

- feel safe on a street at late time
- good kinder-gardens and elementary schools for my kids (3-10 years old)
- there are many good parks for kids to play in, beautiful surroundings
- it's not boring, I mean there should be downtown with some sort of entertaining infrastructure like shopping centers, movie theaters, restaurants, cafes, some museums and classes for kids etc.
- home prices are not overwhelming, like not quite old 2/3-bedroom 1200 sq feet condo/townhouse in very good condition for under $500K. This is important as I'm going to buy, not to rent.

So shortly speaking it should be inexpensive FAMILY city, and not boring to some degree. This is what I get used to have in lovely Walnut Creek. The whole peninsula is too expensive, I seemingly cannot afford it, further to the south prices are dropping, but quality of school are much lower. The only inexpensive place with good schools I found is Pleasanton, but it's pretty far away, and seems to be boring to live in.

You're not asking for the moon are you, OP? All those amenities AND affordability? Good luck with that.