Living in Danville
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Living in Danville
November 2002
We are starting on the journey towards moving to a larger house. While we
hope to be able to stay in Walnut Creek, our realtor suggested considering
Danville as well. I was wondering if any of you live in Danville and how
you like it. What are the family-friendly neighborhoods? How are the public
schools, specifically middle schools(s) and high school(s). Anything else
we should consider? Thanks for any input.
LB
We live in Danville and love it! Danville is the definition of
family-friendly, in almost all neighborhoods. The ones with
small streets and culdesacs have the most kids. My kids are
young, the oldest is 6, so I can't speak to middle schools and
high schools much, but they score well on tests and the student
body is on average very high-achieving and college-bound. I'm
not sure what else you're looking for, but if it's family-
friendly, you'll definitely find it in Danville. The community
center is strong, the restaurants are almost all kid-friendly,
there are lots of mothers groups and newcomer groups, more stay-
at-home moms than working moms, the churchs have great youth
programs, and almost anything you want is within 15 minutes
drive to Walnut Creek or Pleasanton/Dublin. Staying close to
the freeway makes San Francisco more doable, but otherwise
neighborhoods are a matter of asthetic preferences. Happy house
hunting and don't fear Danville, it's great!
Julie K.
Having grown up in Danville and recently moved back to Danville
to raise kids, here's my 2 cents. Extremely kid friendly
stores/restaurants (they'd be out of business if they weren't).
Can't beat the weather. Lots of outdoor activities (surrounded
by state parks) and organized sports (you name it they've got
it). Very involved parents which keeps the schools on their
toes and the kids out of trouble (for the most part).
Competitive public schools, (some of the best in the state
actually) and have caught the attention of all the best
colleges/universities nationwide. Schools still offer music,
dance, electronics shop etc. Parents make sure these programs
are kept in the schools despite budget cuts. Great
library/community center and several very nice kiddie parks (Oak
Hill, Osage). A great place to raise kids. I remember making
fun of living there when I was a kid because it seemed so
boring, compared to San Francisco, but as an adult I appreciate
the tranquility and the access to everything we could ever need.
Bart service from Walnut Creek is key to my pleasurable AM
commute to SF. I could go on and on. Email me if you want to
hear more of the good and the bad. Nancy
Sept 2003
Re: Moving to Lafayette - pressure on teens?
I had to answer this post in defense of Danville. I have 2 small
kids(3 and 4)and moved to Danville from Upper Rockridge about a
year ago. I have found Danville to be a wonderful, ''kid
centered'' town. I'm not sure what part of Danville you were in,
but my block is chock full of vans (not luxury vehicles). There
are alot of stay at home moms on a limited budget. My block has
a close community of moms that give each other help & advice
(when asked for!). The emphasis is definetly not on ''keeping up
with the Joneses'' but trying to raise kids as part of a loving
community.
I would guess that Danville is a lot like Lafayette...there are
areas of extreme wealth and areas of more moderate incomes. I
had concerns before I moved to Danville (''older'' parents,
adopted kids, mid-level income)but I have found a friendly &
welcoming community and we love it here!!
roz
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