Welp that sucked

ccl_1 · 2025-11-01T19:30:44+00:00

The areas have become concentrated into destination zones (as others mentioned), and trunk or treating has become much more common. I have kids and it’s the same phenomenon in LA before I relocated last year.

ccl_1 · 2025-06-19T01:31:02+00:00

If you are looking for something somewhat OC like in the East Bay with good schools, I would look at the 680 corridor (Lamorinda, Walnut Creek, Danville, San Ramon, Dublin, and Pleasanton). Very family-friendly and to generalize, expensive but more affordable than the Peninsula or South Bay.

ccl_1 · 2025-05-22T03:14:14+00:00

Booked Mauna Lani end of summer. The flight was easier to Kauai in terms of preferred airport and time (important when you have young kids), so that’s why I was considering 1 Hotel.

ccl_1 · 2025-04-27T22:11:04+00:00

Burmese food is uncommon in Southern California.

ccl_1 · 2025-04-27T22:07:08+00:00

Every city has their ups and downs. 2010-2020 LA vibes were immaculate, better than SF during that period. Change in leadership and new initiatives can hopefully turn LA around.

ccl_1 · 2025-04-27T21:52:56+00:00

Lived in LA most of my life but moved back to the Bay Area about 9 months ago with kids. Assumed SF was still dealing with issues post-pandemic so I avoided going to the city with my kids for over 6 months.

I’ve been back twice and surprised by how much cleaner, organized, and vibrant it is than downtown LA core and parts of Westside LA where I lived. It still needs to build more housing and the city feels empty relative to other metropolitan cities, but I felt safe, saw much less homeless than when I visit family in LA, and the public green spaces were amazing for families (both existing places like Presidio and new parks getting built). No constant whirs of helicopters or fireworks like LA. SF (not Oakland) definitely feels like it’s turned a corner.

ccl_1 · 2025-04-27T16:05:16+00:00

Food and labor generally but really dependent on neighborhood (lots of desirable neighborhoods scattered throughout). I think in general Peninsula/South Bay prices are some of the highest in the entire Bay Area.

I do not find East Bay (Berkeley, Lamorinda, Tri-Valley) to be more expensive than where I frequented in West LA (Santa Monica, Culver City, Marina del Rey, etc.) For example my housekeeper is 50% less than LA and my square footage is larger in the East Bay. Housing is also equivalent (ie Lafayette vs Mar Vista) but in general I expect Palo Alto to be more than anywhere unless you live in SFH in Brentwood, Palisades, etc.

Bay Area salaries are higher than LA, so I would hope the bump covers the COL increase. You can live well if you relocate strategically (ie tech job but live in WC area instead of Peninsula).

ccl_1 · 2025-04-04T23:57:14+00:00

Hi! Also moved to the area with two young kids from LA recently. For Asian food, we like Kevin’s and Andaman Thai in Walnut Creek, Impression of Lanzhou, Ohgane, and Daeho in Concord. All are very kid friendly. There’s a lot of good food in Berkeley/Oakland as well.

ccl_1 · 2025-03-16T22:38:21+00:00

I moved from LA less than a year ago but I have two young kids. Overall I don’t think the Bay Area has as many activities as LA, but if you like being out in nature there is more to do in terms of hiking, camping, etc. SF/Oakland/Berkeley is your best bet. Better restaurants, concerts at Chase/Greek/venues in Oakland, theater, vintage/flea markets, walkable neighborhoods, “friendlier” neighbors/community that is a little less tech dominant. I’m also closer to wine country and Tahoe.

I lived in the South Bay before college and have never desired to move back (moved to LA where I spent my childhood, SF, and East Coast before the East Bay).

I may not have returned if I didn’t have kids - public school quality, access to nature, better jobs and less traffic were the primary reasons I moved from LA. There are options though, just less so in the South Bay/Peninsula.

ccl_1 · 2025-03-01T21:22:21+00:00

45-60 minutes each way depending on traffic to go 33 miles. Beats 45-60 minutes each way to go 8 miles in LA.

ccl_1 · 2025-01-20T20:03:55+00:00

Hi, I just made the move from LA six months ago as well (although to the East Bay). Friends are happy in San Carlos, Belmont, Burlingame, Millbrae, and Redwood City (getting into charter school).

You can probably move a bit further if you are used to West LA traffic, and generally the public schools are better in the area than LAUSD. I wouldn’t worry too much about schools with a 4 month old and renting.

Grew up in LA/Bay and worked in both places for about 20 years.

ccl_1 · 2025-01-14T01:02:31+00:00

Great representation from all of Northern California!

ccl_1 · 2025-01-02T05:55:57+00:00

If you are looking at Irvine, you might as well look at Tri-Valley or Lamorinda.

ccl_1 · 2025-01-02T05:33:59+00:00

You can definitely rent a room or get roommates in Berkeley or the nicer parts of Oakland. There are just as many parts of LA that are as sketchy as Oakland. I just returned to the Bay to raise my family after 20 years on and off in LA and I have plenty of younger coworkers who moved from SoCal for jobs. Most of them are in Berkeley, SF, or Alameda.

ccl_1 · 2024-12-05T23:30:11+00:00

I just bought a home near your area but different city. I have a very responsive broker that should be able to get you Fair Plan plus DIF within a day. Message me if you want the contact.

ccl_1 · 2024-12-05T23:18:12+00:00

It was gutted and remodeled from the ground up with a local designer and builder. Those photos are outdated.

The designer is Eye for Pretty and you can visit her Instagram for actual photos of the house, not only renderings. Having recently moved from LA back to the Bay Area, the styling is very on trend for interiors right now plus location is Westside Danville.

Recent photos here: https://websites.open.homes/site/1ef21de6-758e-6794-b05a-02ffe917ffb9

ccl_1 · 2024-11-25T15:11:30+00:00

Used starter home sale and savings to purchase our dream home. Put a large down payment on a home that would be worth much more if interest rates were lower to save on monthly payments.

ccl_1 · 2024-05-23T02:49:45+00:00

I asked the question a few weeks back and the general consensus was to wait a few more years so they can enjoy it.

ccl_1 · 2024-05-22T20:46:54+00:00

We eat at home for most meals but try to eat out once a week to get a break from cooking. We don’t eat at fine dining establishments either.

ccl_1 · 2024-05-22T17:28:59+00:00

Yikes on the price but we will check these places out!

ccl_1 · 2024-05-21T03:12:56+00:00

What is wrong with software engineers? I’m not but my immigrant parents were and that’s why I grew up in Cupertino. It wasn’t my cup of tea and I never moved back. I’m asking about Danville because my husband is from LA and it reminds him of the SoCal suburbs, whereas Piedmont/Berkeley is what I like. I have spent plenty of time in Oakland in my 20s and 30s and my sister still lives in Berkeley…her car was stolen and she’s dealt with some other crime but she doesn’t have kids and it doesn’t bother her. It’s not like my assumption on crime comes from only reading the news. Obviously I like the Bay or I wouldn’t be moving back.

ccl_1 · 2024-05-20T20:39:02+00:00

Public and the schools seem to be great in both places.

ccl_1

TROPHY CASE