Oakland is probably better than SF (San Francisco, Vista: city hall, crime rate, houses)

[jade408]

Originally Posted by BayDude

No not at all.

Oakland is a better deal for the average person. Hell even for the rich. The people are on average much friendlier. Sf is bit too snobby and standoffish for most people.

Yup, Oakland is the best value in pretty much the whole bay area. You get access to all of the key amenities at a much lower cost.

If I wanted a similar neighborhood, quality of apartment in pretty much anywhere else in the Bay I'd need to shell out $800-$1200 more per month in rent.

[ZhugeLiang]

I won't put Oakland or SF above each other one way or the other. There are pros and cons to both. Where I get pissed is when people go on and on about the SF you seem in the movies and they think that's how it really is over there when in point of fact, things are arguably more messed up across the Bay.

[mayorhaggar]

A year ago I would have said they were pretty even and it depended on what kind of city you wanted to live in--SF was quite a bit more expensive but doable, and you'd save on not having to pay through the nose on BART, and if you lived in the NE quarter of the city you could get to work in downtown SF within about 20 minutes barring a Muni/BART meltdown. It's smellier and dirtier and more crowded and noisy compared with Oakland but it's also way more walkable and easier to get by without a car, and it has a vibe Oakland just doesn't have.

But since rents have gone up so much in just the last 6-12 months, SF is just ridiculously not worth it, it's not like it's gotten 40% better in the last 6 months, just 40% more expensive. Most jobs aren't giving people raises to compensate for rising rents. Oakland is going up in cost too but it's still pretty modest in terms of rent, and Berkeley is a good option too. Oakland is hands down better now if you want to live somewhere urban.

[NYCtoSF]

Diversity and artists are not a plus in my book.

[athleticsfan72737489]

Originally Posted by NYCtoSF

Diversity and artists are not a plus in my book.

To each his/her own. However, if you actually are a minority, then it really is a plus. If I was a middle-class black professional moving to the Bay Area, San Francisco would be the at the bottom of my list; Oakland would be near the top.

[dmode]

Originally Posted by jade408

Yup, Oakland is the best value in pretty much the whole bay area.

Sorry, don't agree. Oakland is the best value only for a very limited demographic It certainly not the best value for most people in the bay area. For example:
- Family with kids looking for good public schools
- People with a career in Silicon Valley (Oakland is too far a commute)
- Zillionaire, billionaire and millionaire with lots of money. They would probably choose Los Altos, Atherton, Woodside, Pac Heights, Sausalito etc.
- People from safe suburbs
- People scared of diversity
- People who desire a suburban life
So on and so forth

[mayorhaggar]

Originally Posted by NYCtoSF

Diversity and artists are not a plus in my book.

Says the guy who claims to "live in Manhattan."

[Jink]

Originally Posted by athleticsfan72737489

To each his/her own. However, if you actually are a minority, then it really is a plus. If I was a middle-class black professional moving to the Bay Area, San Francisco would be the at the bottom of my list; Oakland would be near the top.

Are you trying to steer Blacks away from San Francisco?

[jade408]

Originally Posted by NYCtoSF

Diversity and artists are not a plus in my book.

We all know in your book diversity = ghetto and undesirable. So we'll surely take that into account. *rolls eyes*

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by BayDude

Oakland is increasingly becoming more of a better deal than San Francisco.

- Less pretentiousness
- Genuine and passionate art community
- Great dining options
- Much more affordable housing
- Real diversity and less segregation
- Friendlier residents
- Sunny, beautiful weather

The list goes on and on. I used to down on Oakland quite a bit, but I've realized how much of great place it actually is. Love the lake Merritt area where I now live.

2012 really is the year the world ends.

Either way I agree on all points.