Rockridge, berkeley, lake Merritt, 4th st, what?

[rbehs]

Originally Posted by Rina120

Are there any areas that seem to have more of houses to rent then apartments?

Thanks again!

For areas with more houses that are still affordable, you'll probably have to look at Dimond or the Laurel (typically found in the Hills/Mills category of Craigslist). They meet all of your requirements, except the easy BART access. Although if you're only going to the city on the weekend or evenings, that shouldn't be a problem. I live in Maxwell Park, and for periodic trips to the city, it's less than a ten minute drive to Fruitvale BART, where parking is easy and free if you don't go during rush hour. You could also bike, but it would be a nice downhill trip on the way to BART, and a climb up the hill when you get back.

[jade408]

Originally Posted by 04kL4nD

Not only that, but 2 miles in Berkeley could easily mean a 15-20 minute drive. I'm not really exaggerating when I say that it's almost as annoying driving through surface streets in Berkeley as it is to drive through congested parts of SF.

Totally. Sometimes i drop a friend off in Berkeley in the late evening. It takes me 20 minutes to get home and i live close to the freeway in north Oakland, 12 of that js navigating the 2 miles to the freeway.


I am on my phone, please forgive the typos.

[jade408]

Originally Posted by rbehs

For areas with more houses that are still affordable, you'll probably have to look at Dimond or the Laurel (typically found in the Hills/Mills category of Craigslist). They meet all of your requirements, except the easy BART access. Although if you're only going to the city on the weekend or evenings, that shouldn't be a problem. I live in Maxwell Park, and for periodic trips to the city, it's less than a ten minute drive to Fruitvale BART, where parking is easy and free if you don't go during rush hour. You could also bike, but it would be a nice downhill trip on the way to BART, and a climb up the hill when you get back.

The Dimond and the Laurel also have good commercial districts stocked with the daily necessities. Groceries chain and indie, drugstores, butchers, etc.


I am on my phone, please forgive the typos.

[davdaven]

I live about a mile from Fourth Street and agree that it isn't centrally located enough to meet your needs. Even though the opening of the Fourth & U apartments has helped, it's still pretty dead at night. Also, other than Grocery Outlet, you have to travel to get shopping done at Berkeley Bowl West, Walgreens, and Target (all about a mile away, with car access a requirement for Target).

Emeryville is much better than others are letting on, but again, it isn't a good match for your needs. It's more central than Fourth Street because Berkeley Bowl West is at the north end of it and Target (and every other big box store imaginable) is at the south end of it, and there are free shuttle buses criss-crossing town, but the area has less character and there are more condos than houses unless you venture into the Oakland side of San Pablo Avenue (not recommended unless you know the block-by-block nature of the area).

Long story short, Rockridge sounds like your best bet but only if you can afford it. Otherwise, look into Temescal, Piedmont Avenue, or one of several (but not all!) neighborhoods near Lake Merritt. If the idea of an ultra modern loft suits your fancy, consider Emeryville or Jack London Square.

[pisses_on_berkeley]

No idea if it's been mentioned, but the train noise around 4th street is really bad.

[NorCal Dude]

Last five hundred feet of my commute in eville take the longest.

They put all these stores and soviet condos, but they forgot about the whole good public transit pre rec. Its a cluster muck.

[jade408]

Originally Posted by NorCal Dude

Last five hundred feet of my commute in eville take the longest.

They put all these stores and soviet condos, but they forgot about the whole good public transit pre rec. Its a cluster muck.

Why I hate Eville. I was thinking the other day I could bike over to some errands over by target. Then I thought..nope too congested an sun bike friendly. I am driving.

Walking from Trader Joes to Bay Street to Emerybay is not pleasant. And of course they cut the 57 route so it doesn't bother going to Bay Street or trader joes or even Target.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by NorCal Dude

Last five hundred feet of my commute in eville take the longest.

They put all these stores and soviet condos,

LOL! "Soviet condos"! OK, I'll have to pay a visit to emeryville just to see that!

[04kL4nD]

It's really unfortunate. Emeryville could really be a great place since it offers a lot of shopping, but from a transit standpoint it's a disaster.

[EastBayIrene]

Lake Merritt area is worth a look. I lived there for 11 years and liked it a lot. Dining options, bars, an awesome movie theater and a farmers market every Saturday. Not walkable to BART, but pleanty of buses. Also, not all BART stations are the same. Some seem a bit riskier than others. MacArthur station was probably my least favorite of the bunch IMO.