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I am planning a move for the new year, 2012, and am hoping for Moraga. I need insight about elementary and middle schools? And if possible neighborhoods as well. I have two brown boys and the demographics I've seen praise the schools but not necessarily the diversity. Moving Mom
As far as diversity goes, I understand your concern. I do think Moraga is getting more diverse. It certainly is more diverse than it was when I moved here. And just about everyone I know has moved from Oakland, Berkeley, or SF. I know many others who are from other countries (India, China, France, Germany, etc.) So, we have a fairly well traveled/unsheltered population. My son just joined the Gay-Straight Alliance at Campolindo High School. They had one years ago that went defunct, and now a core of kids is resurrecting it.
As far as activities, there are plenty of options for all kinds of kids: swimming and every other sport you could think of; drama; academic organizations (Odyssey of the Mind; Academic Decathlon; etc.). Moraga Mom
Re: Moving/staying - Lamorinda vs Alameda
We moved from Oakland to Moraga about 6 years ago and were
in your exact situation (kid ages, house size, walking
distance to shops, wanting more space w/o remodel, etc.). I
was very nervous at the time, but it was one of the best
decisions we ever made. We absolutely love it here. Now,
having said that, you sound like you really don't want to
move. You gave many reasons for staying in Alameda and
mostly downsides to moving to Lamorinda. If you love Alameda
that much, you should just buy a house there.
But, if you do decide to move to Lamorinda, your kids will adjust very easily. Lots of kids move through the tunnel all the time. My kids were 6 and 10 when we moved, and they made friends the first day of school...and one of my kids is ridiculously shy. So, the kids will be fine. I'm not totally up on what real estate costs in Alameda, but it might be pricey to move up from what you have in Alameda, and the local/parcel taxes really add up. Our three towns are always having some kind of school-funding parcel tax pop up on the ballots. (I'm not complaining, but you mentioned the issue in your post.)
Lafayette sounds like a good community for you, in that it isn't as remote as Moraga and has lots of walkable areas.
You might want to sit down and write up pro & con lists for staying vs. moving. Then take a few Sundays and cruise some open houses. Stay and have dinner or come early and have lunch in the area. Check out the awesome farmers' markets (Moraga's is big. it is on Sunday; Orinda's is on Saturday; Lafayette has a Thursday evening one, but it might be seasonal.) Take your kids to the local parks before open houses. You know, just get a feel for the area. The good thing is, you probably won't make a wrong decision, but that is what makes it difficult.
I'm currently living at UC Village in Albany. My husband is a PhD student at UC Berkeley. I'm working at SF. We're now thinking of buying a condo. We have a 2-year-old daughter. I personally love Moraga for the top schools, the space and environment. However, Albany is really convenient, walkable to shops and close to Bart. Does anyone have the same experience and know the difference between the two? Maria
Editor Note: this discussion also appears on the page about Albany
Re: Sense of Community in Lafayette vs. Orinda/Moraga
Hi Carrie, We moved to Moraga two years ago and while I love our neighbors, and the schools are off-the-charts great, I miss having a city center like Lafayette where there's always something going on, for kids and adults. And the new library is fabulous. Diane Diane
As far the towns go, I think Lafayette is more 'happening' because it is larger and has more commerce, but the downside is more crime (obviously relatively speaking...not a ton, but more than in Moraga and Orinda if the police blotters are to be believed); Orinda is very quiet, has hillier terrain, and is a bit wealthier overall (has a reputation for snootiness, although I know a few down-to-earth folks there); Moraga is probably the most traditionally suburban of the three towns, further from BART and freeways, less commerce, but the upside is that it is quiet, pretty, and safe. Great schools in all three cities.
Since I can only speak for Moraga (but I think this is the case for all three towns), I would say that there is actually a tremendous sense of community here. Moraga is a very small town, so you end up seeing the same people everywhere you go which adds to that sense of community. Where I live, you can walk to the elementary and middle schools, so there are kids everywhere. The neighbors and everyone we've met is beyond nice and generous (it's actually been an adjustment for me!). Everyone is here for the same reason: the schools so that adds to the sense of community and purpose.
