trying to find a neighborhood to move to- young professional, mid twenties single female (Oakland: apartments, for rent)

[ccalvin129]

Hey guys!
I recently received job offers to split time between san leandro, and walnut creek as a pediatric physical therapist. I am 26, and moving to the bay area. Recently single, I am trying to find a fun neighborhood to live in to meet other young professionals in a lively area, i know a lot of neighborhoods in san francisco are like that but the commute would be off since I am working in the east bay. I am prepared to pay a lot for rent I have already accepted that, just sort of seeing which neighborhoods in the east bay are fun and lively without being too hectic, insane, or dangerous. I've heard good things about rockridge but that is about it. Would like to have easy access to BART as well. Any suggestions are appreciated!

[04kL4nD]

For Oakland, Rockridge is good. So is Grand Lake, Piedmont Ave, Temescal, Jack London, and Uptown- All BARTable and transit friendly

San Leandro has some nice areas too, but the closer to 580 the better. Downtown is OK has a BART station as well and I'd choose it over the Bay Fair area, but that's just a personal preference.

Alameda is an option, so long as you're not too far deep in the island

[Oakformonday]

Originally Posted by 04kL4nD

For Oakland, Rockridge is good. So is Grand Lake, Piedmont Ave, Temescal, Jack London, and Uptown- All BARTable and transit friendly

San Leandro has some nice areas too, but the closer to 580 the better. Downtown is OK has a BART station as well and I'd choose it over the Bay Fair area, but that's just a personal preference.

Alameda is an option, so long as you're not too far deep in the island

Good choices but since she didn't give a budget - I'm not sure. Does not sound like she has gotten an 80k year job so she is going to be limited with these Oak hoods. That is, if she wants to pay 30% of her gross. OP, give an exact budget and more people here can help you. Expect to pay at least 2,000/month if you want your own apartment (add $1,000+ if you require new) in these suggest places. Good luck.

[ccalvin129]

i make around 90k a year so probably want to stay 3,000 or less or i might want to get a roommate in that case. What is everyones thoughts on Berkley neighborhoods?

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by ccalvin129

i make around 90k a year so probably want to stay 3,000 or less or i might want to get a roommate in that case. What is everyones thoughts on Berkley neighborhoods?

Have you looked at Berkeley rents, on Craiglist, to get an idea? You have a good budget, so you should be able to swing it, but it helps to know what you're getting yourself into. Good Berkeley neighborhoods: anywhere in the east side of town, near College Avenue (south side of town) and points east (getting into the hills), or in north Berkeley (north of UC campus). More convenient for you probably would be the south side of town, for commuting out to Walnut Creek, etc. Try Elmwood, Claremont, Rockridge (which is Oakland, bordering on Berkeley's Elmwood, and right by the freeway out to WC).
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/apa...291508191.html
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/apa...135.html<br />
https://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/apa...285335503.html

OP, I'm posting higher-end 1-br. apartments (a couple of them have an extra room, even), because you can afford these. You can find less spacious, less elegant apts. in this neighborhood or nearby, if you want that. The characteristic architecture of the neighborhood was built around the 30's, 40's, somewhat in the Craftsman style, with high ceilings, spacious rooms, nice woodwork, big windows, and often--lots of storage space, and built-in features. By going for the higher end of the 1-br. range, you'll remove yourself from the student competition, so trying to land a place won't be quite such a madhouse (in theory, at least). Anyway, it's a good rule of thumb to watch listings daily, and call on a unit as soon as it comes up. Have credit report, references, and proof of employment ready.

[04kL4nD]

A lot of people LOVE Berkeley, but I am not the biggest fan. It's more expensive than neighboring cities, driving there is a nightmare, it gets worse fog/wind/clouds than other parts of the East Bay, and the people are even weirder than Oakland which is really saying something. The 'culture' is mostly student-oriented and/or aging hippies. It's a good place for families with kids, but unless you want to hang out in college bars all the time, I wouldn't really recommend it, unless you're a student or work at Cal.

[artemis78]

Rockridge is a good bet at that budget. You could also check out Temescal. Assuming you're driving to work, those neighborhoods put you equidistant to both places and right on 24 (which is preferable than living somewhere where you have to take 80 or 580 to 24, because if you can get directly on to 24, you stay in the reverse commute direction). And you're also close to BART, if you can BART to work. There are lots of young families there, but also plenty of younger people too. You could also check out Uptown, which is also pretty convenient to both the freeways and to BART, and definitely tips toward 20-somethings vs. families, though it's a bit closer to SL than to WC.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by 04kL4nD

A lot of people LOVE Berkeley, but I am not the biggest fan. It's more expensive than neighboring cities, driving there is a nightmare, it gets worse fog/wind/clouds than other parts of the East Bay, and the people are even weirder than Oakland which is really saying something. The 'culture' is mostly student-oriented and/or aging hippies. It's a good place for families with kids, but unless you want to hang out in college bars all the time, I wouldn't really recommend it, unless you're a student or work at Cal.

What's the difference between Elmwood and Rockridge? None that I can see.

[04kL4nD]

I'm not the biggest fan of Rockridge because of the snooty vibe, but you're correct that there's an arbitrary line dividing it with Elmwood- it's the same neighborhood with different signs. Plenty of people like it; and live, shop, and work there, but it does skew a bit older and it wouldn't be the place I'd pick first if I were 26 and new to Oakland. Lake Merritt and Temescal have a younger/hipper vibe and that's where I'd look first, but given the OP's work situation, I specifically mentioned Rockridge first because of close proximity to WC and the fact that the OP was asking if it was OK. Uptown is probably the most vibrant of any of those neighborhoods, but it's also ridiculously expensive.

[jade408]

Originally Posted by 04kL4nD

I'm not the biggest fan of Rockridge because of the snooty vibe, but you're correct that there's an arbitrary line dividing it with Elmwood- it's the same neighborhood with different signs. Plenty of people like it; and live, shop, and work there, but it does skew a bit older and it wouldn't be the place I'd pick first if I were 26 and new to Oakland. Lake Merritt and Temescal have a younger/hipper vibe and that's where I'd look first, but given the OP's work situation, I specifically mentioned Rockridge first because of close proximity to WC and the fact that the OP was asking if it was OK. Uptown is probably the most vibrant of any of those neighborhoods, but it's also ridiculously expensive.

Temescal is only 5 minutes more to WC than Rockridge. As long as you are east of Shattuck and north of the Lake, the trip to WC is really easy (grand lake too, 24 is only 2 exits up to 24.