Rant: Tired of people asking if it's safe in Oakland (Montclair: appointed, 2013)

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by NorCal Dude

Just a testament to how far people are willing to commute, to avoid the despair of the east bay flats. We live just east of 580 and do our shoppung in castro valley, because certian types drive down east 14th into our city to make trouble.

I think there may be other factors at play as well.

[Bonez765]

Originally Posted by armyturtle

The fact is, anywhere the cost of living is affordable or low in the bay area you will have a higher instance of crime or violence. East Palo Alto, Oakland, Hayward, Brentwood, East San Jose, etc. Oakland could be so much better if they stepped up the police force massively AND massively invested in the bettering of the futures of the low income population. People who have less or nothing at all will do what is necessary to survive - it's a basic natural phenomenon.

It's such an easy problem to solve, but what's not easy is getting it implemented.

brentwood is actually a pretty decent town. but all the others, very much on the money.

[CirclingLogan]

Originally Posted by scooter85

Walk 5 blocks away from the white house in D.C. and there's a ghetto.

Off topic, but lol what? Not even close... When is the last time you were in DC? The 90s?

[ssmaster]

the oakland hills have had professionals sending their kids to highly ranked elementary schools then nationally ranked ivy feeder private schools for many years.
these families are giving their kids horseback lessons at the many equestrian centers in the oakland hills and keeping their yachts in the oakland estuary.
that has not changed


1801 MELVIN RD, OAKLAND, CA 94602 Map

SOLD: $2,450,000


216 PERSHING DR, OAKLAND, CA 94611 Map

SOLD: $2,200,000


13085 SKYLINE BLVD, OAKLAND, CA 94619 Map

SOLD: $2,100,000


170 ROBLE ROAD, OAKLAND, CA 94618 Map

SOLD: $2,050,000

1099 ARDMORE AVE, OAKLAND, CA 94610 Map

SOLD: $1,850,000


91 ROBLE RD, OAKLAND, CA 94618 Map

SOLD: $1,805,000


6015 MANCHESTER DR, OAKLAND, CA 94618 Map

SOLD: $1,800,000


55 YORKSHIRE DR, OAKLAND, CA 94618 Map

SOLD: $1,725,000


6401 GWIN CT, OAKLAND, CA 94611 Map

SOLD: $1,700,000

6316 BULLARD DR, OAKLAND, CA 94611 Map

SOLD: $1,694,500

what has changed is the jerry brown 10,000 plan and it's affect on bringing young hipster types and bars and restaurants downtown
as described in the new york times
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/03/us...anted=all&_r=0
"There is no official count of new residents, but Mr. Brown’s efforts have certainly changed downtown Oakland. Empty parking lots have been transformed into apartment buildings. New bars, restaurants and the refurbished Fox Theater — financed in part by the city under Mr. Brown — have spurred night life and a growing arts scene."

[CTC]

The thing is is that there are plenty of peaceful decent people who have to worry about crime every day in Oakland. Some of this crime can be violent. My dad was mugged in his own driveway in broad daylight near Stanford.and San Pablo. This happened years ago-but he still watches his back and is very cognisant as to his surroundings (both location and people). This is where he can afford to live in the East Bay-luckily he has a tight knit neighborhood, who watch out for each other and know each other. His level of comfortable exposure (as far as a fairly high crime area) is higher than mine. No way would I live in an environment like that. One of his good friends lives in the Oakland Hills-complete different Universe up there. I have tried to talk him into relocating from the east bay-but it is all he knows.

My brother lives nearby, and has had multiple break ins and car burglaries lately. He was raised in the East bay and is a big guy with a ton of tattoos-total street smarts-he takes the risk and so far has been ok-

Ok back to the original question "Is it safe in Oakland?" Most of the time but not always.

[ssmaster]

Originally Posted by CTC

The thing is is that there are plenty of peaceful decent people who have to worry about crime every day in Oakland. Some of this crime can be violent. My dad was mugged in his own driveway in broad daylight near Stanford.and San Pablo. This happened years ago-but he still watches his back and is very cognisant as to his surroundings (both location and people). This is where he can afford to live in the East Bay-luckily he has a tight knit neighborhood, who watch out for each other and know each other. His level of comfortable exposure (as far as a fairly high crime area) is higher than mine. No way would I live in an environment like that. One of his good friends lives in the Oakland Hills-complete different Universe up there. I have tried to talk him into relocating from the east bay-but it is all he knows.

My brother lives nearby, and has had multiple break ins and car burglaries lately. He was raised in the East bay and is a big guy with a ton of tattoos-total street smarts-he takes the risk and so far has been ok-

Ok back to the original question "Is it safe in Oakland?" Most of the time but not always.

From the way you use the words "east bay" I wonder if you consider piedmont Lafayette orinda moraga and walnut creek east bay?

[treedroppings]

I drove north and south up e 13th st in Oakland years ago, I saw a crowd of people walking around at night, and a mc clubhouse, but I didn't feel scared. A couple years back I went to a Club to see SkinLab play, and there was a 7'2" bum begging for dinner $ but he wasn't aggressive, just broke-looking (got in my car fast, just in case).

all in all, I like Oakland for its music shows ( a good band every weekend ), and I'd love to live there as long as I can survive. Still reading all of this thread. Thanks, posters!

[BayAreaDave]

I haven't followed this thread at all and im not about to read 24 pages. But the answer is because it is the 4th most dangerous city in the country, and most of East, West, and parts of North Oakland are ghetto. And, theres not a South Oakland.

/thread

[Those Who Squirm]

...you should stroll over to the L.A. forum. A cursory search of thread titles within the past year brings up fifty-odd threads with the word "safe" in the title and almost all of them referring to crime.

It gets to be unnervingly ridiculous, what with people asking if places like Sherman Oaks, West Hollywood, or any neighborhoods near Beverly Hills are safe.

Or could it be that most of the people here have never lived in any large city and therefore think they're all dangerous?

ETA: I think you're right about the racism aspect of it.

[wooliemonster]

I had the best burrito of my life tonight at Tacos Sinaloa on Intl at 22nd.