Walnut Creek or Oakland for DINKWADs? (crimes, college, live in)

[MechAndy]

There is a very nice row of condos in Danville just off the main drag in Danville near the the bowling alley.
This would give you very nice dining options within walking distance and a work commute that would only be a few minutes.

Pleasanton would have similar options.
Alamo not so much.
Walnut Creek maybe but they would be hidden.
Dublin would but it is Dublin.
San Ramon is, well it is better than Dublin.

I have always preferred to live outside of walking distance from town.
Some people like it but it’s not for me.

Alamo, Danville and Pleasanton are the nicest area’s IMO.
Southern Walnut Creek is very nice too.
Rockridge is very quaint as well but then there is the Caldecott tunnel traffic, the 24 to 680 mess and the south bound 680 area.
Granted this would somewhat be reverse commute but it still isn’t any fun at all.

[Valley Boy]

Save yourself some sanity and do downtown Walnut Creek. Thank us later.

Oakland commute is awful and the city is absolutely dysfunctional. Not remotely worth the price. Walnut Creek is a slice of heaven by comparison and like a 30 minute door to door commute to San Ramon.

[tstieber]

Originally Posted by Valley Boy

Save yourself some sanity and do downtown Walnut Creek. Thank us later.

Oakland commute is awful and the city is absolutely dysfunctional. Not remotely worth the price. Walnut Creek is a slice of heaven by comparison and like a 30 minute door to door commute to San Ramon.

I would have to second that. Downtown WC is probably the all-around best mix of everything you're looking for. And you could still potentially take BART if you don't want to drive.

Otherwise, Rockridge/Elmwood in Oakland is more of a real urban vibe -- it's a much older area and feels more established, and the culture is very different from WC. But I personally hate the morning marine layer, so you have to be willing to embrace the bayside climate.

[Gorgincia]

Thanks all for the additional comments. I really appreciate the feedback.

Over the Memorial Weekend I was able to visit the area. Of course, Rockridge and Elmwood are definitely more of our vibe, but I think my preference would be to have a shorter commute, since I could easily get to Rockridge relatively easy on the weekend. I'm leaning towards Walnut Creek since there is a little more activity. As a runner, I am excited about all the trails to run on.

Thanks again for all the help!

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Gorgincia

Thanks all for the additional comments. I really appreciate the feedback.

Over the Memorial Weekend I was able to visit the area. Of course, Rockridge and Elmwood are definitely more of our vibe, but I think my preference would be to have a shorter commute, since I could easily get to Rockridge relatively easy on the weekend. I'm leaning towards Walnut Creek since there is a little more activity. As a runner, I am excited about all the trails to run on.

Thanks again for all the help!

Great, OP! Let us know how it works out in the end, after you've moved in (wherever), and are settled in. Good luck!


P.S. The cities inland from the East Bay hills get HOT in summer, especially September! Others here will tell you, that during the routine September heat wave, triple digits are seen on the thermometers. Just a heads-up. Also: winter ground fog, "tule fog", as it's called locally. I hope you have a car with fog lights.

[Vision67]

Originally Posted by Gorgincia

Thanks all for the additional comments. I really appreciate the feedback.

Over the Memorial Weekend I was able to visit the area. Of course, Rockridge and Elmwood are definitely more of our vibe, but I think my preference would be to have a shorter commute, since I could easily get to Rockridge relatively easy on the weekend. I'm leaning towards Walnut Creek since there is a little more activity. As a runner, I am excited about all the trails to run on.

Thanks again for all the help!

We're the grandparents who moved to Concord 1.5 years ago to be closer to our kids and grandkids who live nearby in Walnut Creek and Lafayette. I think you'll like WC and you should check out downtown Lafayette as well. Concord abuts WC and the houses here are slightly cheaper because of the differences in the perceived quality of the school districts.

The weather is fabulous and we love gardening in a place where everything grows so easily.

[Winter Coven]

Originally Posted by davdaven

Oakland is a very poorly managed city with a sky-high crime rate, even in the good parts of town.

If OP chooses Oakland the dog should be a Doberman, at least.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Winter Coven

If OP chooses Oakland the dog should be a Doberman, at least.

OP said she's going to visit Oakland on weekends, and probably live in Walnut Creek. It's a great idea, since Rockridge and Elmwood are so easily accessibly by BART.

[tikkasf]

All things considered, WC might be the good choice for you. I am partial to Rockridge/Elmwood/Clairmont area. But, considering your job location, it is probably not the best choice. You can always take BART to that area days off work to spend some time in a more urban atmosphere. During the summer, generally the weather is more moderate in the Rockridge/Elmwood area. This (link) is located right across the street from the Rockridge Bart Station: https://rockridgemarkethall.com/market-hall-foods


Click on "shops" to see a list of what is located there. It's a nice walk, (north) down College Ave, to the Elmwood Dist



Who doesn't like chocolate ! Located on Ashby Ave in Elmwood Dist: https://casadechocolates.com/


This is up the Ashby Ave, in the Clairmont Dist:


https://www.claremont-hotel.com/cont...o-1150x785.png



one of 2 small shopping areas in Clairmont Dist:
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Cl...qsrr?entry=ttu

[Ruth4Truth]

YAY, Tikka! Market Hall, and other shopping! There are also two bookstores in Rockridge, close to each other: Pegasus Books, and East Bay Booksellers. There's lots to explore, more than we can list here.