Towns with good Schools in Bay Area (Montclair: title)

[mattja]

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

Oh, so it's because they aren't fat, lazy, pathetic, jaded and entitled.

Is that how you view American workers?

[AnythingOutdoors]

Trying to get this thread back on topic

If OP wants to be closer to family in the Bay Area, good schools, still somewhat affordable, then a good option would be Mountain House. Schools rated 8-9. Housing prices aren't cheap at near $1M, though there are a few more affordable smaller/compact options in the $700k range.

[roadwarrior101]

Originally Posted by AnythingOutdoors

Trying to get this thread back on topic

If OP wants to be closer to family in the Bay Area, good schools, still somewhat affordable, then a good option would be Mountain House. Schools rated 8-9. Housing prices aren't cheap at near $1M, though there are a few more affordable smaller/compact options in the $700k range.

Maybe so, but what is there to do there? It's really just tract housing in the middle of nowhere. I don't believe there are any amenities there as you need to drive several miles to either Tracy or Livermore. Also, given that it's in San Joaquin County, this isn't technically in the Bay Area.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by AnythingOutdoors

Trying to get this thread back on topic

If OP wants to be closer to family in the Bay Area, good schools, still somewhat affordable, then a good option would be Mountain House. Schools rated 8-9. Housing prices aren't cheap at near $1M, though there are a few more affordable smaller/compact options in the $700k range.

Here's something a little cheaper there, almost within the OP's price range, but it looks like it's part of a duplex. It's a little weird that 3 br. homes out there in the middle of nowhere are priced at just under $1 mill. I wouldn't call those tract homes, either; some look like older homes built prior to the tract development.

https://www.redfin.com/CA/Mountain-H...home/186242949

[AnythingOutdoors]

Originally Posted by roadwarrior101

Maybe so, but what is there to do there? It's really just tract housing in the middle of nowhere. I don't believe there are any amenities there as you need to drive several miles to either Tracy or Livermore. Also, given that it's in San Joaquin County, this isn't technically in the Bay Area.

I know it's not in the Bay Area, was just trying to find something closer to family. As for stuff to do, that's not what OP asked for, which was affordability and good schools. Mountain House is a planned community, and that's the feel. There are parks, waking/biking paths, a few stores and restaurants, but not much else. For many people, especially families with kids, this is adequate. For sure lots of trips into Tracy. It's likely OP would pay more for housing in Mountain Home for fewer amenities compared to their current location near Fresno. I'm just put options out there, only OP can decide if being closer to family is worth the trade-off.

[AnythingOutdoors]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

Here's something a little cheaper there, almost within the OP's price range, but it looks like it's part of a duplex. It's a little weird that 3 br. homes out there in the middle of nowhere are priced at just under $1 mill. I wouldn't call those tract homes, either; some look like older homes built prior to the tract development.

https://www.redfin.com/CA/Mountain-H...home/186242949

Good schools and low crime within commuting distance to the Bay Area. It's a brutal commute, but the ACE train from Tracy is an option, and going in 2x/week for hybrid work wouldn't be terrible.

[roadwarrior101]

Originally Posted by AnythingOutdoors

I know it's not in the Bay Area, was just trying to find something closer to family. As for stuff to do, that's not what OP asked for, which was affordability and good schools. Mountain House is a planned community, and that's the feel. There are parks, waking/biking paths, a few stores and restaurants, but not much else. For many people, especially families with kids, this is adequate. For sure lots of trips into Tracy. It's likely OP would pay more for housing in Mountain Home for fewer amenities compared to their current location near Fresno. I'm just put options out there, only OP can decide if being closer to family is worth the trade-off.

Good point. I guess for me, I wouldn't necessarily see the value proposition of moving there. It's still a massive commute, much more expensive and nothing to do in the immediate area.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by AnythingOutdoors

I know it's not in the Bay Area, was just trying to find something closer to family. As for stuff to do, that's not what OP asked for, which was affordability and good schools. Mountain House is a planned community, and that's the feel. There are parks, waking/biking paths, a few stores and restaurants, but not much else. For many people, especially families with kids, this is adequate. For sure lots of trips into Tracy. It's likely OP would pay more for housing in Mountain Home for fewer amenities compared to their current location near Fresno. I'm just put options out there, only OP can decide if being closer to family is worth the trade-off.

There are some good recreational areas in the vicinity for kids, too; lakes, parks, etc. Summer or weekend recreation stuff.

[AnythingOutdoors]

Originally Posted by roadwarrior101

Good point. I guess for me, I wouldn't necessarily see the value proposition of moving there. It's still a massive commute, much more expensive and nothing to do in the immediate area.

The value proposition is the community: the schools, safe neighborhood, the people. Finding the combination of these in the Bay Area is much more expensive. The kids do sports on the weekend at one of the many athletic facilities. Most kids walk/bike to school, so school friends are also neighborhood friends. With safe streets kids roam freely between parks and each other's homes. BBQ with the neighbors. Farmers Market. Local library. And as Ruth4Truth points out, there are activities to do in the area, depending on what one is into. I can see the allure even though it's not my thing.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by AnythingOutdoors

The value proposition is the community: the schools, safe neighborhood, the people. Finding the combination of these in the Bay Area is much more expensive. The kids do sports on the weekend at one of the many athletic facilities. Most kids walk/bike to school, so school friends are also neighborhood friends. With safe streets kids roam freely between parks and each other's homes. BBQ with the neighbors. Farmers Market. Local library. And as Ruth4Truth points out, there are activities to do in the area, depending on what one is into. I can see the allure even though it's not my thing.

It does sound pretty good, as long as the kids in the neighborhood and schools are easy to get along with. I was wrong about that listing I linked; it's not a duplex, it's a SFH, but still might be outside the OP's range. I still don't understand why the RE all the way out there is so expensive.