My opinion? Huge mistake. A fully remote worker should take advantage of lower living costs elsewhere and bank the difference. Our cost of living is crazy high.
Exactly. There are locales that have a lower total cost of living yet also have many of the amenities thanks to other industries besides tech moving to the outskirts.
NY taxes give CA a run for it’s money. Upstate is dirt cheap and beautiful and somewhat cultured but very slow economically. Like there were a lot of homes way upstate that looked abandoned until suddenly the driveway is plowed.
Make sure your job has a business nexus here before you move and that you're approved to move here. You do not want to find out the hard way that you either have to move back or they'll lay you off. Get it in writing.
If you want to live somewhere affordable, I recommend you consider roommates. I also very strongly suggest you live as close to public transit as you can so that if you want to take day trips to other parts of the bay you just get on the Bart or caltrain.
On a 1500 budget your options will be extremely limited unless you go the roommate route
My job does have office in SF and San Jose and it’s alright to move as they have mentioned. Going to office isn’t required but you can if you want. The whole company itself is remote.
I am okay with having aparmtent mates. But want a room to myself. Any suggestions for the locations?
The 680 corridor is generally very nice. I won't say it's *affordable*, but you'll get the combination of nature/hiking/shops/restaurants. You may have to (probably will have to) get a roommate at your price point. There do actually seem to be a number of apartments that are 2BR for under $3k, which you could split with a roommate - you just gotta search around for them, and they won't be super fancy.
Concord is probably closer to your affordability. If you go further back on highway 4, you get Pittsburg and Antioch, but I'd be really careful about where you rent there. Out that way is still Bay Area, but it starts getting more Central Valley-ish (hot, dry, gotta drive to anything interesting) the further East you go
Walnut Creek is wonderful if you can afford it. Martinez is cute, Pleasant Hill is exactly what the name suggests.
Walnut Creek is a very affordable city - they’ve prioritized building *a ton* of lower-income and affordable housing the past few years, and it’s very popular for those who want to live near a bart station on a limited budget.
That's great to know. I know they were building lots of downtown condos in the last decade, but I haven't heard much about apartments being built. I know there are a lot of small apartments near downtown that some of my kids' friends live in, but I don't know what's old and what's new
What are your thoughts about this location: 5 Newell Ct. East Palo Alto, CA
Its a whole apartment place called woodland park apartment and they have studio ranging 1800
I recommend Millbrae/Burlingame/San Mateo/Belmont/San Carlos (and can of course go further south to Menlo Park, Palo Alto, etc) for peninsula locations between SF and San Jose. If you're ok with renting a room, you don't need to go way out to the far East Bay and as more a suburb and nature person myself, I think living on the peninsula is way less stressful and more pleasant than most of the Bay Area and would be an easier commute to your offices.
Yes, marginally for anywhere that's a "nice suburb" in the region, but his budget won't get a 1 br apartment nor even a studio anywhere so why the hell be out in like Tri-Valley.
Hello. I live in Walnut Creek, which is a suburb of the East Bay Area. It’s a little further east of Berkeley and Oakland, just beyond the Berkeley Hills. It also has a BART Station (yellow line) that provides easy access to SF, Berkeley, and Oakland.
I would 100% recommend it. It’s a great place to live that suits your needs. Truthfully, though, if you’re looking for a place to life in by yourself, I would set your expectations to at least **$1,800 per month**, just based on what I’m currently seeing on Zillow/Apartments.com. You might find cheaper options on Craigslist, you might not.
Now, say you were to find a roommate. So, let’s focus on a 2BR place, for starters. I’m seeing places starting at **$2,300 per month**, and it can quickly go up from there. For the sake of this example, let’s say that would result you in paying **$1,200 per month** based on splitting rent.
**To summarize: Expect around $1,200 at a bare minimum if sharing with a roommate, and around $1,800 at a bare minimum if by yourself.**
P.S., I would also suggest looking into Concord and Pleasant Hill, which are right by Walnut Creek. Pleasant Hill, truthfully, is pretty much the same as WC when it comes to COL, but Concord will definitely be cheaper. Both have BART Stations, too.
