Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Home styles are different in CA, people don't frown upon one-story no-basement homes over there, like they do here. In fact, living in CA for over 10 years I didn't see any true basements in homes, it's mostly walkout lower levels on downsloping hilly lots, which is common there. So, don't have a negative perception that you would be dowgrading, because you will be living in a home laid out like an apartment. Honestly, I don't see how 1 mil 1200-1500 sq.ft or less small coDC is definitely a bit cheaper than the burbs of SF Bay area peninsula, which are extremely pricey, but DC is not really that far behind when you think about it's most desirable burbs either. lonial/cape cod in Arlington, needing work, is any better than a 1 mil fixer upper 1 story CA home in Peninsula burbs.

True, but with Arlington you are guaranteed a short commute, walkability, and metro access. And those 1200-1500 small colonials for $1M are only in LV; there are lots of options in the rest of Arlington and Fairfax for $700-800k.

In Cali, you $1M is going to get you very little in almost all the suburbs (not just exclusive pockets).

And I curious how 'good' schools in Arlington/Fairfax compare to good schools in San Mateo/Mountain View?? Any insight?

I don't agree. Long term former Bay Area resident here, who still has friends/family there. OP is looking in the most expensive parts of Bay Area, which got crazy pricing because of proximity to jobs in Silicon Valley and the city and no bridge commute, plus good weather and good schools. However, prices are not all that bad all over Bay Area, even in SF. It really is equivalent to looking for a home in the most popular areas of DC metro, like Arlington near metro with good schools, Bethesda near metro with good schools, etc. You actually can get more for your money in SF than in let's say Palo Alto. It's not all about urban walkability in Bay Area prices and PT access is not as important there to decide people's housing options, as it sucks, most people commute by cars, because crazy amount of jobs are in the burbs. Silicon Valley is a burb.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Home styles are different in CA, people don't frown upon one-story no-basement homes over there, like they do here. In fact, living in CA for over 10 years I didn't see any true basements in homes, it's mostly walkout lower levels on downsloping hilly lots, which is common there. So, don't have a negative perception that you would be dowgrading, because you will be living in a home laid out like an apartment. Honestly, I don't see how 1 mil 1200-1500 sq.ft or less small coDC is definitely a bit cheaper than the burbs of SF Bay area peninsula, which are extremely pricey, but DC is not really that far behind when you think about it's most desirable burbs either. lonial/cape cod in Arlington, needing work, is any better than a 1 mil fixer upper 1 story CA home in Peninsula burbs.

True, but with Arlington you are guaranteed a short commute, walkability, and metro access. And those 1200-1500 small colonials for $1M are only in LV; there are lots of options in the rest of Arlington and Fairfax for $700-800k.

In Cali, you $1M is going to get you very little in almost all the suburbs (not just exclusive pockets).

And I curious how 'good' schools in Arlington/Fairfax compare to good schools in San Mateo/Mountain View?? Any insight?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Long-time former Bay Area resident here, now living in DC area.

You know to stay away from East Palo Alto - that's important. Honestly, stay away from Oakland too. I love Oakland very much, and there are some very nice areas there. However, Oakland is having some horrible problems with police protection, and it's been going on for at least a year or two. The police don't respond to calls, or they respond very late, and crime is through the roof. A few years ago I would have said yes to Oakland, particularly if you can afford private school for the MS / HS years, but right now I'd stay far away.

The commute from Oakland would be pretty terrible anyway.

A reasonable option that would be a medium to longish commute would be Scotts Valley or Boulder Creek, in the mountains between San Jose and Santa Cruz. Right now google maps says the commute is 35 mins (at 7 am PST) - I would imagine it could get to 1 hour easily. I know someone who did this commute regularly, and she made it work. There are some nice homes (and fixer uppers too, if you prefer) under $1M in Scotts Valley and Boulder Creek. Schools are 7 - 9 on great schools.

