General Questions about Bay Area Neighborhoods
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Parent Q&A
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Hi there, I lived in the Bay Area between 2003-2009 and loved it but moved back to NYC to be closer to my parents. We’ve all had enough of the winter and I can transfer my job to San Francisco so we’re moving back in the next year. We’re trying to decide between living in Berkeley (something like the hills) or San Francisco (Potrero Hill, Bernal Heights, Noe Valley). We have a 2.5 year old daughter and would like to try public school in the hopes it would work out but if necessary could do private. Any advice on the pros and cons? These are my thoughts—
east Bay weather is far better, but maybe the neighborhoods we’re looking at have decent microclimates? And all will be better weather than NYC by far (we absolutely hate the cold)
husband surfs so not bad to be close to Ocean Beach, although he swears the water is too cold (I think he’d do it sometimes)
real estate seems similar (which seems crazy given how different it used to be)
schools - can’t figure out where is better. I understand that SF will move to a zoned system (rather than city-wide lottery) in a couple years, anything more on this would be helpful
commute - much better from SF but I work off the embarcadero Bart stop and only need to go 2-3 days/week so maybe not the decision maker
relaxed pace of Berkeley means we don’t feel too overwhelmed / need to get away
that said, we love Brooklyn because we can walk places and I’d probably miss that, especially because I’m a terrible driver!
Any insights from parents who know both would be greatly appreciated.
PS I know prices are high, but they are currently much better than NYC.
Jan 30, 2023 -
My husband and I relocated to Nashville in 2014 after over a decade in Berkeley. We now have two sons, ages 6 and 4, and are soon listing our house for sell with the intention of moving back to the Bay Area. But to where? I'm hoping you can help!
We are lucky to live in a wonderfully progressive community in East Nashville where we know our neighbors and all of our children know each other. We bike to school and trick or treat together, have playground meetups and porch cocktails while the children play in the yard. It's truly wonderful, except: there is really no outdoor activity here, the weather stinks, and we're very stuck on this tiny blue island with nowhere interesting to explore.
We want public schools that are both racially and socioeconomically diverse. Some walkability is preferred. Community vibe.
So far in consideration are North Berkeley or the hills, Forest Knolls / Lagunitas, other communities along Sir Francis Drake (Fairfax?)...
Any place we should be looking?
Thank you!
Sep 7, 2021 -
Hi,
We are a family of 4 with two young children (3.5 yrs and 6 yrs old). I’m a stay at home mom and I’m looking for the best neighborhood/ area in the east bay to raise children. I am looking for a safe neighborhood where neighbors know each other and kids play together in the neighborhood. Possibly an area with other stay at home moms but that’s not a must.
We are currently in Berkeley but thinking of moving to Lamorinda for the schools but are open to other areas as well. Any recommendations on best neighborhoods to raise your kids?
Jun 28, 2021 -
We are moving to the East Bay this summer and are trying to figure out where to go! My husband went to Miramonte (20 years ago) and I went to college in the East Bay. Neither of us have been around the areas much, except for quick visits. In our heads, we want to live in Berkeley. But, with three kids, ages 2, 5 and 7, and for the long term, we are finally ready to settle down, well, mostly.
For the past 5 months, we've been going between the East Bay and Portland. Before that, we lived in a small town in The South (for 2 years); before that Denver (2 years) and NYC/Brooklyn for 8 years. Brooklyn is our favorite, but after spending this past winter schlepping kids around in the wet snow and ice, we don't think it's for us. After being home bound in Portland because of the rain, the East Bay is it. We are in a position where we are a few years into launching our own businesses. Commuting to and from an office will not be part of our day (for now, at least). Then comes the "starting business" part; I know we aren't going to save money by living in the East Bay. We want to rent for two years (I know, I know...probably more expensive than purchasing). Ultimately, we want to end up in Lamorinda. But rentals are scant and on par with NYC.
The question:
1. Is Lamorinda still as great as it used to be (I used to work at OCC during my summers and throughout the school year and the families were awesome)? A mix of personalities? Interests? Family and people-oriented?
2. In the five years I've lived there, I set foot in San Ramon two times and Pleasanton once. I hardly remember either but friends keep recommending them. Are they worth checking out? Our kids have been attending Waldorf schools (we know this may no longer be a reality) but we are very big supporters of public education.
Any direction or insight would be so helpful. We really thought Brooklyn was it, but I think the outdoors and education are our top priorities.
Apr 23, 2017 -
My family of four has lived in the East Bay for 13 years, first in El Cerrito and now in Albany. (I'm from the East Coast and my husband is from LA.) While we love many things about it, and chose this part of the Bay Area very purposefully when we bought our home, we're feeling a bit disenchanted recently. I'm wondering if our complaints are unique to us, unique to the East Bay (or Bay Area) or simply a product of the changing social landscape we're all living with these days. We have some good friends here, people we like and socialize with somewhat regularly as a family or just as a couple. That said, we've still struggled to find a true sense of community, or a group of friends/couples/families who all know each other and with whom we truly connect-- the automatic casual Friday night dinner crowd. We frequently entertain and are surprised by the number of couples/families whom we've hosted numerous times and have never reciprocated. We're always the family that gives rides to sports practices/games, hosts play dates and snacks and dinners for our daughters' friends. In several instances these efforts are simply never returned. We're starting to feel like we're beating our heads against the wall, making no progress at establishing strong friendships as a result of our many efforts. In short, we feel like we are very much more invested in sustaining relationships and creating a sense of community than most of the people we know.
When I talk to my friends on the East Coast it feels to me like there is a marked difference in expectations and experiences with friendships, social engagements and traditions. My question to this group is whether you've experienced any of these same issues and dilemmas, what you have done about it, whether you've considered moving from the East Bay as a result or if you have found another solution. Is it us? Are our expectations out of line? Is it a sign of the times, where everyone is stretched thin and doesn't have the energy or time to foster deeper connections? Does the Bay Area (perhaps specifically the East Bay) self-select toward people who prefer spending time outdoors (camping, skiiing) or alone as a family to socializing? Are we somehow just unlucky in our specific neighborhood or school community? We truly feel like we've tried everything to connect, put down roots and build a life here, but keep feeling disappointed in how our efforts are received. We’re starting to wonder if we’d be happier in another area where people might put more of a premium on community. I'd appreciate hearing from those of you for whom my post rings true, and what if anything you were able to do about it. Thanks.
Oct 31, 2016