The first thing I did is get involved in playgroups with Lamorinda moms club which is a great way to meet people. All the moms are from the three towns and some from Walnut Creek, so there doesn't feel like a divide between the three communities in that you would be isolated in one or the other. It's actually my feeling that people are frequently going between all three towns, especially if you have small kids, because you are going to all the different parks (Moraga Commons, etc.). That may change as the kids get older and go to the local schools. Good Luck! Anon
Hi, My husband and I recently moved to the Bay Area. We are currently living in Lafayette, which we're fond of, but we are now in the buying market and don't think we can afford to stay put. We have an 8-month old and are looking for an affordable kid-friendly neighborhood with some character, relatively low crime, solid schools, and access to BART.
My husband and I are thinking of moving to Orinda or Lafayette for the schools but we're worried we won't fit in. We live in Berkeley now and fit in fine -- we wear jeans and T-shirts, have solar panels, shop at farmers markets, grow some of our own food, etc. From visiting Orinda and Lafayette it seems like people are more country-clubby. Is this true? Would we fit in? Are there areas in one town or the other where we would meet other people like us? Where? Need a new home
To avoid the more conservative areas, stay away from the country clubs and gated communities. I think the area of Lafayette close in to town is ideal. It is the area just off Mt. Diablo Blvd and Moraga Road. From there you can walk to elementary and middle school, Town Hall Theater, the library, and all manner of shopping and dining (Whole Foods should be opening before too long). There are apartments there, too, so you would get a better mix demographically.
I have friends in Orinda, and I think the area that serves Glorietta school is probably the most mellow. I hear more stories of elitism and snootiness coming out of Orinda than Lafayette. Don't rule out Moraga either. It is a little further up the hill, but that is one of the great things about it: it is more rural, very quiet, and has great streets for biking, walking, and playing. You see kids out and about all the time going to and from activities and each others' houses. Plus, we are right up against the hills, so there are a lot of hiking trails nearby. It does add to the commute if you work in SF, though.It also has (for a suburb) a fair number of condos, townhouses, and apartments, so it has a better mix than Orinda, which is almost all single-family homes.
When we first moved here, I was suprised at how many parties I went to that were either no-present parties, bring a book to donate to a charity party, or book-swap parties. There are many religious types, but they are just about all very into charity work, feeding the homeless, collecting for Darfur, Books for the Barrio, and so on.
Also, on my small street, a full half of us moved from Oakland, Berkeley, or San Francisco. Many of the parents I meet at our middle and elementary schools are transplants from those places. So, you'll find many families that went through the same decision process you did.
Editor Note: responses were also received about Lafayette, the Lamorinda Area, and Orinda
My partner and I are the parents of 2 toddlers and live in Oakland. We are sick of the increase in crime, poor-performing schools, and our lack of a cohesive, safe neighborhood where kids can play together outside. I was raised in a more rural setting and long for that, but for many reasons, we need to stay in the East Bay. Is there a neighborhood or area that has a more rural feel to it, with kid-friendly neighborhoods? I want our kids to be able to run around outside and play with other kids in a place that does not seem so urban. We also want a decent public school near us. Is there anything in Oakland that meets these criteria? Anywhere else in the East Bay that is not prohibitively expensive (we are middle class). Thanks! Looking for a better place
My kids play in the street, ride their bikes to their friends' houses, walk to and from school, etc. I ride my bike to the farmer's market and pilates (AWESOME pilates studio in Moraga...a real hidden gem).
No, it isn't Berkeley or Oakland hip. But it has a lot to offer, especially if you are looking for a something rural and close in. Moraga Momma
We're looking to move out of East Oakland to a safer area, and one closer to my work (in Danville). We can afford a condo in Moraga, and love the feel of the town. We have two young sons ( five and three), and are worried about the following: feeling too confined by neighbors and not having a big yard for for the kids. If you have any expereince with having kids and living in Moraga condos, we would really appreciate hearing your perspective/ experience. (We like most Miramonte Gardens.) ss
Re: Safe, family--oriented neighborhood?
