Oakland from Alameda by bus? (Berkeley, Montclair: relocating, real estate, gated)

[jumu]

I'll be relocating to the Bay Area for a new job in downtown Oakland (Lake Merritt area). I am considering looking for a place in Alameda but would prefer taking transit into work instead of driving. My question is what the city buses are like? Are they safe? Reliable?

Thanks!

[lovingthegreen]

I don't know too much about the East Bay buses, but this website, transit.511.org, is great for schedules, planning trips.

[sonarrat]

There's plenty of service, that's for sure. But Oakland is a dangerous town, and other than the transbay expresses, I wouldn't want to be on their bus system.

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by sonarrat

There's plenty of service, that's for sure. But Oakland is a dangerous town, and other than the transbay expresses, I wouldn't want to be on their bus system.

AC Transit is the most comprehensive bus system in the Bay Area outside of SF proper and covers not just Oakland but much of the East Bay. Please dont allow the obvious ignorance of the post above to deter you from taking advantage of an otherwise excellent system.

[sonarrat]

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

AC Transit is the most comprehensive bus system in the Bay Area outside of SF proper and covers not just Oakland but much of the East Bay. Please dont allow the obvious ignorance of the post above to deter you from taking advantage of an otherwise excellent system.

AC Transit isn't the problem - I should have been more precise. The problem is that the main way out of Alameda is into West Oakland. I've actually looked into living there myself, at a place fairly close to San Pablo & Market. Even though the place had gated parking and was built like a fortress, I still felt nervous because there were drugs being sold at the school right across the street when I visited, and cars were streaming in and out of the back parking lot.. and Fruitvale isn't much better.

[jeevcy]

Originally Posted by sonarrat

AC Transit isn't the problem - I should have been more precise. The problem is that the main way out of Alameda is into West Oakland. I've actually looked into living there myself, at a place fairly close to San Pablo & Market. Even though the place had gated parking and was built like a fortress, I still felt nervous because there were drugs being sold at the school right across the street when I visited, and cars were streaming in and out of the back parking lot.. and Fruitvale isn't much better.

So how does what happens in West Oakland reflect upon Alameda or AC Transit?

[geoengr]

Don't believe the hype about Oakland. I have lived here for over 10 years and have hardly even seen any crime. Its not the prettiest of cities with its graffiti and litter. If you have lived in a large city before and are accustomed to taking the usual precautions that big-city life requires you probably won't be phased. If you have not spent much time in such a place you may require some adjustment period. If you want to live closer to work, consider the Piedmont Avenue area of Oakland.

[geoengr]

Originally Posted by sonarrat

AC Transit isn't the problem - I should have been more precise. The problem is that the main way out of Alameda is into West Oakland. I've actually looked into living there myself, at a place fairly close to San Pablo & Market. Even though the place had gated parking and was built like a fortress, I still felt nervous because there were drugs being sold at the school right across the street when I visited, and cars were streaming in and out of the back parking lot.. and Fruitvale isn't much better.

You might consider North Oakland and the Piedmont Avenue area. It's close to BART, freeways and Piedmont Avenue and definitely less crime than the above-mentioned areas. A 1 BR 1 BA apt can be had for $1000-1200 per month.

[geoengr]

Originally Posted by sonarrat

The problem is that the main way out of Alameda is into West Oakland.

Actually, the buses that run through the tube come out in Chinatown and then will generally proceed through Downtown.

[Native Alamedan]

AC Transit will get you anywhere in the Bay Area. The bus's themselves are safe, it's where you may decide to get off the bus that poses the safety question. But if you are using the bus for commuting to work and home in those hours you'll be fine. I was born and raised in Alameda and rode the bus thru Oakland to Berkeley for 4 years. I now sell real estate with my wife in town. If you have any other questions about the city I can answer them.