Advice on Cupertino, Palo Alto, and San Jose (San Francisco, Redwood City: rentals, house)

[gmkarr]

My husband and I currently looking for a house rental in the South Bay or Peninsula. We have a three year old son, and like living in friendly communities.

As it turns out, one of the nicest looking places we have seen has been in Cupertino, in the Rancho Rinconada neighborhood. From what I have bread on city-data forums, I wasn't sure how friendly the neighborhood would be, but I am curious to get other perspectives. What is this community like? Is there a strong, inclusive parent network in place for preschool age kids and younger?

Our first choice was to find a place in Palo Alto because I will be working in San Jose, and my husband will probably commute to Redwood City, and sometimes even San Francisco. Of course it is expensive, but there have been very few listings this time of year on Craigslist. Anyone know of other sources for finding house rental listings for Palo Alto?

Finally, is Cupertino any farther than Willow Glen when commuting to Redwood City? This is another place I liked, but we thought Cupertino would be closer. Thanks for any advice!

[moovin]

Palo Alto: Expensive to live in. Rentals probably few. Great town atmosphere that's easily accessible by foot if you live nearby. Great restaurants, theaters. No. 3-ish top university in the country there - Stanford. Top rated Ca public schools.

Cupertino. Expensive to live in - very slightly cheaper than Palo Alto. No town atmosphere. It's suburbia with strip malls and parking lots. Heavy Taiwanese/Chinese community. Chain restaurants. Good community college. Top rated Ca public schools.

Willow Glen: Somewhat expensive to live in - cheaper than Cupertino. Somewhat of a town atmosphere in downtown Willow Glen. Good restaurants. Very good rated Ca public schools.

Cupertino is closer than Willow Glen to SF or Redwood City. Check a map. My advice is to live in Palo Alto if you can afford it. Cupertino has some high achieving kids in the public schools there. Check out Los Gatos too. It has a town atmosphere almost equivalent to Palo Alto with great schools but it's farther away. I think you'll find friendly people in any of these places you look. If you put a smile on your face you're bound to get a friendly reaction. One exception to this in my own personal, and perhaps limited experience might be the Asian communities where the people are by nature or culture not very offering in friendliness. It doesn't mean they're mean but rather I've found Asian people keep to themselves more than other, more prevalent cultures.

[gmkarr]

Thank you Moovin, that is very helpful! Do you happen to know any other places besides Craigslist and Fogster to find rental listings?
-gmkarr

[gmkarr]

Is the Monta Loma neighborhood not a good area for a family? I am looking at a rental near Whitney Drive. Thanks!

[Luke9686]

I actually just moved from the Rancho neighborhood in Cupertino. I lived off of Miller just south of Stevens Creek Blvd.

This is a GREAT area for a family. People in this area are very family oriented. There is a park, which is full of activity from about 4 pm until dark every day of the week.

Schools are great, but you will pay a premium.