Do you love fruit -- particularly berries? If you answered in the affirmative, you will love Lucas Valley-Marinwood, where all of the street names end in "berry" (case in point: Appleberry, Blackberry, Cedarberry, Danberry, and Elderberry streets).
Lucas Valley and Marinwood are both unincorporated areas of Marin County, California. The U.S. Census Bureau lumped them together for census purposes, making them one "census-designated place" of approximately 6,100 residents (in all, at last count). Combined, the area encompasses a 5.7-square-mile swath of fertile northern California earth. See more
Balconies are a coveted amenity for many renters looking for high-rise views and opportunities for fresh air. However, you should keep in mind that balconies often come with restrictions.
Before signing a lease, ask about how many people can be on the balcony at once. Also, ask about whether you’re allowed to store a bike or other items.
You’ll also want to know about any maintenance schedules. Using your balcony as storage could result in fines and intervention from your property management.
Keep in mind that not all balconies are created equally. You may discover the views of the parking area are less than optimal or reduce your overall privacy.
Balconies can also get messy with debris, foliage, dirt, and pollen depending on your location. Renters are typically responsible for any clean-up and basic balcony upkeep.
Regardless of the issues to keep in mind, balconies are usually a big win for Lucas Valley-Marinwood renters. Ask about apartments on higher floors for the best views.