Moving from SF to Pleasant Hill...help! (San Francisco, Oakland: renting, condo)

[fsumichelle]

Hi all,

I currently live in San Francisco and work in San Ramon...as much as I love the city, I am sick of the commute and the lack of parking around my building. I want to buy a condo near downtown Walnut Creek, but my price range is 250k and under...in WC for that price I can get about 800sqft and I want bigger since I will be there long term. I found a place in Pleasant Hill near the corner of Taylor and Pleasant Hill Rd. It is in a condo complex called Cobblestone.

Is anyone familiar with this area? I am 27, single, and female. I want to live somewhere that is not just young families, but some single people too. I don't mind driving to downtown WC or wherever, but would like to know that I am not the only one in my 20's living somewhere! I also hear that there is a not so great part of Pleasant Hill that is more dangerous and sketchy, but I am not sure where that is!

Any help would be appreciated!

[etoile_filante]

Taylor & Pleasant Hill Road is not sketchy or dangerous, but it is pretty boring and rundown in parts. You'll feel isolated not being closer to Crescent Plaza/Contra Costa Blvd. I don't think you'll find a lot of young, single people there, unless they're DVC students. You'll have a pretty major culture shock coming from the city. Personally, I'd compromise on size and get something in WC instead.

[jade408]

For 250k you could also find a new condo in Downtown Oakland. This would cut your commute to about 30-35 minutes. Unless you absolutely need the shortest possible commute. P.H. is pretty much family-land suburbia. There won't be many young singles in WC or PH.

I have toured almost ever building in downtown Oakland and have friends in some, so send me a PM for details.

[fsumichelle]

Originally Posted by etoile_filante

Taylor & Pleasant Hill Road is not sketchy or dangerous, but it is pretty boring and rundown in parts. You'll feel isolated not being closer to Crescent Plaza/Contra Costa Blvd. I don't think you'll find a lot of young, single people there, unless they're DVC students. You'll have a pretty major culture shock coming from the city. Personally, I'd compromise on size and get something in WC instead.

I looked at a place close to the downtown of pleasant hill, but wasn't impressed...it doesn't seem like a walking downtown anyways so driving wouldn't be an issue.

The area of the condo that I liked did look pretty isolated...for a minute it looked like farm town!

[fsumichelle]

Originally Posted by jade408

For 250k you could also find a new condo in Downtown Oakland. This would cut your commute to about 30-35 minutes. Unless you absolutely need the shortest possible commute. P.H. is pretty much family-land suburbia. There won't be many young singles in WC or PH.

I have toured almost ever building in downtown Oakland and have friends in some, so send me a PM for details.

Oakland is still farther than I'd like to be even though with traffic it probably isn't that much longer than PH, but in Oakland for 250k, I wouldn't get the size or amenities that I want....I need washer and dryer in unit as well as a parking space. I looked a little there, but didn't fall in love with anything.

Again, I am planning on being in this place for a while since I will be buying not renting and want to make sure I have space to grow into.