Possible move to the SF bay area...

[princesskimberella]

Nothing definate yet, but it is a possiblity that we may make the move from the Metro Detroit area of Mi to the SF Bay Area. Ultimately it will depend what the offer ends up being for a new job for DH.

I am excited and scared to death at the same time, so much to consider moving our family to CA.

Looking for some insight in family friendly neighborhoods, we are already aware of the huge difference in the cost of homes and figure we will look into renting for a little bit till we get settled in. I also worry a bit about schools, my son is on the spectrum (ASD) and has an IEP already in place but still the whole transition will be rough for him.

Any insight would be great !
Thanks so much

 

[Sleepless Knight]

My family has lived in the Bay Area for nearly 25 years now. We love it. Of all my siblings, only one has not settled out here.

There are some great schools in the area, it's just a matter of finding the right area.

And though this should not determine whether or not one moves to the Bay Area, it is the absolute best place in the world for a Disney fan to live. It's less than a 6 hour drive from Disneyland, a roughly equally long flight to WDW, but it has the Walt Disney Family Museum. The presentations given at the museum are like watching the bonus material on the DVDs live. Here are just some of the people I've seen give presentations at the museum. Tony Baxter, Brad Bird, Pete Docter, Floyd Norman, Andreas Deja, and Tony Anselmo (voice of Donald Duck).

 

[PinkBudgie]

We live in the North Bay. Up in Wine Country. It's nice up here because it is close enough to get to SF or other big cities to do things (Disney Family Museum ) but away from the craziness for day to day living. DH commutes south to work. We are an 8 hour drive to DLR. What part of the Bay Area are you looking at? North Bay, East Bay, South Bay, SF?

 

[lcasa]

it's expensive but there's a reason - it's beautiful - lots to do too. What area is the job in? the bay area is BIG - lots of people live in the east bay to get more reasonable prices. BART is good for transportation too - widens the possible area to live in.

And the WDFM is incredible. Makes the bay area one of the few places I could move away from DL to.

 

[AngieBelle]

I just moved to the Bay area in January! I'm near San Jose.

The Walt Disney Family museum is amazing. It literally had me tearing up. It gives you such an appreciation for what Walt did. I haven't had the chance to go to any of the special events yet.

It's hard to adjust to not having WDW at my disposal anymore, but I'm glad DL is still only a days drive or a quick flight away. I'm hoping to make it back there in October. (I have family in LA too so that's nice.)

It's a beautiful area...the Orlando area is so flat, so it still amazes me to be able to walk outside and go "Look! Real mountains!"

 

[pixiewings71]

Yes, the Bay Area is quite large, where specifically are you looking? We are a 6 hour drive from DL, halfway between SF & Sacramento, it's a great place to live but the job market is a bit tough out here.....

 

[Astylla]

I actually moved from Detroit back in 2007 and coming to the Bay Area was huge sticker shock. My husband warned me the differences but I didn't believe it until I lived it. Just about everything costs more and depending where the job is located and where you are looking to move would affect many factors. It isn't uncommon for people to commute using public transit or by car and that is another thing to keep in mind.

Any particular area you are looking at ? The bay area is really vague.

 

[princesskimberella]

thank you everyone for your input

The company is in Palo Alto, DH has been looking online around San Jose are and San Francisco..

 

[SomeDude78]

thank you everyone for your input

The company is in Palo Alto, DH has been looking online around San Jose are and San Francisco..

I'm sure you already know this, but San Jose (I live there now) is a much more sane commute to Palo Alto. Oh, and I'm sure someone else has already told you this as well, but there's a pretty big difference between East Palo Alto and the west side (the 101 freeway generally being considered the divider). East Palo Alto has been gentrified some over the years, but still, pretty big difference between the two so just be aware in case you end up renting/buying closer to work.

Menlo Park is a decent family-friendly spot in the vicinity too. It has a reputation as being expensive, largely because of its proximity to Atherton, but prices there aren't necessarily higher than San Jose and it's considered by most to be a nicer city. Probably a short commute, too, you can just take El Camino down to Palo Alto and never get on the freeway.

