Novato Has Everything. Seriously.

Novato Has Everything. Seriously.

Why everyday life is one of the things I love most about living in Novato, California.

When people think about moving to Marin County, they often start with the house: How much space can I get? What will my budget buy? How close will I be to work?

All important questions.

But after you buy the house, you actually have to live there

And one of the things I appreciate most about living in Novato is something that doesn't necessarily show up in the real estate photos:

Novato makes everyday life remarkably easy.

I can leave home with what feels like an impossible list of errands and, with a little planning, make a loop around town and get almost everything done.

Seriously.

The Everyday Stuff Is All Here

Need groceries? We have choices.

Safeway. Trader Joe's. Whole Foods. Grocery Outlet. Nugget Market. Costco.

Need to stop at CVS? Pick something up for the house? Get your hair done? Have your nails done? Drop something off for alterations? Get a piece of jewelry repaired?

You can do that, too.

And then there are the places I simply enjoy.

Sushiholic at Vintage Oaks is one of my favorites. I love Ayawaska, Chianti Cucina, Creekside Bakery and Flour Chylde. There's Dr. Insomniac's for coffee, Blue Barn Gourmet, and Speakeasy/The Board Room when the occasion calls for something a little different.

That's one of the pleasures of living here. You don't have to leave Novato to have choices.

And these aren't names I'm pulling from a “Best of Novato” list. They're places I actually know and enjoy.

I'll be sharing more of my favorites in future posts because I think that's part of understanding a community, too.

My One-Hour Novato Loop

I've joked that I can practically run my errands around Novato in an hour.

That's going to become its own blog because I want to put it to the test.

I'll take you along on my actual route: groceries, pharmacy, repairs, alterations, pet store, bank, car wash and probably something I forgot to put on the list before I left home.

That's real life.

And to me, that kind of convenience is a luxury in itself.

Then There's the Other Novato

Here's what makes the convenience even better.

Novato doesn't feel like one giant shopping center.

Drive away from the commercial areas and the scenery changes quickly. There are established residential neighborhoods, hills, open space, trails, older homes, newer homes, larger properties, condominiums and some wonderful surprises.

And then there's Bel Marin Keys.

I lived in Bel Marin Keys for 10 years, and it deserves an entire conversation of its own. The homes aren't necessarily enormous luxury estates—but the lifestyle feels like and is resort living.

Water outside your back deck. Everyone can see the water from their home. Lagoons winding through the community. A completely different way of experiencing home.

I'll be writing much more about that.

You Don't Have to Know the Neighborhood Names Yet

Something else I've realized as I talk with buyers: you don't necessarily need to begin your Novato home search knowing exactly which neighborhood you want.

Most people don't.

You may know that you want three bedrooms, a yard and room for a home office.

You may want something single-level.

You may want to be close to Highway 101.

You may want more privacy.

Or you may simply say, “Here’s my budget. Show me what’s possible.”

That's a perfectly good place to start.

The neighborhood names begin to mean something after you see the homes, drive the streets and discover how the different parts of Novato feel.

What Can You Buy in Novato, CA?

That's another question we're going to explore.

I'm particularly interested in helping buyers looking in approximately the $850,000 to $1.5 million range, because there can be a surprising variety of possibilities within that span.

Novato also has condominiums at lower price points, and they can offer a very different path to homeownership. But purchase price isn't the whole story. HOA dues, what those dues cover, reserves, maintenance responsibilities and financing all matter.

We'll talk about that, too.

This Is My Novato

I live here.

I shop here. I run my errands here. I meet friends for dinner here. I entertain in my home. I know some parts of Novato extremely well, and I'm deliberately getting to know others even better.

That's one of the reasons I'm starting this Novato series.

I want to share more than houses for sale.

We'll explore neighborhoods, homes, prices, restaurants, shopping, waterfront living, everyday conveniences and some of the little things you don't necessarily discover until you've lived here for a while.

Because finding the right home isn't only about bedrooms, bathrooms and square footage.

It's about finding a place where your life works.

And that's one of the things I think Novato does exceptionally well.