https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Wed, 06 May 2026 17:37:41 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sfbay-areasv-moms-advice-on-relocation#post-2522163 Tue, 12 Apr 2016 08:16:12 +0000 irene 2522163@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thank you everyone for all the thoughts.... I guess one thing for sure it is unreasonably expensive. Sigh. Why would none of the people move away, I wonder?! All of them would have been living in a gigantic mansion with swimming pools and butler and maids if they were to live ANYWHERE ELSE.</p> <p>OK. Why don't you guys all pray for me that somehow somewhere the PERFECT job locally would open, DH applies for it and he gets in and we don't have to worry about all these? Grrr.....</p> <p>Again everyone, we have lived there before for 4 years, in San Mateo, then Redwood City. When we moved there in 2000 at the edge of the dot com crash (when everything was sooooo insane), my rent to a 2 bedroom ugly apartment that we could actually get, on the ground floor in a miserable place, was $2195 for rent. And it was the only thing that we could get in without a waiting list. We moved in 2003 to redwood city to a lovely 2 bedroom duplex right next to caltrain station with double paned windows, it was $1995. I know it is way worse now because the duplex in Redwood city is now rented for close to 3k. My friend's house in Noe Valley SF is appraised 7 million, and it is just a very cozy cute, nothing fancy tiny place. So I know it is expensive. Guess why I didn't want to go????</p> <p>Another one thing I worry about is schools. Sorry I forgot who said this (could not find it now), that mountain view/palo alto has the best schools in the country. We read an article that schools are becoming more segregated and these schools are great because they are mostly made up of asian population. There are schools that has 95% asians and a handful for everybody else. One thing I really love about where we are now is everything is so diverse. I really enjoy it. It never even cross my mind that it will be an issue. </p> <p>@tofuwad: Thank you for all the links! That map was just so unreal. SF is basically 50% more expensive than NYC?!?!?! I talked to the husband, and he said if he doesn't get a certain $$$ offer then he wouldn't leave for sure... and that $$$ is higher than that amount listed on the map. So I guess I am glad he's not just blindly jumping into it for the heck of it. But still. His salary would probably be the primary salary. Reading your response made me sad! Have you guys consider moving, or is he set with staying in the Bay Area?</p> <p>@Anagram: Oh boy, you are describing us.... And yes, that is a cute house! I wonder why is it priced so low (under a million).... the first thing that came to my mind was is it haunted? hahaha. Our existing 3-story housein Atlanta is half that price... and we can afford 0.2 houses basically for most of the houses in the Bay Area / SF. And you can be a real estate agent when work is slow ;-) ETA: I showed it to DH and he said it is an apartment not a house. Ah. but I'd take that! :-)</p> <p>@ShootingStar: Yes he's in technology.... dont want to go into too much detail as this is not a Gold thread :-) . He has mentioned that jobs are mostly in Texas, and we both don't want to move there. I didn't know about NC Triangle area... let me tell him about it... And it's not that it's crazy he didn't talk this over with me before applying, it is that either he has a job, or he has no job (and income) if we stay in Atlanta. You know? So I kinda understand. He did apply to this other thing in Atlanta but he was late, that opportunity was filled, and you have no idea how BUMMED I was. And then there is really nothing much left. ETA: Just told DH about NC triangle area... he said he doesn't want to go there because he doesn't want to shovel snow. lol. Priorities.</p> <p>@gingerbebe: Yeah, I don't think we can make 300k... We used to before DS and before I gave up my career. mm. But we also only have one kid. Phew. Oh great now what lol</p> <p>@lemong: Yes I hope you will share your experience if you have time! I used to ride caltrain to commute from san mateo / redwood city to sf for 4 years too. While I complain DH never did (He goes the otherway to SV). He really enjoyed the exercise he got from biking daily from the train station to the office and back. We'll see.</p> <p>@Boogs: I can't tell too much! Sorry... It is not one of the big ones like facebook or google or apple that's for sure.... although I was headhunted by Apple many many MANY years ago when we were still in the Bay area... but I was so over it back then and was happy to move back....</p> <p>@sooz: Thats what I heard from my friend about the school system in SF. And Thank you for the positive note :) Like I said, we read an article that yes Palo Alto Los Altos and Cupertino has great schools but they are very segregated with mostly (90%) asian population. I just wish we could be in a more diversed community.... but I guess that's reality right.... And yes, I MISS the Asian/ Chinese food there (I am from Hong Kong originally)!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sfbay-areasv-moms-advice-on-relocation#post-2521606 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 14:46:56 +0000 sooz 2521606@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I live in the SF Bay Area and I love it. Granted, the cost of living is ridiculously high and rent is the highest in the nation, but there is a reason for that...people love/want to live here.