Best Place in Nor Cal for Raising a Family

I would say Saratoga/Cupertino/Los Gatos/Sunnyvale area, and along Foothill into the Los Altos Hills and Palo Alto. Great schools, quiet area, and crime seems (not sure if this is reflected in statistics) rare and almost nonexistent.

 

I grew up in Danville. I went to Vista Grande Elementary, then Los Cerrros Middle School. I then moved to Granite Bay, CA above Sacramento. I went to Granite Bay HS but if I stayed in Danville, I would've gone to Monte Vista HS, but maybe San Ramon Valley High.

Danville had some very disrespectful families and kids. Los Cerros was by far the most traumatizing school I was ever in. Monte Vista might have been more of the same, but I grew old of Danville. Once I went to Granite Bay, it was the same demographics of families (except less asians, indians, mexicans, and everything but white). However, the students were much more down to earth and, in general, nicer. However, from talking to neighborhood families who have students at GBHS, the school has become very Danville-ish.

I know that if I stayed in Danville and went to MVHS, I would've gone to a much better college. Granite Bay, at the time, did not push it's students or desire for them to achieve greater than a Cal State school. Heck, they were happy if you even went to a JC/Community College. I know MVHS would have had more interest in me and advanced my learning more. But, oh well.

So there is my educational experience in Danville.

Having not lived in Danville in about 8 years, I can say that it changed greatly. For a few years, I still felt welcome coming back. Now, I go back and realize that the Danville of old has out-grown it's ideal size and is full of people I couldn't care less to deal with.

It has changed so much. In less than 1.5 years after we sold our house in Danville (1999-$425,000)...now that same house is worth over $1M. My family bought it in 1983 for $200,000. It took 16 years to double in value, and in less than 2 years, it sold over double what it became. Now, not that this is a bad thing, however it attracted the wrong people at the time and the town lost much of what was great about it.

PS. If you want to raise your family there, or if you live there, that is your choice. And if you love it, then great for you. However, the Danville I know and love is gone. Yes I do miss it, and I know I might be naive thinking/wishing it could stay the same and I could buy my childhood home. That's not the case.

Also, as for the people...there are bad people, there are good people, and there are great people. This post is not to be directed towards anyone on this forum who may reside in Danville. What I'm trying to say is, there is a reason why people call it "DANVILLE 94526."

 

Sure thing, Brandon.

The thing is, as much as I put down Danville, it still is a great place. One bad apple spoils the bunch. Fact of the matter is, I would probably move there if I could. I would have to remember that it has changed since last I resided.

I know nothing of Los Gatos or Los Altos other than they are incredibly beautiful areas. Pleasanton is the same way. I know a business owner who lives in Ruby Hills next to the CEO of Safeway. But aside from that, I know nothing.

My biggest issue is going from one small town (Danville) to a larger town (Granite Bay/Roseville), then moving to Tempe, Arizona for college (as well as Mesa and Chandler, AZ). Now I'm back in Granite Bay looking for employment in the bay area, Sacramento, and Southern California. But the fact that moving out of small communities into much larger urban cities has made it extremely difficult to adjust back to a much smaller community.

 

I should retract what I said about Los Altos Hills, since I just recalled a conversation I had with a friend, who lives in Atherton. She has a young son, and her biggest complaint about living in Atherton is the demographics in the area - lots of rich, wealthy people, and predominantly an older crowd. That and the lack of sidewalks combined with tall gates strewn with ivy and high bushes contributes to an environment where her child can't socialize in the neighborhood with other children and make new friends. Generally, she says, its a pretty kid-unfriendly area.

 

the ghetto in L.A.

 

There was a thread with (almost) this exact same title, about 2 months ago.

If you want the Bay Area, I lived (p/t - as my main home is in Studio City) in Alameda for almost 3 years and enjoyed it very much. Maybe it's because I was born there, and my apartment (on the Beach) was only 4blks from the hospital where I was born. Maybe it's because my dad, his brother and all of his sisters grew-up there. So I'm sure there was a specific sense of nostalgia for me.

But Alameda is a pretty nostalgic place anyway. It used to be primarily a military town, back when the Alameda Naval Air Station operational, and when I was a kid. Now it's being turned into sound-stages and other uses.

But it's very quaint. A ton of Victorian houses. Some very large and very beautiful ones too, on Grand. Los Gatos is pretty. But there are far more, and far more nicer homes ("houses", that is) in Alameda. Los Gatos has the hills for a setting, and has a close proximity to the electronics industry and those two tings makes it exceedingly expensive.

Alameda suffers from the stigma of Bay Farm Island being so close by. Bay Farm Island, used to be (40 years ago) "the dump". And it smelled bad. But that was long ago. Now it's full of $1M+ homes. Built (of course) on top of the dump. Go figure...

But, there are only a few ways onto the island. "The Tube", the Park St. Bridge, High St. Bridge, Tilden (the old RR bridge), and access from Doolittle (Bay Farm Island). There's also the ferry. And that makes it unique, and safe. And even though it's so close to Oakland, the crime tends to stay on the other side of the estuary. And that's because if you commit a crime in Alameda, and the police are notified, there's little chance you'll get off the island without having to be scrutinized very closely by the local PD first.

