Hello. I am a mom of three young children (10, 8 and 2) moving out to San Francisco this summer from northern New Jersey with my husband and children. We are trying to decide where to live (my husband will be working in the SF financial district and can commute from either area). Can anyone please explain the cultural differences between these two areas? Will it be easier to make friends in one place or the other coming from the Northeast? I understand that there are good public schools in each area - you just have to research. I'm less concerned with the schools (we might also enroll in independent schools) than the general "tone" of the community and its openness to new neighbors since I understand some of these areas are rather "established." Thanks so much!!!!
2007-02-12 01:05:19 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ United States ➔ San Francisco
I completely agree with Shaun. While mileage wise marin city is closer to SF, the traffic going up 101 is completely out of control. It is so much easier to take bart into the city from the east bay. Financial district is right on the bart line and can easily be accessed without a car.
Culturally they are both upper to middle class white color towns. However, to me Marin is very uppity and definately where the money is. It reminds me of places like the hamptons. We don't usually call the east bay Lamorinda. That is just the small area encompassing Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda. The east bay also includes Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek, Alamo, Concord, etc. It is a much larger geographic area.
If you like cooler weather Marin County is your spot. It is foggy a lot and the cool spot of the bay area. The east bay can get very hot in the summer time, normally 90 - 100 degrees at times.
Schools etc. are all pretty much the same. If you like private schools De La Salle and Carondolet are some of the best in the bay area and located in Walnut Creek area.
2007-02-12 08:03:10 · answer #1 · answered by Lisa H 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They both are really nice suburban areas and the people are pretty similar. Marin is a little more liberal than Lamorinda, but they are pretty much the same. Marin is a little more established and has more of that old, liberal money there and the people there can be a little prententious b/c of that fact, but Lamorinda has it's share of those types too. Housing is a little more in Marin too and traffic on 101 is worse than highway 24. If you want to take public transit into work, Lamorinda might be better b/c they have two BART stations that take you right into Downtown SF in less than 30 minutes. Marin county has buses and ferries that take you into Downtown. Walnut Creek is right next door and is great for shopping, dining, and going to the theater (both live and cinema). WC is a real popular destination in the East Bay and is one of the best suburbs for shopping and dining and other cultural amentities few suburbs have. If you like warmer weather Lamorinda is hotter during summer, although Marin can get up there but is generally cooler. It also rains a lot more in marin county than anywhere else in the Bay Area. Some parts of Marin get up to 10-20 inches more rain a year than Lamorinda. Unlike NJ, climates in the Bay Area can vary significantly over a short distance with temp and rainfall.
Marin is a more homogenous area than Lamorinda, very wealthy, white, and liberal. Lamorinda has a little more mix of people and you are next to diverse communties like Berkeley, Concord, ect.. Marin is pretty much wealthy everywhere, but you are closer to SF for the diversity factor. I would choose Lamorinda, but I grew up in WC so I am a little biased.
2007-02-12 06:13:40 · answer #2 · answered by Sav 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I grew up in Connecticut and spent summers in Rhode Island, moved to the Bay Area 25 years ago and have lived in S.F., Berkeley and Marin. I've been in Marin for 9 years now and that would be my choice. It's very easy to get to the City and, to my thinking, probably has a more established and familiar feel than Lamorinda. The attached might help, too.
2007-02-12 01:24:55 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I honestly don't much about Marin, but I know that it's closer to SF than Lamorinda. Marin is also close to the Pacific Ocean, so it makes for nice weather.
If you live in Marin, you'd have to pay $5 to cross the Golden Gate Bridge to get to SF, while having to pay $4 to cross the Bay Bridge if you lived in Lamorinda. Marin has a little more of a 'city' kind of feeling that Lamorinda, which has a real suburban feeling.
Sorry I couldn't tell you more.
2007-02-12 03:55:35 · answer #4 · answered by GJneedsanswers 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lamorinda is a great place for families.. The Bart commute to the city is less than 30 minutes.. Personally.. I like Moraga. Lamorinda as I know it is very family orientated.. I grew up in NJ..been in Ca 40 yrs. Marin is beautiful.. but your kids will enjoy Lamorinda area.. My brother in law just moved there from Seattle last year. Wished he had moved sooner. Good luck
2007-02-12 04:29:55 · answer #5 · answered by xjaz1 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Marin- Much closer to the city and a very easy commute. Check out mill valley and san anselmo they are both very nice
Lamorinda- at least a 45 minute commute by car on the worst freeway in the city. You have a tunnel and a bridge to contend with both horrible. If he takes bart its ok. But most places in lamarinda are off the beaten path so even driving to the bart station will take at least 15 minutes.
2007-02-12 06:33:01 · answer #6 · answered by over the moon 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
a million. Lukas Podolski via fact Marko Marin hasnt performed a finest league journey yet via wreck and Podolski's scored a purpose 2. I could say no in this one via fact i dont think of he gets alo of video games at chelsea via fact they have lampard possibility mata and oscar playng the positions he performs.
2016-10-02 00:23:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Marin: closer to the coast and bay, more hippyish
Lamorinda: more inland, more yuppyish
2007-02-12 06:25:13 · answer #8 · answered by sbiddib 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