Northern California - Moving to bay area

2 years
2 25 year olds
where do they go?

Depends on where your job is I suppose. When are you moving?

When she's done with school and when i find a job somewhere other than Illinois.

Sounds like fun. I'm not in the Bay area, but there are a mess of folks here that are. They'll have some suggestions I'm sure. If you come East toward Sac, I'd be happy to show you the local hills here.

Do you or your girlfriend have any special job skills? It may help decide where you would want to target your search.

The "Bay Area" is a very large area. I think the bike ride around the edge of the bay is around 300 miles. The "Bay Area" extends 50-100 miles outward in every direction.

The most hip place to live is in the city of San Francisco itself; especially the northern half of the city. City life isn't for everyone, though.

Did you ever decide to go to grad school? You have a degree in Psych right? Were you maybe thinking of going to school here or finding a job and settling in?

The most hip place to live is in the city of San Francisco itself; especially the northern half of the city. City life isn't for everyone, though.

This is probably question #1. If you want the city life then that really narrows it down for you.

If proximity to great riding is your priority, I'd propose you'd be considering either southern peninsula/south bay or east bay. East bay will be cheaper on average and BART is great for accessing the city. On the peninsula, you have CalTrain, which is OK, but not as convenient as BART IMHO. Then again, I'm a little biased...

Tell us more about your priorities and it'll probably help with more specific suggestions.

We're both in social work currently. My degree's are in psychology and history--i'm flexible, she's getting an MSW. I'd like to go back to school, nothing firm yet.

Come visit and check it out! You won't want to go back to Illinois...

On the peninsula, you have CalTrain, which is OK, but not as convenient as BART IMHO. Then again, I'm a little biased...


Caltrain is way faster (during the commute hours), and I am allowed to take my bike :p

j/k with ya Beaker ;)

O/T: Someone in the bikecar of the baby bullet had a Garmin, and it was hitting just over 80mph :twitchy:

OK Marco, I'll credit you actually being able to transport a bike at a useful time of the day...:(

OK Marco, I'll credit you actually being able to transport a bike at a useful time of the day...:(

Folders are the answer for now...

Caltrain+bike is so popular that riders are denied boarding all the time.

My schedule works pretty well though as far as getting on with my bike.

I am pretty spoiled in that I live like a mile from the station (Hillsdale in San Mateo). I can wake up after 8 AM, shower, get ready and everything, make the 8:40 bullet and be at my desk in downtown San Jose at 9:15 ;)

We don't welcome 9 year old thread-bumpers around here. That's a joke.. The Bay Area is fantastic for cycling. I never take it for granted.

We're both in social work currently. My degree's are in psychology and history--i'm flexible, she's getting an MSW. I'd like to go back to school, nothing firm yet.

San Bruno, it's really central to everything (mostly).

We don't welcome 9 year old thread-bumpers around here. That's a joke.. The Bay Area is fantastic for cycling. I never take it for granted.

In the name of good weather, an ocean, mountains, great cycling, and...hmm...over priced housing, i can make adjustments.

It gets boring when its gray and 40 and rainy every day...so boring that sometimes you just gotta stir it up a bit.

In the name of good weather, an ocean, mountains, great cycling, and...hmm...over priced housing, i can make adjustments.

It gets boring when its gray and 40 and rainy every day...so boring that sometimes you just gotta stir it up a bit.


Back in '86 (at age 26) I finished my MBA at UIC on a Thursday and hopped in the car headed for the Bay Area on Friday....(Chicago weather ain't the best... :winter2:....)

After a brief stop in Berkeley for the Dead shows at the Greek Theater, I headed to the city....job just off the Financial District..... cheap rental (roomate) out in the Avenues (Sunset)..... Health/Martial arts club in the Marina (Tae Kwon Do)..... it was just what I needed after 20+ years in the midwest..... after a couple of years migrated up to Marin..... new job (next 10 years) with an office across the street from the Marin Brewing co.... bought a modest house in Tahoe (Truckee) while still bouncing around various cheap rentals (roomates) in Marin, eventually landing in Sausalito Yacht Harbor, sleeping on a sailboat (when I wasn't travelling business, or up in Tahoe)...oh yeah, riding mountain bikes & road bikes on Mt Tam & West Marin.... ahhhhhh...:D

Then I got married.....:rolleyes:

But sssseriously...... moved to Truckee (then fell down the hill into Reno).... and now Ride the Sierras in Summer.... Ski & make riding pilgramages to the coast periodically in winter..... ain't been back to Chi-town in years...

