Seeking family friendly, unpretentious neighborhoods

[westcoastbestcoast]

Thanks everyone! Your input has been fantastic. We look forward to checking out the area at the end of March.

[Wintermomma]

I'm not sure about the schools, but you might want to add Campbell to your list. I believe there are a few school districts which reach into Campbell, so it probably depends upon the area.

(note: I think school districts here are just crazy! It would make sense to me if each city has one district, and the kids in their city go to their schools. But whatever, they didn't ask me. )

[westcoastbestcoast]

I was just going to ask about Campbell! Downtown looks so charming, and we love the idea of a year round Farmer's Market! We would prefer to stick near our old stomping grounds of San Jose(SJSU alum here!) But now having 2 young school aged children makes this location hunt a bit more complicated as we'd like to be fairly near their grandparents in Sunnyvale!

[chessgeek]

I think Willow Glen and Cambrian Park would be good choices. Willow Glen is more walkable (especially along Lincoln Avenue), while Cambrian may be a little more car dependent. The Cambrian area may have slightly less "keeping up with the Jones" vibe than Willow Glen, but both neighborhoods are friendly and welcoming, especially by Bay Area standards! With your budget, I would probably favor Willow Glen, but look at homes in both areas first. It is easy to entertain visiting relatives/friends in Willow Glen without even leaving the neighborhood (with Lincoln Avenue right there). The neighborhoods are filled with trees and generally well kept up. Cambrian Park is not as immaculately kept up as Willow Glen, but is not too far from Los Gatos (about a 4-5 mile drive).

[chessgeek]

Willow Glen will be slightly closer to San Jose State than Campbell. Campbell will be slightly closer to Sunnyvale, but both are more than ten miles from Sunnyvale.

Another neighborhood to check would be the Santa Clara neighborhoods just west of the SCU campus or the Pruneridge area. SCU is not known as a "party" school, but you probably should be at least a mile west just to be sure. That location would put you reasonably close to both San Jose State and to Sunnyvale.

[westcoastbestcoast]

Thank you! Willow Glen, Cambrian, and Campbell are tops on our list! Also, thank you to the previous poster who mentioned Livermore. It sounds charming, but may be too far for us.