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Author
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Topic: Any Peninsula Folks?
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Luke87GT
Lay'n more stripes
than Caltrans
Member # 21
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posted
 
 
Hi folks, the reason that I started this thread is because a job change is putting me on the Peninsula in the Belmont/Foster city area. I suppose I can remain in the Berkeley/Oakland Hills area but that will mean 2hr daily roundtrip commutes and I just don't think I have the fortitude and patience for that after nearly a decade of Bay Area grind commute. So I've started looking for a place to rent on the Peninsula which would mean I would rent my current place out.
As a bit of background, I am in my early 30s, unmarried, and no kids. I don't party nearly as hard as I did in my 20's, but still would like to live in a lively place with a downtown, bars/restaurants, gym, shopping, etc.
Living in SF is an option, but that will be about a 20 mile commute, which is starting to teeter on the border of what I consider acceptable. It is reverse commute I guess though, right?
Now I've had a chance to check out downtown Mountain View, Menlo Park, and Redwood City. They are perfectly normal cities but I wasn't too inspired to tell you the truth. These look like great places if I were married with kids. Now I don't need anything super high energy like a Union Street in SF or anything like that, but some nightlife/bars, restaurants, with young professionals would be appreciated.
As an example, I spend quite a bit of time in the Walnut Creek, Rockridge Oakland, and Berkeley areas near CAL and would be interested in finding something similar on the Peninsula.
What do you folks think? Does anyone have any recommendations on where I should look that is up to 15-20 miles away from Foster City/Belmont area?
Also, I haven't checked racial demographics, but from my visit to the Peninsula last week (Menlo Park, Mountain View, Redwood City), it was overwhelmingly Asian/Indian. Is that accurate, or were the white/black/Hispanic people staying home that weekend for some reason?
Anyway, I look forward to your thoughts everyone. Much appreciated!
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Stangless
Posts: 7802 | From: San Mateo | Registered: Jul 2000
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SEMPERFI510
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Member # 627
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posted
Check out the downtown San Mateo area. This is coming from someone who loves to have a good beer and watch sports. My buddy used to live out there and I enjoyed partying there. I have lived in SD, Berkeley, SF and now Oakland to give you some background on me. Also in my early thirties with no kids. Cheers!
[ 2013-05-22, 08:53 AM: Message edited by: SEMPERFI510 ]
Posts: 1766 | From: San Francisco, CA | Registered: Dec 2001
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SEMPERFI510
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Member # 627
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posted
And you don't want to pay SF rent prices believe me! They are as much as my mortgage! Also if you love the east bay weather San Mateo is comparable!
Posts: 1766 | From: San Francisco, CA | Registered: Dec 2001
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losbadgts
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Member # 4394
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posted
Bgame ave its a cool spot, palo alto university ave its also cool spot to chill. But if u want to party with mexicans go to hanky panky in redwood city lol
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Why pretent someone u are not, everyone else could see it.
Posts: 3625 | From: redwood city | Registered: Apr 2004
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losbadgts
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Member # 4394
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posted
Also downtown mv has a few spots that brings a lot of Latinas
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Why pretent someone u are not, everyone else could see it.
Posts: 3625 | From: redwood city | Registered: Apr 2004
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FRC_Kid
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Member # 8940
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posted
Sounds like Palo Alto would be your best fit. Things are much more expensive on this side so expect that.
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Pretend Racecar Driver- C5 FRC
Ford, GM, & Dodge is what I'm all about
Posts: 2578 | From: All over the Peninsula | Registered: Feb 2009
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fredfifty
Since
9/2010
Member # 10320
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posted
foster city is pretty cool...lotta shopping and restaurants off of 92, nice places to live near water, nice and quiet for the most part
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RIP EDSON VELORO
IM A NOOB, EXCUSE ME. THANKS.
92 LX Coupe 5.0 CARB'd BOLT-ONS SMOG LEGAL
62 Rag Impala
Posts: 4953 | Registered: Sep 2010
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SSFGiant
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Member # 10811
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posted
quote:
Originally posted by cali95gt:
Sounds like Palo Alto would be your best fit. Things are much more expensive on this side so expect that.
+1 Palo Alto, Redwood City, Menlo nice areas. You can always hit University for a good night out
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2014 Mustang GT
1988 Mustang GT
Posts: 588 | From: South San Fran | Registered: Apr 2011
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cobraracer46
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Member # 1142
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posted
quote:
Originally posted by Luke87GT:
Also, I haven't checked racial demographics, but from my visit to the Peninsula last week (Menlo Park, Mountain View, Redwood City), it was overwhelmingly Asian/Indian. Is that accurate, or were the white/black/Hispanic people staying home that weekend for some reason?
