The Bay Area -- Peninsula
 

We are contemplating a huge move from the East Coast to the Bay Area. Hubby's potential new job would be in South San Francisco.

Give me your thoughts on towns on the Peninsula side of the bay -- schools, commute, housing prices, etc.

Well, one of the first things you need to consider is how long of a commute time to/from work your hubby can tolerate. After deciding that then look for areas to live in while taking the commute time into consideration. Then, of course the quality of the schools and the housing costs. I'm sure you're already aware that the Bay area is one of the costliest in the nation? In other words, a half-million dollars doesn't get you much out here.
Good luck and I'm sure you'll get a lot more replies.

Housing prices - some of the highest in the Bay Area (unique location -- no way to spread out!).

Towns - some great, some not as great. Personal favorites - Burlingame (where I live) and Palo Alto (the latter being quite a bit farther from South San Francisco). There's also the residential enclaves of Hillsborough (adjacent to Burlingame - very high end and extremely expensive homes, great schools) and Atherton (also farther from SSF). Lots in between -- give us more of an idea what you're looking for -- for example, older home or subdivision? Ages of kids (are elementary schools important, or is it middle school or high school?), etc.

DMLove -- Burlingame is one of the towns we are seriously considering. Our children are young -- 5 and 3 -- so we're in need of preschool for the little one and elementary school for the older one. Of course, we'd like to move somewhere where the schools will be good throughout high school so we aren't forced to move.

How long is the commute from Palo Alto? How do the schools in, say, San Mateo compare to Burlingame?

TAW -- I'm aware that the Bay area real estate prices are high, but we are moving from an equally high-priced area. The relocation counselor said we might be the only people who *don't* have sticker shock from moving there!!

I got so excited, I didn't answer your other question, TAW. I'm not sure what kind of home we're looking for. Hubby says he wants new construction. Our current house is 100 years old and required an extensive renovation, but we aren't up for that again!

If you can afford it, the municipalities around and including So SF are the best in the SF bay area. Burlingame, Millbrae, Daly City, San Mateo, Belmont and if you are quite rich, you can't beat Hillsborough. These are some close ones.

lisettemac, you're moving from NY, are you not?

email me at [email protected] (which is the email address I don't mind "publishing"). I will put you in touch with people whose kids have been in the schools more recently than mine (my son graduated from college this year). I can "talk" to you about the towns, though.

Disclaimer: I've lived in San Bruno (right by SFO) for 13 years now and love it. San Bruno has a variety of ethnic groups (Palestinian, Fijian, Hispanic, Italian) and a small town atmosphere.

Schools are generally excellent, with a few exceptions (San Bruno and South San Francisco districts are lesser than others on the Peninsula). East Palo Alto is considered to be a poorer section and more "dangerous" than other areas of the penisula, as are parts of Redwood City and San Mateo.

If I had the money and was in your position, I'd seriously consider Burlingame as a good combination of pricing, community, etc.
Commute is on one of two freeways - 101 down the eastern side of the peninsula and 280 down the middle of the peninsula. Both run into South San Francisco, but your husband's job will most likely be on the 101 side. 280 is a better commute for the most part.

Consider the coastal towns of Half Moon Bay and Pacifica as well. They are more affordable and have their own charms. Commute can range from hellish to decent depending on where you are.

Really, your best bet is to come out here and visit. Check out the local web sites http://yelp.com and http://sfbay.craigslist.org to get an idea of what people like in various towns and how much housing costs in the areas that interest you.

I live in Palo Alto, grew up in Menlo Park, teach in the area and know the place quite well. I'd be happy to answer any questions you might have about the mid-peninsula. [email protected]

When our kids were little we lived in Foster City, Belmont and Burlingame. I would agree that Burlingame is your best bet unless you have Hillsborough money ($2.0M or more to spend for your house). The area just west of El Camino at 3rd in San Mateo is also quite charming and worth a look.

I'd stay away from the longer commutes, especially if the job is off of Hwy 101.

Kevin

However, unless you build yourselves, finding new construction in Burlingame will not be easy. Over the last few years, when the market was hot (it's still not cold, just not as hot), contractors bought junky old houses as tear-downs and built some very nice new homes. I don't know of any that remain on the market.

>>unless you have Hillsborough money ($2.0M or more to spend for your house). <<

A 2 million house in Hillsborough will be a tear-down.

Stu Dudley

In fact, I know of a house in Hillsborough that's going for 10 times that amount that will be torn down!

Thanks all!

Iamq and dmlove, I will e-mail you from my personal account.

I am moving from Greenwich, CT, so I am familiar with the $2mil teardown. But just because someone else can afford to tear it down, doesn't necessarily mean that it is a house that couldn't be spruced up and lived in!!

If your from Greenwich, I highly suggest you looking further north to Suasalito , Tiberon, Belvedere and Mill Valley. Such your used to NYC traffic, your husband would find commuting to South San. Fran. a piece of cake.
Mill Valley is such a great spot to bring up a family.

Stay on the peninsula from SF to Palo Alto. Marin is foolish if your job is in SSF.

Stu Dudley

S.S.F is rougly 27 miles to Mill Valley. This is hardly a tough commute for anyone coming from outside NYC.

I like Marin, but I think that 27 mile commute sounds pretty awful, and anyhow commuting over the GG Bridge and down 19th Avenue or Van Ness through the city everyday would make that 27 miles feel like 50. Stick to the peninisula.

Ocean

I've driven that route a thousand times. Getting through SF during rush hour is not fun.

Stu Dudley

Most of the peninsula cities are not very attractive. In my opinion, the only cities that have character and nice downtown areas rather than a succession of stripmalls, are Palo Alto and Woodside.