We lived in Oakland for a long time and now live in Moraga. It is ridiculously
family friendly. All the kids in the neighborhood are in and out of each others
houses after school and on weekends. The other parents in the neighborhood are
extremely kind and helpful. Yes, my kids can walk or bike to school, walk or bike to
the farmer's market, and play outside after dark. When I moved here, I was braced
for feeling like a fish out of water, but I have been surprised and humbled at my
generalization that all people out here would be conservative and narrow minded. I
was wrong.
It is very white, but that is changing, slowly but surely. I have seen a slight demographic shift in the couple of years that I've been here.
When you compare a place like Moraga to the safer neighborhoods of Oakland (Rockridge, Montclair, Redwood Heights), I think you get a little more for your money out here. The lots are bigger, the streets are conducive to kids playing in them, and the schools are among the best in the state. The property taxes are expensive though, which is the downside. You'll have to do your math and decide the best solution for you based on your income, number of children, commute, and so on.
For us, it has been one of the best changes we ever made. There is so little stress now: no serious crime, no worries over school quality and safety, no constant scheduling of and driving to/from playdates. My kids are happier than they've ever been.
Re: Family-friendly and more liberal Lamorinda 'hoods
I know I'm a little late to this discussion, but after reading the other responses, I
had to weigh in. Don't be frightened off by the long post from the Orinda resident who
hates it there. Yes, there are the blonde, SUV-lovin' Stepford moms out this way. But
there are PLENTY of other parents who are not like that at all. And I have made the
mistake of assuming I won't like any of the bottle-blonde look-alikes, but in fact, I
was merely being judgemental about an entire group of people based on their looks and
what they drive--and how narrow minded is that? I have grown up and realized that I can
have republican aquaintances and like them. Wow, what a concept You don't have to
surround yourself with people exactly like you to enjoy where you live.
Having said that, I have found that most of the people on our block are just like us: transplants from Oakland, Berkeley, and SF, looking for a family-friendly, safe place to raise a family. I know families that drive beater cars, go on peace marches, and have anti-Bush and anti-war bumperstickers. Also, I have never met so many families that do volunteer work with the poor and homeless. Way more than I ever knew in Oakland.
Here's the rundown on Lamorinda (specifically Moraga) from my point of view.
Plusses: Safe, lots of kids to play with your kids, decent family-sized houses with family sized yards, great access to outdoor activities, amazing schools, lots of opportunities for extra-curricular activities (sports, art, dance, etc.)
Minuses: Pretty white (but not exclusively), more wealth and displays of wealth, not as
much shopping/dining within walking distance, further out from cultural activities in
SF, Berkeley,etc
Don't Get Scared Off
Re: Worried about exclusivity if I move to Lamorinda
We just moved to Moraga in May after spending all of our adult lives in Berkeley, Oakland, and SF. We moved for a bigger house, yard, and schools. We could not be happier. Granted, our kids have not started the schools here yet as it is summer (and we let them finish the year at their old Oakland school), but so far the experience has been great. Our kids have aready made some friends on our block. (The kids can play in the street because it is quiet and safe...what a concept!) All of our neighbors have stopped by to welcome us. All have offered help with anything we need (and have even come through for us). Most of all, nearly all of them are Berkeley, Oakland, and SF transplants who are here for the same reasons we are. They are not all right-wing, exclusive country clubbers. Sure, there are people who have second homes, belong to country clubs and the like, but big deal. they don't seem to lord it over anyone, and if they do...forget them. You know the saying: People can only make you feel bad if you let them.
The only thing I've noticed is that everyone goes to church. I've been invited to people's churches and I've just politely thanked them and said we're not church-goers. That seems to end it with no hard feelings. I found the biggest detractors to life on this side of the tunnel are the ones who have never done it and are just making crass generalizations about people they've met. We labored our decision forever for ALL of the reasons you mention in your post. Now that we're here, I can't believe I didn't do this sooner.
We have a few farmer's markets, a Trader Joe's and Whole Foods close by, good restaurants in Lafayette and Walnut Creek, BART in Orinda and Lafayette, excellent libraries, parks, and schools, wonderful walking and bike trails...there is a lot to recommend this area. Don't let people freak you out about it. It's not like you're moving to another planet.
Happy in the Burbs
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