Oh ya and regardless of where you wind up, just stay on the west side of the Bay on the Peninsula Not that there's anything wrong with the stuff on the east, but crossing any of the bridges during commute hours isn't fun! Welcome to California and good luck!

 

[Monica D]

I've lived in San Jose most of my life. It's expensive, but the weather is fantastic and there is SO much to do! Feel free to email me if you need any help with neighborhoods/schools!

 

[DLR29]

I grew up in Mountain View and East Palo Alto, and I went to Palo Alto schools my whole life. It's a great area and the schools are really great.

It's a pretty expensive area, but not sure what your limitations are in your particular situation. Pretty much anywhere between Redwood City and San Jose, you'll be able to find good neighborhoods and awesome schools. I would be looking south of Palo Alto, not necessarily too far north.

 

[Nox54]

We live in East Bay. Welcome to the (yes, pretty large) bay area.
I hope you love it here as much as we do.

 

[DharmaLou]

I moved to CO from the East Bay 7 years ago, and not a day goes by I don't wish I was still living in the Bay Area.

 

[HollyL]

I was born in, and grew up in the Bay Area (San Mateo County). I left when I was 24. I enjoyed growing up there, but it's not the same place anymore. Schools are too crowded, crime is worse, and I can go on and on and make some political comments, but these boards are not the right place for it.
You cannot touch a house for less than half a million, and it will probably be a small outdated house. I grew up in a 1300 square foot house, and my parents sold it 5 years ago for $750,000 and moved to Arizona and got a bigger, newer house for a third of that.
I live in Texas now and love it. Northern California is beautiful, and I love to visit, but I will never go back there to live. I have a much better life here in Texas.
Most of my family, who were native Californians have all moved on. Mostly to Arizona and have never been happier.
Oh, and I hope you like the fog!
Best of luck to you. Oh, and when you get to San Francisco, be sure to try some Dutch Crunch bread- that's one of the things that I really do miss.

 

[pixiewings71]

I was born in, and grew up in the Bay Area (San Mateo County). I left when I was 24. I enjoyed growing up there, but it's not the same place anymore. Schools are too crowded, crime is worse, and I can go on and on and make some political comments, but these boards are not the right place for it.
You cannot touch a house for less than half a million, and it will probably be a small outdated house. I grew up in a 1300 square foot house, and my parents sold it 5 years ago for $750,000 and moved to Arizona and got a bigger, newer house for a third of that.
I live in Texas now and love it. Northern California is beautiful, and I love to visit, but I will never go back there to live. I have a much better life here in Texas.
Most of my family, who were native Californians have all moved on. Mostly to Arizona and have never been happier.
Oh, and I hope you like the fog!
Best of luck to you. Oh, and when you get to San Francisco, be sure to try some Dutch Crunch bread- that's one of the things that I really do miss.

No Dutch Crunch where you live? Yikes.....
My house is 1420 square feet, if one was to buy my house today they could get it for under $200,000. Of course I'm not in San Mateo county but my point is houses farther out are cheaper and more affordable.

 

[julsmom]

I say embrace the move. I think it would be a great place to live. My husband has basically lived there for the past year for work, flying home every other weekend. It sounds really nice.

We are moving next spring to southern California & I have personally encountered alot of unhelpful negativity on the dis when asking for advice (ex: "don't do it"). I genuinely hope you embrace the change & ignore any meanies.

Let me know if you need a moving buddy! (Nod to Woody).

 

[pixiewings71]

People are telling you not to do it? Why? Now is the best time, housing is cheap, if you have a job do it!! LOL

 

[julsmom]

People are telling you not to do it? Why? Now is the best time, housing is cheap, if you have a job do it!! LOL

My thoughts too!

I honestly don't know why. Some people are pessimistic I guess. Actually though, I'm excited. My husband's main office is there so job, yes. And I do hope that housing turns out too. We have one child, a middle schooler, so we are focusing on townhouses.