• Liberal areas of Orinda or Lafayette?
• Condo living with kids in Moraga
• Safe, family--oriented neighborhood?
• Family-friendly and more liberal Lamorinda 'hoods
• Worried about exclusivity if I move to Lamorinda
• see also: Living in Lamorinda

Liberal areas of Orinda or Lafayette?

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

Condo living with kids in Moraga

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

Safe, family--oriented neighborhood?

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.

Family-friendly and more liberal Lamorinda 'hoods

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

Worried about exclusivity if I move to Lamorinda

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