</p> <p>I agree with the other posters and would suggest not living in SF. It isn't the most family friendly and yes, the public school lottery is very challenging. If you're lucky, you can get into a fantastic school, if not, you're stuck with what you get and you can opt out to a private school (which is more money). Also, the commute to SV/South Bay can suck and it's just not worth it.</p> <p>The Peninsula and the South Bay have a ton of families and lots to offer, but I will be completely honest with you...it's expensive and not just a little expensive, it's crazy expensive. Public schools can be a great in the right cities/areas and as other posters have said, those include: Palo Alto, Los Altos, Cupertino. But, it also depends on what you're ok with. Do you want a school with an API of 900+ or are you ok with something lower? The remaining areas have decent schools. </p> <p>And as others have mentioned, rent prices will range anywhere from $2K-$4K for a two bedroom. It just depends which city you want to live in. If you're looking at Palo Alto, you'll need at least $4K and you'll be lucky to find a rental. </p> <p>But, what do you get in return? Everything...I love raising my kids here. We can always find something to do. My kids go to camps/classes at UCB and Stanford. He also be going to a great summer camp, Camp Galileo. The diversity, whether it's going to SF's Chinese New Year parade or the Gay Pride Parade. Or, outside activities, my older son went skiing for the first time this year in Tahoe. The food, we had the best Indian food in Fremont and then dim sum in Oakland. </p> <p>Good luck! I think you'll end up loving the Bay too. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sfbay-areasv-moms-advice-on-relocation#post-2521425 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 13:05:03 +0000 Boogs 2521425@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: I'm curious what company it is! It's not a great time to buy now, and renting would be a great way to see if you like an area. A commute from SF to SV every day might get rough. And it just keeps getting worse. I would avoid a commute if you could. Look into Cupertino, super close to SV, great schools, etc...you get what you pay for. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sfbay-areasv-moms-advice-on-relocation#post-2521367 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 12:01:46 +0000 avivoca 2521367@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tofuwad: Oh my gosh, the prices on mobile homes there are INSANE. I live in KY, you can get a pretty nice one here for about $100k (like, larger than my 1100 sq. ft. House, nice upgrades, etc.) and lot rent is not that bad. Or you own land and put yours on it (this is what my ILs did). I could not fathom paying that much for a trailer. Not to mention getting over the thought that they are lesser homes, which is the mindset of a lot of city folks here. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sfbay-areasv-moms-advice-on-relocation#post-2521359 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 11:55:15 +0000 lemong 2521359@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm happy to share my experiences and opinions when I'm not on my phone. But as everyone says, it's super expensive. I just wanted to add that I've been commuting on Caltrain from Palo Alto to SF for about 6 years, and I'm so over it. It's gotten super crowded and Caltrain is trying their best, but the stress of the commute is really starting to grate on me. Commuting is one of the major stressors that can affect quality of life, so I'm ready to take a lower-paying job closer to home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sfbay-areasv-moms-advice-on-relocation#post-2521310 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 11:16:36 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2521310@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@tofuwad: That's really interesting about the mobile homes. I didnt even know about that except for hearing something about the owners wanting to sell the land. I grew up in San Jose, went to college in SF, and lived in SF for a few years before moving over to the East bay. It's expensive over here too but the peninsula is like an alternate universe. Our friends bought a small condo in PA at the very tip top of their budget and it's such a stress on them. They just get by with two salaries but I think if anything happened... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sfbay-areasv-moms-advice-on-relocation#post-2521301 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 11:06:36 +0000 tofuwad 2521301@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anagram: basically from my experience you either inherit a home, come from money or have two spouses who make a ton. My husband and I live on his teacher salary in a 1 bedroom. Even people who bought houses 5-10 years ago don't believe me when I tell them how crazy the market is right now. Like they literally don't believe me. </p> <p>And I would expect to pay at least 1.5mil for any house anywhere on the peninsula and up into SF (I'm less familiar with east and north bay prices). If possible I'd budget for around 2mil and that will give a person more reasonable options. </p> <p>From what I've learned living here you just have to change your life expectations. Living here I'll never own a home or have more than two bedrooms, I'll never be able to go on fancy vacations, or send my kids to private schools or sign them up for lessons. I'm totally fine with that and the other people I know in similar circumstances feel the same. Most teachers I know who live in a house are either married to someone who makes over 200k per year or they bought a manufactured