The Alameda police are very vigilant, and very responsive. And they also seem to know "who belongs there" and "who does not". I know that when I first moved there, and walked nightly to the local restaurant, it wasn't long before one of the local officers introduced himself to me and asked when I'd moved there, etc.. And it was actually the first time I've been questioned by the police and was thankful!

They also have at least two car shows each year. One on Park Street, in the middle of downtown. And another one at a local school specifically for Italian cars.

There are some good restaurants too. Asena is very good, Croll's (Kumar is the chef and is great. - Try the California Taco for desert) converted years ago from the old railroad station where my great-grandfather worked as an engineer, and Jack London Sq. (Scott's, etc..) is nearby.

But if I had my choice, I'd pick St. Helena, or Grass Valley instead. Better weather. Better air (much better than the bottom of the smog funnel in the South end of the Santa Clara Valley - I used to live off Quito Rd., so I know how bad it can get in Los Gatos and Saratoga) quality, and a nicer more family oriented atmosphere. St. Helena is 18 miles North of Napa on Hwy 29. Grass Valley is about 30 miles north of Auburn off Hwy 49.

Windsor, Healdsberg, and Geyserville are also nice. Cloverdale is a little run-down. But also a step back in time. Sonoma is a little closer in, and if you have to work the north bay, it's probably a good option, along with Petaluma. And if I had the money to "bet" on a place that will appreciate significantly, it would be Bel Marin, in Novato.

But if you want remote, try Fort Bragg. I went to high-school there. It's a really clicky-clanny sort of place. But if you don't mind your kids longing for a chance to go to "the city" (we used to call it Fort Dragg), it's very scenic there. And I can appreciate it now that I'm older.

Grass Valley is the same. But it's not on the ocean. And it gets hotter. Nevada City (right next to GV) is also very nice, but get's more snow.

 

Just to add to Danville: I have heard from almost "everyone" that Danville has the best public school system (concentrated.) As for the quality of people that live in Danville, well, that is another topic in itself...

My votes go to Saratoga/Los Gatos/Woodside/Palo Alto/Atherton. Manily because you don't get the regular "joes" in these areas, which can be a good thing. If you can afford it, Atherton or Woodside. If you almost can afford Atherton and Woodside, but not quite, then definatley Palo Alto, Saratoga, or Los Gatos (in that order.)

Take ur pick!

 

Hillsborough. Some of the highest rated schools around.

 

Or Cupertino, if your wallet doesn't get you to Hillsborough. Great schools, lots of well-educated younger families. Homes are in the $1.2-$3M range.

 

So much of this decision depends on your goals and means.

Do you want your kids to go to public or private schools?
Do you want a quick commute to your work-place?
What weather micro-climate do you want?

These are all things you can decide and, on the peninsula, moving 20 minutes in any direction will drastically change all three.

We lived in Half Moon Bay for a while. Great community, affordable housing, but lousy public schools and driving over 92 every day got old after 5+ years. Also, the weather is very much an ocean climate and therefore, considerably colder and more foggy than the other side of the hill.

We now live in Cupertino. Excellent school system... Monta Vista High School is nationally ranked every year, we have perfect weather and a short commute to all the major high-tech companies. Additionally, there's virtually no crime here. Downside is there's no "there" here. No downtown, very little community (other than your own neighbors). Real estate pricing is high (due to the demand for an address in the best school districts), but not has high as Atherton, Hillsborough or Los Altos Hills... but as others have said, these are very affluent and typically older communities.

If you have the cash, Palo Alto is a great step up from Cupertino. Same great weather, great commute and schools (GUNN HS to be specific) and excellent downtown.

It's good that you're asking and keep in mind, the further you move away from Silicon Valley, typically cheaper things get. You can get some killer homes on a real piece of land in Gilroy or Morgan Hill... downside is the commute into SV and it gets pretty warm there in the summer.

Good luck,

Frank

 

Some friends of mine recently moved from SF to Mill Valley to raise their kids. The public schools there are fantastic and the quality of life for families is hard to beat. It's too cutesy for me, I much prefer city life. Mill Valley is quite pricey, even for the bay area. However, for them, the cost of private school in the city ($25-30K per child, per year) was money better spend putting into a home. Good luck.

 

Ah yes... Mill Valley. The home of John Walker Lindh. "The American Taliban"

We have a friend with a child (a 14yr old girl) in the school system in San Anselmo.

They had a special part of the cirriculum at her school that had the children study: "The principles and specifically, 'The 5-pillars' of Islam". (of course, simply mention that other accursed book: "the Bible", and you'd probably be expelled from the school, or at the least severly ridiculed as a result!)

The students were encouraged to dress-up in authrentic and legalistic Islamic wear (for the girls only of course) and present essays on the values of Islam, to expand their "appreciation of" and expose "the value(s) of", (such/and and this ONE specifically...) diversant culture(s) to their classmates.

