tell me about sunnyvale (and environs)

[nostatic]

There is an outside possibility of me relocating to Sunnyvale. I lived in San Francisco and Berkeley, but didn't really get down the peninsula much. If this came together the ex would likely move someplace close to Santa Clara. In a perfect world she'd be someplace near there with good schools, I'd be somewhere within reasonable distance to my job and where she's living. Are there any "affordable" areas near there? I'd love to live in the west foothills, but I'm likely dreaming (maybe if I rent) and I fear the commute would be heinous.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

One of my best friends recently (as in a month ago) moved FROM Sunnyvale to Wyoming citing the expected reasons - impossible to get ahead due to too-high housing costs, better quality-of-life potential elsewhere, too far of a commute to S.F., etc. He mentioned that there is a very strong Asian community there (take that for what it's worth - good or bad) and his kids were actually minorities in the local schools (he's a regular ol' white dude). Don't know if that matters to you or not.

I've forwarded him your request; when I get an e-mail back I'll let you know. . .

[911longhorn]

Start with the areas that surround Cupertino that are part of their school system ... Sunnyvale and San Jose ... I think there is a section of Santa Clara but I am not positive .. problem is that inventory has been low the last few months.

Here ya go

http://cupertino.ca.campusgrid.net/home/About+our+District/Attendance+Area+Map

[Moses]

I'm not saying Sunnyvale is expensive, but the local homeless shelter requires a credit check and a cleaning deposit.

[legion]

Don't go out in Sunnydale alone at night...

[trekkor]

If you come up, you'll like Sears, Laguna and Thunderhill.
In that order...


KT

[campbellcj]

I haven't lived there, but have spent a fair amount of time there (Sunnyvale/Santa Clara/Cupertino/etc) for work...and I have zero attraction whatsoever to move there. Or even go back to visit. Sorry if that offends anyone who lives there, but it's my $.02

You DO have the cool racetracks within reasonable driving distance, though.

[Vipergrün]

Tod, why not just get re-married to your ex and be done with it

[Jays72T]

When you say "affordable" that depends but it really seems the market is on a slow down. I'd rent for a few months and see where you want to live in the area and hope the prices drop a bit. I'm in SJ, (Cambrian) and the houses in my area are staying on the market longer and multible offers are not the norm anymore. SV is nice but if you have to move here then find a place you want based on what you can afford.

[MichiganMat]

I live in Sunnyvale, and to put it politely, it blows. I can't wait to move out of suburbia-Initech-ville. Lots of people, no space, and ****-all to do. If you're going to come to the south bay I suggest you look at Willow Glen or nothing at all. Just my $0.02

[87coupe]

The greater Downtown SJ area is where it's at in the South Bay. From lofts to old craftsman & victorian homes, great restaraunts, nightlife, theater, etc. It's also an easy commute to Sunnyvale if thats where your gonna be working.

[87coupe]

Actually just thought of something .. there are three good things in sunnyvale:

1. RMG (great Porsche shop)
2. The Brass Rail
3. The Kit Kat club

[fastpat]

Originally posted by Moses
I'm not saying Sunnyvale is expensive, but the local homeless shelter requires a credit check and a cleaning deposit.

I just moved from Fremont, a bedroom community for the most part for Silicon Valley, much lower cost than Sunnyvale, but not as convenient, and no good restaurants. A nice house in Sunnyvale will run you from $800k to $1.5M. In order to rationalize a move to Sunnyvale your take home would have to be on the order of $300K a year, or your company would have to buy your home for you.

[singpilot]

Todd;

This is a first.

I agree and second everything said so far in this thread.

That IS a first!

[scottmandue]

Originally posted by nostatic
I fear the commute would be heinous.

Does the BART run anywhere near there?

[Joeaksa]

Have family in the area (Lockheed) and they cannot wait to get out. Right now he is renting out the house that they have owned there for 20 years and driving 90 minutes ONE way every day.

Would really look elsewhere unless you have no choice...

[tabs]

I thought CA was supposed to be the Golden State. The land of milk and honey, and so many people want to get out of paradise??? My My what is this world coming to ?

[tabs]

I guess LV doesn't blow as much as I thought.

[syncroid]

I live in San Jose and work in Sunnyvale. (@ RMG) Sunnyvale is an ok town in my opinion. Personally I would not want to live there. I'm pretty happy in San Jose. It seems to be right in the middle of everything and not far to get anywhere.
Sending you a PM
Dan

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Originally posted by tabs
I thought CA was supposed to be the Golden State. The land of milk and honey, and so many people want to get out of paradise??? My My what is this world coming to ?

There are still great opportunities here - the problem is although jobs and good wages are plentiful, it's impossible to turn them into financial stability or long-term comfort/enjoyability largely due to the insane housing market. It's simply impossible to get ahead given how expensive everything is. And it's only getting worse.

I'll put it this way - if you're independently wealthy or already own a home and have a few hundred grand worth of equity to roll into a purchase here, you could come here and enjoy a wonderful life. For anyone else, including those "just starting out", it's virtually impossible. When it would cost you 5-10x your annual COMBINED GROSS income just to buy a modest place to live, something is wrong. This is just one of the ills/problems facing our state, but I believe one of the largest (illegal immigration is up there too). It's simply another example of how our society is set up that "you have to have money to make money". It sucks, but that's the way it is. It's a great place to enjoy life and have a pretty enjoyable and relaxing way of life; it's a pretty terrible place to get ahead financially unless you have lots of money to invest/burn.

The big dilemma for many people (myself included) is with all the perks and great things about being here, how could you ever want to go elsewhere? I would have a real hard time doing it, so I stay (for now) dealing with the impossibility of ever owning a home but at least being overall happy. I'll gladly deal with the negatives to never have to deal with cold, snow, rotten weather, miserable long dark winter days or boring, dead-end economies. If you end up losing a job here it's not a big deal. You take a few weeks, go surf or get caught up on housework or whatever and then go get another one. Elsewhere, it could be the ruin of you.

So I stay. . . for now.