Lake Merritt Safety (San Francisco, Oakland, Lakeside: crime, moving, commute)

[cincyUK]

Hey all - i'm looking at a place on Lakeside Drive in Lake Merritt and i'm looking for the final word on saftey in that immediate area. Will be taking the BART to the city and don't expect to spend much time in Oakland, but everyone has something different to say about the safety in the area. I'm moving with my girlfriend who is small / defenseless, so I'm very concerned about safety. I know it's Urban. Opinions / other suggestions for areas to commute to SF from that are nice would be greatly appreciated!

[krudmonk]

If you'll be near Lake Merritt, why wouldn't you spend much time in Oakland? It's a nice area and it's downtown. Appreciate and soak it up. Don't be another mindless transplant whose whole life revolves around S.F.

[cincyUK]

Theoretically, the reason would be so I don't get shot. If that's not the case, then I would - hence my original question...

[Ultrarunner]

Is this in one of the High Rise buildings with security and secured parking?

I don't think you will have any problems, but, the perception of Oakland from those not living here is very persuasive in a negative way.

I know, because from time to time I lake my nieces for an afternoon to the park or the zoo and my sister-in-law has now forbid me from taking them anywhere in Oakland due the recent media coverage.

I live in Oakland and have been spending time with the girls for the last 7 years and there has NEVER been any problem or even a hint of a problem... but the media story of Oakland being the 4th most dangerous large city in America has freaked a lot of people.

I asked my sister-in-law, who are you going to believe... the media hype or your brother-in-law with 40 years experience living there with never a problem? She said, "They are my kids and you're not taking them somewhere where they could get killed"... I was speechless. We loved going to Fenton's, Lake Merritt, the Oakland Zoo and the Jack London Waterfront to see the boats... very sad for the number 1 uncle.

Where I do see a problem is families with school age children. The schools in Oakland run the gamut from the lowest of the low to the very top. The problem is there are more underperforming schools than high achieving ones and the competition is very stiff for the latter.

I have had several dear friends leave Oakland solely due to the school issue and that was the ONLY reason they left.

[City Boy]

Originally Posted by cincyUK

Theoretically, the reason would be so I don't get shot. If that's not the case, then I would - hence my original question...

You can get shot in SF also. San Francisco has alot of crime as well. Don't be fooled by the post cards and TV ad's.

[cincyUK]

Yeah it would be in a secured high rise with underground parking, etc. Building is great - pricing is so much better than SF. No childeren - we are both 25 and not planning any soon. I get the feeling the area gets a bad rap and doesn't deserve it.

[fizbin]

Originally Posted by cincyUK

Yeah it would be in a secured high rise with underground parking, etc. Building is great - pricing is so much better than SF. No childeren - we are both 25 and not planning any soon. I get the feeling the area gets a bad rap and doesn't deserve it.

You'll be fine, and you'll find yourself spending a lot more time in the Lakeshore, Piedmont Ave. and Rockridge areas of Oakland than you think - and enjoying it . . .