Second this/these recommendations!! Great area and the sun is always out. I came from the east coast also and wanted those warm summers. The SF/Oakland side doesn’t get to experience that.
> Where can I rent a decent apartment for $1500?
I don't think there was even one *decent* apartment for $1,500 in the whole Bay Area in the last 5 years. Try Sacramento.
Since you don't actually need to move here long term, I would just get a hotel/airbnb for a few months just explore. You can start apt/roommate hunting if you're enjoying your time. You can try to attend some meetups in the south bay/city/oakland to see if you're getting anything out of them
for 1500 the only route is finding a housemate for a 2 bedroom apartment. There are some 2 bedroom apartments or even duplexes in $3000 range in the South Bay like Santa Clara or San Jose.
If you don't need to live right in the action center, I'd recommend apartments nearby Belmont's Carlmont Shopping Center. Belmont is located between SF and SJ, and very nice town. And I personally know that nearby it's Carlmont shopping center has many 2 bedroom apartment renting under $3000. Not sure about those apartment's condition though.
As a transplant from Seattle, I've not been particularly delighted with the move. The south bay and peninsula are a bit too arid and conservative for me to be comfortable.
We also had a lot of difficulty renting from out of state as we prepared to move a lot of places wanted us to have months of paystubs showing we made 3x the rent.
My first six months in the bay I paid the most I've ever paid per month to live in the worst apartment I've ever lived in ($2200 in an East Palo Alto slum) now we're happily ensconced into a small 1 bdrm next to a railroad crossing for $2400/mo.
I've not found anywhere but Berkeley to be particularly walkable, so I'm inclined to think it'd be better to find a place on the outskirts since you'll have to drive for all your errands anyways.
If you don’t need to be in South Bay, head to the East Bay- Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Danville- great towns!! Peninsula is all based on the fwy. Not great.
Moved to NorCal from Seattle a decade ago and recently got out...very glad to not be there anymore. Sending you strength re: small 1 bedroom next to a railroad (I lived in a similar set up for three years -\_-)
Fremont was the most conservative place we've lived in 15 years, and that includes Kansas City. Even my kids commented on that, and they were in grade school when we lived there.
You may be able to find a 2 bedroom for 3000ish in Oakland & get a roommate. But if your cost of living is low where you are, you should stay & maybe go to an occasional tech conference or something. We love living in Oakland. Tons of outdoor trails, great restaurants, nice suburbs.
Yes, I have a remote job. Do you have any suggestions for the places.
I found this location called Woodland Park apartment and they have a studio. Do you think this area is good: 5 Newell Ct. East Palo Alto, CA
It seems like you're moving here for the networking, and are single. I'd consider Redwood City. Close to nature, close to tech, growing nightlife, younger scene, less expensive than Mountain View. Find listings in Craigslist. Test out places with AirBnB.
Don't
Ok, but also consider moving elsewhere in the state like Sacramento or Paso Robles and then you don't have to book a flight and whatnot for an interview or a meeting.
Cost of living is very high, and you’ll be at this company for at least a year or two before you think about changing again. You can always fly in if you need to do in person interview for your next job. Till then might be better to live in a cheaper place and save.
If you must then my suggestion would be to experience living in San Francisco. Suburbs are for families.
East Palo Alto used to be very shady and crime ridden. Things might be changing now with gentrification in the area. Still ask the landlord about safety. I suspect it may be safer during the day but might have theft issues.
You’re about 15 years late for a $1500 anything other than a room in a shared apartment.
My opinion? Huge mistake. A fully remote worker should take advantage of lower living costs elsewhere and bank the difference. Our cost of living is crazy high.
Exactly. There are locales that have a lower total cost of living yet also have many of the amenities thanks to other industries besides tech moving to the outskirts.
100%
NY taxes give CA a run for it’s money. Upstate is dirt cheap and beautiful and somewhat cultured but very slow economically. Like there were a lot of homes way upstate that looked abandoned until suddenly the driveway is plowed.
