Deciding between Marin county and Alameda county (San Francisco, Oakland: for rent, house)

[OrangeSunset]

We are moving to the bay area with two school age kids and trying to decide what area would be best for us. I know that Marin (San Rafael or Novato) & Alameda counties (680 corridor between Dublin & Pleasant Hills) both have good schools and are family oriented but I would like to hear some pros & cons regarding the following:

1) Weather (which one is warmer and gets more sunny days?)
2) Earthquake (more likely, less likely, or the same?)
3) Cost of living ($600k for 3 bed house or $3000 for rent)
4) Access to public transportation (to get into San Francisco)
5) What area has easier access to San Francisco airport?
6) Public school (which one is best?)

There's no commuting involved as we got a sweet deal to work from home

Also, please feel free to suggest any other area we might want to look into (within the bay area). Thank you in advance!

[humboldtrat]

Towns along I-680 have the warmest weather

Earthquake risk is the same throughout the area.

Access to SFO airport would be the easiest from the East Bay because BART goes to the airport BART - Station List

[allenk893]

I agree with Humboldtrat. The earthquake seem to be the same in both counties. My family used to live in San Rafael during the late 1980s right around the time of the Loma Prieta quake. Although San Francisco was the most damaged, my mother told me things shook and broke around the house. So I'm not sure if Rafael had less damage than anywhere else. All I know is that it is a NICE small town and If I had the money, I wouldn't live anywhere else in The Bay Area. It's secluded, a family town, decent schools, less weirdos, etc. Overall good choice.

[OrangeSunset]

I am thinking Alameda would be better because of the BART and proximity to Berkeley, which we love.

Thank you for your comments. Let me know if there's anything else we should consider.

[allenk893]

Originally Posted by OrangeSunset

I am thinking Alameda would be better because of the BART and proximity to Berkeley, which we love.

Thank you for your comments. Let me know if there's anything else we should consider.

Yes actually. I was recently doing research on a very nice small town in the North Bay. It's called Benicia. It is SO nice and actually affordable. It's diverse in demographics, it has good schools, family oriented town, etc. Another great choice I would consider.

[Taboo2]

Originally Posted by OrangeSunset

We are moving to the bay area with two school age kids and trying to decide what area would be best for us. I know that Marin (San Rafael or Novato) & Alameda counties (680 corridor between Dublin & Pleasant Hills) both have good schools and are family oriented but I would like to hear some pros & cons regarding the following:

1) Weather (which one is warmer and gets more sunny days?)
2) Earthquake (more likely, less likely, or the same?)
3) Cost of living ($600k for 3 bed house or $3000 for rent)
4) Access to public transportation (to get into San Francisco)
5) What area has easier access to San Francisco airport?
6) Public school (which one is best?)

Marin is better,.

Less earthquakes there ( 680 has both hayward fault and calaveras.. Marin has san andreas), but more expensive. Weather is nicer, not quite as HOT, worse public tran, schools better mainly. It is greener treesy- I live east bay.

If our business wasnt down here we'd move up there.

[OrangeSunset]

Originally Posted by allenk893

Yes actually. I was recently doing research on a very nice small town in the North Bay. It's called Benicia. It is SO nice and actually affordable. It's diverse in demographics, it has good schools, family oriented town, etc. Another great choice I would consider.

Benicia looks like a great option. Can't wait to check it out

Thank you!

[G Grasshopper]

I live in San Rafael. It has more of a small town feel than most of the east bay (not all - some areas in the e.b. have that feel). There is access to both the bay and the ocean. Marin County has huge expanses of open space, National Seashore and Recreational Areas, and lots of neighborhoods have direct access to open space preserves. There are lots of places to take kids. Great schools, too, both public and private. Mill Valley is more foggy, but San Rafael seldom has fog. San Rafael and Novato are warmer than Mill Valley/Tiburon/Sausalito. It is beautiful, too. (But, of course, lots of places in CA are beautiful.)

[lrmsd]

Marin hands down.
You will then also have access to sonoma and mendocino, as well as SFO and the east bay.
As mentioned, open space in Marin is remarkable, as are the amenities.
I personally don't find east bay area as beautiful or unique, thought it does have some great areas, I know.....

[Mr. Fantastic]

Marin.

It's simply safer and better but more expensive overall.

Alameda County has Oakland, which is a major sore spot for that county.