Nora - I lived in Alameda, which was right next to Oakland. Alameda is a fantastic place to live in the Bay Area. Small town feel but with easy access to everything.

With Oakland, it really depends on what neighborhood you end up in. Some parts are fantastic, others are extremely sketchy. Javachik or Consuela would probably have clearer advice to offer.

So should I move West too? What's the job market like?

Colorado is awesome!

I have to say, I feel like I live in a picture postcard here in Colorado. The views are spectacular. And I've been extremely impressed with the school system. I think the job market here is better than California, though I don't have any statistics to back that up.

Some neighborhoods I love include Lakeshore, Glenview, Piedmont Ave, and Temescal.

Good to know- I had head (um, from this one website I looked at) that Ridgerock was nice as well?

Are you looking to buy or rent?

Rent, definitely

The city is broke and increasing their revenue any way they can - extending meters to 8 and handing out parking tickets like candy. If you won't have a car that won't be an issue.

Sounds like the same as around here- especially in Somerville, where we lived before hauling up to Salem.

The school issue shouldn't be a factor as far as I'm planning.

I had head (um, from this one website I looked at) that Ridgerock was nice as well?

Rockridge. Yeah, that's right by where I live. I'm on the border of Rockridge and Temescal. It's a very nice area.

Rockridge? Rockridge? Splendid.

/Blazing Saddles reference

I'm on the border of Rockridge and Temescal. It's a very nice area.

oh, good to know! Thanks!

Oakland (and now, Alameda) are attractive because although hopefully we'll be out of debt before we attempt this move (knock wood) we don't know how the job sitch will go. I'm hopeful that a software developer/engineer person will be able to find SOMETHING, and hopefully I'd be able to score something at a college or university or something. But, rife with uncertainty and lower rent for something not the size of a closet would be preferable.

Rockridge. Yeah, that's right by where I live. I'm on the border of Rockridge and Temescal. It's a very nice area.

Great area! And there are a fair number of rentals available and a BART station.

Now I'm hungry for a fried chicken sandwich.

I had head (um, from this one website I looked at) that Ridgerock was nice as well?

Rockridge, maybe? I only know it as a BART stop, I'm afraid, but I've been told there's good shopping there.

When my cousin decided to buy a house, her real estate agent was immensely helpful in finding her something affordable (which her neighborhood in SF was not, anymore) and handy for transit so she still didn't need a car and could continue working in SF, etc. So don't be afraid to demand that kind of service if you go with an agent.