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Catherine Gacad

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San Francisco Bay Area

Suburban Living

Did y’all watch the America’s Cup?! Oracle Team USA went from a 1-8 deficit to beat Emirates Team New Zealand 9-8 in an unprecedented comeback. It was crazy wild and it was all going down in our backyard. Phenomenal! Never say never! Just keep on believing!

Anywho it’s back to business. I have been super exhausted from all the excitement. Too much fun makes this girl tired.

We’ve also been house hunting in the East Bay. Trying to buy property in the San Francisco Bay Area has been really challenging. I kinda want to give up.

What makes me want to give up even more is finding this apartment complex in Alameda which is the town where I grew up. Alameda is a 25 minute drive away from San Francisco which makes it ideal for commuting to work. This complex has lots of different apartment combinations including a 2 bedroom, 2 bath for $1600. Hello, that is less than what we are paying right now for a 1 bedroom in the city!

Who will join us in the burbs?

Let’s be real. We really do not want to leave the city, but I’m just glad there are options. Look at that massive pool. Maybe I can learn how to swim.

alameda apartment alameda apartment1 alameda apartment2 alameda apartment3

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09.26.13

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Comments

  1. Janine Huldie

    September 26, 2013 at 2:07 pm

    I would love that pool. Seriously, I hope you find something soon and sending good vibes your way on this!! 🙂

    Reply
    • Catherine

      September 30, 2013 at 4:13 pm

      ironically even though i can’t swim, i do love pools! i could just idle away my weekends hanging out at the pool. i could move in with you in-laws!

      Reply
  2. patrick Weseman

    September 26, 2013 at 2:34 pm

    I live in Hayward.

    Reply
    • Catherine

      September 30, 2013 at 4:13 pm

      yes, patrick! even though you live in the suburbs, you make the most of the bay area and coming into the city and trying out so many different things.

      Reply
  3. Mo at Mocadeaux

    September 26, 2013 at 3:23 pm

    There definitely are trade-offs when you go suburban. Our house in suburban Chicago is in a great location. We can walk to the train station (23 minute ride into the city) and we can walk to a variety of restaurants and shops, the library and a couple of different parks. Not quite the same as living in the city but has its own benefits like a yard and a garage!

    Reply
    • Catherine

      September 30, 2013 at 4:14 pm

      that’s the best of both worlds when you can easily commute into and out of the burbs and take advantage of all that the city has to offer!

      Reply
  4. Kate

    September 26, 2013 at 5:30 pm

    I constantly question whether or not I should move out of the city to the suburbs for more room and less money. Sticking with the city for now…

    Reply
    • Catherine

      September 30, 2013 at 4:15 pm

      it’s like the most interesting debate. there are pros and cons to both. honestly, as i get older i’m starting to see more of the benefits of living in the burbs, whereas i didn’t see any benefits before!

      Reply
  5. Tamara

    September 26, 2013 at 7:32 pm

    That pool is INSANE! I used to love to watch the House Hunters in the Bay Area, but of course, the price tags would make me cry.

    Reply
    • Catherine

      September 30, 2013 at 4:16 pm

      house hunters is addicting! all those home improvement and design shows…i could get sucked into those easily.

      Reply
  6. dana

    September 27, 2013 at 6:31 pm

    I’ve never lived in the city, but I would love to experience city living. Maybe my husband can work in the NYC branch of his office for a few months and we could rent a place….that would be wonderful.

    Reply
    • Catherine

      September 30, 2013 at 4:18 pm

      that is a great idea! even though we live in san francisco, we have rented homes in different neighborhoods through airbnb to try and decide whether or not we like the neighborhood enough to buy a home there. you can learn a lot from living in a neighborhood day in and day out and commuting to work, trying out the different bus lines, etc.

      Reply
  7. Karen

    September 28, 2013 at 5:24 am

    That place in Alameda looks swanky. I’m sorry the house hunting is so frustrating. I have friends going through the same thing on the peninsula. (They’ve given up for now.) When I was younger I thought it would be cool to live in NYC or Chicago. But honestly, I enjoy the suburbs (San Mateo in my case). With your determination, I think you’ll find the right fit soon. (Also… yes, you will need to learn to swim if you are going to use the giant slip ‘n slide!)

    Reply
    • Catherine

      September 30, 2013 at 4:48 pm

      karen, did you see this tweet? https://twitter.com/cgacad/status/384683022353956864

      Reply
  8. The Dose of Reality

    September 28, 2013 at 5:51 am

    Wow, those amenities look AMAZING! I know it’s been frustrating trying to find the place that’s just right. The market out there is rough. It’s shocking to read the prices for me here in the burbs of Charlotte. WHEW! Hang in there! I know you’ll find the perfect balance for you guys! –Lisa

    Reply
    • Catherine

      September 30, 2013 at 4:46 pm

      thanks lisa! the prices are really mind-boggling over here. it’s kinda absurd, but the price you pay to live in these parts!

      Reply
  9. Jude

    September 28, 2013 at 2:36 pm

    I too have heard the siren song of the suburbs. In a lot of ways, leaving the city was the worst. I miss the hussle and the bustle and all that fun stuff, but now that I’m in the ‘burbs, I can’t imagine ever going back to the City.

    And those ammenities? That pool? I would seriously consider it. Good luck with all that!

    Reply
    • Catherine

      September 30, 2013 at 4:47 pm

      seriously, the older i get, the more value i see living away from the city!

      Reply
  10. Rachel

    October 4, 2013 at 12:49 pm

    I’m thinking of you today, Catherine! Good luck in your journey. I know the heartache and joy well.

    Reply
    • Catherine

      October 4, 2013 at 5:04 pm

      thank you rachel! there was a heart beat which is a good sign, but the doctor was concerned the baby hasn’t grown as much as we would have hoped. trying to stay positive and relaxed.

      Reply
  11. Simone Anne

    October 8, 2013 at 10:01 am

    Omggg, want that pool! haha.

    Reply
    • Catherine

      October 8, 2013 at 6:51 pm

      right? that would be so awesome to swim every day!

      Reply

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Welcome to my site, derived from an advice column I wrote while getting my MBA. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area. I give helpful, opinionated advice based on my own experience and from the expertise of my extensive network. For more, click here.

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