Where to buy the first home in SF bay area. 95125 or 95132?

[Hui Kiang]

Hi all,

I'm asking for my friends. They're very sweet and nice couple but now fighting over where to buy their first home in south bay area. As you know, money doesn't go too far here and how to balance between comfort, school, budget and commute turn into pretty heated discussion between them. 

Wife - wants to have bigger space, newer house, big kitchen. This is one of the houses she likes:
https://www.redfin.com/CA/San-Jose/2679-Villa-Cort...

Husband - wants to have good school district, better appreciation, potential to build extension, easier commute and closer to Bart. This is what he has in mind:

https://www.redfin.com/CA/San-Jose/1230-Old-Manor-...

The husband doesn't like her picks and thinks it's too far away from work given the commute on 101 and 87 are so painful. Also, he has concerns about the graveyard and low income housing around and believe it'll be a bad deal from the investment perspective. 

The wife doesn't like the husband's pick as it's older and smaller house. She argues about quality of life. Also, she doubts if his pick will get better appreciation as her pick is a newer and bigger house. 

Any thoughts here? Which one (area) you'll choose? I really want to help them to make a good choice. 

Thanks! 

[Jake Knight]

This sounds like an episode of House Hunters San Jose. Husband and wife debating the merits of two completely different properties. The theme song is playing in my head... 

I live in 95132 but would rather live in Willow Glen. Maybe not where this property is though. Doesn't feel like Willow Glen. Commutes from both of these houses would be tough if you work up 101. Eastward to Berryessa in the PM is an underrated commute.

Regarding appreciation, neither husband or wife are right because we don't know how each neighborhood will progress. While Berryessa doesn't have the same cache, quality of life, or shopping as Willow Glen, the schools are good and BART could further drive demand for housing here. Both neighborhoods have solid long-term prospects for growth but appreciation is unpredictable so maybe they should cancel this part from their argument to help narrow it down. 

At the end of the day these are two very different properties and they will have to arm wrestle to decide a winner. Personally, I go with the house in Berryessa.