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Bellevue is more like a large Walnut Creek. Sanitized and sheltered.
San Jose has 1 million people and all of the social and economic issues found in any city that size, the tech connection alone is too weak.
Actually in terms of all of California, I would say Bellevue is a more urban and more corporate version of Irvine! But yah walnut creek is a fair comparison.
That was the reason I didn't compare it too San Jose. San Jose has more then just silicon valley and is a large functioning city. It would be like comparing Apples to Grapes. Oakland and Bellevue were more similar in size so I thought it would be interesting to compare and hear peoples thoughts.
What's the purpose of comparing a super awesome growing small city tech center to an armpit of a city? Oakland had 3000% more murders per capita than Bellevue, was still more expensive than bellevue desite having a much lower average income. If you had said better climate as a condition, then Oakland could have won 1 category.
I would take Oakland any day. Less suburban, much older, many more cultural amenities, much more interesting architecturally.
Choosing Oakland is a no-brainer here.
In fact, I much prefer Tacoma to Bellevue, to be honest. Tacoma has a true urban character, some of the best architecture in the Northwest, fun unpretentious bars, a walkable feel, and actually feels like a City (albeit, a small one that could use a boost in vibrancy.).
Bellevue feels like someone somehow took a mall and stretched it onto a city grid with some high-rises. It completely lacks soul or character, and is the quintessential "suburban posing as urban from afar" City.
Bellevue is more akin to Irvine, CA. Both cities are incredibly similar.
As for Oakland... Let's just say the very first day I ever spent in Oakland I actually witnessed a gang with guns being chased on foot by police. Unfortunately, I'm telling the truth. I really want Oakland to be an amazing city. I think it easily has the potential to be great. The downside, though, is that there is still a lot of low end folk who bring the city down.
This is kind of like Walnut Creek, California vs. Tacoma, Washington. Haha.
Not really. Oakland is a city of huge contrasts and while Oakland might have more poor people and areas with far more crime than Bellevue-big deal, everyone knows that. What most people would probably never guess is that Oakland also has a greater number of affluent households and highly educated persons than Bellevue and Tacoma COMBINED.
Latest 5-year estimate, factfinder2.census.gov
Households Earning $100,000+ Annually
Oakland, California 37,865
Bellevue, Washington 21,454
Tacoma, Washington 14,131
Households Earning $200,000+ Annually
Oakland, California 10,626
Bellevue, Washington 6,404
Tacoma, Washington 1,807
Adults with a Master's Degree
Oakland, California 27,926
Bellevue, Washington 14,336
Tacoma, Washington 7,589
Adults with a Professional Degree
Oakland, California 8,452
Bellevue, Washington 3,386
Tacoma, Washington 2,576
Adults with a Doctorate Degree
Oakland, California 6,372
Bellevue, Washington 2,214
Tacoma, Washington 1,539
Last edited by 18Montclair; 07-30-2013 at 05:43 AM..
So while Oakland has more crime than Bellevue and Tacoma combined, it also trumps their combined sum in this far more swank comparison, which I use to further illustrate the notion that pigeonholing a place like Oakland is not really possible as lots of upwardly mobile and affluent people are choosing Oakland because there are actually lots of benefits to be had.
Latest 5-year estimate, factfinder2.census.gov
Houses Valued at $1,000,000+
Oakland, California 5,337
Bellevue, Washington 3,261
Tacoma, Washington 410
Who knew, right?
lol
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