Berkeley vs Los Altos: Where would you live if money wasn't an issue?

Meta / Eng
frlod

Go to company page Meta Eng

frlod
Dec 28, 2021 78 Comments

Berkeley vs Los Altos.

Curious where people would want to buy if money wasn't an issue. Also school district isn't an issue (planning on private school). Commute a non-issue since we're both remote. Moving out of bay area is not an option.

Pros and cons of each:
Berkeley: decent school district if we did opt into public, not a full suburban feel, lots more diversity (racial and socio-economic), easier to get into the city. Smaller homes / lots than Los Altos, but not as expensive. Can possibly retire earlier since lower home payment.

Los Altos: prestige, great and well funded school district, not super pedestrian, but not too far to get into downtown Los Altos. Not super diverse. Bigger homes and lots but at least double what you pay in Berkeley. Likely very wealthy neighbors, and may feel the rat race more.

Total TC as a couple: 1million+

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TOP 78 Comments
  • Google / Eng
    dogfoodie

    Go to company page Google Eng

    dogfoodie
    I rent in Los Altos and you will always be pressured to keep up. Lots of money here.
    Dec 28, 2021 13
    • Uber
      hfHH16

      Go to company page Uber

      hfHH16
      My wife and I make 1m combined as well and Los Altos is still too much for us. A decent house there is at least 4M. With just 1M TC it’s a stretch to afford it. Not to mention most of the TC is likely from stocks that can fluctuate.
      Dec 31, 2021
    • Roku
      Soph14

      Go to company page Roku

      Soph14
      I dated a girl who grew up in Los Altos, she had a different sense of reality than folks. She didn't understand "struggling". When things didn't work out she'd throw a tantrum. She had a trust fund so I feel that added to it.

      It's a nice city, quiet, and unassuming, but I don't think growing up there builds self-sufficient people.
      Dec 31, 2021
  • Overstock.com / Finance
    ikes

    Go to company page Overstock.com Finance

    PRE
    Chase Corporation
    ikes
    Berkeley if you want to live in a city. Los Altos for suburb. I grew up in Los Altos. Never want to go back
    Dec 28, 2021 6
  • New
    osidhrb

    New

    osidhrb
    There are so many other options in bay area. Why limit to only 2? I would choose something in mid peninsula if you want to be closer to SF but don’t want to deal with homelessness and crime of Berkeley. I moved from Berkeley to peninsula after living in Berkeley for 10 years and never looked back. If you want to be closer to airport, that’s another plus for peninsula. Nothing better than arriving at home within 10 minutes from the airport after exhausting flight
    Dec 28, 2021 8
    • Meta
      B5jae

      Go to company page Meta

      B5jae
      I live in San Carlos and loving it. Vibrant downtown, close to everything and very nice neighborhood. But 'prestige' wise It's probably not in the same league as Los Altos.
      Dec 29, 2021
    • Meta / Eng
      frlod

      Go to company page Meta Eng

      frlod
      OP
      @B5iae wow this is the perfect analogy and helped make things click. I also cannot quite grasp how Hermes is better than my Patagonia backpack so probably similar dynamics going on here. 🤣
      Dec 30, 2021
  • Why can't you leave Bay area if you're fully remote??
    Dec 28, 2021 1
    • Meta / Eng
      frlod

      Go to company page Meta Eng

      frlod
      OP
      Family is in Asia so we need to stay west coast near major airport. Weather not appealing in Seattle. Don't love Los Angeles
      Dec 28, 2021
  • Meta
    dimwits

    Go to company page Meta

    dimwits
    Where in Berkeley do you want to live? I’d say if you live near Kensington it is ok. Anything south or west of the university is bad.
    Dec 28, 2021 2