I got a job in Oakland, relocating from LA... where should I live? (Los Angeles: apartments, condo)

[asnboy1084]

Oakland seems to be a heated debate on this forum. Either way I accepted a promotion in downtown Oakland, I'll be working in the federal building. I am relocating from Los Angeles where I currently work Downtown. I know how to handle myself in DTLA/Skid Row, but Oakland seems like a different animal.

I'm trying to figure out where to live, ideally I could take the bart or ride a bike to work. I am a 27/yo single Asian male and my salary will be in the upper 90s-100k. I have a car payment and that's it... I want my life drama free so no mugging or having my car broken into (it's brand new). But I also want walkability and fun.

I've been to Oakland before and I love the bars like the Trappist... however after reading everything here I'm kind of scared now. I have a couple months to find an apartment. Which areas/apartments do you guys recommend?

Thank you!

[04kL4nD]

Oakland is fine. Lots of great neighborhoods to choose from. With your budget Rockridge and Piedmont Ave would be perfect

Why commute if you don't have to?

[mayorhaggar]

Oakland is child's play compared to LA, seriously. I'd definitely recommend Rockridge since it has BART, or the Grand Lake area north of Lake Merritt which is pretty close to downtown.

[uptown_urbanist]

If you can handle Skid Row you're going to be just fine in Oakland. And Rockridge would seem majorly posh -- kind of like a more upscale version of Los Feliz with a bunch more posh food and houseware shops. Very nice, but not at all the downtown LA vibe, if that's what your after.

I don't know Oakland very well (and tend to be there during the day with kid in tow, so don't get a chance to get out in the night scene!), but how about somewhere like Old Oakland? (that's where the Trappist is, right?) Or maybe Chinatown? Seems more like DTLA than somewhere like Rockridge. (And FYI, there's a nice farmer's market in Old Oakland for when you move.) I'll depend on others to jump in and explain what it's like in those areas for evening and living, though.

[Natural510]

Adams Point would be ideal; plenty of nice apartments (alot of Art-Deco style buildings), walkable to Grand Lake shops/Trader Joe's/downtown, and safe. Cheap enough you'd still have plenty left over for nightlife on a $90k/year salary. There's also a bike lane on Grand Ave from the Grand Lake Theater to downtown, so you'd have a safe commute to work everyday. You may have to park your car on the street, depending on your building, but there were never any break-ins when I lived there.

[04kL4nD]

I disagree with Adams Point. It's a nightmare to find parking and it really isn't that close to anything walking/biking wise. It is close to the Lake and downtown, but on his budget he could easily afford something that's nicer and more walkable right on the Lake or downtown.

[mayorhaggar]

Rockridge or the Temescal are really easy to park in, especially Rockridge. When I lived there half the street would have empty spaces pretty much any time of day. College Ave and the areas right near it are tough to find a space on though.

[jade408]

Almost every apartment in Piedmont Ave comes with a secure parking spot (or you can pay for one in the building for about $50/month). Street parking is a bit harder, but far easier than Grand Lake area or Adams Point. It is about 2 miles from the Federal Building, and you can always hop on the 11 or the 12 if you wanted to take the bus to work.


**** It is very easy to avoid the bad parts of Oakland. If you have basic common sense street smarts you'll be fine. In the denser areas it is good to have a secure parking spot though.

[asnboy1084]

Thanks for the responses guys, I guess I am more afraid of the unknown. I am thinking of picking up a condo at the Essex Building or living somewhere in Adams Point. Living in SF would have been awesome but it seems a little unrealistic.

Can you tell me which areas of Oakland to Avoid? I spoke to a coworker and she told me she got held up at gunpoint a block from the federal building... And my Brother's car has been broken into twice in Oakland...

[Natural510]

East & West Oakland are the traditional centers of crime, but anything can happen just like any other city. If you stay east (Broadway side) of the Federal Building you should be fine.