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Old 03-09-2010, 01:19 AM
 
Location: Oakland CA
11 posts, read 17,702 times
Reputation: 11

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Hi-

I recently relocated to Oakland from Washington State, and everytime I mention to my co-workers that Im subletting in Oakland they flinch and make remarks...but I'm learning there are really nice areas in Oakland to live, HOWEVER, there are places that i whip my car right back around and go the other way. (But there r spots in Washington where i do the same or avoid all together)

I'm assuming good judgement and common sense will keep me "safe and sound" for the most part. I don't want to buy into sterotypes that i've heard about Oakland, but I'm not naive either. If I live here I gotta take the bad along with the good right?

About me: I just started a salaried job: $38,000 a yr (benefits included)single, mid-twenties, black female w/ 30lb border collie/lab mix. I work next door to Oakland's coliseum.

HELP!!!!: ANY advice on an area/city to live in and how much do you think I can afford to spend on rent considering my car is paid off, and the only bills I'll have are household, cell, and an occasional community college course to self fund. (I was thinking $1100 max if utilities and a washer and dryer were included)

Criteria (none are manadatory...just what i'm interested in accessing): restaurants (drive-thru and mom and pop), near activities such as: movie theatre, lounges, parks, chain stores (walmart, target, etc.) a dog friendly and mid 20's-30's professionals area would be nice, DIVERSE (food, ethnicities, activities, etc.)-i love learning about and exposing myself to other cultures...maybe this should be at the top of my list.
I love urban environments, but wouldn't mind living in a suburb if it's not far away from everything. Beautiful scenary (parks, buildings and what not) would be a plus. I'm not looking for a roommate.

In addition to your suggestions:

I checked out 3 apartments and I'm wondering if these neighborhoods are moderately safe for me.

1) Virgina Ave & Courtland Ave...it's a block from a main road High St. So it could also be Virgina Ave & High St. (Oakland)

2) Kingsland & Birdsall (Oakland)

3) 27115 Tyrell Ave. (Hayward)


THANKS A LOT in advance!!!!!!!!

T.
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Old 03-09-2010, 11:08 AM
 
15,639 posts, read 26,259,230 times
Reputation: 30932
You're very close to the Laurel District, some decent restaurants. No chain shopping in my memory. But my vet, Dr Dorsey, owns the Oakland Veterinary Hospital and she is WONDERFUL. As is Dr. Hart. Corner of High and MacArthur.

I think the areas you picked in Oakland are nice. Oakland Crimespotting

The map shows a small amount of simple crime nearby. I think they keep a eye on the college area and it's surroundings.

When we first moved to California, we lived at 38th and Suter -- a little grittier, but we didn't feel unsafe there.
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Old 03-09-2010, 12:38 PM
 
3,098 posts, read 3,785,557 times
Reputation: 2580
i don't know how much your budget will allow but most people consider the hill areas very nice, in addition to the lake merrit areas(adams point, haddon hill,lakeside apartment district etc),old oakland,jack london square,rockridge,upper piedmont ave are also great.oakland is very large so i have probably neglected other nice areas that i am sure others will point out
glenview is nice.temescal is up and coming (or has already arrived if the line down the block at bakesale betty's is any indication.)
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Old 03-09-2010, 01:26 PM
 
14 posts, read 27,624 times
Reputation: 11
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tela_St View Post
Criteria (none are manadatory...just what i'm interested in accessing): restaurants (drive-thru and mom and pop), near activities such as: movie theatre, lounges, parks, chain stores (walmart, target, etc.) a dog friendly and mid 20's-30's professionals area would be nice, DIVERSE (food, ethnicities, activities, etc.)-i love learning about and exposing myself to other cultures...maybe this should be at the top of my list.
I love urban environments, but wouldn't mind living in a suburb if it's not far away from everything. Beautiful scenary (parks, buildings and what not) would be a plus. I'm not looking for a roommate.
From what you're saying I think you'd very much enjoy Lakeshore or Adams Point in Oakland. It's the North and Northeast side of the lake. Perfect blend or urban and beauty, lots of ethnic owned restauraunts and shops, lounges, etc. It's not near any walmart or target like stores, but its also close to the freeway so you can get to pretty much anything else if you drive.

Also, it's very safe. I'm not afraid of Oakland in general, but both I and my girlfriend are extremely comfortable in this neighborhood
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Old 03-09-2010, 01:56 PM
 
74 posts, read 149,624 times
Reputation: 86
I live in the same neighborhood as the first two apartment options you listed, and I would say they are good choices, although the neighborhood is pretty quiet and residential. If you google Maxwell Park Neighborhood Council, you can get more info, and also join the neighborhood listserv, which is quite active and will give you a lot of information about the community.
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Old 03-09-2010, 08:53 PM
 
Location: NYC
1,213 posts, read 3,608,722 times
Reputation: 1254
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tela_St View Post
I recently relocated to Oakland from Washington State, and everytime I mention to my co-workers that Im subletting in Oakland they flinch and make remarks...
People in the Bay Area really judge Oakland unfairly, although it seems like Richmond and Vallejo have taken a lot of the attention away from Oakland so far this year. Honestly, I feel sorry for them because they're missing out on one of the Bay Area's best cities. Rockridge, Lakeshore, Piedmont, Temescal, and Uptown are some of the best urban neighborhoods around the Bay, yet are relatively affordable [more of less] compared to their counterparts over in San Francisco since so many people won't even consider anywhere with an Oakland address. Hurry up and get in before they find out, drive up rents, and turn Oakland into a San Francisco borough!
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Old 03-14-2010, 02:37 PM
 
Location: Oakland CA
11 posts, read 17,702 times
Reputation: 11
Thanks guys for the advice!
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