Downtown Oakland, yes? condos? (Berkeley, London: crime, how much, neighborhood)

[considering]

My partner just accepted a job in downtown oakland and we are thinking about condos there. Any pros cons on the neighborhood and the condo market? Anyone live there?

Otherwise we are hoping to find something BART-friendly for under $2100. I'm thinking Berekely and the Mission area.

[berkeleyres]

rockridge..without a doubt..super close to downtown oakland..charming neighborhood, great restaurants, shops, etc..

[18Montclair]

The area has lots of options. The first area that comes to mind is the Lakeshore-Grand Area. Its very vibrant and pedestrian friendly, has lots of neighborhood stores, shops and restaurants, not to mention a Safeway and Trader Joe's. Plus its very close to Downtown-maybe even walkable depending on where the job is.

Another major plus is having Lake Merritt literally as your front yard. LOL

Im actually considering buying a condo over in Jack London Square Area-maybe a penthouse-but only as a place that I will live in when Im back in the US(moving out of the country next month)-one very cool thing about condos/apts in Oakland is the thousands of new units that came on the market in the last building boom and continue to come online now.

[City Boy]

I live in downtown Oakland in a new condo that was just completed last year, really modern and nice. Love it. How much are you looking to spend on the Condo? They are cleaning up downtown and will be removing most of the car dealerships on auto row in the next few years and replacing them with shops and more condos. I already see it happening now. I think now would be a good time to buy. Especially with the horrible market.

[agarosa]

How much is the new condo there? My brother's son is going to go to UC Berkeley, and may want to buy a condo for his son. Is Oakland good commute to Berkeley?

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by agarosa

How much is the new condo there? My brother's son is going to go to UC Berkeley, and may want to buy a condo for his son. Is Oakland good commute to Berkeley?

The commute is excellent. BART runs from Broadway in DT Oakland straight into DT Berkeley just a block from UC-about a 5 minute ride. I would recommend a place closer to campus so he can feel like he's part of the campus community-better experience for him imHo.

[TLova]

Sure, downtown or areas around the Lake (Lake Merritt) and also Rockridge are okay. Just okay. Yes, they are beautiful areas, but as with any city always be alert as I'm sure you know because things can and will happen especially in Oakland. Other parts of Oakland, you probably NEVER want to stay in.

Your best source would be the City of Oaklands website and the crime statistics. Hope this helps...