Buying house in Hayward/San Leandro (Oakland, Vista: low income, crimes, buying a house)

[lucianang]

Hello! I'm looking to buy a house sometime soon, and I was thinking about Hayward/San Leandro area because the houses seem cheaper and are bigger than the ones in SF. I currently live and work in SF, but my family really like the houses in east bay. So, now I'm concerned about the area, which areas are safe? I saw a house on Montgomery street and Sunset street, is that area ok? I'd really appreciate any info u can give to me about Hayward and San Leandro.
Thanks a lot! =)

[Ultrarunner]

Both cities have very good areas and average areas...

I work with people that live in San Leandro's Bay-O-Vista neighborhood and they have zero problems to the point of being boring... don't even see neighbors all that much...

Estudillo Estates is also a nice area...

[skywalker400]

Both areas have a big range from pretty nice and quiet to not so nice and rundown. Montgomery and Sunset I believe is in "Cherryland", just north of Hayward city limits. From visiting over there I can tell you its not a great area, there are low income apts scattered around and not so great people out late at night, but its not horrible by any stretch. BART and Downtown stores are nearby, so its convenient. The hills are nicer in both towns, and neighborhoods with more owner occupied single family homes tend to be better kept. The only places I really don't care for are Ashland (E14th south of Bay Fair) and the area by Tyrrell and Manon Aves.

[sonarrat]

I wouldn't mind buying a house on Montgomery, personally, but not for the prices they're currently asking. On the east side of the street, you're backing up to a potentially noisy business on Mission Blvd, and even on the west side you may be facing a parking lot or light industrial. Besides, it's a better part of the Hayward flats, but it's still the Hayward flats. You can get just as much house in Castro Valley for about the same money and the schools are much better.

[sanl]

I would totally avoid Hayward let alone cherryland- there aint no cherries there, just miseries .

San Leandro is much better option.
Close to San leandro downtown or best Estudillo area. avoid e14th and some parts of Bancroft or borderline Oakland- north stonehurst, foothill square, parts of durant manor, anywhr close the 98th Ave.

SL school district-
Elementary- OK for some.
Highshool- shortcut to juve hall.

[Pimpfranklin]

As someone who just moved out of Estudillo Estates, I would avoid San Leandro at all costs. One elementary school is ranked a 3, and just got taken over by the state. Roosevelt is the best elementary in town, and their API is barely over 800. Car break-ins are commonplace, even in Estudillo. There have been more and more gun related crimes, including a 32 year old man who was kidnapped in front of an ATM downtown in broad daylight. Town leadership is anti-school, anti-youth and anti-family--and is trying to bring more low-income housing to town when San Leandro's biggest growth demographic has been low-income.

[aslowdodge]

why don't you tell us your budget and priorities. I grew up in Cherryland.

[Ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by Pimpfranklin

Town leadership is anti-school, anti-youth and anti-family--and is trying to bring more low-income housing to town when San Leandro's biggest growth demographic has been low-income.

Are you sure your refering to San Leandro CA...

San Leandro is building new schools and classrooms... this would not happen if the the leadership is anti-school...

I was at the ground breaking for the totally new 9th grade campus...

[Ceece]

San Leandro is a very nice OLD city with both good and bad mixed in, like most places.

[Pimpfranklin]

Ultra-runner: Cutting school crossing guards doesn't seem to show a pro-school attitude to me. Additionally, when asked point blank about the impact to schools that SL Crossings would cause; city leadership said, "That's the school district's proble."