I totally agree with what your saying, that is why I am looking for a 6-month or month to month lease. I just want to settle in, then check out the areas. Hell, I might even decide the commute to SJ from SF is worth it, who knows.

I like this apt, and the area doesn't seem too bad. Thurs-Sat is the only nights I party anyway, so it's good to have that option close. I may go up this weekend for 1 night to check out some areas, but I think the area is pretty decent.

I haven't read too much on websites about nightlife in MV, some in PA. But they seem to be more 1 or 2 bars that are not next to each other. SR seems to be more concentrated, if not one bar then head next door kind of thing.

 

The acutal apartment is located at the opposite end of the complex, the building furthest from Winchester. The only problem with it is that it is located on the first floor. You get a bigger patio, but someone might break in.

 

LOL.........

 

One thing that has not been mentioned yet is that on the weekends, that area is backed up with traffic, due to S.Row and the mall. The offramps from 280 and 880 get backed up. This can be a pain if you're in a hurry, or you may need to find alternative exits to bypass the traffic. I think it is safe to walk from S.R. to that condo at night. Winchester is fairly busy but there aren't people cruising around. The Safeway next to the mall kinda sucks, but there is another one down Stevens Creek at Lawrence Expy. Santana Row has a handful or bars, but they are expensive and trendy. V-bar was the hottest thing in the south bay 2 yrs ago when it opened, but now it is an overpriced LA-style lounge with ghetto folks hanging out there sippin' on their 'gnac. Rosie McCann's has some hot ladies though

 

Are you going to be living by yourself? I own a townhouse about a mile away from Santana Row (Scott & Homestead in Santa Clara) and one of my roommates is moving out at the end of the month. So if you just want a room, I gots one available.

 

It's not what side of the complex you are staying at that would be the problem... You'll be getting in and out of the place from Winchester, and like someone said before, Winchester can get pretty congested with people going to and from the freeway right there, Valley Fair Mall, Santana Row, the Century movie theaters on both sides of the apartment complex, the medical center about a block away, city college just a bit further down, not to mention the education facility where dui classes, etc are at is right there next to the medical center, the HUGE church right down Winchester, and all the other places right in that area that I haven't listed...

IMO, a bit closer to Cupertino from that place is perfect... nice neighborhoods, not much traffic, and if there is, when there is traffic, there are at least two more alternate routes to almost anywhere...

 

Bar hopping won't happen on SR, that's for sure. Downtown MV is kinda nice, but definitely weird crowd because of the tech companies nearby (really mixed age groups). PA is slightly less weird, but still there are only a few options when you want a night out. Personally, I don't find downtown SJ appealing at all, as a lot of it has wannabe-thug-suburban kids.

When I relocated to the Bay last June from DC, people at my company recommended that I get a place in Palo Alto or Menlo Park, on a month to month basis, until I could find something I liked. They mentioned PA and MP because it was close to work (Mtn View), safe, lots of amenities, and a nice downtown area (University Ave). 30 minutes from SF. Everyone else I had talked to basically said 'avoid south bay if you can' and they were referring to Sunnyvale and San Jose in particular.

If I didn't meet up with some great people to be roommates with for a nice house around San Mateo/Burlingame, I'd be up in SF in a heartbeat.. I really like Berkeley too, but it's kind of far.

IMO, stay on the peninsula.. and if you like SF, then move to SF (or right outside). Can you really stand being in the burbs?

 

that area definitely is not ghetto. however, if you go down stevens creek past 880/17 before you hit downtown san jose, it's a very old part of san jose....not ghetto, but pretty old. your rent of $1400 for the 1bd/1ba is a bit high. it's because you're right next to santana row. if you have the patience, you could probably find a new townhouse for rent (2bd/2ba) for about $1500 in the evergreen/silver creek area in san jose, santa clara, and many other places in the south bay. there are also some new townhomes for rent in the willow glen area off of 87 and capital expressway.

but, if you don't mind the rent, you'll love living right next to santana row. that's the most popular hang-out nowadays. every weekend, the hoochie mamas (girls/women of all ages all decked out in their designer clothes) hit that area to hang out and window shop.

 

Check your PM

 

I know the rent is a little high, but I'm prob going to do a 6-month lease so I can get adjusted learn the different areas then decide whether I want to stay or leave or room with someone I met.

As long as the area is relatively safe, the condo is brand new, it's got a private washer and dryer, I'm happy. Plus it's only a couple hundred more expensive than other 1br I've been seeing around the south bay.

 

Everybody has an opinion about what's a cool area to hang out, but the fact of the matter is when you live in the Bay Area you're never farther that a 30 min. drive from anywhere. So, I think you'll be fine at the complex you chose. If you don't like the scene at SR, you can drive to where ever no prob.

 

Exactly, and for 1 or 2 hundred bucks I think it's worth living in a brand new complex (never been lived in) with it's own washer and dryer, in a gated complex with gated and underground parking.

 

And lets not forget...a view to a pool ...seriuosly, you will be fine there, after you settle in a while and then you can better decide where you want to live by, besides, its not like you going to have time to party very night.

 

Having a washer/dryer in the unit is HUGE. Having to lug laundry around to a laundry room or laundromat sucks big time.

 

+1 definitely is much better having it right there when you need it w/o having to share