Alameda

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by daepro

Living in area in which I would not be able to take a walk anytime I choose is simply not an option. I have had the freedom to do so no matter where I lived all over the world including NYC and Berlin. If parts of Oakland limit that sorry but it is not for me. No matter how nice or how much of a deal I get on the property.

Perhaps renting is the next viable option but I would like to have a nice garden to grow a few of my own vegies and even keep a chicken or two for the eggs if I can. I guess I need my freedom and am stating to get discouraged today. Tomorrow may be another day.

Well -- have you been around the whole Bay Area? You might do better in Concord. There are parts of Concord that are older well established neighborhoods that have a little more land, and the house prices have come down lots out there. And they are pretty safe. (I say pretty safe because safety is a very relative term and although my friends in Concord never lock their door, and I mean never, even if they go away on vacation -- I think they are INSANE. I also don't think you guarantee 100% absolute safety anywhere.)

True, it's a big suburb -- but your offsets are more land and some heat in the summer so you can raise a garden. Heavens knows I tried a few years here and it was abysmal....it's too cold.

The other thing is -- you JUST got here. I think you and your wife would be far better served by really doing some exploring of the whole area before you settle on Alameda. Not that Alameda isn't a fine place, but really, it's not the ONLY place.

[daepro]

Originally Posted by Tallysmom

Well -- have you been around the whole Bay Area? You might do better in Concord. There are parts of Concord that are older well established neighborhoods that have a little more land, and the house prices have come down lots out there. And they are pretty safe. (I say pretty safe because safety is a very relative term and although my friends in Concord never lock their door, and I mean never, even if they go away on vacation -- I think they are INSANE. I also don't think you guarantee 100% absolute safety anywhere.)

True, it's a big suburb -- but your offsets are more land and some heat in the summer so you can raise a garden. Heavens knows I tried a few years here and it was abysmal....it's too cold.

The other thing is -- you JUST got here. I think you and your wife would be far better served by really doing some exploring of the whole area before you settle on Alameda. Not that Alameda isn't a fine place, but really, it's not the ONLY place.

I agree I have to branch out and see what is going on around at least a 10 mile radius of Oakland. I have applied for a job in downtown Oakland and if I get it a commuter I will become and that has to be taken in consideration.
Alameda would then of course be a logical choice as I ventured into Oakland on many occasions and the commute is not a hassle whatsoever.

This weekend I plan to check out El Cerrito, some of the communites in Oakland: Maxwell Park, Dimond and I will give Concord a look see as well. That is unless I just kick back and ride my bicycle around Alameda which is cool too. One of the things I like about the island is how flat it is and as a runner it is just so ideal.

[baybook]

Are housing prices in Alameda still falling?

[kimadrew]

Sliverbox:

Since when was Albany considered "less gentrified" and "working/middle class"? To the contrary, it is one of the most educated, white collar communities in the Bay Area and has one of the highest prices per sq. ft. in the East Bay. It also has some very "sexy" shopping and restaurants along Solano Ave.

Finally, 430K for a 4 BR seems way out of whack for Albany, unless it was a real fixer. Most housing stock is 2-3 bedrooms at a median price of 600-800K. The few 4 BR homes I have seen were around 1 million or above.

[daepro]

Well Hooray for me I was just offered a job in Downtown Oakland which will be both socially redeeming and financially rewarding. In addition to those perks it has narrowed down the areas where we will choose to live as I don't want to be commuting for long distances. Ideally I would like to bike, walk, public transport or have a short car ride. Alameda or some parts of Oakland would be the most likely choices. Heading out to the open houses this pm in the rain.

[jaynetarzana]

Originally Posted by kimadrew

Sliverbox:

Since when was Albany considered "less gentrified" and "working/middle class"? To the contrary, it is one of the most educated, white collar communities in the Bay Area and has one of the highest prices per sq. ft. in the East Bay. It also has some very "sexy" shopping and restaurants along Solano Ave.

Finally, 430K for a 4 BR seems way out of whack for Albany, unless it was a real fixer. Most housing stock is 2-3 bedrooms at a median price of 600-800K. The few 4 BR homes I have seen were around 1 million or above.

This is what I am seeing as well and I've been looking as recently as today. Everything I have read about Albany agrees with your assessment kimadrew.

[rhbj03]

1. Do buy. Buying a house is not just that; it's buying a life style and a castle for your mind.

2. Residential mortgage can be as low as 4.5% with good enough credit score. You need 740 or above. That drastically reduces your payment.

3. Real Estate prices might go sideways, might go up, or might go down a bit before turning, but one thing is pretty clear: it won't go down too much from here... stock marketing is turning around, consumer confidence is ticking up; the worst I see is price going sideways from here then up eventually.

4. Mortgage interest is tax deductable, so that shaves of 1/3 of the cost.

(Disclosure: I bought in Alameda in 2003)