Im moving to the bay area soon with my 350z possibly and im wondering how "safe" you guys consider the area to be. I will have an apartment without a garage and this worries me since here in the midwest ive always had every car ive owned garaged. Alarms will only slow thieves down I know this but for those of you without garages what are your inputs? I'll be moving around San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara area.

 

Most newer buildings offer small garages. I'd look into moving into one of those.

Not having a garage would drive me craz(ier).

 

You want a garage ..

 

Moved from San Jose region a few years back and didn't have any problems w/ my ZR2...but my 350Z I would not leave out, just as a safety point. Locks only keep honest people honest.

 

All depends in the area and how much attention your car attracts. Another factor is how far your car will be from the unit you will be renting.

Why not just rent a unit with a garage?

 

chit happens.. if you can get a garage, just do it.

 

You can get a fairly-priced rental that has a garage. Otherwise most apt rentals have carports. It all depends on exactly where you live. Palo Alto is one of the richest (and safest) towns in the area, and a mere 2 miles away - East Palo Alto - resides one of the worst areas in the US (for overall crime).

 

I must have a garage for my Z. I won't park it outside and not just because of theft, crazy fools that want to scratch the paint, but also for the weather. I like to keep it looking new, and weather just won't let it happen. I agree with "e30cabrio" quote: Not having a garage would drive me craz(ier). I feel the same way.

 

sunnyvale and santa clara should be fine for the most part. depends if you're street parking it, which specific neighborhood you'll be in, and how "flashy" it is.