Hayward, CA? (Milpitas, Hesperia, Castro Valley: crime, neighborhood, university)

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

I used to drive through Hayward to get to and from Moreau High (where I went to school - so funny you mentioned it), and friends in Castro Valley. This was back in the 1970's and even back then, I thought of Hayward as ugly and kind of industrial mixed with restaurants and businesses. There was no charm to it.

Doesn't sound like it's changed much.

The view from the college is wonderful. But, the college is up on a hill and a pain to get to transit-wise. My dad lived in a pretty nice apartment complex half-way up that hill at one point. So, there are nicer areas up in the hills.

But, the downtown area is just ugly. And the traffic was bad even way back then.

[r.humboldt]

I worked in Hayweird for a one-year project and my impression was positive in terms of it not being a snotty area. A lot of middle class people quietly know each other in Hayward -- marry and/or stay in the area -- and those are good people and good people to know. Still, the place is a little schizophrenic and I avoid it now that I don't work there. In addition to the cool folks mentioned above, I can do without tinted window Suburbans with Cragars and tough-guy drivers, some even with (large) families onboard. That part reminds me of the depressing side of Pacific Manor, but moved inland and with a police presence.

[shooting4life]

A 5 minute bike ride from my house in San Lorenzo gets me to the Hayward shoreline. An often forgotten feature of the region with miles of trails.


If I had a camera instead of my cell phone you could easily see San Francisco and the bay bridge.

[Hemlock140]

My first thought was that the poster works for the chamber of commerce.

I went to Cal State and lived in Castro Valley for 16 years, and I always thought that Eden Shores was in Union City, not Hayward, though I just looked it up and it is Hayward. Not typical of Hayward, however. I had in-laws living on Russell and even back in the 80s it was getting rough. Being in Castro Valley we always went the other direction to Dublin/Pleasanton to avoid going into Hayward. We only went there for visiting or to go to Buffalo Bill's. We were in the area last spring and it seemed like Hayward has gone downhill a lot since we left, and it's even creeping into the Baywood area of Castro Valley below the freeway.

[mrazyattic]

Originally Posted by shooting4life

A 5 minute bike ride from my house in San Lorenzo gets me to the Hayward shoreline. An often forgotten feature of the region with miles of trails.


If I had a camera instead of my cell phone you could easily see San Francisco and the bay bridge.

Favorite place to take my dog off-leash. She loves chasing the rabbits that she'll never get.

[athleticsfan72737489]

Originally Posted by shooting4life

You can do all of that in down town Hayward or near by down town San Leandro. Though the night life does not match Oakland or SF, expecting it to is unreasonable. If you want those things it is only a short Bart ride to Oakland/Berkley.

What Hayward/San Leandro/San Lorenzo give you is a centralized location, close mass transit, decent schools and developed mostly low crime neighborhoods and a still reasonably prices compared to many other areas.

Are their better areas? Of course. Are their better areas where you can buy a 3/2 home for less than 500k and still be less than 30 minutes from just about any place in the Bay Area? Nope. Sure you can get more night life in Oakland, but it will be more expensive and the more affordable areas won't be near trendy bars and restaurants, they will be in high crime areas.


I know walkability is all the rage now a days, but that will change as the millienials get older and want to start a family and no longer spend time going out to eat or to bars/clubs.

I agree that Hayward is reasonably priced and gives you centralized location. I do think that you will start to see millennials move out to suburbs as they have families of their own. However, these people won't be coming to Hayward. The public schools in Hayward are horrible. The schools in San Leandro aren't much better. San Lorenzo is marginally better. Also, the housing stock in Hayward is pretty bad - small 1950s ranch houses everywhere.

I used to be more pro-Hayward - specifically Downtown Hayward - four years ago or so. Despite the improvements (the theater, a few new restaurants, Peet's Coffee, etc.) downtown hasn't taken off. The new loop has made downtown even less pedestrian friendly than before. Furthermore, there is still a ton of riff-raff walking around the area.

[shooting4life]

Originally Posted by athleticsfan72737489

I agree that Hayward is reasonably priced and gives you centralized location. I do think that you will start to see millennials move out to suburbs as they have families of their own. However, these people won't be coming to Hayward. The public schools in Hayward are horrible. The schools in San Leandro aren't much better. San Lorenzo is marginally better. Also, the housing stock in Hayward is pretty bad - small 1950s ranch houses everywhere.

I used to be more pro-Hayward - specifically Downtown Hayward - four years ago or so. Despite the improvements (the theater, a few new restaurants, Peet's Coffee, etc.) downtown hasn't taken off. The new loop has made downtown even less pedestrian friendly than before. Furthermore, there is still a ton of riff-raff walking around the area.

The 1950's ranch homes make up most of the Bay Area until you get to the 680 corridor, then it is 1970's ranch homes.

The riff-raft give it that urban feel and culture all the hipsters are looking for. Pretty soon Oakland will become too gentrified and the hipsters will be looking for that next edgy but still not very dangerous area to live in (Hayward).

[mrazyattic]

Originally Posted by shooting4life

The 1950's ranch homes make up most of the Bay Area until you get to the 680 corridor, then it is 1970's ranch homes.

The riff-raft give it that urban feel and culture all the hipsters are looking for. Pretty soon Oakland will become too gentrified and the hipsters will be looking for that next edgy but still not very dangerous area to live in (Hayward).

We don't have hipster appeal here in Hayward. I gave up hope on this bum town a long time ago. There just is not anything here. It seems like everything you need, you have to go elsewhere for it. Everything here SUCKS --I mean, our starbucks sucks, grocery stores suck, dog park, everything.

[sonarrat]

Originally Posted by mrazyattic

We don't have hipster appeal here in Hayward. I gave up hope on this bum town a long time ago. There just is not anything here. It seems like everything you need, you have to go elsewhere for it. Everything here SUCKS --I mean, our starbucks sucks, grocery stores suck, dog park, everything.

I live in the South Bay and work in San Lorenzo, over by Hesperian.. so I spend a decent amount of time over in Hayward on lunch breaks, or at Smart & Final or Costco on my way home. I love Garin Park.. perhaps the only park in California where you will get stared down by free-range cattle while you walk up the hill, and once you get to the top you get astounding bay views on clear days (too rare now). Kennedy Park is charming, too, with an old train station, a working train ride, merry-go-round and a little petting zoo. Those are the main positives I take out of Hayward. I have not enjoyed my experiences with the local residents, though.

[shooting4life]

Originally Posted by sonarrat

I live in the South Bay and work in San Lorenzo, over by Hesperian.. so I spend a decent amount of time over in Hayward on lunch breaks, or at Smart & Final or Costco on my way home. I love Garin Park.. perhaps the only park in California where you will get stared down by free-range cattle while you walk up the hill, and once you get to the top you get astounding bay views on clear days (too rare now). Kennedy Park is charming, too, with an old train station, a working train ride, merry-go-round and a little petting zoo. Those are the main positives I take out of Hayward. I have not enjoyed my experiences with the local residents, though.

I remember when the merry-go-round was an actual pony ride.

You should check out buddies bites and brews off of Hesperian, good food at a modest price.