home and live in a mobile home park. And honestly, the four star parks on the peninsula are really nice (nicer than apartment complexes because they're full of regular people in it for the long haul, plus they have all the amenities of a complex). I just can't even afford that because you have to buy the home (350-450,000) and then pay rent on your space. And the owners of the parks are trying to close all the mobile home parks because some of that land sells for over 1mil/acre. </p> <p>If anyone ever goes to HMB the mobile home park right off of 92 is mostly populated with people who own BMWs, Ranger Rovers and Mercedes. That's just how expensive it is right now. So you adjust your expectations. </p> <p>Plenty of single parents actually rent rooms and garages and in-law units to get their kids in good school districts. </p> <p>But I'm coming at this from a negative perspective so I'm sorry to be a downer! And sorry for thread jacking and going off on a tangent! Again, I do still live here and I'm okay with potentially raising my kids here in these circumstances because my husband loves his job and we are able to afford rent and bills and food. It is a nice area, it's just crazy expensive.</p> <p>The last thing is check out Below Market Rate housing programs in several cities. You may be surprised at how high your salary can be and still apply. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sfbay-areasv-moms-advice-on-relocation#post-2521271 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 10:38:08 +0000 gingerbebe 2521271@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DH and I do well and we could not afford to live in the Bay Area, much less Silicon Valley. Our friends who live in Oakland, are both professionals make probably close to $300K or more, drive company or paid off used cars, live in a modest rental, and have two kids and they are barely making ends meet. They do a lake vacation locally once a year, have their parents watch their kids one day a week to save on daycare, don't eat out very often, all that. </p> <p>My friends in SV who live well and have their kids in all the activities have like sold companies or come from money or both and they live awesome lives but I cannot fathom how much money it would take to do that. They would have to be making well into 7 figures for sure. I know one who bought a new construction tract home in Palo Alto maybe 2-3 years ago and the base model was like $1.8 million before any options and that's a good deal nowadays. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sfbay-areasv-moms-advice-on-relocation#post-2521184 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 09:32:47 +0000 ShootingStar 2521184@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Personally, there's no way I'd move to that area. I live outside Boston now, which is way better in COL than SF. And I still want to get away from this area. IDK what your DH does, but I'm assuming it's something in tech. Both DH and I work in tech and SF is not the only place in the country with jobs. Have you checked out the research triangle area of NC? Or Austin, TX? </p> <p>I also think it's kind of crazy your DH didn't really talk this over with you before applying :bummed: . </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sfbay-areasv-moms-advice-on-relocation#post-2521108 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 08:47:16 +0000 Anagram 2521108@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@irene: If you end up looking at Sunnyvale itself--this one is cute! Not a stand alone house, but lower taxes and lower monthly fees. <a href="http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/227-Peppermint-Tree-Ter-UNIT-1-Sunnyvale-CA-94086/89474459_zpid/" rel="nofollow">http://www.zillow.com/homedetails/227-Peppermint-Tree-Ter-UNIT-1-Sunnyvale-CA-94086/89474459_zpid/</a></p> <p>I love looking at Zillow when things are slow at work. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sfbay-areasv-moms-advice-on-relocation#post-2521083 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 08:25:40 +0000 Anagram 2521083@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a friend that moved from Dallas to somewhere around Menlo Park (I honestly don't know where they ended up). He's working at FB. </p> <p>Anyway, in Dallas they lived in a big house and they both had BMWs, and in SF, they are living with their baby in a 1 bedroom apartment. He makes really good money, too. Well, good by Dallas stardards. Not good by SF standards. Over 200k. Which gets you a 1 bedroom apartment apparently, haha!</p> <p>I think I would have to be making millions to move there. My husband loves that area and has been headhunted a few times, but every time we run the numbers, it's just not feasible for us. And we live just outside Manhattan now, so it's not exactly cheap.</p> <p>I just looked on zillow and there's not one 3 bedroom under a million dollars in Los Altos.</p> <p>For everyone on this thread--just curious, where do "regular" people live in that area that still want decent schools for their kiddos? