Commute to Alameda (San Francisco, Oakland, Walnut Creek: relocating, apartment, rent)

[hooloo]

Hi,

I have a job offer in Alameda and am thinking about relocating to Walnut Creek or San Ramon. This will be my first time living in North California so I have no idea of what my commute will look like. Does anyone have any input on commute times from Walnut Creek or San Ramon to Alameda? Also, I wouldn't mind using BART but from what I see there are no BART stations in Alameda...

Also, if for example I live in San Francisco and commute to Alameda is this considered a reverse commute (less traffic)?

Thanks for your help,

[Ultrarunner]

If you commuting during rush hour you will spend time in bumper to bumper traffic. Traffic always comes to a standstill during the morning and afternoon Caldecott Tunnel commute.

San Ramon is not as bad, but it really slows down at the 580 interchange in the morning and afternoon it slows down just past San Ramon.

In theory, SF would be a reverse commute...

Any chance of locating in Alameda and not having to commute?

[hooloo]

The problem is finding a nice 2 bedroom apartment in the $1500 to $1800 range in Alameda. All the ones I've seen online are pretty old without in suite washer dryer. Walnut Creek and San Ramon are the only places I've seem to find on the East Bay that have newer developments that I can afford.

Any ideas?

[Ultrarunner]

It was either the SF Chronicle or Oakland Tribune that had a front page story on the worst Bay Area commutes...

True, Dublin/San Ramon have added many new residential units over the last few years.

Good Luck and welcome!

[hooloo]

Thanks for your help!

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by hooloo

The problem is finding a nice 2 bedroom apartment in the $1500 to $1800 range in Alameda. All the ones I've seen online are pretty old without in suite washer dryer. Walnut Creek and San Ramon are the only places I've seem to find on the East Bay that have newer developments that I can afford.

Any ideas?

Alameda is an island, and there is no BART access -- you'd have to take a bus from BART. I believe Alameda is served by AC Transit.

However Alameda is completely charming. I go there all the time for their new library, for pizza at Village Cafe, to my massage therapist and for fabric at Quilt Fans (although she moved to a business park in Harbor Bay.) Even walking around at night we feel safe.

The housing stock is older, though.... but I would think at that range you could find a nice apartment. That seems high end to me. (What do I know?)

But Walnut Creek is nice too. I worked there for years -- especially if you can find something closer to downtown. World class shopping, great restaurants... Dean Lesher Center for the Arts...

[kettlepot]

At $1500 - $1800 you could easily rent a townhome or duplex within the City of Alameda, even some houses. Many older buildings have hook ups for W/D. Go ahead and buy the appliances, and save yourself the commute. As Tally said, Alameda is charming, and a small walkable community which is self-contained on it's own island. It is quite removed from most of the issues that confront Oakland.