San Antonio Texas of course!

dont buy anything.......rent and invest the difference in a growth/income mutual fund.
as a 23 year real estate appraiser i would advise you to wait until at least to 2011.....3 years from now.
next appreciation boom isnt until 2014-2015

Dear Steve:

Call me prejudice, but I would look at Colorado. You can purchase a lot of house with land in our great state. Colorado offers lots of out door activities for all ages. Our schools are great and you have the choice of private schools also.

Depending what you are specifically trying to accomplish, I would certainly take a peek. Let me know if I can be of additional assistance. Happy to talk with you, send you information, etc.

LaDawn Westbrook - 720-371-8798

Hello Steve,

As a parent of children who attended school in the SRVUSD schools in San Ramon, I am biased to my own area although I recognize the wonderful schools elsewhere in my district and in Lafayette. As a real estate professional, I would suggest that you should be considering lifestyle and amenities that fall within your price range. I work throughout the area of the cities you have listed and can say that each one is very different. Although I could live in any one of these I would choose to live within walking distance of Downtown Danville because I like the wealth of community events that occur along Hartz Avenue in Downtown Danville. Pleasanton also has a lovely downtown, but I would choose only Foothills High School (while I would be satisfied with any high school in SRVUSD).

You live in Moraga and I'd have to assume you're relatively familiar with what your money will buy for you in Lafayette and Orinda, but what do you know abou the 680 corridor? I'm going to suggest that you visit my blog roll athttp:// www.VickieSellsHomes.com that focuses on South Contra Costa and Northern Alameda County to find out more about home values, schools and things to do in this area.

I would recommend you sit down with your spouse and family and come up with a lifestyle assessment and a list of needs and wants for your next home and call a real estate professional.

All the best,
Vickie Nagy

Hello Steve,

As a parent of children who attended school in the SRVUSD schools in San Ramon, I am biased to my own area although I recognize the wonderful schools elsewhere in my district and in Lafayette. As a real estate professional, I would suggest that you should be considering lifestyle and amenities that fall within your price range. I work throughout the area of the cities you have listed and can say that each one is very different. Although I could live in any one of these I would choose to live within walking distance of Downtown Danville because I like the wealth of community events that occur along Hartz Avenue in Downtown Danville. Pleasanton also has a lovely downtown, but I would choose only Foothills High School (while I would be satisfied with any high school in SRVUSD).

You live in Moraga and I'd have to assume you're relatively familiar with what your money will buy for you in Lafayette and Orinda, but what do you know abou the 680 corridor? I'm going to suggest that you visit my blog roll athttp:// www.VickieSellsHomes.com that focuses on South Contra Costa and Northern Alameda County to find out more about home values, schools and things to do in this area.

I would recommend you sit down with your spouse and family and come up with a lifestyle assessment and a list of needs and wants for your next home and call a real estate professional.

All the best,
Vickie Nagy

I have lived in many of those areas, plus Piedmont, and that is a tough question because each community offers something different and special. Some are predominantly newer homes on smaller lots, some offer smaller homes on larger lots, some have lots of neighborhood parks, some dont' What is important to you? Size of home, commute time, age of home, floor plans, size of lot, where your friends, church and relatives are. Think about those things, prioritize them, and then I can talk with you about specific towns, and neighborhoods; eliminate those that don't fit your priorities, and focus on those that do.

There are good buys to be had in all these areas around $1m. Obviously you will get more for your money in Dublin, San Ramon, Danville (in that order) than in Alamo or Lamorinda. With two children, you need to consider school districts and schools of course so I would suggest talking to a real estate agent such as myself who works with buyers in these areas. I would also check outhttp:// www.greatschools.net. This is a great resource.
Secondly, you need to consider your personal needs. Where do you work? What kind of a commute is acceptable to you? Do you prefer older or newer homes? Do you prefer to live in an established area with a downtown or don't you care about that?
Above all, don't buy a home just because it seems to be the best value. Decide what you want and what areas you prefer then look at what is available. Then buy the home that is right for you. It's not just an investment. It is where you are spending the next part of your life.
Please contact me for more help on (925) 997-1585 or send me an email to bernard@bernardgibbons.com. Of the places you mention, I have lived in Orinda, Danville and San Ramon and I know all these areas very well. You may also like to visit my web site athttp:// www.bernardgibbons.com where you can see some area comparisons.