Aidan

check out Santa Venetia (part of San Rafael but in the County) - gorgeous weather, VERY active community association and active parents in the local school, surrounded by open space and Marin Montessori is about to establish a small middle school there. Also - it's in the County, not the City - hence stronger environmental protections. City of San Rafael is great but the Planning Department has a reputation of being anti-neighborhood. and it's a real old boy network that needs to go. That's the only downside - really unfriendly city government when you peek beneath the surface. it's starting to change tho. Downtown San Rafael is neat, especially the refurbished theatre but there are unfortunately too many empty stores. It would be great if some clubs could move in. not much night life in Marin but...the hiking and outdoor options more than make up for that. otherwise - it's an absolutely fabulous place to live. And the city is so close. 17 minutes to the Golden Gate in light traffic. we went to Slim's the other night and I think we were there in 25 min. Very close to the Larkspur Ferry too. OH - watch out for ANYTHING near or overlooking the railroad tracks. If the SMART train passes it will be a nightmare. - Tue May 27 2008, 23:20