Looking for housing in Mountain View, CA

[kpreid]

It seems I entirely forgot to blog this previously: Google hired me full-time after my last internship; I start in July. I'm currently working on all the arrangements for getting myself there, which includes:

I want your recommendations for housing in Mountain View, CA or the close vicinity.

I am interested in recommendations either for permanent housing or a temporary place-to-stay (so that I can do research in person). I intend to initially pack two-suitcases light and have All My Stuff shipped later, so just about anything will do temporarily, but for permanent housing I am thinking of something along the lines of a one-bedroom apartment, though I would consider some sort of sharing.

Update: I have found a room for my immediate needs. I am still interested in recommendations for permanent housing.

I particularly desire, not general advice on how or where to search unless it is especially specific, but personal recommendations of locations you or a friend have had a good experience with.

Regarding location, these attributes would be of interest: comfortably accessible by public transport and/or bike routes (that is, I plan to attempt to get away with not owning a car); close to Google's campus (Amphitheatre Parkway); and lastly, close to such amenities as a good grocery store. But above all else, I want your recommendations of quality and value.

Comments

[(Anonymous)]

My experience was that living in Mountain View without a car sucks. Public transit is no good in Mountain View, especially on weekends. (Yes, the Caltrain goes up to SF, but it's slow and infrequent.) I recommend living in SF and taking the Google shuttle to work. The shuttle commute's not too bad from much of the city, such as the Mission or Hayes Valley, I think. YMMV, of course.