Living in a wealthy County
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2/19/2008
The Bay Area in general is expensive. Marin County is no different. We live in a small house, we bought for around $200,000 ten years ago. Today, our junky little house is worth around $550,000 (even with the housing market tanking). Gas and food prices are comparable with Hawaii's prices.
Although costs are very high, the area is safe and the community generally friendly. We are trying to become more "green" as a county. Novato has the feel of small town living to some degree. The restaurants are just ok, locally but we have the added benefit of being 40 minutes from San Francisco.
The streets are generally safe and crime rates are fairly low. We feel safe letting our girls (13 and 16) walk around town with their friends. The schools are close enough that I walk our younger children (6 and 8) to school every morning.
My only real complaint is that the community does not have much culture. There are no good Museums, Art Shows, Ethnic Celebrations or Symphonies. There is very little culturally diversity and it shows. I grew up in San Franciso and find the lack of culture disheartening. On the other hand, I feel safe raising kids in a safe community and San Francisco is 40 minutes away.
Gwen | Novato, CA