Los Gatos would be closer, and it's very nice with good schools. Right now most listings on redfin are over $1M, but check out this one: http://www.redfin.com/CA/Los-Gatos/12380-Indian-Rock-Way-95033/home/2394363

Good luck!

i would be worried it would fall off the hill, is that ever a concern

Anonymous wrote:Long-time former Bay Area resident here, now living in DC area.

You know to stay away from East Palo Alto - that's important. Honestly, stay away from Oakland too. I love Oakland very much, and there are some very nice areas there. However, Oakland is having some horrible problems with police protection, and it's been going on for at least a year or two. The police don't respond to calls, or they respond very late, and crime is through the roof. A few years ago I would have said yes to Oakland, particularly if you can afford private school for the MS / HS years, but right now I'd stay far away.

The commute from Oakland would be pretty terrible anyway.

A reasonable option that would be a medium to longish commute would be Scotts Valley or Boulder Creek, in the mountains between San Jose and Santa Cruz. Right now google maps says the commute is 35 mins (at 7 am PST) - I would imagine it could get to 1 hour easily. I know someone who did this commute regularly, and she made it work. There are some nice homes (and fixer uppers too, if you prefer) under $1M in Scotts Valley and Boulder Creek. Schools are 7 - 9 on great schools.

Los Gatos would be closer, and it's very nice with good schools. Right now most listings on redfin are over $1M, but check out this one: http://www.redfin.com/CA/Los-Gatos/12380-Indian-Rock-Way-95033/home/2394363

Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:Long-time former Bay Area resident here, now living in DC area.

You know to stay away from East Palo Alto - that's important. Honestly, stay away from Oakland too. I love Oakland very much, and there are some very nice areas there. However, Oakland is having some horrible problems with police protection, and it's been going on for at least a year or two. The police don't respond to calls, or they respond very late, and crime is through the roof. A few years ago I would have said yes to Oakland, particularly if you can afford private school for the MS / HS years, but right now I'd stay far away.

The commute from Oakland would be pretty terrible anyway.

A reasonable option that would be a medium to longish commute would be Scotts Valley or Boulder Creek, in the mountains between San Jose and Santa Cruz. Right now google maps says the commute is 35 mins (at 7 am PST) - I would imagine it could get to 1 hour easily. I know someone who did this commute regularly, and she made it work. There are some nice homes (and fixer uppers too, if you prefer) under $1M in Scotts Valley and Boulder Creek. Schools are 7 - 9 on great schools.

Los Gatos would be closer, and it's very nice with good schools. Right now most listings on redfin are over $1M, but check out this one: http://www.redfin.com/CA/Los-Gatos/12380-Indian-Rock-Way-95033/home/2394363

Good luck!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Home styles are different in CA, people don't frown upon one-story no-basement homes over there, like they do here. In fact, living in CA for over 10 years I didn't see any true basements in homes, it's mostly walkout lower levels on downsloping hilly lots, which is common there. So, don't have a negative perception that you would be dowgrading, because you will be living in a home laid out like an apartment. Honestly, I don't see how 1 mil 1200-1500 sq.ft or less small colonial/cape cod in Arlington, needing work, is any better than a 1 mil fixer upper 1 story CA home in Peninsula burbs.

True, but with Arlington you are guaranteed a short commute, walkability, and metro access. And those 1200-1500 small colonials for $1M are only in LV; there are lots of options in the rest of Arlington and Fairfax for $700-800k.

In Cali, you $1M is going to get you very little in almost all the suburbs (not just exclusive pockets).

And I curious how 'good' schools in Arlington/Fairfax compare to good schools in San Mateo/Mountain View?? Any insight?

Anonymous wrote:Home styles are different in CA, people don't frown upon one-story no-basement homes over there, like they do here. In fact, living in CA for over 10 years I didn't see any true basements in homes, it's mostly walkout lower levels on downsloping hilly lots, which is common there. So, don't have a negative perception that you would be dowgrading, because you will be living in a home laid out like an apartment. Honestly, I don't see how 1 mil 1200-1500 sq.ft or less small colonial/cape cod in Arlington, needing work, is any better than a 1 mil fixer upper 1 story CA home in Peninsula burbs.