As you have discovered, the peninsula has a large Asian population and I like it. For sure, the peninsula is a great place to live and I feel lucky to be able to bicycle commute to work 2 hours a day, 5 days a week.
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2001 SVT cobra convertible with a Viper T56, Fikse wheels, Griggs frame kit, roll bar, Vortech, 4:30 gears, brembo GT brakes and more.
Posts: 1172 | From: Woodside California | Registered: Apr 2002
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NEIGHT
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Member # 8741
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posted
I see more Hispanic/black/whites in Redwood City/Menlo Park. I don't normally see that many asians/indians here you might have been more in Mountain View kuz I know for a fact they're EVERYWHERE in Sunnyvale.
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-Savage Habits-
1992 Summer Edition
1986 Hatch- catfish killer
1964 Impala hard top
Posts: 18548 | From: EA$T $IDE REDWOOD CITY | Registered: Nov 2008
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BUKSING
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Member # 6594
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posted
Peninsula < East Bay
Posts: 1571 | From: 510 | Registered: Mar 2006
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PurpleNotch
CAFords OG
Member # 2902
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posted
Born and raised SSF - 33 years now. The peninsula is an awesome place to live as well as the east bay/south bay. For we're your looking to stay I would say try downtown San Mateo area. It's central to all the bays. In San Mateo you have downtown San Mateo which has pool halls, bars, dance clubs, movie theatre and a big mall and then your central to everywhere. You can go to Burlingame downtown, Foster City, San Carlos downtown, Palo Alto downtown all of these places within a 15-30 minute drive from San Mateo or roll over the San Mateo bridge and hit Hayward, San Leandro, Fremont, you could head up to the bay bridge head out to the east bay I mean really it's centrally located its ideal for you. Also keep in mind its about a 30-45 minute drive either way to get into SF or head to SJ and the same to the east bay. As far as the demographic of nationality you have it all seriously. There are all races on the peninsula and yes depends where you might be geographically in that city but you will see all races and for the most part everyone is nice keep in mind that's not all places. Just saying I have been all over the peninsula from Daly City to San Jose and its pretty diverse. Just find your favorite type of food, find the mall you like the best and experience all the downtowns each city has one unique and there are lots of people ranging from the high schoolers up to the 30 something year old professional business folks at the bar for drink after work. Also keep in mind you have Facebook out of Palo Alto and Google in Mountain View. We have allot going on over here ![[Smile]](smile.gif) ![[patriot]](graemlins/patriot.gif)
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**The creator of the infamous purplenotch**
http://www.mustang50magazine.com/featuredvehicles/m5lp_0508_1988_ford_mustang_lx/index.html
Posts: 3177 | From: Bay area | Registered: Jun 2003
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87droptop50
Go Giants!
Member # 7185
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posted
San Mateo is a really nice area to live ... When I move out of San Bruno I would live in any city from south San Fransisco to San Carlos .
Posts: 3855 | From: SF | Registered: Oct 2006
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SF Coupe
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Member # 1810
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posted
I was born and raised on the peninsula and lived in SF for several years. I met my wife in SF and moved back here after I got married. Nothing on the peninsula comes close to the energy and vibe of the city, and everything is more spread out. I commuted from SF to the peninsula for two years and it sucked. Now that I'm older I wouldn't put up with that.
The best nightlife areas are Palo Alto, Bgame Ave, San Mateo, and San Carlos Laurel Ave. If you want to live in a nice area expect to pay a lot. The weather is nicer than the east bay and there are a lot of high paying jobs close by. The weather is noticeably better south of San Mateo, San Mateo and north is windier and cooler than Belmont south due to the passes in the coastal range.
Generally the further west of El Camino the better the neighborhood and it will be mostly white with some Asians and Indians. Close to El Camino or east of El Camino is not so great.
All in all it's a great place to live.
Posts: 1082 | From: SF | Registered: Sep 2002
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0089GT
FREE
PALESTINE
Member # 9996
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posted
YOU DONT WANNA LIVE IN THE CITY AND PAY THAT RENT...daly city is not really a good option because the weather is horrible...you could live in south san francisco thats where i am at now its really nice and you are 10 min away from 101 and 280...you are pretty much the middle of the peninsula..
a little background on the area around orange avenue you can find really nice houses/condos but its somewhat pricey apartments are everywhere and theres a really nice complex called archstone its pretty pricey around 2000+ for a 2 bedrooms and a two baths a living room, kitchen but its worth it my friend moved in there and she loves it, very safe, warm and welcoming
also there is houses/apartments in san bruno really nice as well and price is pretty up there but you live in a calm neighborhood and you are close to alll the major freeways and what not.
what is your price range what are you looking for?
