Living in SF or SJ

May 26, 2018 55 Comments

Hi, TC 400 @ FB MPK

Moving to the bay area and trying to decided whether to live in SF or SJ with wife who is going to G in MTV. Both in 30s no kids. Looking at either Santana Row in SJ area or Dogpatch/Mission Bay/Potrero area.

So far my pros and cons of each are
Pro SF - Know more friends there, seems like more "activities" to do there
Con SF - 1-2hr shuttle/1hr caltrain, more expensive, get rid of car

Pro SJ - only 30-1hr shuttle/30min caltrain, closer to home/work, seems cleaner/quieter/nicer area, have car
Con SJ - not much to do there, far from the city, have less friends there

How has the commute taken it's toll on you?
Is it hard to visit friends in SF from SJ? Train seems to take 1.5hr and driving seems
How has it been trying to make new friends out there?

Any advice would be appreciated!

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TOP 55 Comments
  • Nvidia
    (πŸ‘πŸΌπŸ˜±πŸ€‘)

    Go to company page Nvidia

    (πŸ‘πŸΌπŸ˜±πŸ€‘)
    Why Santana Row area and not MV?
    May 26, 2018 4
    • OP
      Thanks Nvidia! Appreciate the advice. Yea I get what you mean that it can get old fast. At some point, I feel like any area we go, we'll most likely spend most of our time at home and not going out. But in SF, I feel like it'll happen a lot later than in other places, since there seems to be more activities happening. That's what keeps bringing me back to SF. I've found that the more walkable/convenient transportation wise a place is, the more likely you'll go out. However, the commute is just the biggest concern and deterrent. Thanks! I'll start looking more in MV area to see what's there. We're going on a scouting trip soon and appreciate the help.
      May 26, 2018
    • Gap
      Ekhf8428

      Go to company page Gap

      Ekhf8428
      Omg I’m going through the same decision making struggle!
      Aug 2, 2018
  • commute is crazy here. better live between sunnyvale and redwood city
    May 26, 2018 6
    • OP
      Thanks TI! Yea I've been to the Castro area to eat. Seems pretty busy and has some life but it felt like it was only a few blocks long, which isn't bad, just wondering if it spanned further.

      But definitely, I'm putting MV back on my list of places to look! Thanks!
      May 26, 2018
    • TI / Product
      IOlOl0

      Go to company page TI Product

      IOlOl0
      I recently moved to MV from north San Jose and it’s made getting to Castro and downtown Sunnyvale a lot more accessible. Trouble with SF when living in South Bay is uber is expensive and if you do drive yourself, it’s not easy driving back 45m-1hr at 2am πŸ€”
      May 26, 2018
  • Google
    Facebook

    Go to company page Google

    Facebook
    E5? What’s your base and yoe?
    May 26, 2018 8
    • OP
      I'll answer more if you contribute your opinion on my topic :)
      May 26, 2018
    • Google
      Facebook

      Go to company page Google

      Facebook
      Lol
      I’m moving to Seattle soon from the BA to join FB there. Currently L5 at G with about 340k TC with ~10 yoe. FB Seattle offered a bit over 380k before sign on (185/680/50), which is kinda 500k in BA if you adjust the cost of living and no state tax. I lived in Bellevue/Redmond before and love the area.
      May 26, 2018
  • Google
    iegb37

    Go to company page Google

    iegb37
    Redwood City is 30 minutes away in either direction
    May 26, 2018 7
    • Facebook / Eng
      kevgill

      Go to company page Facebook Eng

      kevgill
      Redwood city is awesome. I commute 10 mins to fb and its only 30 mins to sf drive. Cal train is also right there if got are drinking. We also have a town center with movies and shops and a strip with bars and stuff. No clubs like sf but i assume you and your wife aren't going clubbing too often haha
      May 26, 2018
    • OP
      @kevgill Yea I guess when I said nightlife, didn't mean clubbing. We enjoy cocktail bars, breweries, eating out, and live music. So kind of looking for being around crowds and people watching. Also would be nice to have events within the area like live music and theater or community events.
      May 26, 2018
  • Apple / Eng
    Rijdi837sj

    Go to company page Apple Eng

    PRE
    Google, Netflix
    Rijdi837sj
    Family income number plz. We want know 😜
    May 26, 2018 6