Thursday, August 18, 2011

Contra Costa County, California for Families

Finding the right home in the right community can be a complicated issue, particularly when there are children involved. Along with the standard concerns of commuting and affordability, thought must be given to finding a family friendly neighborhood, the availability of activities for the kids, and last - but certainly not least - the quality of the schools the children will be attending. Keeping these considerations in mind, many families have found that Contra Costa County is the perfect fit.

Contra Costa, which is the northernmost East Bay county, has a bit of everything: fun things to do, good public transportation and handy surface roads, great schools, and a variety of real estate price points. For families that like to be in the midst of the hustle and bustle of a metropolitan area, the more densely populated western section might be a good bet. If suburban living is your style, the central county cities of Walnut Creek and Concord have friendly neighborhoods, many with reasonably priced real estate.

For many folks, the quality of the public schools is a major factor when choosing a home, and Contra Costa County has some good ones, particularly in the family friendly areas of Lamorinda (which includes Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda) and the San Ramon Valley (Danville, Alamo, San Ramon). These "suburbs" of San Francisco are particularly popular with young families. Homes tend to be a bit expensive in these areas, but the trade-off is that the commute to other East Bay cities and San Francisco is convenient via BART or surface roads, the communities are quiet and friendly, and the schools are excellent.

Another consideration in the decision of where to live is keeping the kids (and grownups) entertained and active. Most local communities have parks and sports facilities, family oriented festivals, and fun events scheduled throughout the year. This, along with hundreds of miles of hiking and biking trails meandering through the beautiful rolling hills of the county, dozens of regional parks, lakes, and recreation areas, and the waters of the Bay and the Delta provide the opportunity for recreation and fun throughout the year.

Whether you and your family are city slickers or enjoy a quiet rural life, the pleasant Mediterranean climate, great public and private schools, beautiful environment, and proximity to other Bay area locations help make Contra Costa County a great choice when deciding on a place to live and raise a family.

Renee Adelmann is the owner of East Bay Modern, a residential real estate firm which specializes in Contra Costa real estate, including luxury homes in Contra Costa.

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