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sfbay-areasv-moms-advice-on-relocation#post-2520988 Mon, 11 Apr 2016 00:01:09 +0000 Pumpkin Pie 2520988@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would recommend researching the rent prices in nearby areas. I'm guessing you're just going to be priced out of some places, so that'll narrow your choices. I would also try to stay pretty close to the work area. The public transit here sucks. There are some good schools, but again, there's a chance you might be priced out of those neighborhoods. </p> <p>My kid is still young so we haven't done too many kids activities, and she's in daycare FT so we just hang out with her on the weekends. The cost of living here is astronomical, but if you can accept that, I think it'll be fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sfbay-areasv-moms-advice-on-relocation#post-2520982 Sun, 10 Apr 2016 23:16:14 +0000 tofuwad 2520982@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Honestly I would not personally live in SF and commute to Sunnyvale but we lived in Half Moon Bay for about a year while my DH worked in Mountain View and I worked in Palo Alto and it was killer (about a 2 hour commute per day). I loved living in HMB but I couldn't handle the commute. But thousands of people do it so it's doable. </p> <p>There are some of the best school districts in the country in Palo Alto and Los Altos and Mountain View (I also believe Atherton has a really good one but I'm less familiar with it). I know that I was told to look for mom groups via the local hospital because they have tons. Plus I imagine there are some on Meetup.com? And SF is not so far from the Palo Alto/MV area that it's hard to go into the city for a nice dinner or to the zoo if you live on the peninsula. </p> <p>If I could afford it I would live in Los Altos. They have great parks, great schools, they have a children's bookstore (it's been around for like 30 years) and a super cute downtown with a ton of children's activities (summer concerts, family movie nights, farmers market, art festivals, egg hunts, Halloween hunting downtown). </p> <p>It all depends on what you want. Definitely look into seeing how much houses are going for here because it's crazy. And check out daycare prices (when I looked last year while I was pregnant it was $2500 for FT infant care, which is why I now SAH). There are a lot of jobs but it's crazy expensive. I don't love living here though so take what I say with a grain of salt. There are literally millions of people who live in this area so most people have got to like it more than I do!</p> <p>I also feel that there is an attitude here that you're supposed to work super hard and that your salary and your apparent markers of wealth determine your worth. Palo Alto school district has the CDC investigating them because there have been so many suicides relating to the pressure cooker schools in the area. </p> <p><a href="http://www.newsweek.com/after-rash-teen-suicides-palo-alto-cdc-sends-team-investigate-427383" rel="nofollow">http://www.newsweek.com/after-rash-teen-suicides-palo-alto-cdc-sends-team-investigate-427383</a></p> <p>My husband can basically work at two locations in Northern California. One is here, the other is in Sacramento. I personally would prefer living in Sac but I will say that most of what I dislike about this area boils down to two things: the cost of living, and this general feeling of entitlement that I get from this area. I didn't answer sooner because I knew my post would be pretty negative. And I didn't want to totally taint your idea of this place. Literally millions live here so most people have to be pretty happy. </p> <p><a href="http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2013/07/11/cost-live-comfortably-bay-area/affordability-poverty" rel="nofollow">http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2013/07/11/cost-live-comfortably-bay-area/affordability-poverty</a></p> <p><a href="http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2015/03/09/you-need-to-earn-142000-dollars-to-buy-a-home-in-san-francisco" rel="nofollow">http://ww2.kqed.org/news/2015/03/09/you-need-to-earn-142000-dollars-to-buy-a-home-in-san-francisco</a></p> <p>I'll end with a couple positive thoughts: I've never been in fear for my safety in this area (Los Altos, Mountain View or Stanford). Living here sort of gave my an existential crisis but made me see that all I really want out of life is a happy family, so I realized I don't need to travel the world or go on fancy vacations, or have two cars or own a home to live the life I want to be happy. This is a great area if you're into sports. The SF Giants, the 49ers, the Raiders, SJ Sharks, and the Oakland A's are all right here. Plus at Stanford there's the Bank of the West tennis tournament (I'm a tennis fan). Plus almost every musician stops in the Bay Area on tour. </p> <p>The thing I would investigate most is just the cost of living. But I'm married to a teacher and I'm an archivist by trade so it's not like either of us ever expected to make bank. Sorry this is crazy long! I have a lot of issues with this area and I'm trying my best not to just go off. If you can afford it it's a wonderful place to live. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sfbay-areasv-moms-advice-on-relocation#post-2520968 Sun, 10 Apr 2016 21:39:03 +0000 irene 2520968@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@junebugsmama: aww Thank you !!</p> <p>@Zbug: North bay meaning Sausalito and higher? I'd love it too, what a beautiful (and $$$$$$) neighborhood! :)</p> <p>@SproutBee: I guess I'll just have to really research it, but it is good to know that there are good public school options in the pennisula area.... I am just sad because we were in the bay area before for 4 years, and I really love SF but I never get to experience living there. Now we might move back, and I still don't get to experience it. My husband will be riding the caltrain so he'd probably be biking to the train station, riding and then get off and continue to bike to work. I looked this morning and while there are baby bullet services that takes 50 minutes to go from SF to Sunnyvale, there aren't any similar options in the morning for some reason. Limited stops will take mayb 70 minutes from SF to Sunnyvale. So roughly 1.5 hours commute each way, if we were to live in SF.... Yeah I know... I just have to give that idea up altogether maybe. </p> <p>Anyone care to chime in? