Need help finding a descent apartment in the East Bay! (Oakland: apartments, crimes) - City-Data Forum

moving?? · 05-11-2008, 12:25 AM

My options are pretty open as far as Walnut Creek, Pleasant hill, Pleasanton, Dublin, Concord etc goes....I have been searching and searching..I like to google aparments and see if I can find good or bad reviews---it helps a lot..but also hinders me too....I don't need fancy or luxury but I'm looking for a property with descent management, descent appliances, descent apartment for the price you pay etc. etc...not sure what else to add.. the most I can afford to bay is 1500 and thus far after looking at about 50 apartments they all disappoint me---maybe I'm being too picky--I probably will have to just settle for something but I was hoping that you all could give me some more input--that would be great--thank!

keen cat · 05-14-2008, 02:11 AM

I like the apartment I'm living in. I live in Oakland in the Lake Merrit District. Other than the petty crimes of window bashing of cars parked on the street, neighborhood is safe. Everything is close by. Bart station is close by. We have a Trader Joe's and Whole Foods. Nice vintage movie theatre and library close as well. People go running and walking at the lake.

I found my apartment on Craigslist. My 1 bedroom is $821 which is fairly cheap considering what others are paying around here at $950 to a 1,000. But I think that is within your budget. My parking spot is $50 every month. Came with a refrigerater and stove (which they all should) They pay for water and gas so in the winter I can use the heater and take hot showers as much as I like. And they allow me to have cats. They have washers and dryers as well.

I suggest looking on craigslist in the Lake Merrit neighborhood in Oakland section of East Bay. Good luck

By the way those other areas you mentioned like Walnut Creek, Concord. In the summer the weather there sucks. Unless you like the scorching heat. Oakland has the best weather in the East Bay.

brewer2930 · 05-14-2008, 07:30 PM

Keen Cat, what do you think of Lake Merritt vs Alameda?? We are moving there the middle of July and are looking.

keen cat · 05-14-2008, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewer2930

Keen Cat, what do you think of Lake Merritt vs Alameda?? We are moving there the middle of July and are looking.

Honestly I don't know much about Alameda other than driving through there but from what I've seen, it looks nice. Its close to the water. Alameda has a cute downtown with lots of stores and restaurants. I haven't seen a ghetto part of Alameda, not that it doesn't exist. Its not far from Oakland. I think Alameda has more suburbs.

Lots of people say Oakland is so ghetto and dangerous. That depends on what part of Oakland you stay in. Lake Merritt is nice and its not far from Berkeley. My co-worker lives in Alameda. I'll ask her for more info. Where are you moving from?

artemis78 · 05-15-2008, 12:35 PM

Alameda is more suburban, and also a little more isolated (which can be good or bad depending on your pov

There's a lot less nightlife, but much better schools. It has a few rougher areas on the west side, but is mostly pretty mundane and suburban. (We don't live there because my partner thinks it's too boring--but that's exactly why some of our friends do live there.)

Lake Merritt varies depending on where along the lake you are, but the Grand/Lake area borders the city of Piedmont and is pretty upscale. However, there are some nice older apartment buildings that are just lovely, and lots of shops and restaurants. If you have kids, you need to pay attention to which school you're districted to because they can be night and day even for neighborhoods right next to one another (e.g., upper Lakeshore vs. Grand Ave--two very different elementary schools).

But the lake itself is wonderful, and you're right by downtown. (Commuting from Alameda can be more painful.) Just a different vibe.

brewer2930 · 05-15-2008, 05:50 PM

Hi keen. Thanks for some of the info. I am in Oklahoma City right now for training but my wife and I are really moving from Reno. Can't wait. We have looked all over the area and since I am going to be working at Oakland International I was looking for something closer to there. I just don't want to spend over $1300 a month for a one bedroom!!

Thanks again for any help.

PS We don't have any kids right now but soon. Also looking for a little nightlife?!

keen cat · 05-16-2008, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brewer2930

Hi keen. Thanks for some of the info. I am in Oklahoma City right now for training but my wife and I are really moving from Reno. Can't wait. We have looked all over the area and since I am going to be working at Oakland International I was looking for something closer to there. I just don't want to spend over $1300 a month for a one bedroom!!

Thanks again for any help.

PS We don't have any kids right now but soon. Also looking for a little nightlife?!

I use to live in Oklahoma! I really miss it a lot. I didn't realize all the great things about Oklahoma till I left. Especially the friendlyness of the Oklahomans and the hospitality. Not so much the summer weather and definitely not the chiggers. Me and my fiance are actually thinking of moving back in the future. We are getting tired of Cali and the city. Anywho.

My co-worker that lives in Alameda told me that before she moved to Alameda she was debating between Oakland and Alameda.

According to her Alameda vs Oakland:
Alameda is more expensive. But she feels safe walking to her car at night. Even the worse sections of Alameda aren't so bad. Not as diverse as Oakland BUT not as snobby as Walnut Creek.

Alameda is also on a small island. Alameda is basically a suburb. They have lots of parks. Its close to the Oakland airport. Alameda also has better education vs Oakland.

The Oakland Lake Merritt area has convenient transportation like the bart station close by. Many places and stores are just a walking distance. This area of Lake Merritt I'm speaking of is near Grand Lake street and Lakeshore street.

Artemis78 above who posted also seemed to make some good points about Lake Merritt.

You would find the night life around Oakland, Berkeley or the city (San Fran). If you decide to live in Alameda, its not a far drive to any of those other cities. Either way, you will be close to the Oakland airport.

I suggest looking on craigslist and comparing prices between the two. Good luck!