actually, i think i am looking for info on surrounding suburbs that would be good for a family.

H is interviewing in san Mateo and we are looking onto relocating.

Neverenough reccomended i try this forum..i ususally hang out over at the EN forum.

all info and opinions are greatly appreciated. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

<small>[ September 22, 2004, 02:22 PM: Message edited by: nelly ]</small>

Hi Nelly,

Welcome to GQII. RedHat is from that side of the Pennisula. He may be able to give you some good locations. It is expensive up that way as far as homes are concerned.

There are a few MBers up that way.... Maybe Supermom can help. I will try to e-mail them. If you want, you can e-mail me at: mborchid2@yahoo.com

take care,
L.

All I can think of are the suburbs across the bay. There is a San Mateo bridge which crosses over to Hayward, Fremont, Union City, San Leandro.

My H used to work in San Mateo. (before being laid off!)

While the homes are nice in places like Pleasanton, Blackhawk and San Ramon, crossing that bridge adds up to a lot of $$ each month. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="images/icons/shocked.gif" />

Maybe better to try out for places like Redwood City, Portola Valley, etc.

JMHO, though.... I used to live in San Jose.
L.

Terrific family environments all around the Bay in Virginia AND Maryland. I'd stay away from the District, though, and some locales in either state. But all-in-all, good places to raise a family and The Bay is a marvelous place to explore. A lot better than that dinky bay (small b) on the left coast.

WAT

<small>[ September 22, 2004, 02:52 PM: Message edited by: worthatry ]</small>

Nelly,
Lots of pros and cons to the S.F. bay area, the cons are mostly financial. I was born there and all of my family still lives there. The cost of housing is #1 in the United States from the last report I read. Expect to pay anywhere from 700,000 to 900,000 for a 30 year old 2,500 sq. house if you're fortunate to find a decent one. My sister just paid almost 900,000 for a 1,500 sq ft. fixer upper in Napa but that is on the high side of the market.

Traffic is awful, but it depends on what you are used to. Most of my family thinks nothing of it and would not live anywhere else. School districts vary, some very good public schools but more that you want to stay away from, especially in the East Bay. Walnut Creek, Moraga have good schools and great neighborhoods but are very expensive. Someone who lives there now would be a better judge.

Now for the good stuff, S.F. rocks! My favorite city! Lots of cultural things to do and see. Lake Tahoe is only 3 hours away for fabulous winter skiing and summer recreation. Santa Cruz, Monterey and Carmel are within 2 hours also. For a family living with the everyday commute, school issues, cost of living etc. those things might not add up to being "worth it" it's going to be a tough call.

My H works for an airline so we were able to choose an area of the country that is far less expensive and be able to fly into S.F. as often as we can so we have the best of both worlds.

Keep us posted!

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by worthatry:
<strong> Terrific family environments all around the Bay in Virginia AND Maryland. I'd stay away from the District, though, and some locales in either state. But all-in-all, good places to raise a family and The Bay is a marvelous place to explore. A lot better than that dinky bay (small b) on the left coast.

WAT </strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Hey U east coast BA person U!!!! Stop downing the 'bay area' on the west coast. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

The grass is green on the west coast and the snow is white on the east. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Now can you tell the difference? LOL!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" />

luv ya,
L.

thanks everybody.
i appreciate all the info i can get right now.......i have visisted the area and just loved it but, on a limited budget w/ 3 kids it almost seems impossible. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="images/icons/frown.gif" />

still, i need to check out all the possible options.......so, amything you can suggest or comment on is helpful. thanks again.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">Originally posted by Orchid:
<strong>The grass is green on the west coast and the snow is white on the east.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">And the air is brown on the west bay and the living is pleasant on the east Bay...........

Nelly,

You can go a bit south to the Santa Clara County area. Cupertino, Santa Clara, Sunnyvale, Mountain View, Redwood City, San Carlos, and still keep you on the same side of the bay as San Mateo.

Now as for WAT: Yes we do have both smog and fog but come ova' here and the islands will make 'vog' juss 4 u!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

Don't you have smog up your way? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Razz]" src="images/icons/tongue.gif" />

L.

Smog? You mean crabs? You bet!

Oh, I forgot to mention the water temperature. Nice and warm in the Bay. You can actually swim in it without getting hypothermia. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />