Hayward? (Livermore, Union City, Pleasanton: apartment complex, rentals, crime)

[kadeadam]

I'm trying to move out to CA in a few months and I am looking into the Bay Area. Interested in Cal State at Hayward. I've heard some good and bad. I wanna be close to the city without the city prices. Anyone got any suggestions for me?

[babygrn1]

Hello...
I'm born and raised in that area. Cal State is a great school, however, Hayward has it's good and bad areas just like anywhere. I would recommend the up near the college, or even Castro Valley has some nice areas. Downtown Hayward can be a bit rough in some areas around "A" St.
I would also recommend looking into the Tri Valley area (Pleasanton, Dublin, & Livermore). Great areas, not too far, and reverse commute.

Hope this helps!

[gizmo980]

I'm moving this to the SF forum, since you'll probably find more advice there...

[salsagrl]

Lots of plusses, centrally located, cheap gas, friendly people, diversity, BART, AMTRAK, parks, trails, bay, hills, lots of rentals. If you're going to Cal State you DON'T want to live in Pleasanton,etc,...... The freeway is a parking lot. Living close to school would save you sooooo much $$$$$. The area around A St. has some problems but it should not be highlighted because every city has conflicts and ours are small compared to some of the bigger cities. It's very easy to live in one part of Hayward and never leave that neighborhood. As for me I enjoy visiting all the neighborhoods.

[aswedc]

I was just going to post a Hayward topic, but I guess I can use this one! How is the area around the Hayward BART station? Would it be safe to walk in that area, perhaps later at night (11PM or so)? Is there location specific crime statistics for Hayward?

[Jenny925]

Hayward isn't THAT "ghetto", it all depends what part you are in. Around the bart station meaning bayfair? I personally don't think its safe ANYWHERE to walk at 11pm at night by yourself. lol. but like babygrn said dublin/pleasanton/san ramon area is very safe BUT expensive. Union City isnt that bad either, and it's close to hayward.

[aswedc]

Thanks Jenny. Looking at the official BART map, I see a "Bay Fair" station and a "Hayward" station. I mean the one they call Hayward. I'm considering living in an apartment adjacent to the BART station, walking to the train every day, and commuting to work. I anticipate working late occasionally, so 11PM would probably be the latest I would arrive home...

[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by aswedc

Thanks Jenny. Looking at the official BART map, I see a "Bay Fair" station and a "Hayward" station. I mean the one they call Hayward. I'm considering living in an apartment adjacent to the BART station, walking to the train every day, and commuting to work. I anticipate working late occasionally, so 11PM would probably be the latest I would arrive home...

If it's literally adjacent to the station, I don't think it would be a problem... like the others said, Hayward has a few problems, but it's not exactly the most dangerous place here. Btw, are you a man? As a woman I always have to be more careful, unfortunately - men generally don't get messed with as much.

[skatealoneskatetogether]

i would recomend living on campus if possible, or near the school or castro valley.

[aswedc]

Yup I'm a guy. Guess I just need to stop reading Apartment Reviews. If you listen to that site it seems there isn't a single apartment complex in the Bay Area that doesn't experience constant theft and car break ins!