UK to California, with kids. Schools, neighbourhoods... worry worry...

[Bee308]

So we're old hats at relocating. DH and I moved to Australia and were married there, DS1 was born there. We moved home for DS2 4 years ago.

Now we're moving to California and all I know is that DH's office is in Mountain View.

Priority 1: Find a good school, a good neighbourhood.

Now the move to Australia was easy - we were young, crazy, we just leapt onto that plane and worked everything out when we got there. Bonza.

Retunring to the UK was tricky - baby in arms, one on the way, living between relatives and searching for a home in a different part of the country. But we did it.

This time is just the worst. We're out of our minds with stress over schools for our 7 and 4 year olds. We have no idea what the neighbourhoods are like around Mountain View. Looking on Craigslist I just see expense and I can't really tell what I'm paying for, in terms of the wider neighbourhood.

As for schools - how on earth can you know via the internet only! Parent reviews are so subjective. And so what if you like the school but the neighbourhood sucks... or vice versa.

If anyone has moved to the area surrounding Mountain View, a little soothing advice would be wonderful. :-)

[pupsiecola]

Have you looked on the British expats forum? The USA sub forum is here:-

britishexpats.com/forum/usa-57/

I'm sure someone there will be able to give you an insight. Good luck. It is so much harder with school aged children but plenty of people make it work.

[lljkk]

How much money you need.

All the local gossip you want.

[Bee308]

Fantastic links, thanks so much.

[belgiumbound14]

We live about 20 minutes from Mountain View. Our house will be up for rent soon. We live in a beautiful area called Saratoga. What is your price range? Do you plan on enrolling the children at public schools or private schools? If you need any help, message me. In general, MV is a mix of different socio economic families... However it is a central place where there is good restaurants, parks, performing arts theater and a wonderful library! It is close to San Francisco and also has the train... And close to the beach well 1 hour to Santa Cruz. If you feel MV is too socio economically diverse, and want a more higher end neighborhood, I would if I were you, research homes in Los Altos, Palo Alto, Saratoga, Los Gatos, and Menlo Park. The rents are higher in these areas because of the bigger home lots and because of the excellent public schools. Good luck! I feel your pain! I am going through the same thin now trying to narrow down a place for us in belgium!

[belgiumbound14]

Also, Cupertino has an excellent public school system. Highly recommend for the tiger moms out there! Population if Cupertino schools consists of many Asians- Taiwanese, Chinese and Indians. Not much diversity but it works for some people. Cupertino is more affordable than The other cities I mentioned above. The housing market here is outrageous! When we relocated a few years back, we were in utter sticker shock! Yes dump holes for loads of money! Because it's Silicon Valley land of google, Facebook, apple--lots of engineers that have the cash! There are private catholic schools that are excellent here if you don't want to worry about being in the right school district. Also catholic schools are cheaper than the higher end $20k plus a year schools as Harker, Saint Andrews, Stratford, etc.

[lightwave]

Hi Bee308. I wonder what was your final decision re location and schools? We are moving to Silicon valley this summer from London.

Any advice from anyone would be highly appreciated!