(Image via sonomamarintrain.org)

After spending the early part of my career in the Bay Area, I got really tired of driving traffic and would do everything I could to find alternate routes to get where I needed to be. I switched jobs so that I could bike commute, I made sure to live in the area with a high walk score, and had a monthly pass for Caltrain – which wasn’t the most useful thing, but I was on a roll.

Moving up to Sonoma County, I was pleased to find out about the long-term plans for the SMART train, and what it could mean for getting around in the North Bay without sitting in traffic.

For those who are planning on taking advantage of the SMART train, nothing could make it easier than having a home close to the station, (but maybe not next to the rail?). Not all stations will provide a lot of parking, so ideally you would like to find a place close enough to bike or walk to the station. Here’s a list of the planned SMART train stations, and which nearby – or, relatively nearby – homes and condos have been listed;

Petaluma Downtown

9 Payran St, Petaluma – $469,000
3 beds, 1 bath, 972 square feet

(Image via Steven Cozza, Pacific Union )

This small home is located roughly four blocks from the proposed station; an easy enough morning walk for someone wanting to commute to their workplace in other parts of the North Bay.

Petaluma North

813 Wine Ct, Petaluma – $789,950
5 beds, 3 baths, 2,655 square feet.

(Image via RE/MAX International)

This home was built in 1992 and looks like the type of house I’d love to say I owned, and would probably need a full-time, commute-worthy job to afford – so that rules me out.   It’s also about two miles (or so) from the proposed station, so it’s also not that convenient; just the closest home that’s currently listed.

Healdsburg

243 Center St, Healdsburg – $2,895,000
3 beds, 2 baths, 1,772 square feet

(Image via Pacific Union International)

This Healdsburg home was built in 1935 and the interior and garden are adorable. It may be close to the proposed station, but for almost 3 million dollars, it is definitely not for everyone.

Windsor

7443 14th Hole Dr, Windsor – $579,900
3 beds, 3 baths ,1,732 square feet.

(Image via Pacific Union International Inc.)

Built in 1999, this is a newer home that while nice to look at, is a cuckoo’s egg when it comes to the SMART station. It’s miles away, and the homeowner would need to drive to the station, park, and then get on the train. However, depending on how long the commute would be, it still may be a less stressful choice.

Sonoma County Airport

5072 Deerwood Dr, Santa Rosa – $599,000
3 beds, 2 baths, 1,834 square feet.

(Image via Kelley Realty)

The proposed station that’s close to the Sonoma County Airport doesn’t have a large selection of homes close to it; this single-family house is fairly far away –  across the Redwood Highway in relation to it. Again, this may be okay if the commute will be lengthy and if there is enough parking by the station.

Santa Rosa North

2674 Westberry Dr, Santa Rosa – $289,950
2 beds, 2 baths, 1,061 square feet.

(Image via RE/MAX Gold )

Condo with 2 beds, 2 bath, shared pool, plus the real attraction:  Walking distance to the the SMART train station – commuters rejoice!

Santa Rosa Downtown

719 N Dutton Ave, Santa Rosa – $419,000
3 beds, 2 baths, 1,238 square feet.

(Image via Leal Real Estate Group, Inc.)

There is woefully nothing really close to this station, though this home on Dutton might provide a brisk bike ride to it.

Rohnert Park

686 Santa Alicia Dr, Rohnert Park – $239,900
2 beds, 1 bath, 697 square feet.

(Image via Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage)

If you visit this listing online, you’ll see that they’ve used a picture of the SMART train station map as a selling point. The interior is well maintained in this 1984 condominium, community pool and spa is part of the package, plus of course walking distance to the station.

Cotati

8242 Windmill Farms Dr, Cotati – $349,000
2 beds 2 baths 989 sqft

(Image via Bradley Real Estate )

There are a plethora of rentals near this proposed station, but this was the closest home for sale I could find. The upside is that it’s not far at all from the station, so it could be a winner. I recall writing about this home a few months earlier and thinking that it was eclectic enough to make it worth considering.