Joyce,

Don't know if you have found a place yet but you can't go wrong if you find a place in Redwood Shores, San Carlos (which neighbors Redwood Shores), or Belmont. You have to be careful in Redwood City itself as there are good areas and bad areas. Sometimes close to each other. Make sure you always try to stay on the west side of El Camino Real if you are looking at San Carlos, Belmont, or Redwood City. The more west you go from there the nicer it becomes. Most neighborhoods around Alameda De Las Pulgas are nice areas in all 3 cities (Belmont, San Carlos, Redwood City). If you have children San Carlos schools are better than Redwood City schools on average, don't know about Belmont schools. My husband has worked in Redwood Shores, we've lived in San Carlos and our kids have been in Redwood City Schools for the last 6 years so I have a good idea what I am talking about.

It is a good time to buy if you can and http://www.craigslist.com is a great resource for rentals.

If you have any questions or need any help you can email me at scrapnstamp@live.com.

Good luck in your search.

we could be in the market to rent our current property but will not know till end of april/may

I have a very nice newly remodelled Duplex in Redwood City for $2800/month. All systems are new both inside and out. Open house this Sat and Sun from noon to 3PM. 708 Hudson Street (one block south of Jefferson). This is truly a home not a rental.

A Realtor can show you several rental properties in the Redwood Shores area as well as possibly expand the search into nearby areas.
Houses typically don't take two years to Sell in the Redwood Shores Area; maybe you should consider Buying a 3 Bd House while it is a Buyer's Market and interest rates are reasonable.
I can always sell the house for you when you move in two years (But you may like the weather and decide to never leave!!!)

Here's a more direct link to the area http://sfbay.craigslist.org/ When you get to that link click on "pen" (Peninsula) which is at the top. That will insure you're in the right area.

Most property owners as well as management companies list their available rentals on http://www.craigslist.org Another option is http://www.ArchstoneApartments.com They have long and short-term leases. Or http://www.rent.com

Hope those help.