What can you tell me about Fremont? (San Jose, San Francisco: 2009, apartment)

[Northman]

I'm considering a position in Fremont, CA, and was looking for input/advice regarding this area. I would definitely want to live near work (Paseo Padre Parkway), and will be renting an apartment to start. I can go as high as 13,1,400 a month for a one bedroom.

What is the town like itself? How far to get into Oakland and SF for fun stuff?

I've heard Fremont is really ethnically diverse, which is a big plus. I've been living in northern Michigan for 2 years looking at nothing but white people and white landscape 6 months of the year.

Thanks to all who reply in advance.

[hsw]

Fremont, like many of the older industrial suburbs that line both sides of SF Bay, is rather diverse both economically and racially, w/some of the crime issues of older, diverse suburbs everywhere

Will probably realize CA lacks much of a nightlife culture, unlike cities back East...too much near-perfect weather and interesting topography nearby for year-round outdoor activities like jogging, biking, driving, etc; Silicon Valley is a land of workaholic engineers; and a DUI conviction is likely when trying to drive home from bars in distant places like SF, etc

From back East, you will prob marvel at lack of Winter cold/slush, as well as lack of humidity of East; and lack of rain except in Winter; Fremont area tends to be more desert-like in its heat in Summer; will soon learn the micro-climates of SF region, esp how temperate and wooded are coastal hills of Peninsula vs inland's more desert-like climate and arid terrain

Lots of places in coastal CA have great weather; what really differentiates Silicon Valley is its intellectual energy (and career opportunities) which "cities" like SF and LA lack

[mstnghu2]

Fremont is definitely not the most exciting place to live, but it does have its virtues. There's no real downtown area, since the city was created by the merger of 5 separate towns when it was incorporated back in the 50's. Efforts to create an actual downtown area have never really taken hold. As far as living in Fremont, it's got all you need for the most part as far as shopping, restaurants, etc. is concerned. It's pretty self-contained. If you want to do anything interesting (other than outdoorsy recreational things), you'll have to head elsewhere. It's in a great central Bay Area location though and S.F., Oakland and S.J. are all easily accessible. The weather is excellent and there definitely is a lot of diversity in the ethnicities represented here. There are a surprising amount of jobs in the city, given its size (in fact, my work is located here). There is no nightlife to speak of. Crime is generally low. There is a huge park (Central Park) with picnic areas and a large lake (Lake Elizabeth) that's a great place to spend your freetime. I'm actually currently looking to rent a house in Fremont/Newark and the more time I've spent here, the more reasons I've found to like it. Good luck with your move!

[E14]

boring as hell
most of the stores are chains
tract houses

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Pluses include BART station and OK clusters of commercial development locally. It's got critical mass, albeit not in one down town as noted. But once you master the lay of the land, it's OK.

[erin3465]

i would look into some areas in North Oakland or Berkeley...even San Mateo on the penninsula would be better than Fremont. Fremont is one of the more boring, uninteresting places in the Bay Area

Originally Posted by Northman

I'm considering a position in Fremont, CA, and was looking for input/advice regarding this area. I would definitely want to live near work (Paseo Padre Parkway), and will be renting an apartment to start. I can go as high as 13,1,400 a month for a one bedroom.

What is the town like itself? How far to get into Oakland and SF for fun stuff?

I've heard Fremont is really ethnically diverse, which is a big plus. I've been living in northern Michigan for 2 years looking at nothing but white people and white landscape 6 months of the year.

Thanks to all who reply in advance.

[capoeira]

Originally Posted by Northman

What is the town like itself? How far to get into Oakland and SF for fun stuff?

About a 45 minute ride to San Francisco and a 39 minute ride to Oakland on Bart

I've heard Fremont is really ethnically diverse, which is a big plus. I've been living in northern Michigan for 2 years looking at nothing but white people and white landscape 6 months of the year.

Thanks to all who reply in advance.

Fremont will be a welcome contrast since it is very diverse. Lots of Afghan and North Indian restaurants plus close to San Jose's Little Saigon.

FREMONT

Afghan Bread in Fremont’s Little Kabul

[18Montclair]

Fremont is just fine if your looking for a relatively quiet, suburban lifestyle.

Unlike most similarly wealthy places around the country however, is the fact that Fremont has no racial majority. It also has one of the largest concentrations of rich asians of any city in the entire Country.

[ALX8725]

Pretty much agree with everyone already mentioned in thsi thread. Fremont is a very big, diverse "city". Some areas are super safe, some areas are less safe. There are still pockets of "boring, middle class white people" btw