Best place for young family w/ 2 little boys and working in Oakland? (Fremont: estate)

[ryanjd22]

I'm re-locating soon to the bay area to take a job in Oakland. My wife and I have two little boys (oldest starting kindergarten in the fall) and are looking for a nice place to raise a young family w/ decent schools. Where can we find that balance between nice/safe and affordable? (...without commuting more than, say, 40 minutes into Oakland) 1. I've noticed prices in Bay Point/Pittsburg are very low, but what's the catch? 2. How's the living south of Oakland (San Leandro, Hayward, Fremont)? 3. Finally, what about more inland -- Walnut Creek, San Ramon, Pleasanton -- way too expensive? If anyone has a comment on any of this, it's very appreciated!

[Ultrarunner]

I owned a home in Pittsburg and I much prefer Oakland over Pittsburg...

That said, the areas of Oakland with the top public schools are quite expensive. I've lost several great tenants when their children became school age... most have move to Alameda with one moving to San Leandro and the other to San Ramon...

If you are considering as far away as Pittsburg... I would check to see what is available in Pleasant Hill... my brother has no complaints...

[oaktownchris]

I agree with Ultrarunner's suggestions of Pleasant Hill. It has good schools, low crime and its a nice family town. Closer to Oakland, you might consider San Leandro, especially the estudillo estates area. If you can afford Alameda, it would also make a good family town.

Unfortunately Bay Point and Pittsburgh seem to have declining schools, increasing crime and the area is being hit hard with forclosures.

[Alisande]

Originally Posted by ryanjd22

I'm re-locating soon to the bay area to take a job in Oakland. My wife and I have two little boys (oldest starting kindergarten in the fall) and are looking for a nice place to raise a young family w/ decent schools. Where can we find that balance between nice/safe and affordable? (...without commuting more than, say, 40 minutes into Oakland) 1. I've noticed prices in Bay Point/Pittsburg are very low, but what's the catch? 2. How's the living south of Oakland (San Leandro, Hayward, Fremont)? 3. Finally, what about more inland -- Walnut Creek, San Ramon, Pleasanton -- way too expensive? If anyone has a comment on any of this, it's very appreciated!

You might look at Brentwood. It has some nice new communities and the schools are better. Bay Point/Pittsburg are no place to raise a family. Also, stay away from Antioch.

[DrippyDick]

San Ramon is your best bet. Commute is not too bad to Oakland and it offers great schools, wonderful communities, "get your money's worth" houses, and low crime rate. Don't bother with Pittsburg, Brentwood, or any of those junk north of Berkeley. You'll see your house depreciate faster than the time it takes you to close on the property. It's location, location, location when you're buying in the bay area.