I was playing around on zillow, and I think that if you are realistic about space (and open to a condo or very tiny house), you can find what you are looking for.

Redwood City: http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1419-Arguello-St-Redwood-City-CA-94063/15563454_zpid/
http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/358-E-St-Redwood-City-CA-94063/15563543_zpid/

Palo Alto: http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1982-W-Bayshore-Rd-APT-130-East-Palo-Alto-CA-94303/2146963707_zpid/

San Mateo: http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/140-N-Claremont-St-San-Mateo-CA-94401/15522461_zpid/

Even more options if you intend to rent

People are so negative on this board. I think you can make it work if you adjust your expectations and look hard enough.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're screwed.

Screwed even if we're willing to rent, have a longer commute, and get a small place? I'm trying to be realistic here.

What if the budget were $1M? Where then? We know which towns are supposed to be nice, just not any details about schools, neighborhoods, character/feel, etc.

I think you need at least $1.7m there.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're screwed.

Screwed even if we're willing to rent, have a longer commute, and get a small place? I'm trying to be realistic here.

What if the budget were $1M? Where then? We know which towns are supposed to be nice, just not any details about schools, neighborhoods, character/feel, etc.

Palo Alto has a cute downtown area. Decent schools. Do NOT confuse that with East Palo Alto.
San Mateo is cool. Good bilingual public schools.
Redwood City is good. Cute downtown also.

I have friends with elementary/middle school aged kids in all these neighborhoods.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're screwed.

Screwed even if we're willing to rent, have a longer commute, and get a small place? I'm trying to be realistic here.

What if the budget were $1M? Where then? We know which towns are supposed to be nice, just not any details about schools, neighborhoods, character/feel, etc.

A million barely gets you 1500 sf with no basement

We don't need more than 1500 square feet or a basement. I would be happy with 1200 square feet if it were in a good neighborhood with a good elementary school.

I know it's a longshot on a DC message board but I figure DC people are from all over.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You're screwed.

Screwed even if we're willing to rent, have a longer commute, and get a small place? I'm trying to be realistic here.

What if the budget were $1M? Where then? We know which towns are supposed to be nice, just not any details about schools, neighborhoods, character/feel, etc.

A million barely gets you 1500 sf with no basement

Anonymous wrote:You're screwed.

Screwed even if we're willing to rent, have a longer commute, and get a small place? I'm trying to be realistic here.

What if the budget were $1M? Where then? We know which towns are supposed to be nice, just not any details about schools, neighborhoods, character/feel, etc.

You're screwed.

Los Altos or Sunnyvale?

Look there.

Work will probably be in Mountainview.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You should rent. Sadly, that budget won't get you anything.

Thanks, that's sort of what we expected. Suggestions as to where to rent? Where are the best schools? We think we are probably priced out of Palo Alto even renting. We are from the East Coast and clueless. Happy to sacrifice square footage and short commute for a nice location and good school.

Where's work?

Anonymous wrote:You should rent. Sadly, that budget won't get you anything.

Thanks, that's sort of what we expected. Suggestions as to where to rent? Where are the best schools? We think we are probably priced out of Palo Alto even renting. We are from the East Coast and clueless. Happy to sacrifice square footage and short commute for a nice location and good school.

That budget will get you a run-down, non-updated 1200ish sq ft place in an area with not great schools. I'd rent.

You should rent. Sadly, that budget won't get you anything.

Is anyone from Silicon Valley or does anyone live there now? Where would you live in Silicon Valley if you had a budget of around $800,000 for a house and needed a good public elementary school? House size is less important than charm, character, and location. We are also willing to rent if necessary. Any advice or information is welcome.