Commute from Oakland to Novato, CA (Berkeley, San Leandro: real estate, apartments, crime)

[water_lilly]

I am moving to the Bay area to work in Novato, CA. My folks are also moving with me---they are elderly and I need a pedestrian friendly city therefore I decided on Oakland.
Today, I am a bit nervous as someone said that I would have a 3 hour commute from Oakland to Novato---Please confrim or disagree.
Thank you

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by water_lilly

I am moving to the Bay area to work in Novato, CA. My folks are also moving with me---they are elderly and I need a pedestrian friendly city therefore I decided on Oakland.
Today, I am a bit nervous as someone said that I would have a 3 hour commute from Oakland to Novato---Please confrim or disagree.
Thank you

According to Google maps from the furthest edge of Oakland bordering San Leandro to Novato it's 1 hour 10 minutes in traffic. Add that again and you're
nearing a total commute of 2 hours 20 minutes.

So it's not a commute I would want -- why not move to Novato?

[aslowdodge]

plus the 101 up by novato might be pretty slow as will the interchange by the bridge in emeryville. I would definitely live in Marin county. If you are commuting all the time, when will you see your parents?

[sonarrat]

You can use this tool to pick out a walkable area in the North Bay: Walk Score - Helping homebuyers, renters, and real estate agents find houses and apartments in great neighborhoods.

[mkcking]

Why Oakland? Not a town I'd move an elderly couple who have never lived there. Oakland has a lot to offer and it's a great place in so many ways but have you looked at the crime rate? Have they ever been there?

I'd check out some senior homes or small neighborhoods near Novato.

[sergeyn]

Originally Posted by water_lilly

I am moving to the Bay area to work in Novato, CA. My folks are also moving with me---they are elderly and I need a pedestrian friendly city therefore I decided on Oakland.
Today, I am a bit nervous as someone said that I would have a 3 hour commute from Oakland to Novato---Please confrim or disagree.
Thank you

I wish I could work and live in Novato! It simply can't get better than that! But everyone has their reasons, I guess...

Drive from Oakland to Novato takes me about an hour when I do it around 6:30PM-7PM. I'd think 1.5 hours at 5-5:30PM. Never tried the other direction during the rush hour.

I wouldn't call Oakland "pedestrian-friendly". Sure it has sidewalks but the crime problem is big and spills over to the "nice" areas as well. I wouldn't feel comfortable if my elderly parents walked on any streets in Oakland.

If you really want a city, I think Berkeley or SF would be a better option.

[capoeira]

Originally Posted by sergeyn

I wouldn't call Oakland "pedestrian-friendly". Sure it has sidewalks but the crime problem is big and spills over to the "nice" areas as well. I wouldn't feel comfortable if my elderly parents walked on any streets in Oakland.

If you really want a city, I think Berkeley or SF would be a better option.

Good Advice! If you want a really pedestrian friendly area SF is the way to go! Check out Clement St. in SF. Tons of shops and restaurants and very close to the Golden Gate Bridge for the reverse commute.