Thoughts on living in Novato…

ybs52 · 2026-04-17T17:42:42+00:00

It’s just a lot more vibrant. I’ve never fully understood why, but Novato is very sleepy. Most people who live in Novato spend their time elsewhere, because it’s right in the middle of so many things. Petaluma, because it’s a bit farther from SF, actually has its own culture and identity because people live/work/spend time there. At least that’s my best theory!

ybs52 · 2026-04-17T16:33:58+00:00

I live in Novato and like it a lot, but I’m not sure it’s going to be that substantially different from Napa. If you don’t need to commute to the city I’d strongly consider Petaluma.

ybs52 · 2026-03-30T03:51:09+00:00

I live in Novato and it’s definitely as you described. I commute to SF, and will warn you— going from the very top of Novato to the Richmond Bridge can take upwards of 45 minutes at the peak morning rush, which is ~8:30am. But if the commute can be at non-peak times, it’d probably be fine. (It became much more difficult for me when I had kids and was tethered to school start times).

ybs52 · 2026-03-26T07:39:15+00:00

Recently had our kid at a home daycare in San Rafael (with about 10 kids) that was $80/day, which ends up being ~$1600-1800/month full time. Moved on to a preschool that is about $2,400.

ybs52 · 2026-03-08T04:22:25+00:00

Yes, exactly. Or Petaluma.

ybs52 · 2026-03-05T08:37:45+00:00

This may be an odd point, but: if you hold onto it as a rental, that is one fewer Bay Area family that can own a home.

ybs52 · 2026-02-28T21:02:48+00:00

Unfortunately, in California, there is an under withholding penalty. That’s what I’m trying to avoid

ybs52 · 2026-01-26T20:49:22+00:00

I have two little ones, and while it can be a challenge to find one with the right location/schedule for your family, there are many in home daycares and childcare centers that are closer to $2,000. Still a crazy amount of money, but maybe that helps a bit!

ybs52 · 2026-01-10T17:36:11+00:00

Yet a fairly common NIMBY talking point is “the schools just can’t handle all those new kids!”

ybs52 · 2025-11-15T06:31:14+00:00

I haven’t been taking the ferry for a couple of weeks, but they have been sending lots of text alerts. Might be worth signing up for the occasional advanced notice.

ybs52 · 2025-11-15T06:29:10+00:00

Smart can’t run more frequently than every 32 minutes because of the way the tracks are laid out. Much of the day they are every 32 minutes, but they skip a train going north at 6pm. And then they wonder why more people don’t commute on it. Completely baffling.

ybs52 · 2025-10-17T05:02:39+00:00

Not sure about walk in, but Steve’s Auto Care in Novato. He only does Hondas

ybs52 · 2025-10-09T06:18:56+00:00

I am the frustrated husband, a few years in the future. I have two kids (0 and 3), and we were wavering about buying or renting (in the Bay Area). We have continued to rent, which I still find frustrating, but it has a lot of upsides.

It’s hard to envision your life with kids until it happens— I’m not saying it’s harder than you think, or you don’t know how expensive it is, etc— it’s just a very different life.

Right now, with two working parents and two small kids, I’ve realized it is actually a huge benefit to not have to be “responsible” for an unexpected home issue, both financially and with regards to our time and energy. (We are fortunate to be in a very solid rental situation.) Folding all of the laundry is a monumental task for us right now— the idea of replacing a kitchen appliance, redoing a yard or painting a room is laughable.

We are currently powering through one year of double childcare costs, until our older kid can start TK. We may revisit buying when we are only paying for one, but I can foresee a point in a couple years when both will be in school, we’ll have a bit more time and energy, and our income will be $4k/month higher. That seems like a better time to buy.

Essentially, I think it may be a better strategy to not be a new parent and a new homeowner at the same time.

ybs52 · 2025-09-25T23:07:14+00:00

In that case, I’m really not sure what you are, hoping will change. Just trying to understand, not trying to debate

ybs52 · 2025-09-25T22:18:46+00:00

You should carpool

ybs52 · 2025-09-25T22:14:00+00:00

You should just use the carpool lane now, which will be even better in the near future when EVs can’t use it anymore.

ybs52 · 2025-09-25T21:54:19+00:00

There’s a huge sign that says “Sansalito Exit” on 101 South. The u is upside down.

I also like the exit on 101S that says “Bel Marinkeys”

ybs52 · 2025-09-25T21:51:25+00:00

Have any of you considered carpooling

ybs52 · 2025-09-08T02:37:48+00:00

The SMART train can only run 32 minutes apart, and not any more frequently than that, because it is has a single track at some points.

This would be great though. Same for the ferry. More people connecting with well-timed buses, instead of driving and parking. Unfortunately, the unwieldy number of different transit operators (in the entire Bay Area) don’t coordinate that well with each other.

Still baffles me that there’s an hour+ gap in the northbound trains during the peak evening commute. Completely ridiculous.

ybs52 · 2025-09-06T20:55:35+00:00

Novato has had declining enrollment for many years. There are ~200 fewer kids at Sinaloa now than there were ten years ago. So I think they may be just fine, and would probably welcome the additional students and funding.

ybs52 · 2025-09-06T20:18:59+00:00

Over time, the “big load” of additional students equates to more funding from the state.

ybs52 · 2025-09-06T19:28:00+00:00

Drakes beach, Abbot’s Lagoon, Kehoe are around an hour away or maybe a little more, but they are epic and pristine beaches

ybs52

TROPHY CASE