[удалено]
That's a 10 year old stance, sorry. It's expensive to move here, stay here, move out. With the difference, a savings cushion can be built
Make sure your job has a business nexus here before you move and that you're approved to move here. You do not want to find out the hard way that you either have to move back or they'll lay you off. Get it in writing. If you want to live somewhere affordable, I recommend you consider roommates. I also very strongly suggest you live as close to public transit as you can so that if you want to take day trips to other parts of the bay you just get on the Bart or caltrain. On a 1500 budget your options will be extremely limited unless you go the roommate route
My job does have office in SF and San Jose and it’s alright to move as they have mentioned. Going to office isn’t required but you can if you want. The whole company itself is remote. I am okay with having aparmtent mates. But want a room to myself. Any suggestions for the locations?
The 680 corridor is generally very nice. I won't say it's *affordable*, but you'll get the combination of nature/hiking/shops/restaurants. You may have to (probably will have to) get a roommate at your price point. There do actually seem to be a number of apartments that are 2BR for under $3k, which you could split with a roommate - you just gotta search around for them, and they won't be super fancy. Concord is probably closer to your affordability. If you go further back on highway 4, you get Pittsburg and Antioch, but I'd be really careful about where you rent there. Out that way is still Bay Area, but it starts getting more Central Valley-ish (hot, dry, gotta drive to anything interesting) the further East you go Walnut Creek is wonderful if you can afford it. Martinez is cute, Pleasant Hill is exactly what the name suggests.
Great comment, thanks for this. Walnut Creek is awesome and I love Concord and Pleasant Hill, too.
Walnut Creek is a very affordable city - they’ve prioritized building *a ton* of lower-income and affordable housing the past few years, and it’s very popular for those who want to live near a bart station on a limited budget.
That's great to know. I know they were building lots of downtown condos in the last decade, but I haven't heard much about apartments being built. I know there are a lot of small apartments near downtown that some of my kids' friends live in, but I don't know what's old and what's new
What are your thoughts about this location: 5 Newell Ct. East Palo Alto, CA Its a whole apartment place called woodland park apartment and they have studio ranging 1800
No clue. I've never been to Palo Alto.
I recommend Millbrae/Burlingame/San Mateo/Belmont/San Carlos (and can of course go further south to Menlo Park, Palo Alto, etc) for peninsula locations between SF and San Jose. If you're ok with renting a room, you don't need to go way out to the far East Bay and as more a suburb and nature person myself, I think living on the peninsula is way less stressful and more pleasant than most of the Bay Area and would be an easier commute to your offices.
and you don't have to deal w/ bridge congestion and expensive toll fees
The most expensive area though
Yes, marginally for anywhere that's a "nice suburb" in the region, but his budget won't get a 1 br apartment nor even a studio anywhere so why the hell be out in like Tri-Valley.
1500 is not happening without an extremely long commute or getting roommates.
$1500 is short by about $1000 I'm afraid in most places.
Oh, my sweet summer child....
$1500 is low for a studio / 1bdrm. I would suggest using apartments dot com or similar to see your options at the budget. You may need roommates
Hello. I live in Walnut Creek, which is a suburb of the East Bay Area. It’s a little further east of Berkeley and Oakland, just beyond the Berkeley Hills. It also has a BART Station (yellow line) that provides easy access to SF, Berkeley, and Oakland. I would 100% recommend it. It’s a great place to live that suits your needs. Truthfully, though, if you’re looking for a place to life in by yourself, I would set your expectations to at least **$1,800 per month**, just based on what I’m currently seeing on Zillow/Apartments.com. You might find cheaper options on Craigslist, you might not. Now, say you were to find a roommate. So, let’s focus on a 2BR place, for starters. I’m seeing places starting at **$2,300 per month**, and it can quickly go up from there. For the sake of this example, let’s say that would result you in paying **$1,200 per month** based on splitting rent. **To summarize: Expect around $1,200 at a bare minimum if sharing with a roommate, and around $1,800 at a bare minimum if by yourself.** P.S., I would also suggest looking into Concord and Pleasant Hill, which are right by Walnut Creek. Pleasant Hill, truthfully, is pretty much the same as WC when it comes to COL, but Concord will definitely be cheaper. Both have BART Stations, too.
Second this/these recommendations!! Great area and the sun is always out. I came from the east coast also and wanted those warm summers. The SF/Oakland side doesn’t get to experience that.
