I am considering relocating to the Bay Area for work and could use some advice on rentals on the Peninsula near Palo Alto. I know there are quite a few Piggs on here that are either from or know the area quite well so I was hoping this would be a good place to ask.
1. Is there any comprehensive website that lists all the apartment complexes in the area? The ones I’ve been looking at (forrent.com, apartmentfinder) seem to only list a few so I’m not sure I’m covering all of my options. Since I’d be relocating I’d prefer to rent in a corporate place rather than an individual so craigslist isn’t too much help.
2. I currently live in the UTC area and like the feel of the area a lot in terms of the availability of shopping nearby, luxury of the apartments, and proximity to Clairemont Mesa for asian food. I would like to find something similar in price/feel if possible. I’ve looked in areas such as Redwood Shores and Foster City. The neighborhoods seem to be on the more upscale end of the areas in the Peninsula and the prices obviously reflect that. $2k/month for a 1BR apartment seems to be pretty common. I don’t need to live somewhere super nice but I’d like to have an apartment with washer/dryer in unit and covered assigned parking (private garage would be great). Are there any cheaper areas on the peninsula that might have something like this? I know in East Bay near Fremont/Newark I might be able to find something for $1500-1700 a month but was hoping to stay on the Peninsula if possible.
I’m kicking myself I never bought a place in foster city. It was $300k for a 2 bedroom back them.
Here’s my take on bay area housing. If you like sort of like UTC.
1. Look in Palo Alto and Mountain View.
Foster City is nice, but up in there, it’s kinda boring.
Redwood Shores is really boring and Deadwood City (eh Redwood City) is a dump. The advantage is you’re closer to Half Moon Bay, if you’re into slightly outdoor stuff.
Mountain View is nice, because they re-did a part of Castro, and there’s a lot of nice places on that part. Plus it’s close enough to cupertino, where you can find the ranch 99 plus strip mall of chinese stuff. Also, you’re far enough down you can take the 237 to milpitas where you have other nice places (dimsum, chinese-muslim restaurant, more strip malls etc).
Palo Alto is nice, because you have all the stuff on University.
I campted out in Sunnyvale and Santa Clara. It’s not bad, but it’s kinda out of the way. I liked it because I was right off the freeway, and could easily get to Fry’s, Costco, Home Depot, the AMC theater, Great America, and I loved to drive.
East bay… Well, I guess I’m sort of snooty. I think it blows. I mean, the only part that I’d consider personally is if I had a family. Then I *might* consider Fremont, specifically Mission San Jose area, because of the school district. But that’s it. It’s nicer to be on the other side.
ah, I miss the bay area. You going to work for Facebook or Google? 🙂
I recently moved from Burlingame to Millbrae. It feels a lot like UTC. Walk to shopping, Caltrain, and Bart. But there are air flight noise and train noise in some locations. And you have to look hard to find an apartment with in unit washer and dryer. With the price you offer you should be able to find some privately owned condo for rent that meets your criteria.
Thanks for the advice everyone. flu, I know you have ties to the Bay Area so I was hoping you’d chime in :).
I have looked around a lot online for places in Palo Alto/Mtn View but seems to be a lot of really run down cheap places ($1000-1300) or super bling $2000+ places. Since I’ll be relocating I’d rather go with a corporate run place rather than renting a privately owned condo since I would be renting sight unseen and I have a much better chance of knowing what I’m getting that way.
Will look at Millbrae also, although that is getting a little more north than I’d like. It would probably have to be substantially cheaper for me to consider it.
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