Mammina13

My partner is currently negotiating a job in Mountain View. We would like to know if there is anywhere in commutable distance (max one hour) where a family of four can afford to live?! My partner will be on approx 150,000 dollars. We have two kids, 7 and 9, so schools are important. We currently live in Surrey where we have a detached house, in an ok area, 30 minute commute into London and a decent local school. We know this area is notoriously expensive so have we been priced out of a similar life over there?! Thanks!!

HartleyHare

I can't help with the information you need as I'm on the East Coast, but I noticed that you are referring to a "partner". Do you know which visa your partner is getting as both L1 and H1 will require you to be married to accompany him/her?

Mammina13

Thanks for replying. Visas are sorted by my partner's company and we are aware that although I will be given a long term travel visa, it will mean that I won't be able to work.

Hotscot

Sounds like you'll have to consider Livermore, Pleasanton, the the East, and beyond. Commute can be hell both ways though, depending on time of travel.
Notoriously hot in Summer.

150,000 is not a lot in terms of a family of four and housing. However, renting or buying?
And can hubby work from home some days perhaps?

md95065

$150k is certainly enough for you to be able to live on, but I agree that it is not a "lot".

Commute times are difficult to be precise about - while distance is obviously a factor it will also depend a lot on exactly what route you have to take and, when you will be commuting.

For example, I live in Santa Cruz and commute to Mountain View which is almost exactly 40 miles door to door. If I leave home at about 10am it usually takes about 50 minutes. Leaving work at about 7pm it takes about an hour to get home. Move those times an hour or two earlier and you can add on at *least* another 30 minutes each way.

Does the employer in question provide any shuttle services to pick employees up from various places or, at least, from BART / Caltrain?

Personally I think that, while housing in the East Bay is going to be significantly less expensive, commuting from there entirely by car would be too much for most people, so you should also consider options that are convenient for public transport (even if that makes the total commute time a bit longer).

Mammina13

Wise words indeed! Thanks! Yes he will have access to shuttle buses. We have both heard that East bay side leads to "a slow death by commute!"

Michael

I'd look for housing in the Mission San Jose or North Warm Springs District of Fremont (area along Mission Blvd/Paseo Padre) or Almaden/Blossom Hill or Evergreen areas in south San Jose.

Schools in those areas are very good, the areas are very nice, and you normally get more for your money.

Mission San Jose or North Warm Springs District of Fremont

Almaden/Blossom Hill and Evergreen Areas of San Jose

Refresh the screen if the symbols don't show up on the map.

Click on the symbols for more information about the school.

A couple of pictures from my previous townhouse in the Mission San Jose area.

Hotscot

Is it not incredibly expensive for housing though?

Michael

About 1/2 to 2/3rds the price of Mountain View with more of a house, yard, etc.

Housing in those areas are about the same price as Pleasanton.

Bob

On a side note.

Get married, then if it's a L1 transfer, you can apply for a EAD and work, other wise you can't, but you won't need to constantly be needing to extend the B2 visa, which gets expensive.

AmerLisa

Is the B2 visa the visa that can get easily denied and is only good for 3 or 6 months?

N1cky

You could also consider Belmont or Foster City, both are in this side of the bay, have good schools, and a good commute. Houses are much cheaper there than MV area.

We've been in MV for 3 years now, and have an 11 year old daughter. Let me know if I can answer any questions

Mammina13

Thanks everyone for the speedy replies! We would like to hang on to our house in UK just initially. So rental would be for the first year to see how things went and decide on areas etc. My partner is reluctant to do the commute from the East Bay Area as knows several colleagues who have done it and regretted it! I guess we will have to go to Vegas and get hitched and hope for a substantial win!

Bob

It's good for 6 months at a time usually and you're right, but it's usually given in this instance, as a co-habiting partner as long as they can show they've been living together.

BunnyGirl

Won't the children need B2s as well then? So it'll be 3 x the renewal fees?