Go West Young Man !!!! :thumb:

See, now that's what i'm talking about.

As long as i've got a bike, some pasta and a roof, i'm fine.

Just warning you, you will miss Chicago ;)

I moved out here 2.5 years ago from metro Detroit, and I miss Chicago lol.

But, when I was finishing up my MBA, I was looking at jobs in the city and living car free. Then I found a job in metro Sac and can actually afford to buy a house on an architect's salary :D The valley isn't full of cows and hicks - just 90% of it :D and the weather is very similar to weather in the south bay (from the times I've been to San Jose, its been damn near identical).

See, now that's what i'm talking about.

As long as i've got a bike, some pasta and a roof, i'm fine.


only downside is that the pizza out here suks.... (except for Zachary's :love:)..... the chinese food is great though..... and the fish... mmmmmm , I'm hungry !!!:roflmao:

See, now that's what i'm talking about.

As long as i've got a bike, some pasta and a roof, i'm fine.

Right now is actually a pretty good time to buy. Prices have come down so much, there are aalot of good buys around. For me personally Im not one for the city(SF). I actually hate going anywhere around there. But as mentioned there is alot of great areas for riding. Im partial to the south bay, as I think we have the best riding in the bay area. With the Santa Cruz mountains right out the door its great riding year round.:thumb:

Just warning you, you will miss Chicago ;)


I like Chicago, but i don't actually live in Chicago and I'm not sure i want to move to Chicago.

Just warning you, you will miss Chicago ;)

and the weather is very similar to weather in the south bay (from the times I've been to San Jose, its been damn near identical).

:roflmao2::roflmao2::roflmao2:

I lived in Sac for a year and my family is there, too dang hot. The nice part is Tahoe is so close and easy to get out of the heat.

only downside is that the pizza out here suks.... (except for Zachary's :love:)..... the chinese food is great though..... and the fish... mmmmmm !!!:roflmao:

mmmmm... Zachary's. Had some of that after doing a couple Diablo climbs last week. :)

Just warning you, you will miss Chicago ;)

I moved out here 2.5 years ago from metro Detroit, and I miss Chicago lol.


I grew up in Chicago, moved out to the bay area 15+ years ago and Chicago still feels more like "home" to me when I go back (which isn't often) than the bay area does.

I love the bay area though, not planning on moving anytime soon. :D

I grew up in Chicago, moved out to the bay area 15+ years ago and Chicago still feels more like "home" to me when I go back (which isn't often) than the bay area does.

I love the bay area though, not planning on moving anytime soon. :D

Home is always home.

I went to college in Chicago, and lived there (North Pier, Wicker Park, and Ravenswood) for a couple more years before going to grad school down at UIUC. Been out here since right after grad school. When I go back to Chicago, I'm almost always amazed that I survived the cold. Of course, my blood had gotten ridiculously thinner ever since I moved out here, too.

...and the weather is very similar to weather in the south bay (from the times I've been to San Jose, its been damn near identical).

Not quite my man. I grew up in San Jose and now live in Davis. It's get's significantly hotter in the summer and colder in the winter. but the in between times are practically the same.

timmyquest, if the Bay area seems a little too pricey, definitely consider some of the central valley ie, Sacramento area. You're never too far away from any of the attractions. I ski in the winter, ride my bike practically year round and can go into the bay area with just a short drive. My Fiance and I have family in the north and south bay and visit often. Davis is great if you want cycling culture but can be pricey but not quite Bay Area costs. Surrounding areas, Woodland, Dixon are definitely cheaper as is a Sacramento. Your smack dab in the middle between the mountains and the coast for easy access. In any case, you're never too far from a good school if you ever decide to go back. The UC and Cal State systems are among the best in the world. Just live here long enough and you'll pay resident tuition and it will cheaper too.

I like Chicago, but i don't actually live in Chicago and I'm not sure i want to move to Chicago.

I lived in the midwest for several years. I remember 0F daytime temperatures in the winter. 100F and 100% humidity in the summer. Flooding in the spring. Tornadoes in the summer. I have no intention of ever moving back there.

I lived in the midwest for several years. I remember 0F daytime temperatures in the winter. 100F and 100% humidity in the summer. Flooding in the spring. Tornadoes in the summer. I have no intention of ever moving back there.

Exactly. Everyone seems to be complaining about that one thing they have to death with...i've had 'em all.

Earthquake? Yes.
Tornado? Yes.
Flood? Yes.
Drought? Yes.
Humidity? Yes.
Heat? Yes.
Cold? Yes.

