Where to live in Bay Area Advice! (Oakland, Fremont: extended stay, to rent)

[jessiesgirl]

Hello!
My husband and I, and 2 little dogs, might be moving to Northern California, w/in next couple of months. I just wanted some advice about areas to live.
The criteria would be:

•Need to rent a house, no condos, no apts...
•We have 2 little dogs
•Monthly rent max of $2,300.00 (would like to stay closer to $1,900.00)
•Need to be w/in 45 minute drive to Emeryville
•Would prefer to be near the ocean
•Need backyard, can be small though
•We will have a car

We have been researching Pacifica and Alameda, but we don't really know much about the area at all! Don't really mind being a bit "out there" we're getting older and are over the "City" life stuff . Quiet, Safe and close enough to a beach is all we really need!

Would really appreciate any advice!

Thanks!

[beb0p]

Just want to be sure you're cognizant that North CA beaches are cold and windy most of the year, same as the towns that they're in.

Pacifica is doable if you don't mind the commute, crossing the Bay Bridge ($5 toll coming into SF) every weekday, and the weather. It's quiet and safe, just a bit out there and cold for most people. If you do live there, I'd suggest you live more inland than next to the beach.

Neighborhoods east of 80 are generally nice and safe - Berkeley, El Cerrito, El Sabronte, etc. Also, don't discount Oakland - Rockridge and the Temescal area are generally safe.

.

[DocGoldstein]

Close to the ocean will be tough on your budget and commute. Also I echo what bebop said. The beaches here in NorCal aren't going to be like the beaches in SoCal or Florida, they are super cold, maybe only a step under the coast of the North East.

If you're going to be commuting to Emeryville, better to stay in the East Bay.

[jessiesgirl]

Originally Posted by beb0p

Just want to be sure you're cognizant that North CA beaches are cold and windy most of the year, same as the towns that they're in.

Pacifica is doable if you don't mind the commute, crossing the Bay Bridge ($5 toll coming into SF) every weekday, and the weather. It's quiet and safe, just a bit out there and cold for most people. If you do live there, I'd suggest you live more inland than next to the beach.

Neighborhoods east of 80 are generally nice and safe - Berkeley, El Cerrito, El Sabronte, etc. Also, don't discount Oakland - Rockridge and the Temescal area are generally safe.

.

Thanks beb0p! I'm actually from the east coast, NY to be exact. The cold doesn't worry me, I actually prefer it! I've lived in SoCal, and had an extended stay in NorCal, much preferred NorCal! Way too HOT in SoCal! My husband is actually from SoCal and has lived in NY for a while with me, he agrees that colder weather is better.
Had not even thought about any toll crossing the bridge , thanks for that info!

[jessiesgirl]

Originally Posted by DocGoldstein

Close to the ocean will be tough on your budget and commute. Also I echo what bebop said. The beaches here in NorCal aren't going to be like the beaches in SoCal or Florida, they are super cold, maybe only a step under the coast of the North East.

If you're going to be commuting to Emeryville, better to stay in the East Bay.

Thanks for the info! The funny thing is that it's the cooler weather that make the whole area attractive for us! After both of us living in NY and SoCal, we are done with hot weather altogether! If it could be Spring and Fall all year round it would be Paradise to me!
Please forgive my ignorance, but what exactly do you consider to be the "East Bay"?

[DocGoldstein]

Originally Posted by jessiesgirl

Thanks for the info! The funny thing is that it's the cooler weather that make the whole area attractive for us! After both of us living in NY and SoCal, we are done with hot weather altogether! If it could be Spring and Fall all year round it would be Paradise to me!
Please forgive my ignorance, but what exactly do you consider to be the "East Bay"?

East Bay is a huge area "East" of S.F and the Peninsula, starting at Concord, and going south until around Fremont, going East until around Dublin/Livermoe.

"Inner East Bay" is the area directly next to the Bay; Ricmond, Berkeley, Oakland, San Leandro, Castro Valley, Hayward, etc. Inner East Bay is generally more urban, especially Oakland. It's easier to get to the city in general from this area, but there is more crime as well.

Outer East Bay (where I live); Lafayette, Walnut Creek, Dublin, Danville, Pleasanton, etc. These areas are generally more suburban. Less crime, but further from the city.

I'd say all of these cities though are within 45 minutes to Emeryville. With a $2,300 budget, and what you're looking for, I think your money would go much further in the Inner East Bay. Just make sure you do research on the neighborhoods you're looking in, especially with regards to crime.

[jessiesgirl]

Originally Posted by DocGoldstein

East Bay is a huge area "East" of S.F and the Peninsula, starting at Concord, and going south until around Fremont, going East until around Dublin/Livermoe.

"Inner East Bay" is the area directly next to the Bay; Ricmond, Berkeley, Oakland, San Leandro, Castro Valley, Hayward, etc. Inner East Bay is generally more urban, especially Oakland. It's easier to get to the city in general from this area, but there is more crime as well.

Outer East Bay (where I live); Lafayette, Walnut Creek, Dublin, Danville, Pleasanton, etc. These areas are generally more suburban. Less crime, but further from the city.

I'd say all of these cities though are within 45 minutes to Emeryville. With a $2,300 budget, and what you're looking for, I think your money would go much further in the Inner East Bay. Just make sure you do research on the neighborhoods you're looking in, especially with regards to crime.

Thanks so much! Wow, that really clears up the margins for me! So, would ya say that if we enjoyed a suburban area, and given our budget, that we might do O.K. in the "Outer East Bay"? And, are you saying that, realistically, just get Pacifica out of my mind? LOL!

[capoeira]

Originally Posted by jessiesgirl

Thanks so much! Wow, that really clears up the margins for me! So, would ya say that if we enjoyed a suburban area, and given our budget, that we might do O.K. in the "Outer East Bay"? And, are you saying that, realistically, just get Pacifica out of my mind? LOL!

Outer East Bay = very hot in the summer!

[jessiesgirl]

Originally Posted by capoeira

Outer East Bay = very hot in the summer!

Oh Geez! Really?
Definitely do not want too hot! Thanks for the info!
Back to Square 1.........

[jade408]

Try Alameda. It is the "inner east bay." Close enough to Emeryville. Somewhere between urban and suburban. Walkable. And the weather is pleasant. Basically the same as Oakland. Summer is 72-75 and sunny. Albany is a little closer to Emeryville and also a great choice. It is tough to say which one would have a shorter commute, because the commute to E-ville on the freeway from any direction will be annoying as you will be caught up in the Bay Bridge Traffic. That is reason enough alone to avoid anything further than 12 miles from E-ville, and anything further than Orinda, maybe Lafayette.