Looking for Great Family Suburb in Silicon Valley...

Maira:

That's a REALLY expensive area - homes will be over $750K to the millions.

I've not lived in Northern California since 1989 - so I don't know how much neighborhoods have changed....

Sunnyvale is a nice area.
Santa Clara is nice too.
San Jose.

I would start with http://www.greatschools.net and find out if which town has the school you are looking for. Contact the school you are currently going to and ask them if there is a "sister" school in Sunnyvale, Mountain View, etc.

I personally liked Los Altos - it was pricey back in the 90's so I'm sure it's only gone up in price. But it was a VERY nice area back then!!

Hope this helps!

You're in luck. I know the area very well! A SIL lives there and I've visited a ton, good friends from school out there etc. So, Palo Alto is crazy expensive and more of a city IMO. Going to be nice people, going to be plenty of hyper competitive people. If you're paying for Catholic, probably no reason to live there. Same with Menlo Park. Probably same with Los Altos. For $1.6mm you'd get a small ranch that probably needs some work in those towns. I think San Carlos might be your best bet. There's a nice Catholic school, St Charles. Very nice community. It's considered to be a nice town but not as "prestigious" as the first towns I mentioned. Those are "the towns". San Carlos has plenty of smart, well educated, successful people though. It's just more down to earth and not as pricey. You will get a "nice" house for $1.6mm but temper your expectations vs where you've lived. It's still going to be modest, possibly 1 car garage, little land. Redwood City is less expensive and has some very nice areas. As well, there is a very good Catholic school, St Pius. The downside of RWC is it's big, has some "bad" areas etc so not as much of a hometown feel. But I've never lived there so maybe when you're in a nice neighborhood you do feel a sense of community. Redwood Shores is great and you get a bit more for your money than San Carlos but it'd be further to go to Catholic school. Mt View itself and Sunnyvale I don't know well. The commute on Highway 101 btw is not pretty and very congested. I280 is stunning and not as much traffic. But depends where his office is. Getting across can take forever. As well, if you want flat land, kids running around, you need to be near 101. Near 280 is very hilly. I've heard the housing market there is insane right now btw. But they all love the weather!

DEFINITELY work with an agent! You have a very clear sense of what you want in a community feel AND a budget.

That being said, any of the towns there around Mountain View are very nice. Palo Alto (has Stanford) etc, are lovely places but VERY expensive. There are certainly towns a bit off of the main corridor that may give you more of the suburban feel you're looking for... if you're still planning for your husband to go first for several months, you have plenty of time for him to get neighborhood tours etc.

That's a very nice, very expensive area. I'm glad your budget is 1.6 M you will for sure be spending that to get everything you want!
Palo Alto is really pretty, and so is the Los Gatos/Saratoga area. Redwood City is nice, too, REALLY cute downtown.
Get yourself a realtor, this is a very competitive area, good houses go quickly, often with multiple bids, you won't be able to do it on your own.

This is where i lived growing up I love the bay area
That said it's very very expensive. at 1.6 you should be fine :)

Catholic school... St. Simon (Los Altos)
Catholic HS ... St. Francis (Mountain View)
both great schools :)

"mean moms" they are everywhere... just be yourself, you will be fine.
Have your kids join sports or some kind of group to meet friends

if you have anymore ?? please ask

I mentioned Los Gatos and Saratoga in your other post and as others have said Redwood city is nice and may be a little cheaper.

I'm so glad you mentioned a reasonable number on the home price. Since reading your other post I was wondering if you realized what you'd be getting into. You should be able to find a nice family home in that range in most of the communities in that area. Happy house hunting!

Quaint, community feel is a tough find in Silicon Valley. Keep in mind that this is Workaholic Central, so people spend most of their days and nights at work. I've found people in the Bay Area are very friendly, educated and not particularly snobby (although some of the new money people are). You'll find all types no matter where you go in a major metro area.

Los Gatos, Saratoga, Menlo Park and Los Altos are probably along the lines of what you want, although all are particularly pricey. Since you're not taking advantage of the top-notch public schools in these areas (and there are Catholic schools everywhere), I agree with the other person here who said to move beyond this area and aim for more house for the money. Move up the Peninsula to the San Mateo, San Carlos and Redwood City areas the other person mentions, too.