Any guides to the East Bay? (San Francisco, Oakland: real estate, apartment, neighborhoods)

[Tycho Brahe]

I have been lurking on the forum on and off for awhile, trying to learn the lay of the land. I have been to San Francisco a few times, but very seldom to the East Bay (only Oakland, Berkeley, and Walnut Creek for a brief visit).

I am exploring a move to the San Francisco area. I love SF proper, but I realize it would be unaffordable. Unfortunately, I do not know the other areas as well. Is there a guide that describes the various East Bay locales? Nothing too far out, primarily locations near BART.

[jade408]

Try SFgate's Neighborhood Guides for a few ideas. The East Bay is huge, so it is better to give us an idea of what sort of neighborhood you are looking for: urban, suburban, rural... and type of building/amenities that you need.

Check out the Street Date and Neighborhood guides for some ideas on what the cities are like:

East Bay Neighborhoods — Bay Area Travel — SFGate
www.sfgate.com/columns/streetdate

[clongirl]

This is more helpful in terms of outdoor recreation but it shows all the regional parks/trails etc

East Bay Regional Park District | Embrace Life!

If you're looking for more info on cities/towns, sometimes the real estate sites in the region give a bit of a run down on each town (the downside of course is that every town is made to look like paradise!). You can also let us know which city appeals to you so far and we can help you with more specifics.

[Tycho Brahe]

Originally Posted by jade408

The East Bay is huge, so it is better to give us an idea of what sort of neighborhood you are looking for: urban, suburban, rural... and type of building/amenities that you need.

Thanks for the links.

My goal for now was to avoid starting yet another "where should I move to?" type of thread. Once I learn a bit more info, I can ask more specific questions such as "what do you think of XXX in YYY?".

I basically want a nice big apartment with a garden, near public transportation, for cheap.

[mayorhaggar]

Define cheap...you might have to go pretty far out in the burbs for that.

[Tycho Brahe]

Originally Posted by mayorhaggar

Define cheap...you might have to go pretty far out in the burbs for that.

I was primarily joking. Everyone wants that perfect place for a cheap price.

What I am looking for will be a separate thread, but the ideal is a small 2-bedroom (1 bedroom and a study actually) for $1800.

[jade408]

Originally Posted by Tycho Brahe

I was primarily joking. Everyone wants that perfect place for a cheap price.

What I am looking for will be a separate thread, but the ideal is a small 2-bedroom (1 bedroom and a study actually) for $1800.

Good budget, you'll find lots of choices all over the east bay for that. Even some in the "luxury" buildings. Focus on what you want in a neighborhood, your budget works well for pretty much all East Bay neighborhoods.

[mayorhaggar]

You can get a 2br for around $1200 in nice parts of Oakland. You'll do fine as long as you aren't looking at SF where the most basic 2br will be around $1900.