When our friend (a devout Catholic) objected and politely requested a different assignment for her 14yr old daughter, she was austracized (from then entire FREEKING COMMUINITY!) as being intollerant. She couldn't even go the the local Mexiacn restaurant in Ross, without being harrassed by parents whos childeren attended the same school. Even her "neighbors" learned about her objection to the lessons and demanded that she "explain her point of view" to them! Her daughther (too) was subjected to the most cruel treatment from the school as a result.

It's HORRIBLE there!!!

They are trying SO HARD in that specific region of, "The United States", to MAKE UP for their ULTRA-LIBERAL attitude(s) that (in fact) create the rebeliousness that fosters the behaviour of children like John Walker Lindh, that they are becoming (very like) NAZI's, as a result. "United States", the are certainly NOT!!!

They are the "Democratic thought police !!!!'. And I apologize for that oxymornic statement too. It is a result of "polictial paritsianship" and not "political ideology" that creates that objectionable referential classification of behaviour...

(and BTW: I am a registered "Democrat" )

I would "seriously" look elsewhere.

and I am VERY sorry to seem rude. I truely am...

But it's difficult to expose the truth about the psychological peculiarities of a very parituclar segment of the culture that resides in a specific and particular region that demographically includes such lunitics as, Barbara Boxer and Sean Penn, without seeming to be offensive.

And I live in Hollywood! So please don't call me a "conservative nutcase"!!!

Knowing the truth, doesn't necessarily make you un-objective...

 

El Dorado Hills is nice (30 miles E of Sacramento on Hwy 50). My family has been here 40 years.

70 minutes from snow-skiing, 5 minutes from Folsom Lake. Schools are top-notch, in fact it sometimes seems the entire town revolves around the schools. Every SUV has a school logo sticker on the back window or some crayon scrolls about who is #1. 1 out of 3 males in town is a coach of some sort I bet. If you like school activities this is the place, the high school has excellent athletic programs (B-ball state champs). Scholastically they are right at the top too. There's a zillion baseball and soccer fields.

Lots of nice landcaping (the medians, retail centers, etc), nice shops, plently of golf courses nearby. The local Raley's must be the world's cleanest and most organized supermarket; the store is spotless!

If raising the children is the #1 priority then this is the place...very safe, great schools and plently of fun stuff. No crime to speak of. There are no neighboring 'low-life' areas/cities, so we don't get any wierdos floating through at all.

President Bush landed his chopper here last year, that was big news. Hillary and the rest of the Commies wouldn't dare come near us. This is "Reagan country".

There are a lot of great cars in town. Countless Ferraris. There are 5 red 430's that I know of (amazing for a small town). Quite a few Lambos. A million Mercedes on the roads (since they opened a huge dealer in town Mercedes has basically taken over the roads here). Now that I think of it, every car on the road in EDH is a Benz, Lexus, BMW, Acura, Cadillac or an exotic. The people in town are not snobbish though.

Another great reason to move to El Dorado Hills: I am selling my former house. Ask for the "F-chat discount" if you write an offer (haha)...

Virtual tour: www.tourfactory.com
(tour number 350656)

Seriously though EDH is a great place to live. For the Bay Area I think Los Altos is hard to beat. Incredible schools and perhaps the Bay's best weather?

 

+1

The Sierra foothills are all very nice.

 

my wife and I have been very happy with Dublin. City planning has been awesome with a lot of great ethnic food, nice malls, great schools (new schools too), and weather that caters towards outdoor activities. Soccer is pretty huge here. Everything is pretty spread out and housing prices are relatively cheaper compared to the peninsula. Since we're right in the middle of the 580/680 corridor, commute down to silicon valley and san francisco are manageable at about 30-45 mins. We're also only 20 mins from Oakland airport which is very covenient if you travel a lot. Also nice to be 5 mins from a Robert Trent Jones course for a nice round of golf.

 

Check out Orinda, Moraga and Lafayette. Quiet, great schools, close to SF and Walnut Creek. A family oriented 'bubble".

The best way is to visit the different areas and see for yourself

 

I heard EDH and the surrounding area have lost ~ 30% in property values in the last year. Not many people in the Sacramento area going to have +$4M to buy a house. Nice property wrong place. In Silicon Valley that would be $10M+ in the Peninsula and would have buyers. Good luck getting a buyer in that area. Plus I agree the heat is oppressive in the summer.

 

.......and that shows exactly why you couldnt pay me $6 million to live with the people of Silicon Valley.

Jay

 

"Are we that bad"

I guess it all depends where you live. Personally, living in the Almaden area of San Jose which I call "Our little Village" is as close as you will come to Granite Bay in Silicon Valley. Great schools, the people for the most part are friendly and the weather is great. Once you cross Blossom Hill Road the demographics change and the feeling of a small town disappears quickly and morphs into a kaleidoscope of fast food, Big Box Stores and marginal food prepared by nationwide chain restaurants. That's why we call it the "Village". A small town feel with minimal commercialization. Just enough to keep your basic needs fulfilled and stay with the comfy confines of what we call Almaden, 95120