Cities Between Benicia and Hayward (Oakland, Concord: to rent, crime rates, schools)

[kcc123]

My husband just accepted a job in Benicia and I have applied to grad school at CSU East Bay (Hayward campus). Does anyone have any recommendations for cities between the two? We're wanting to rent. We have a 3 year old, so schools and crime rates are most important. I'm from Arkansas and have no experience with long commutes and would prefer not to spend too much time on the road, if possible.

Thanks so much!

[sonarrat]

Well, one of you is going to have a long commute. It's just a matter of which one gets the worst of it. The 680 corridor sounds like the best bet; either Pleasanton or Walnut Creek would split the difference cleanly.

[BearBranch]

Alameda, Oakland also.

[humboldtrat]

I agree with the I-680 corridor. Walnut Creek, Danville, Dublin, San Ramon, Pleasanton or any place in this area. It's still going to nasty commute any way you cut it.

[Don Vito]

All these cities people listed (which happen to be primarily inhabited by white people) are no where in between these two cities. How is san ramon inbetween two cities that touch the water?! All those cities are inland and will and 30 minutes to an hour to the OP's commute. Pretty jacked up advice... So from the Don something good for you KCC.
Check out
Pinole
El cerrito
El sobrante
Kensington
Berkeley
Alameda
San Leandro
Castro Valley

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by kcc123

My husband just accepted a job in Benicia and I have applied to grad school at CSU East Bay (Hayward campus). Does anyone have any recommendations for cities between the two? We're wanting to rent. We have a 3 year old, so schools and crime rates are most important. I'm from Arkansas and have no experience with long commutes and would prefer not to spend too much time on the road, if possible.

Thanks so much!

Any chance you could attend the Walnut Creek campus for grad school? (I think there's an East Bay Cal State there).. it's a newer campus and far closer to Benicia... which is a nice place to live from everything I've heard...

[BearBranch]

Originally Posted by Tallysmom

Any chance you could attend the Walnut Creek campus for grad school? (I think there's an East Bay Cal State there).. it's a newer campus and far closer to Benicia... which is a nice place to live from everything I've heard...

Good point. Its actually in Concord. My wife took a graduate psych class their and has a good experience. Here is the link:

http://www.concord.csueastbay.edu/

Here are the graduate degrees offered:

Business Administration (M.B.A.)

Counseling (M.S.)
Education - Option in Curriculum (M.S.)
Educational Leadership (M.S.) & Preliminary Admin. Services Credential

Public Administration (M.P.A.) 2006-08 cohort 2007-09 cohort
Social Work (M.S.W.)

[BearBranch]

um...I listed Oakland and Alameda in a previous post. How was that jacked up?

Originally Posted by Don Vito

All these cities people listed (which happen to be primarily inhabited by white people) are no where in between these two cities. How is san ramon inbetween two cities that touch the water?! All those cities are inland and will and 30 minutes to an hour to the OP's commute. Pretty jacked up advice... So from the Don something good for you KCC.
Check out
Pinole
El cerrito
El sobrante
Kensington
Berkeley
Alameda
San Leandro
Castro Valley

[capoeira]

Originally Posted by Don Vito

How is san ramon inbetween two cities that touch the water?!

Please look at a map. To get to Benicia from the I-80 corridor you almost have to go through Vallejo.


Berkeley to Benicia 26.03 miles.


Berkeley to Hayward 22.92 miles.


San Ramon to Benicia 25.26 miles.


San Ramon to Hayward 11.67 miles.

26.03 + 22.92 = 48.95 miles

25.26 + 11.67 = 36.93 miles

36.93 < 48.95.

[humboldtrat]

Originally Posted by capoeira

Please look at a map. To get to Benicia from the I-80 corridor you almost have to go through Vallejo.


Berkeley to Benicia 26.03 miles.


Berkeley to Hayward 22.92 miles.


San Ramon to Benicia 25.26 miles.


San Ramon to Hayward 11.67 miles.

26.03 + 22.92 = 48.95 miles

25.26 + 11.67 = 36.93 miles

36.93 < 48.95.

And the commute on the I-880/80 corridor, especially when you get near the bay bridge can be a lot worse than commuting on I-680/580.