Where to live in east bay (Oakland, Berkeley: affordable apartment, rentals, condo)

[newguy387]

I just got a job in Pleasanton and I am trying to figure out where to live starting in June. I am thinking about downtown Walnut Creek because of the nightlife. Can anyone recommend any apartments or condo complexes where I can find people my age, young twenties. Having a garage would be a plus. Thanks for the help.

[Ruth4Truth]

I think it's interesting that people take a commute for granted, and so, choose places to live that suit their taste, rather than preferring to live where they work. I prefer to live where I can walk to work, or take a short bus ride, if possible. I'm told that's un-American of me, though. That's how Europeans live, not Americans, I'm told.

Whatever. Carry on. Don't mind me. :-/

[silverkris]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

I think it's interesting that people take a commute for granted, and so, choose places to live that suit their taste, rather than preferring to live where they work. I prefer to live where I can walk to work, or take a short bus ride, if possible. I'm told that's un-American of me, though. That's how Europeans live, not Americans, I'm told.

Whatever. Carry on. Don't mind me. :-/

Exactly. Most of these threads seem to rule out almost immediately living right in the vicinity, for various reasons and assuming a commute.

[18Montclair]

Traffic from Walnut Creek to Pleasanton and back can be really bad during commute times.

[newguy387]

I lived in Pleasanton last summer and did not meet many people my age there. Are there any better areas closer than Walnut Creek like Dublin?

[sav858]

Originally Posted by newguy387

I lived in Pleasanton last summer and did not meet many people my age there. Are there any better areas closer than Walnut Creek like Dublin?

No, if you want nightlife and a higher concentration of young professionals go with Walnut Creek. I don't think a reverse commute from Oakland/Berkeley would be that terrible either.

I've dealt with long commutes before because I understand not wanting to live in a place you find too boring and that doesn't fit you.

[tstieber]

Walnut Creek will be your best bet. There is a brand new Archstone Walnut Creek right at the Pleasant Hill BART station, which means you're not near downtown, where the nightlife is, but it's a big complex, near the freeway, and should have a decent demographic of young professionals. Also, there is a great ClubSport fitness club across the street that gets a lot of young professionals. You could get to downtown in five minutes. If you want to be downtown, I'd look on Craigslist for condo rentals by private owners. There are some nice buildings like the Mercer downtown, as well as a bunch of others clustered right above the Habit and Yogurtland (can't remember the names). There are also lots of older and smaller, affordable apartment buildings in the area, that aren't as nice but may be okay as a starter place.

[beb0p]

Originally Posted by newguy387

I lived in Pleasanton last summer and did not meet many people my age there. Are there any better areas closer than Walnut Creek like Dublin?

Assuming you are young and single, the answer is negative. Pleasanton is knee deep in soccer moms territory, your best bet really is Walnut Creek, even though WC is still a bedroom community, it's one with a vibrant downtown.

You'll want to look at the apts around Walnut Creek BART on Ygnacio Valley Rd. There are lots of them there. Your best bet should you choose to live in WC is to BART to Pleasanton, assuming your office is not too far from the station.

[sav858]

Originally Posted by beb0p

Your best bet should you choose to live in WC is to BART to Pleasanton, assuming your office is not too far from the station.

That would take over an hour, require two transfers, and would not be efficient at all. Taking the bus from WC BART to Pleasanton BART is only 30 minutes. Driving would be the best option or the Express Bus over BART.

[jade408]

I don't think WC has quite enough night life to warrant adding in all of that commute time.

OP, you might as well live adjacent to Pleasanton, and just go somewhere more fun to socialize. WC is about 15 minutes from Pleasaton/Dublin off-peak. And 20-30 minutes from Oakland/Berkeley most times of the day.