okay, Susybell caught me lurking on the California forum

we may be moving to the San Jose area. I was seeking help! The whole things stresses me out and I got a huge cold sore last week because of my nerves.

Mostly because we have 3 young kids - finding good schools (which they are in an exceptional public school at the moment) and not being able to see all my plants grow up - boo hoo hoo. I just redid the parking strip - 90 feet of grass out, my favorite plants in - at least I can see all the bulbs come up in the Spring. We'll move at the end of the school year if the job offer makes it worthwhile.

Anyway, several people there have helped me see there are nice areas, and I don't have to settle for a postage stamp lawn (THANK GOD!) but our house will probably be a few hundred sq. feet smaller... I can live with that easier than no where to garden.

So Susybell - what were you doing over there? ; )

Simple enough, really. Your post turned up on the "new posts" list below my threads list and I noticed Tualatin in the title, and then saw it was from you, so I checked it out. Nothing too sinister, I hope? (promise I'm not stalking you, although I *may* drive by your area on my way to Bridgeport village sometime this week....;) )

ha ha ha ha ha - you are so funny ! yes, please dig out anything you want ! I was at Bridgeport today, needed a white elephant gift from Crate & Barrel (ok a nice white elephant) couldn't find the "perfect" item for $25. lol - maybe I should try TJ MAXX Home store for better deal.

TJ Maxx has great while elephant stuff, even some that doesn't qualify as "great", lol I got a pair of wine goblets with xmas tree stems there one year. They were, well, very white elephant-y ;)

Yes, definitely going to C & B, lots of good gifts there. I'm also planning to go to Sur La Table and probably Coldwater Creek to see if I can find something my mom might like. While I'm at it, I might go by REI, and the Whole Foods is soooo nice I'll probably swing through there as well.

In fact, speaking of shopping, I've got to get away from the PC and get busy! :)

Hey Susybell, have lunch at Whole Foods - so many things to choose from their cafeteria YUM - good stuff. My son's preschool is about 2 minutes from there, if I have a minute I go grab a cup of soup to bring home.

Red, make sure the job offer is worth it - San Jose is a very expensive place to live. Very very very. Not just housing, but other things as well. If any of your kids play sports, you'll find the teams much more expensive to play in than in Oregon. Getting your hair cut. Things like that.

Lots and lots of very spoiled kids in the schools there. Their parents are ten times worse.

We moved away from that area 6 years ago. It was hard, both my husband and myself grew up there. While I miss my family, I don't miss anything else about it.

It is a very pretty place, I'll give it that, but the attitude that has developed over the last 10-15 years has made it unbearable, imo.

The quality of the schools can vary greatly depending on the location and school. Housing in the really good districts will start at over a mil.

There are some great things about the bay area but the housing and the silicon valley attitude are not among them!

Gwen

I cut my own hair - lol, I guess I won't fit in ! I'd rather spend money on plants. We are finding affordable homes in some neighborhoods - like Blossom Hill and Almadan Valley.... I've heard the schools were good there ?? what do you think? I appreciate any input you may have, having had growing up there.

I have one daughter who plays soccer and gymnastics. The other daughter is in ballet. And my son - don't know yet, he's still preschool - but has alot of energy, so something. But they are certainly not spoiled by any means, they scrub the floors, do well in school and are trying to have good manners - sometimes they need reminders !!

The worst thing is the condescending attitude from other students if you don't wear the right brand of jeans or have the right cell phone.

RTP, good idea about lunch! Thanks!

Enjoy yourself susy!

Well, Beth & Gwenda it all sounds very high school to me. We will take our time and research the schools.... any suggestions on neighborhoods for schools, they can't all be bad.

Sorry to sound so negative, but I grew up in Cal and won't ever go back. It's a state of mind....

So did I will never go back, Lived in LA county (pasadena) was great in the 60s not so anymore.

LOL, I grew up in Glendale, went to Pasadena City College. PCC wasn't that bad but HS was a nightmare.

well, thanks for all your help and neighborhood suggestions - lol

Red, I don't know the schools in Blossom and Almaden but will email my cousin who lives near there and ask her. She sends her kids to private schools, so is sure to come back with a very tainted opinion. ;)

Gwen

aaah, it does seem like alot of people seem there kids to private schools there. Which is fine, but I am really like sending the kids to their neighborhood school, just seems right to me.

Obviously, tho I would not send them to a bad school. I appreciate you emailing her, thank you !

I went to private schools down there, too. Gang activity in public schools is scary.

Here is what she replied:
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Homes are less expensive in the Blossom Hill area but the schools are definitely better in Almaden. I think every school in the Almaden area has won a national award for excellence and is always on the upper end in test scores. The parents are very involved in the public schools in this area as well. She should also know that it is next to impossible to transfer a student into an Almaden school if you do not live in the proper neighborhood. The schools are so good that everyone wants their kids to attend. We gave both girls the choice to attend our local High School which is Leland as we believe it’s a great school. Let me know if she wants any other info. If she wants to look up the schools on line, the district is San Jose Unified School District and the names of the schools are Leland High School, Bret Harte Middle School, Castillero Middle School, Los Alamitos Elementary, Simonds Elementary, Graystone Elementary, and Williams Elementary.

Gwen
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Her girls went to a parochial school K-8 and so chose to attend a parochial high school. I have to say, I'm surprised by her positive response. So that is a really good thing!

This totally matches up with a website I was looking at that compares schools. In fact the middle school Bret Harte was rated extremely high (which is difficult to obtain for any middle schools) so this is very good news.

Darn it - no wonder we had so many more choices in Blossom Hill !!! There were 2 houses in Almaden that I liked, so hopefully there will be some later on when we are buying.

Wow, she even liked the High School ! Thank you for this good news, I've been feeling really down today about this move and this helps. YOU"RE the Best !!