Exactly. Everyone seems to be complaining about that one thing they have to death with...i've had 'em all.




How 'bout this ???

Exactly. Everyone seems to be complaining about that one thing they have to death with...i've had 'em all.

Earthquake? Yes.
Tornado? Yes.
Flood? Yes.
Drought? Yes.
Humidity? Yes.
Heat? Yes.
Cold? Yes.

No typhoons? Hurricanes? Tsunamis? Forest fires? You haven't lived yet.

People worry about earthquakes in California, but I think FEMA says the worst earthquake risk area is in the Ozark Mountains (Missouri/Arkansas). The probability of a serious earthquake there is just as bad as for California, but preparedness is much worse. And yes, New Orleans has been at the top of FEMA's flood risk list for years, but actually doing something about it is a different issue.

only downside is that the pizza out here suks.... (except for Zachary's :love:)..... the chinese food is great though..... and the fish... mmmmmm , I'm hungry !!!:roflmao:

I'm from South Jersey and I <3 Zachary's! Dee-lish!

Amici's is a close second; their thin-crust pizza reminds of the pizza parlor my parents frequented when I was a kid.

Not quite my man. I grew up in San Jose and now live in Davis. It's get's significantly hotter in the summer and colder in the winter. but the in between times are practically the same.

Thus my disclamer of my specific samples ;) . Every time I've been there, the high was the same here. Its not like going to SF during the summer when its 40-50 degrees colder there then here in the valley :D


can go into the bay area with just a short drive.

Totally off topic, but I was just messing around at work after watching some top gear the night before - it's almost the same distance from Sac to SF as from central London to Bristol on the west coast of Britain lol.

Totally off topic, but I was just messing around at work after watching some top gear the night before - it's almost the same distance from Sac to SF as from central London to Bristol on the west coast of Britain lol.

Another Brit??? I always find it amusing to think about these kind of comparisons - it boggles my mind these days to think about how moving house 100miles in the UK is a big deal - and how the local cultures varied over such short distances.

I went to college in Chicago, and lived there (North Pier, Wicker Park, and Ravenswood) for a couple more years before going to grad school down at UIUC. Been out here since right after grad school. When I go back to Chicago, I'm almost always amazed that I survived the cold. Of course, my blood had gotten ridiculously thinner ever since I moved out here, too.

I grew up in MN and Chicago. In MN, when it first hit 40 everyone heads out in short sleeved shirts. I remember playing in snow in shorts and a t-shirt.

Now, when I go outside and it's 50 in the morning I feel like I'm freezing to death.

Acclimation is amazing.

I also moved from San Jose to Davis, to go to school. The summers in Davis are way hotter, and unfortunately there are far more problems with allergens in the central valley than in the Bay Area. But anyway...

BART goes down to Millbrae, so living on the peninsula is alright. East Bay is better for BART, though. Either way, in order to live car-free and still have a fulfilling life, you really need to live in SF. Everywhere else is planned around cars, and the only good public transportation outside of SF is stuff like BART which is designed to get you into SF. But living without a car in SF is great. Just get a big beefy chain lock and plan on replacing bikes every year or so as they get stolen or stripped. Don't think that riding a piece of crap will protect you - they will steal *anything*.

San Jose is very different, and if you don't have a car you are pretty much completely ****ed. Unless you want to spend 4 hours getting across town on the VTA bus. I've done it when my car broke down. It sucks. There are plenty of bike lanes, but never any bike racks wherever you go, so bike parking is a problem. And the distances involved are large enough that biking around is not a good way to get anywhere, unless you have way too much time on your hands.

I'm from South Jersey and I <3 Zachary's! Dee-lish!

Amici's is a close second; their thin-crust pizza reminds of the pizza parlor my parents frequented when I was a kid.

Zachary's and Amici's are my favorite pizzas by far.

Here in San Bruno, everyone loves Toto's and for the life of me, I can't figure out why? Their pizzas are pricey and mediocre at best.

Couldn't let a pizza thread go by me without plugging my favorite pizza place, Lanesplitter in Oakland. I can walk here from my house. I can also walk to Zachary's (although I actually prefer Lanesplitter's thin crusts). Very dangerous.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/lanesplitter-pizza-and-pub-oakland
Lanesplitter also has three classic motorcycles (including a Ducati) sitting on a high ledge above the dining area. It's very cool!

+1 on Lanesplitter's, great place. They also have an excellent beer selection. :beer:

Either way, in order to live car-free and still have a fulfilling life, you really need to live in SF. Everywhere else is planned around cars, and the only good public transportation outside of SF is stuff like BART which is designed to get you into SF.

