What are your thoughts on houses North of 580 in Oakland? (Berkeley: apartments, safe neighborhood)

[imdrax]

My girlfriend and I are moving to the bay area for my new job in SF. We have settled on the Oakland piedmont/montclair/rockridge areas as the best fit for us; young 20's, Caucasian, we like fine dining and a quiet atmosphere. I love cars and motorcycles so we are looking at places with a garage and off the busy streets hence no consideration for SF living, apartments, or congested areas of downtown Oakland/Lake Merritt unless it was in a secluded safe neighborhood(Suggestions?).

Annual Income will be combined of $85k-$100k. I have spent a lot of time looking through all of the "Oakland is terrible" threads so I have a general sense of where and where not to be looking. Im curious about the areas surrounding Piedmont. Obviously we cant afford to live IN piedmont so what are everyones thoughts on these areas:

North of 580: grand lake, trestle glen, glen view
West of Piedmont: Mosswood, temescal, rockridge, upper rockridge
North and East of Piedmont: Montclair, oakmore

***On a side note, there is one property we are considering on 1063 Bella vista ave, what are your thoughts on this area? the house is very nice but a little pricey at $1750 for a 1Br/1Ba in that area.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

You are looking in the right areas. Obviously the more toward the hills and the more toward Berkeley the better.

[athleticsfan72737489]

The Bella Vista location is okay. The housing stock on Bella Vista proper is very nice. I have a friend who lives on East 24th and 10th Avenue (which is not as nice) and he hasn't had any problems. He's lived there for three years.

If you wanted to expand your search, I would also look at the Dimond District, Redwood Heights and Laurel District.

[imdrax]

Thank you for the input. To expand my search to include Dimond/Redwood what "neighborhood" should I add on my CL search? It does not have its own designation so Im assuming people will either include it in piedmont/montclair or Oakland east.

[jade408]

Piedmont Ave or maybe the Dimond. Basically anything above 580 is good. Around the Rose Garden is super quiet and could be nice for you. Around Park in the Glenview would work as well.

[jade408]

Originally Posted by BayAreaHillbilly

You are looking in the right areas. Obviously the more toward the hills and the more toward Berkeley the better.

Not exactly. The areas closer to Berkeley have better access to BART, but most areas above 580 are nice, even miles from downtown. Above 13 is very nice. And then there are areas that are just wildly different. Like in the middle of the forest or feel like ranches.

[jade408]

Originally Posted by imdrax

Thank you for the input. To expand my search to include Dimond/Redwood what "neighborhood" should I add on my CL search? It does not have its own designation so Im assuming people will either include it in piedmont/montclair or Oakland east.

Try the hills one. The usually pulls in the Dimond and laurel and most places above 580.

[imdrax]

Originally Posted by jade408

Not exactly. The areas closer to Berkeley have better access to BART, but most areas above 580 are nice, even miles from downtown. Above 13 is very nice. And then there are areas that are just wildly different. Like in the middle of the forest or feel like ranches.

I was thinking similar to you. I have looked at places north of 580 but east of 24 approaching Berkeley like Bushrod/Upper Tel and wasnt too impressed. Not to mentioned when I researched Belmont I read about the excessive drug dealer loitering and shootings.

[jade408]

Originally Posted by imdrax

I was thinking similar to you. I have looked at places north of 580 but east of 24 approaching Berkeley like Bushrod/Upper Tel and wasnt too impressed. Not to mentioned when I researched Belmont I read about the excessive drug dealer loitering and shootings.

I wouldn't really live West of Telegraph North of Grand or so.

Well pretty much from Grand to Dwight in Berkeley.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Originally Posted by jade408

Not exactly. The areas closer to Berkeley have better access to BART, but most areas above 580 are nice, even miles from downtown. Above 13 is very nice. And then there are areas that are just wildly different. Like in the middle of the forest or feel like ranches.

Yes, closer to the hills. Basically draw a line along 580, then when it makes the bend to go into the maze the line splits off from 580 and continues up between Berkeley and Emeryville. Everything northeast of that line would be of interest, more or less. I know a few pockets are sketch, but it's good overall IMHO.The other exception is of course some stuff around Lake Merritt, Downtown, Chinatown, that is obviously SW of the line, which is still acceptable in my book.