Thanks. I just picked Modesto because it appeared close on Google Maps and was on the Zillow list. I prefer not to live in a dump in a slum (as others seemed

Thanks. I just picked Modesto because it appeared close on Google Maps and was on the Zillow list. I prefer not to live in a dump in a slum (as others seemed to suggest). I wasn't looking for cheap rent in a small dumpy place that was close. I was trying to emulate the boat proposal (far enough away that there's an advantage, but close enough that you can commute on occasion for meetings with Google, HP, Yahoo, Apple or whoever.) In the Midwest, you can get a nice 3500 sq ft home for 250K. Owners of such homes are the type of people I would be trying to get. So a 300 sq foot room for $650/mo isn't going to cut it (as someone else suggested). Looks like Gilroy might be a good answer. Over 100 properties on Realtor.com between $250 and 400K. 42 miles from Silicon Valley. http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/Gilroy_CA/beds-3#/price-250000-400000 http://www.realtor.com/realestateandhomes-search/Gilroy_CA/b...