Relocating from CT, want to rent, suggestions (San Diego, San Jose: 2013, rental)

[chicadee1999]

So I have applied for a position in my company which will have me relocating from CT to CA. Technically I can live anywhere in California but the Bay area is preferred (but it is also much more expensive). I am looking for a safe area. I need a single family house rental with a fully fenced yard that allows dogs(and cats), with no silly breed restrictions. It is just my husband and I so we don't care about school districts. However being able to walk or bike to places or trails for that type of thing in the area would be a perk(not required)

My salary will be around 100K annual but when we initially move my husband will not have a job, he is in the IT field and even though I will be working from home most of the time, I want to live a reasonable distance for him to either Drive, Caltrain or BART for work without a ridiculous commute.

What areas would you suggest? I need at least 2 bedrooms, don't need a big house, looking to spend less than $2500 a month if possible. Would working with a realtor be our best bet? I have been looking on Craigslist, Trulia, HotPad, Zillow and it seems impossible and our options are very limited.

Thanks in Advance.

[blueskywalker]

Where do you need to be close to?
And what do you mean by "the bay area"? What part of the bay area and why?
Will you be commuting?
If you don't need to commute then why do you want to live in one of the most expensive areas in the country with S.F. now as expensive (more in some cases) than NYC?
Just curious and some of the answers to these questions might help to narrow your search and provide some focus.

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

Originally Posted by chicadee1999

I have been looking on Craigslist, Trulia, HotPad, Zillow and it seems impossible and our options are very limited.

Yep. Keep looking and good luck. I can't think of anywhere in northern CA anyway. I suggest you look at buying. There are lots of areas in CA with affordable properties, but they'll be outside of the Bay Area.

[ccm123]

Yes, you should be more specific, so that we can provide better responses.

[bobby_guz_man]

I think the OP has already stated the reason why she needs to be in the Bay: her husband's future job

[mossly]

Your budget is way too low for this area, especially if you need a SFH with a yard. Not having to worry about school districts helps a bit, but not enough to get you into a house for under $2500. Add about a thousand bucks to your budget and then you might have a chance. Sorry.

[nightlysparrow]

Originally Posted by chicadee1999

I need a single family house rental with a fully fenced yard that allows dogs(and cats), with no silly breed restrictions.

Maybe dog maulings are considered "silly" in CT, but not in CA, which led the US in 2013 fatal attacks. Plus, you will have the sh*t sued out of you:

Trouble Finding A Place To Rent Because Of Your Dog or Pit Bull?

California - Breed-Specific Laws - DogsBite.org

[chicadee1999]

Thanks you for all of the responses so far.

To address some of the questions:

Again, we literally can live anywhere in California but I would like my husband to have a fighting chance of finding decent employment. I will have to travel for work to locations in both No. and So. Cal. Foster City, San Fran, LA, San Diego, Lynwood, Santa Monica, plus some out of state customers but my base will be at home.

I did not realize until I started looking to move (I have lived in CT my whole life and I too was leery about bully breeds at one time) but I have now come to realize it is not the dog, it is the owner and it is completely the owners responsibility to train and raise their dog, no matter what the breed, to behave in an appropriate manner. I don't consider dog mauling or any type of violence to be silly but I do have an issue with blaming the breed.

I have been browsing areas like Fremont, San Jose, Morgan Hill, Sunnyvale. I love Palo Alto and Mountain View but I am not so naive to think I would ever find a place there or in San Fran for that matter. I really just wanted some suggestions because I have never made a long distance move before. I was also thinking about Vacaville. A co-worker says he lives in a nice area of Stockton which I really hadn't considered before and our friends in Fremont said to stay away from Oakland.

I know my budget is asking a bit much but I am trying not to overextend ourselves if my husband for some reason is unable to find a job right away.

Thanks again in advance,

[chicadee1999]

Thank you for the links, I had the first one booked-marked already because I saw it in another thread and the second had good information. I am not an irresponsible owner so all of my pets have been spayed or neutered. One dog is a Australian Cattle/Lab mix and the other is a American staffordshire terrier, German Shepherd and Redbone Coonhound mix. He has been through Puppy obedience and we are planning to have him tested for Canine good citizenship.

[nightlysparrow]

Originally Posted by chicadee1999

Thank you for the links, I had the first one booked-marked already because I saw it in another thread and the second had good information. I am not an irresponsible owner so all of my pets have been spayed or neutered. One dog is a Australian Cattle/Lab mix and the other is a American staffordshire terrier, German Shepherd and Redbone Coonhound mix. He has been through Puppy obedience and we are planning to have him tested for Canine good citizenship.

It sounds like you are a responsible owner. I personally love dogs and have owned terriers (not pit bulls). If you're not completely set on NorCal, consider SoCal. There is a growing tech sector in LA and SD and there is a lot more SFH housing stock with yards. Plus, generally more bang for the buck.