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FREE PALESTINE
Posts: 1151 | From: ssf | Registered: May 2010
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NonOpSlow2V
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Member # 6111
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posted
i lived in Belmont and working in SF. my commute wasnt bad it was 20 minutes.
however, i live in SF now, and it sucks. rent is high, shady stuff everywhere, no parking, over crowded, asshole drivers, ect. Im sure you can find a great spot in san mateo, belmont, burlingame ect for a few bucks less than SF
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1997 Autumn Orange GT vert
1996 Mystic Cobra
2005 95ci Harley Road King
2011 F150 Raptor
Posts: 2139 | From: San Francisco | Registered: Oct 2005
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v-town coupe
fordologist
Member # 2771
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posted
My wife grew up in San Carlos, they have really transformed the downtown area into an upper scale dinning experience, there are a lot of older folks in that area, but I dig its small town vibe. A buddy of mine lived in San Bruno , he never had any problems and lived close to the mall. Didn't seem like there was a great deal of "other things" around there, houses were very close together, small garages etc. after staying on the peninsula every weekend for 7 years I would have to say San Mateo probably will fit best Luke. You could go further south but then your commute will start to increase. Of course palo alto near the school would be great, but the cost and extended commute may not be what you want. Maybe you should roll to San Carlos for the downtown celebrations ( I believe it's on Thursdays) you may like, sneakers sports bar is a good place to eat, hangout.
Posts: 4597 | From: the V-town | Registered: May 2003
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lxhatch5.0
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Member # 6319
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posted
I personally like the Stanford Palo Alto area. U have professionals and college students mingling down in University ave. U have Stanford shopping mall. Down on Sand Hill ave they have some nice condos for rent. 280 and 101 are close. Ur close to Mt View RWC San Mateo If u ever want to hit their down areas and bar hop/club.
Cal Berkley Area < Stanford Area
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*NorCal
Posts: 1556 | Registered: Dec 2005
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92stangLX
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Member # 3252
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posted
Peninsula = boring
I lived in Belmont for 2 1/2 years when I moved in with my GF. It was the right thing to do for our relationship but I was literally pulling my hair out every day.
I would suggest living in SF. Bernal Heights, Glen Park, Balboa, etc.
The commute isn't too bad if you avoid 101.. Good luck
Posts: 5302 | From: San Francisco | Registered: Sep 2003
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Luke87GT
Lay'n more stripes
than Caltrans
Member # 21
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posted
Hi folks, that's a very helpful summary of the area and I very much appreciate you guys taking the time to steer me in the right direction.
At this point my plan is to jump on Caltrains and check out downtown SM, Burlingame, and PA to see which gives me the best feeling.
I'll let you guys know what I decide.
Thanks!
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Stangless
Posts: 7802 | From: San Mateo | Registered: Jul 2000
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Luke87GT
Lay'n more stripes
than Caltrans
Member # 21
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posted
Also, I've primarily been using craigslist to find a place.
Any other popular web-sites/references I should also use?
What about property management companies? Any recommendations there?
Thanks,
Luke
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Stangless
Posts: 7802 | From: San Mateo | Registered: Jul 2000
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FRC_Kid
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Member # 8940
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posted
quote:
Originally posted by Luke87GT:
Also, I've primarily been using craigslist to find a place.
Any other popular web-sites/references I should also use?
What about property management companies? Any recommendations there?
Thanks,
Zillow has a lot of listings. download the app on your phone and it lays it all out on a map
Luke
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Pretend Racecar Driver- C5 FRC
Ford, GM, & Dodge is what I'm all about
Posts: 2578 | From: All over the Peninsula | Registered: Feb 2009
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Luke87GT
Lay'n more stripes
than Caltrans
Member # 21
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posted
Hi guys,
I spent several days in the SM, Burlingame, and Hillsdale areas.
Competition was fierce but I got a place right in downtown SM which has plenty of energy and close to restaurants/bars/shopping/gym.
Looking forward to it and thanks for the recommendations.
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Stangless
Posts: 7802 | From: San Mateo | Registered: Jul 2000
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Luke87GT
Lay'n more stripes
than Caltrans
Member # 21
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posted
Saw several SN95 Cobras in downtown San Mateo today, anyone here?
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Stangless
Posts: 7802 | From: San Mateo | Registered: Jul 2000
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Venom
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Member # 9201
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posted
Maybe it was me?? Down town loves :-)
Posts: 296 | From: San Mateo | Registered: May 2009
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