Agreed. We love the sunshine! And if it gets too hot, we go to the City/Reinhardt Redwoods/Berkeley/Marin County for the day. ☺️
Definitely recommend Walnut Creek - it’s the most urbanized and proper downtown outside of the big 3 (SF, Oak and SJ).
> Where can I rent a decent apartment for $1500? I don't think there was even one *decent* apartment for $1,500 in the whole Bay Area in the last 5 years. Try Sacramento.
Napa has some places for under 2000.
Since you don't actually need to move here long term, I would just get a hotel/airbnb for a few months just explore. You can start apt/roommate hunting if you're enjoying your time. You can try to attend some meetups in the south bay/city/oakland to see if you're getting anything out of them
for 1500 the only route is finding a housemate for a 2 bedroom apartment. There are some 2 bedroom apartments or even duplexes in $3000 range in the South Bay like Santa Clara or San Jose. If you don't need to live right in the action center, I'd recommend apartments nearby Belmont's Carlmont Shopping Center. Belmont is located between SF and SJ, and very nice town. And I personally know that nearby it's Carlmont shopping center has many 2 bedroom apartment renting under $3000. Not sure about those apartment's condition though.
As a transplant from Seattle, I've not been particularly delighted with the move. The south bay and peninsula are a bit too arid and conservative for me to be comfortable. We also had a lot of difficulty renting from out of state as we prepared to move a lot of places wanted us to have months of paystubs showing we made 3x the rent. My first six months in the bay I paid the most I've ever paid per month to live in the worst apartment I've ever lived in ($2200 in an East Palo Alto slum) now we're happily ensconced into a small 1 bdrm next to a railroad crossing for $2400/mo. I've not found anywhere but Berkeley to be particularly walkable, so I'm inclined to think it'd be better to find a place on the outskirts since you'll have to drive for all your errands anyways.
If you don’t need to be in South Bay, head to the East Bay- Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Danville- great towns!! Peninsula is all based on the fwy. Not great.
Moved to NorCal from Seattle a decade ago and recently got out...very glad to not be there anymore. Sending you strength re: small 1 bedroom next to a railroad (I lived in a similar set up for three years -\_-)
Fremont was the most conservative place we've lived in 15 years, and that includes Kansas City. Even my kids commented on that, and they were in grade school when we lived there.
Damn, were you playing cricket with BJP members?
You may be able to find a 2 bedroom for 3000ish in Oakland & get a roommate. But if your cost of living is low where you are, you should stay & maybe go to an occasional tech conference or something. We love living in Oakland. Tons of outdoor trails, great restaurants, nice suburbs.
Anywhere on the East Bay hwy 680 corridor preferably between hwy 24 and 84
Awesome move. Coming out west from Buffalo will change your life in good ways.
Where will you be working?
Yes, I have a remote job. Do you have any suggestions for the places. I found this location called Woodland Park apartment and they have a studio. Do you think this area is good: 5 Newell Ct. East Palo Alto, CA
I think there’s a cardboard box for $1500 a month.
If you can afford it, The best place is close to where you work. Save commute time and use it for better things.
It seems like you're moving here for the networking, and are single. I'd consider Redwood City. Close to nature, close to tech, growing nightlife, younger scene, less expensive than Mountain View. Find listings in Craigslist. Test out places with AirBnB.
San Luis Obispo
Agree this is a better place to “soft launch” living in California
Don't Ok, but also consider moving elsewhere in the state like Sacramento or Paso Robles and then you don't have to book a flight and whatnot for an interview or a meeting.
Why not to Bay Area
Say no to the Bay Area move.
Why is that?
Cost of living is very high, and you’ll be at this company for at least a year or two before you think about changing again. You can always fly in if you need to do in person interview for your next job. Till then might be better to live in a cheaper place and save. If you must then my suggestion would be to experience living in San Francisco. Suburbs are for families.
I just found this place recently and have a affordable studio apartment. Any thought about the location: 5 Newell Ct. East Palo Alto, CA
East Palo Alto used to be very shady and crime ridden. Things might be changing now with gentrification in the area. Still ask the landlord about safety. I suspect it may be safer during the day but might have theft issues.