Like so many of you, Todd and I couldn't wait to move back to Lafayette with young kids in tow. I grew up here, went to school here, and wanted nothing more than to give our children the same experience.
Someone once told me, "People come to Lamorinda for the schools but stay for themselves." That couldn't be more true. In my 20+ years selling real estate in this market, I've noticed a remarkable trend: so many people either grew up here or went to Cal, Stanford, Davis, St. Mary's, etc, and fell in love with the area. In fact, 47.8% of our buyers this year have had one or more family members who grew up or lived here most of their lives. Just in the last few weeks, two of our Moraga sales have been a perfect testament to this. One buyer grew up in Lafayette, the other in Moraga.
And here's a wild stat: as a team of seven, five of us grew up here, the 6th's spouse grew up here, and the 7th went to college here. We don't just sell Lamorinda real estate. We live it, we love it, and most of us choose to come back to it.
The Boomerang Effect
After college and grad school out of state, plus years in New York, LA, and Boston, I'm thrilled to report that both Brad and Kendall are back in the area. We patiently waited before downsizing, and I'm so glad we did. If you're thinking about following your kids, my advice? Wait until they're truly settled.
Kendall and her husband Shane, both physical therapists, live right here in Lafayette. You've probably seen her walking through town with Sadie, her golden retriever. She recently opened Rebuild Performance Physical Therapy in Lafayette. Whether you have aches and pains or want to improve mobility and strength, she's ready to help at rebuildperformancept.com.
Brad and his wife Ally bought their first home in the Poet's Corner neighborhood of Pleasant Hill a few years ago, right across the street from other Acalanes grads. Brad is now working with Todd and me on the Dana Green Team, so you're probably seeing him around town, too. Ally is a Dietitian with her own practice, specializing in GI health and eating disorders.
Why It Matters
This is what I love about Lamorinda. The schools bring people here, but the community, filled with lifelong learners who value family and connection, is what keeps them here. And sometimes, it's what brings them back home.