Like Alameda (Oakland, Berkeley, El Cerrito: low income, section 8, rental)

[Bahinaz]

Can anyone tell me where there is a place in California or another state that offers the same as Alameda. The weather, small town feel, great public transportation, close to big city, great shopping, great restaurants and friendly people. I'm afraid the cost of housing will make it difficult for me to get a home there. I live in Arizona now, but am trying real hard to relocate.
Thanks for the help.

[18Montclair]

Albany sorta reminds me of Alameda without a beach-El Cerrito sorta does too.

[bellalunatic]

I understand the appeal of
Alameda, but I don't know of anyplace similar in the bay area that would be considerably less expensive.

[PeixeGato]

If you love the town that much (and I can understand your feeling about Alameda), why not find a nice house to rent and put the money you would've used for a down payment into some other investment vehicle?

[Frank99]

How much time did you spend in Alameda? The schools are absolutely horrible, there's a lot of section 8 low income housing, and there are really bad areas. They have nice beach front and view of the City, but definitely there's better areas.

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by Frank99

How much time did you spend in Alameda? The schools are absolutely horrible, there's a lot of section 8 low income housing, and there are really bad areas. They have nice beach front and view of the City, but definitely there's better areas.

You must be a realtor from somewhere else.

Alameda does not have 'really bad area'--that is intellectually dishonest.

What a nonsensical post.

I was in Alameda this morning cutting through trying to avoid 880 traffic and drove thru the Fernside Bl area of Alameda. Honey, its downright beautiful.

[jrb724]

The schools in Alameda are not horrible. The district scores in the low 800's and some of the elementary schools score in the 900's. I'd consider the district above average with some of the schools outstanding.

There's section 8 everywhere. That is the way the Section 8 program is run. It allows people to use their voucher to find a rental in the open market (with certain restrictions and limitations of course). You will not find a city in California with a population of 50,000 or more without some Section 8.

None of the areas in Alameda are bad, although the westside (by the old navy base) is lower income and not as nice as the rest of the city. There's a bit higher percentage of Section 8 housing there but not huge pockets like in Oakland. Overall the city is middle class to upper middle class.

There's not really a city comparable to Alameda in the Bay Area that is less expensive. There are several cities similar to Alameda or better in the Bay Area but they are considerably more expensive. I'm sure there are similar cities in other states or maybe in other parts of California but I don't really know.

[fizbin]

Originally Posted by Frank99

How much time did you spend in Alameda? The schools are absolutely horrible, there's a lot of section 8 low income housing, and there are really bad areas.

Too funny . . .

[boybrady]

I have lived here for a couple years and I don't know what these "bad areas" are. Do you mean the old Navy base where Mythbusters is filmed, Hanger One Vodka and Absinthe are made or that general end of town where the farmer's market is? It still has below national average crime rates and is relatively attractive (and likely to be redeveloped soon). Not to mention the convenience to Oakland, SF, Emeryville, and Berkeley.

By horrible schools you mean double the scores of Oakland schools right? By horrible schools you mean 40% above SF schools. What happened to you in Alameda to make you so jaded?

[City Boy]

Originally Posted by Frank99

How much time did you spend in Alameda? The schools are absolutely horrible, there's a lot of section 8 low income housing, and there are really bad areas. They have nice beach front and view of the City, but definitely there's better areas.

How much time did you spend if any at all, because apparently you have no idea what you're talking about. LOL at really bad area's in Alameda. What a joke.