Moving to Bay Area (job in PA) ... any tips on best areas/schools from recent transplants?

[Anonymous]

My husband's job is moving to Palo Alto and I'm wondering if anybody has moved from the area recently with children. We currently live in a more urban area of Arlington and love that we are within a 10-15 minute drive of DC museums and restaurants. When I look at the Peninsula I'm worried that we are going to be in the "Reston" of the Bay area or my husband is going to have an hour+ commute. Any suggestions? Also, what's up with the schools? Any tips or suggestions are much appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Los Altos is your best bet, but can you afford it?
Just to warn you....schools really are not as good at all as Arlington, FFX County etc.

[Anonymous]

omg, that is not true. the schools in palo alto/cupertino/los altos are VERY good. i grew up there, i know.

i hope you have 700K+ for a home. if you give me an idea of price range, maybe i can point you to an area. but there IS no reston of the bay area. that would be 2 hours or more away from palo alto.

[Anonymous]

Price range is probably up to $1.3 million. I'm gagging just saying that because I know it isn't going to get me what $1.3 million gets me here. ARGH!

To 10:27 -- I'm worried about the schools b/c I've been reading Great Schools and hearing things like "yeah! music for 1/2 the year." WHAT?? I also worry that I'm going to get schools that are sub-par to our current fab school with parents who are 10x more intense. Am I wrong here?