Sunnyvale, California? Any thoughts on the place?

[Wcross]

My favorite niece has moved to Sunnyvale and I want to know about the town. Maybe suggest cool places to go, places to avoid and how life will be in Sunnyvale.
How is the rental market in the area, how much are the homes (starter) going for these days?
Any tidbit of information would be appreciated!

[Taverner]

1. What do you want to do?

For comedy clubs, there's Rooster T Feathers...for pubs there's Scruffy Murphys... for sights there's Moffett Field.

Rentals are better than buying in the current market - but still expect expensive homes. Nearby there's EPA (East Palo Alto) which can be a bit rough.

[redacted]

2. Hi tech hell. Don't drink the water.

Don't know abt current rents (and I suppose it depends on where you come from -- all relative) we paid 1000 for 1 bedroom 10 years ago. But a house is certainly over 500K, if not higher by now.

Wish I had better news. Depending on where she is working (Sunnyvale is just a small part of the giant urban/suburban jungle called the penninsula between SF and SJ) how much she will be making, how far she wants to commute etc. . .there are lovely places all over the bay area.

But Sunnyvale, itself, as I know it is kind of a giant high tech shack.

[allalone]

3. too many people

[REP]

4. Scummyvale

I live down the road from there (I'm in Mountain View). Scummyvale is a 1950s planned community. It's ugly as hell, and most of the rental houses are rented by non-families (groups of non-related people) as are many of the apartments. Crime is worse there than in my little city, but it's not horrible or dangerous - mostly break-ins and car break-ins, though there has been a rapist in the area lately. Rents on a 2BR house run about $2,500.00/mo and up; studio apartments can be had for under $1K/mo. Homes go for $500K - $750K+.

Downtown Sunnyvale is moderately interesting; some nice shops, restaurants and bars (downtown Mountain View is close by, though).

Generally, avoid anything near the Brass Rail.

Life will be quiet. I'll be there tomorrow (Loved One lives in Scummyvale!)