patrick.net

I am buying a house and drive to work would be 1 hour. Current commute time is appx 30 minutes. I am doing so because of better school and brand new house at a reasonable price. I think I am happy about it.

I rent. commute is an hour with traffic, 45 min. without.
That's about my limit.

Commuting by car gets old - anything over 30 minutes would make me reconsider. I did it for four years and would never go back (1-1.5hr. commute). You can offset fuel prices with a Prius, but then you've just paid well over $30k for a small tin shell to get 50 mpg. On the other hand, you can get a Corolla for about $15k and get 40 mpg....My point is that it takes you years to recoup on the hybrid..

Anyhow -

We rent.

Current drive to work = 20-25 minutes

Bike to work = 28-30 minutes (I bike 4 days a week)

This is about my limit - and about where I'd like to keep it for the next 5-10 years. Biking keeps me in shape, keeps stress down, and kills your blood pressure. Plus, all that time on a bike and you don't need the gym, so you actually save a lot of time during the week. I would encourage this lifestyle if possible.

Kids are still too young for school, but we'll probably do a few years of home school before immersing them in the stupidity of public education.

Anyhow, no, I would not buy a place that's a far distance from work so that my kids could go to a school with a high emphasis on mathematics/technology. It's probably overrated, like most charter schools are. Most of what the kids pick up is in the home, and ultimately the responsibility of the parent.

If the question is about the distance/time to drive kids to/from school, here's some perspectives:

There is a school with Chinese component in my area for which parents are willing to drive over 30 minutes each way. The school is a public school but accepts out of district applications. Some of the families live in districts with excellent schools but will still drive the distance so their kids can learn Chinese.

But I also know families who considered the school but then opted for their local school with afterschool Chinese.

I do know families that live in districts that may be considered of lesser quality that are willing to drive their kids to private schools over 30 minutes each way. However, usually, they pick a private school that is along their path to work anyways.

And, I also know families that decided to move within walking distance of particular schools they wanted regardless of other considerations.

If you decide that you are willing to drive the distance to this school so you can have better living conditions and still gain access to a school that you deem worth the drive, you will not be alone. If you decide otherwise, there will be others like you, too. I've seen different combinations of trade-off decisions made, and each one is right for that particular family based on its personal values.

Meh, kids do not need a super school. They need an average school and good parents that reinforce good grades and why learning is important. Do not think you can send your kid to some super school and wipe your hands of the matter.

Where is the "NASA" school?

...Bay Area I assume, but where in the Bay Area?

Near the bay.

I think around Moffet Field.

This is all going to depend on you. Some people think that anything over 5 minutes in commuting it horrors upon horrors ( some on this forum feel strongly about this) and many pay a high premium to do so. On the other hand some have long commutes and its not a big deal. I've had both short and long commutes and I rent for a LOT cheaper than either renting or buying where I work and cheaper than buying where I live. The commute to me is worth it. Then again- that's my feelings and not others.

StoutFiles says

Meh, kids do not need a super school. They need an average school and good parents that reinforce good grades and why learning is important. Do not think you can send your kid to some super school and wipe your hands of the.

I agree, I think a safe, bully free school would be my main concern. If the curriculum isn't challenging enough.. (highly doubtful for 99% of the population). Then hire a tutor or make sure they join every club and after school activity that is available to them.

I excelled in Elementary school/middle school... then some bad social experiences and having to quit an athletic team due to an injury really did a number on my self-esteem. I coasted thru high school and college.. but didn't push myself to my full potential. I hardly blame my public school for that... sure i had some bad teachers and some bad advice from time to time.... But even teenagers have to take some personal responsibility.

The school could have offered me everything under the moon, but teens will be teens.. and that's your responsibility as a parent to refocus your children so they don't fall behind and are reaching their full potential.