• Living in Windemere/San Ramon
• Mother's Club in the Dublin Area?
• Contemplating a move from Berkeley to San Ramon

Living in Windemere/San Ramon

I would've thought you were crazy if you told me two years ago that we'd be considering a move to San Ramon. We love our Oakland neighborhood, charming old house and friendly neighbors with same-age kids. BUT. We might be ready to trade in ''walk to shopping'' for ''walk to huge park,'' easy freeway access for kid- friendly bike paths and great/varied restaurants for the ability to dine in our own backyard and watch the kids run around on the lawn.

Does anyone have any information about the new Windemere community, specifically the people who live there? The few times we've been out there, we've seen NOBODY walking around, in the parks or hanging out in the neighborhood. It could be because we were in the areas where few people have actually moved in. Or, it could be that once you move out there, you find that people keep to themselves and stay inside! (Yikes). A friendly, inviting community is really important to us, with 2 small children.

Any information/suggestions would be helpful!
-Maybe we're the ones who are crazy?

We also looked at Windemere and other new developments in San Ramon. We found too many negatives vis-a-vis Dublin/Pleasanton: no BART access, the drive from the Windemere development back to the freeway seemed REALLY long (lots of stoplights to wait for) and would probably only get longer as the houses keep going up out there, and no nearby shopping.

From our residential area in Dublin, I can drive to the mall (10 min), grocery stores (3 min), freeway (3 min), BART (3-5 min), or even to some shops in San Ramon (Whole Foods is about 10 min). We are just blocks from a grade school that our daughter can attend, and there is a new middle school in Dublin Ranch. I found a grocery store in Pleasanton that offers better meat/seafood and fruits/veggies than Safeway for those times when we want to splurge a bit. And the farmers' market is a good option. One last benefit to our place in Dublin - we get nice winds in the evening so that the temperatures (when they get really hot) are more bearable. We can often leave the windows open and turn off the A/C.

If you are thinking of making the move to the East Bay, Dublin/Pleasanton is worth considering.
Happy in Dublin

I used to frequent San Ramon alot and had friends who lived there. I found that these developments did not foster that close knit community you seek. Most people come home, drive their cars straight into the garage and you never see them again. Everyone has automatic irrigation systems, so they don't need to come out front to water. The developers install developer front yard landscaping so that you don't get to landscape your own yard. The HOA's while a good idea initially, are very stringent and stipulate what you can and cannot do with your house, landscape, and everything else.

Think of it this way, you're not just buying a house, you're buying into a different way of life. It gets so hot out there, that most people come home, turn on the AC and stay inside. It gets so cold that people come home, turn on the heat and stay inside.

The major advantage of San Ramon though? Great schools, and very little crime. There won't be much in terms of diversity. There is alot of money there, and the old cliche of ''Keeping up with the Jones''' is true. Also, 680 during peak travel times is really busy.

However, living in San Ramon is pretty easy. You can just hop in your car, and you've got the big boxes along 680, Stoneridge Mall in Pleasanton, or that new Hacienda Complex in Dublin.

So, as far as Windemere is concerned, it's an upscale developement, with large homes, wide streets, pools in the backyard, with most folks keeping to themselves. Unfortunately, that is the trend with these developments.

HOWEVER, I think that if you can find a subdevelopement there, with narrow streets(similiar to streets in Oakland), you might have a better chance of interacting with your neighbors. I found a developement in Danville (small, only about 20 homes or so), that actually fostered community. And, also, don't forget to pay the HOA fees. ;P

BTW, even though my post sounds a little negative, I'm not bashing San Ramon. It's just a different lifestyle, and if I had kids, I'd consider moving there.

One thing to note though...and this was mentioned by someone else who commented on the Lamorinda area...If you love your Oakland neighborhood, neighbors, and are happy, then one thought is to stay put, spend the money you would otherwise spent on mortgage on the new house in San Ramon, and send your kids to private school. New house in Windemere is upwards of $700-800k.

Good luck
Connie

Mother's Club in the Dublin Area?

Hi. I moved to Dublin recently and have a 5 month old baby. I want to join a mother's club in this area but there are several such as Pleasanton Mother's Club, Iron Horse, Amador Valley, etc... Can anyone recommend one ? I want to join one to meet other moms and to join a play group. I already searched and read past recommendation but I didn't find it too helpful. Thanks!! Mo

Contemplating a move from Berkeley to San Ramon

Hi, My husband's company is moving to San Ramon, and for commute reasons, we're considering moving there as well. But - can it possibly be as great a place to live as the Berkeley area? Does anyone know what there is there along the lines of... Habitot? The Y (with childwatch, kiddie swim, kindergym, etc.)? Tilden (Little Farm, steam trains, etc.)? Fun parks? Lawrence Hall of Science? Music groups? NPN? We'd miss all that so much. Also, how does one go about researching and finding preschools in San Ramon? The NPN makes it easy here, with the guide and fair and such. I know what we liked here, but have no idea what's available, or how to begin a search, for out there. Same with finding nannies - this Childcare Digest won't be available... is there a San Ramon version of Bananas? I've checked the website, and there's no info on the San Ramon area - any tips, leads or impressions would be appreciated! Not sure about this...

Now, as parents we all learn, and I find San Ramon to be a great place to live and raise children. I don't really have a problem traveling to Oakland or SF for kid fun, and I work at UC Berkeley. The schools in San Ramon are GREAT, and I went all the way through (Neal Armstrong, Pine Valley & Cal High). I like the extra space and probably wouldn't like living in a city anyway. I was always frustrated at shopping when I lived in Alameda and San Leandro. Shopping and parking in San Ramon is so much better. I haven't gotten involved in a mother's club because I have found a few that cover the San Ramon area (Iron Horse, San Ramon Valley Mother's Club, and Pleasanton Mother's Club, to name a few), and am not quite sure which one suits us best.

I would be interested in hearing from others about the mother's clubs and which one would be best for a San Ramon resident. The SRVMC seems to be centered in Danville, and I don't really know that I want to spend a lot of time on the 680 corridor.

I have recently heard (and remember) that Danville is a lot more snooty, but probably a fine place to live. Lovin' the Valley!