Best neighborhoods? (Woodland, Madera, Larkspur: houses, school district, living)

[chocolate2012]

We are evaluating a move from the Washington, DC area to Marin County. We are a family of 4, including a 9th grader and a 7th grader. We are looking for a home in the Redwood High School district, preferably with 4 bedrooms/2 baths. We will pay up to $1.4M for a home. We like to get involved in our community, church, and schools. Since much of my research has to be done online at this point, can you provide recommendations about which neighborhoods are family-friendly and might be the best fit for us? Also, which neighborhoods should we avoid? (By "neighborhoods" I mean names of specific communities within the local towns.)

[CarlosAtun]

Your $1.4 million budget is most likely too low for Belvedere, Ross, Kent Woodlands, and much of Tiburon, all towns that feed into Redwood High School. Not sure what you mean by "avoidable" neighborhoods, a somewhat squishy term. Are you trying to avoid living under too many trees, or on a twisty road, or a steep hillside, or is it something more socioeconomic or too near the freeway - need to define.

That said, any of the feeder towns would be fine. Kentfield, Larkspur, Greenbrae, or Corte Madera are all very nice places to live, with local shopping and good access to outdoor activities. Be aware that much of the housing stock in these towns is older as they were all mostly built out by the 1960's or so but there have been some small newer developments, such as Madera del Presidio. You won't find a big selection of four bedroom houses. Best to schedule a trip to see for yourself.

You may get more responses if you title your question Best Marin neighborhoods, since this C-D forum covers the Bay Area.