near east oakland/lake merritt area? (Berkeley, Vista: neighborhood, place to live, moving)

[Chicagoaklandish]

Hello,

I'm looking for a new place to live (rent, not own...) in Oakland, Emeryville, or Berkeley... i found what may be a great deal in the area near highland hospital... intersection of East 26th street & 14th Ave.

How does this area compare to other parts of Oakland? I currently live by MLK and 45th street so I'm used to a bit of "urban grit," just not trying to move anywhere that's a warzone

Thanks for your help people!

[sonarrat]

That's a pretty sleepy area. It should compare favorably to where you are now, more suburban feeling rather than urban.

[Chicagoaklandish]

Thanks!

[artemis78]

I like that area, though it is still definitely gritty---but not as active as the MLK corridor, I don't think. The side streets are pretty quiet and residential. One thing to remember is that Highland is a major trauma center, though, so you may hear sirens fairly regularly. Might be worth hanging out there one evening just to see how it is and whether that bothers you.

[athleticsfan72737489]

The area still is a bit gritty, as others have mentioned, but not rough. The neighborhood borders Bella Vista. Bella Vista is an up-and-coming neighborhood.

I had a friend who lived on 19th Ave. and Wallace (about 200 yards from your prospective home) about seven years ago. I remember him telling me that his neighborhood was "surprisingly quiet". I don't know if things have changed since then. I would check things out before moving down there.