Oakland (Berkeley, San Leandro, Montclair: real estate, apartment, income)

[telarium]

Since I might be moving to SF, I'm thinking of living in Oakland. I hear it's a pretty hit-or-miss area, though. Any recommendations on where to look at and where to avoid at all cost? Also, I won't be having a car, so nearby shops and stuff would be nice.

[Ultrarunner]

At the risk of sounding like a cliche... The cost of housing generally gets more expensive with elevation. The farther up towards the hills you go, the more expensive the Real Estate is to rent and buy.

Off the top of my head, some areas where you won't need a car might be around Lake Merrit, Montclair, Rockridge, areas bordering Berkeley and Piedmont Avenue.

The last area is actually in the city of Piedmont, but since Piedmont is a city completely surrounded by the city of Oakland, I through it in.

Oakland does have rent control so big jumps in rent during your tenancy generally require the Landlord first getting approval from the rent board.

Welcome to the East Bay with the ranks of us "Bridge and Tunnel" folks.

[telarium]

Thanks! I guess I was more concerned about the quality of some of the places rather than the price. A friend told me that parts of Oakland are really nice and many parts are essentially a slum.

[Ultrarunner]

Oakland is very diverse and even in the "Bad" parts of town, it is just about impossible to find any single family home for under 300k.

I'm third generation, and never have had a problem living here. A lot of the most affordable areas, with a high percentage of rental homes, are slowly becoming owner occupied as new immigrants, mostly Spanish speaking, are buying.

It is amazing how the neighborhoods are being transformed. A lot of the new home owners have an extended network of friends and family in the building trades.

Twenty-Five years ago, the majority of affordable homes were bought by Asians and today it is Hispanics.

Oakland is very diverse and ideally located with great weather.

As in most areas, crime on the street seems to happen either late at night or in the early morning hours.

Good Luck on your search.

[Wiglet23]

I lived in Oakland for 8 years as a single woman, then got married, and had a son. We loved it. We lived around Lake Merritt in a 2BR apartment. Them we moved and bought a home in San Leandro, Manor area. Love it here a lot! We've since had 3 more noys and are about to move to Raleigh, NC - need to be closer to aging parents and extended family. I have taught in Oakland for 6 years. I love Oakland and agree that there are some parts that are rougher than others. A good idea is to drive around or "bus" around once you get here. The Lake Merrit area was ideal because :
1. it's a great negiborhood w/ restaurants, shops, movies
2. It's walking distance to BART and has bus stops all over
3. There are a lot of singles and multiage people there.
4. It's central to all transportation and other areas in the East Bay
5. The Lake is great for the mond and soul.

[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by telarium

Thanks! I guess I was more concerned about the quality of some of the places rather than the price. A friend told me that parts of Oakland are really nice and many parts are essentially a slum.

Yes, there are some very bad parts of Oakland... I'm not an expert on the town (I'm in SF & grew up on the Peninsula), but I think most of East Oakland and downtown is sketchy. Supposedly the whole city is getting safer, but the crime & murder rates don't seem to agree. I do know that Lake Merritt is nice, as the other posters mentioned, and slightly more affordable than the hills... my step-sister is in Lake Merritt, and really likes it there!

[Ultrarunner]

I'm living in the same East Oakland home in the hills since 1969 and NEVER have any problems and I have great neighbors... almost all were here before me! If Oakland was terrible, I don't think we would all continue to live here.

In any neighborhood, it really comes to who your neighbors are. If you have kids, then of course you need to do your homework and check out the schools. For the most part, the quality of a school is determined by the level of parental involvement. Oakland has some of the lowest performing public schools as well as high performing.

In a city with almost 450,000 people, you will find everything from low-income public housing to the country club set with horse stables.

[City Boy]

Unless you're a drug dealer or gang member you'll have no problems in oakland. The rough parts of Oakland are Parts of East, West and North Oakland/South Berkeley Bushrod Area.

[Sleeestak]

Are you planning to rent or buy? It really affects where in town you want to live.

[fpbear]

Oakland was the most dangerous city I had ever visited. Be careful.