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sfbay-areasv-moms-advice-on-relocation#post-2520642 Sun, 10 Apr 2016 06:07:09 +0000 SproutBee 2520642@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I live on the Peninsula with two young boys and, honestly, for all that you're looking for I would start looking at the Peninsula/South Bay towns and give up the idea of SF. SF isn't the most kid/family friendly town and the long commute for your husband would really affect your quality of life. </p> <p>I am in love with the Los Gatos area. Also consider Mountain View/Los Altos. Most of the towns on the Peninsula have great public school options (in the right neighborhoods!) with great little communities. My little town even has its own Childrens Theater group. And my town has tons of little parks for kids, as do most towns in the area. Most towns have their own Mommy groups, but my mom friends are either old college friends or my neighbors. :) The Peninula/South Bay is a great place to raise a family (minus the cost of living... There's no sugar coating that... ) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sfbay-areasv-moms-advice-on-relocation#post-2520633 Sun, 10 Apr 2016 02:10:53 +0000 Zbug 2520633@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm in the north bay, so probably not that helpful. We love it here though. Tons to do with kiddos! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sfbay-areasv-moms-advice-on-relocation#post-2520632 Sun, 10 Apr 2016 02:01:04 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2520632@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>It's really expensive here, you are right. I live in the east bay and I love it here but there's no getting around the cost. But it's pretty awesome here too!</p> <p>I'll definitely meet up with you if you move!! :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/any-sfbay-areasv-moms-advice-on-relocation#post-2520617 Sun, 10 Apr 2016 00:15:41 +0000 irene 2520617@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Any San Francisco / Bay Area / Silicon Valley moms? Advice needed... please hear me out... </p> <p>This may be the only post that I'd be posting about this if DH didn't get a job offer, or it may be the first of many posts in this topic if he does get an offer.</p> <p>DH, DS (4 years old), and I are currently living happily in Atlanta Georgia, and we really were planning to grow old here. Then all of a sudden, DH's company / career got quite rocky, which made him look into changing jobs. His field and his level made it very limited in terms of what he can find locally, so he ended up applying to a position in Sunnyvale SJ, and I have a feeling that he will get it. He said the job is perfect and if he was offered the opportunity there is a very big chance that we would relocate.</p> <p>I was in shock and went through 5 stages of grief. I love where we are. We own our house, I know where everything is and I love the great kids programs here, I am in love with the Atlanta Alliance Theatre that has such wonderful wonderful programs and acting classes for children. I have great play date + wonderful mom friends that I am truly friends with. We just got into the pre-k we wanted that goes all the way to 8th grade, and we just finished a massive kitchen remodeling just 6 months ago. Basically, I love my life here and did not want to move.</p> <p>We have lived in the bay area before when we were in our 20s / 10+ years before DS was born. It was so expensive. I gave up my high-paying career since DS was born, and I traded for one that makes a lot less $$$. It makes me so nervous to move back there with just 1.2 person's income with an additional child. We also lived in San Mateo and Redwood city before, and while the San Mateo area has so much going on now, I just wish we could live in San Francisco instead. But everywhere is so expensive. And honestly, back then when we moved back to Atlanta, we were actually quite happy and we thought we will forever call Atlanta home.</p> <p>I am trying to learn to accept this new fact so I am hoping to pick your brains Bay Area + SV moms. Can you advise us on where to live so we can get the best in terms of schools, and if there are any great programs you love, or summer camps, and where are they located? Does the SF theatre offer any kind of children activities for kids? Any arts activities that you love locally? And where do you find your play dates / mommy network / support system? Do you guys do Hellobee meetups and make friends with each other? DH said although he would be working in Sunnyvale he is open to the idea of living in San Francisco. Also tell me about housing! I think we are going to rent first and see how it goes before even thinking about buying, but I want to get a place where we can be in a good public school system as we can't afford private anymore, obviously. We read an article about the SF schooling system, and it seems to be a wild lottery and you can't control where you go to school. Basically, school, housing (in the right school district), children activities, play dates with boys that are the same age and wonderful mom friends, parks and recreation, $$$....etc. are things that I worry and I want to figure out. If I move out there, can you guys be my friend and can we have play dates? :) Please talk to me and share your thoughts.....sorry for rambling, and thank you in advance.... </p>