While this is generally true, it's not entirely true. Many Bay Area cities have very walkable/bikeable neighborhoods.

I guarantee you there are a few neighborhoods in the Peninsula and the East Bay that would crush most of the Sunset District, Twin Peaks or Hunters Point (for example) in walkablilty.

Checkout this site and plug in an address, it gives a walkability score. The results depend on user input of shops and facilities, but it is a pretty good reference.
http://www.walkscore.com/

FYI, my address in San Mateo (on the 100-200 block of 24th Ave) has a walkablilty score of 92 (out of 100).
There are tons of places in the City of SF that score 90+.

here are the neighborhood breakdowns for SF:
http://www.walkscore.com/rankings/San_Francisco

Now if you throw a bike into the mix, cities outside SF can be very good. Many Peninsula cities, such as San Mateo, and Palo Alto are great for cyclists.

FYI: We live in San Mateo, and live "car-lite."

- We live 1 mile from the CalTrain station (which is a major one with the Baby Bullet stops). I ride my bike and bring it with me on CalTrain every day to go to work in San Jose. So I never drive to work.
- We have several grocery stores within 1.5 miles or so. We usually ride our bikes to the store with panniers.
- We have several restaurants, our banks, post office, etc within walking or riding distance.
- Great riding is very close by.. This is huge for us, as riding is a huge part of our lives. Most often, we never have to drive our bikes to the start of a ride.

You are right about there not being enough bike racks, but there are plenty of things to lock bikes to.

To add to the pizza fire, I really like Chicago Fire in Sacramento. They also have a location in Roseville I think. The restaurant is owned by Chicago transplants the pizza is pretty darn close to what I had at Giordano's in Chicago. They also make Lou Malnati's style as well as thin crust.

Checkout this site and plug in an address, it gives a walkability score. The results depend on user input of shops and facilities, but it is a pretty good reference.
http://www.walkscore.com/

I just plugged in my address and got an 8 out of 100. :p

We have a small general store / post office 2 miles away, lots of county parks around, and a school bus stop across the street. That's it for walking distance.

Checkout this site and plug in an address, it gives a walkability score. The results depend on user input of shops and facilities, but it is a pretty good reference.
http://www.walkscore.com/

I just plugged in my address and got an 8 out of 100. :p

Even my neighborhood gets a 71 here in the suburban hell of roseville lol


To add to the pizza fire, I really like Chicago Fire in Sacramento. They also have a location in Roseville I think

Looks like midtown and Folsom. Got my hopes up for nothing lol.

Even my neighborhood gets a 71 here in the suburban hell of roseville lol

That's country living.

Can't beat the bicycle and motorcycle riding around here though. :thumb:

I just plugged in my address and got an 8 out of 100. :p

We have a small general store / post office 2 miles away, lots of county parks around, and a school bus stop across the street. That's it for walking distance.

I win, i got a 6.

Huy, I didn't like Chicago Fire at all. I thought it rather bland. We've had much better pizza in the area.

Walk score: 37...lol

Even my neighborhood gets a 71 here in the suburban hell of roseville lol



Looks like midtown and Folsom. Got my hopes up for nothing lol.

Sorry, I guess i was thinking of the wrong freeway.


Huy, I didn't like Chicago Fire at all. I thought it rather bland. We've had much better pizza in the area.

Walk score: 37...lol

Joel,

Was that in Folsom or midtown?

I got a 22 in Menlo Park. Girlfriend's place by Lake Merritt in Oakland got 85! Sounds about right. That's a pretty useful site.

Couldn't let a pizza thread go by me without plugging my favorite pizza place, Lanesplitter in Oakland. I can walk here from my house. I can also walk to Zachary's (although I actually prefer Lanesplitter's thin crusts). Very dangerous.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/lanesplitter-pizza-and-pub-oakland
Lanesplitter also has three classic motorcycles (including a Ducati) sitting on a high ledge above the dining area. It's very cool!A reason to stop in Oakland? Can it be? :P


Checkout this site and plug in an address, it gives a walkability score. The results depend on user input of shops and facilities, but it is a pretty good reference.
http://www.walkscore.com/Heh, I got a 54, but that's based on considering KFC to be a "restaurant", a complete dive bar, and a few places I've never even heard of.


To add to the pizza fire, I really like Chicago Fire in Sacramento.Seconded. Mmm. Not quite Giordano's or Gino's, but very good. Be careful if you order the Greek Fries. It's easy to fill up on them before the pizza even comes.