Whats the deal with East Palo Alto? (Oakland, Fremont: rent, crime rate)

[Protagonista]

Is it gentrifying?

I know the crime is higher than Palo Alto, but it's pretty safe compared to SF/Oak and the prices are "relatively" reasonable.

Anybody live there?

What am I missing??

[Chuck5000]

I live in Palo Alto. I'd say 'yes' but it's at the very, very beginnings of gentrification. Why do you want to know? Do you want to buy there? What are you looking for? Mere dirt on the peninsula? You get that right now. East Palo Alto doesn't have much in amenities, but it is near Facebook and 101.

It has no downtown. It has many sub-par locations and small lots. I think there are newer developments within its borders that are OK. There is some land that could be redeveloped with new housing. Zuckerberg's wife is going to fund a private school. Schools are not good otherwise.

Not sure about flood zone and landfill (liquefaction) situations, though. Worth checking into for anyone who wants to buy.

[Perma Bear]

Originally Posted by Chuck5000

I live in Palo Alto. I'd say 'yes' but it's at the very, very beginnings of gentrification. Why do you want to know? Do you want to buy there? What are you looking for? Mere dirt on the peninsula? You get that right now. East Palo Alto doesn't have much in amenities, but it is near Facebook and 101.

It has no downtown. It has many sub-par locations and small lots. I think there are newer developments within its borders that are OK. There is some land that could be redeveloped with new housing. Zuckerberg's wife is going to fund a private school. Schools are not good otherwise.

Not sure about flood zone and landfill (liquefaction) situations, though. Worth checking into for anyone who wants to buy.

EPA has Menlo atherton so yeah that's pretty good...

[Protagonista]

Just got back from driving around EPA. I agree there is no downtown and it is definitely blue collar, but there is construction going on.

I'm looking to buy a place. But I am not in any rush.
I work at UCSF and Stanford right now but need to narrow it down to one place for full benefits.

Comparing commute times to SF it seems the East Bay is gentrifying faster than South Bay although commute time is the same, and Bart breaks down more frequently than Caltrain.

I realize East Bay is more developed, but crime is worse, schools are worse and 880 is arguably worse than 101.


I'm surprised it's not gentrifying faster with Apple also building not to far away. I'm wondering if the
"bad parts" of SV are going to take off and if I should buy in at a cheap $750-800,00

I guess it's the draw of the SF cache' which I guess includes East Bay that slows it down.

[Perma Bear]

Originally Posted by Protagonista

Just got back from driving around EPA. I agree there is no downtown and it is definitely blue collar, but there is construction going on.

I'm looking to buy a place. But I am not in any rush.
I work at UCSF and Stanford right now but need to narrow it down to one place for full benefits.

Comparing commute times to SF it seems the East Bay is gentrifying faster than South Bay although commute time is the same, and Bart breaks down more frequently than Caltrain.

I realize East Bay is more developed, but crime is worse, schools are worse and 880 is arguably worse than 101.


I'm surprised it's not gentrifying faster with Apple also building not to far away. I'm wondering if the
"bad parts" of SV are going to take off and if I should buy in at a cheap $750-800,00

I guess it's the draw of the SF cache' which I guess includes East Bay that slows it down.

This sounds like a post from 2007.

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

I don't know EPA, but I know the same type of dynamic in Oakland.

I think you'd have to be okay with living in the neighborhood now. And realize that gentrifying an area that is a concentrated culture that is, shall we say, not "gentry," takes a very, very long time. And they generally will always keep some of that original culture.

This is why even in an area with very high demand for housing for professionals, still has areas that are "cheap" undesirable neighborhoods (at least for the professionals).

[mstnghu2]

My take on EPA is this. It has a very good central location in the Bay Area. It has easy access to the Peninsula, South Bay and the East Bay. Crime has improved over the years but it still has a high crime rate for a city of its size. Overall, it's a rundown city that just really isn't very nice. Some people have speculated that it will gentrify or that it already is in the process. Maybe it will years down the road, but I think it's got a long way to go before it becomes a desirable place to live. I personally have zero desire to live there. You could rent or buy directly across the Dumbarton Bridge in Fremont or Newark and be in a much nicer neighborhood for the same or less money.

Since EPA is on the Peninsula right next to Palo Alto and Menlo Park, the prices reflect that. EPA and PA are like night and day though. You can see it immediately when you cross from one city into the other.

[Perma Bear]

Originally Posted by mstnghu2

My take on EPA is this. It has a very good central location in the Bay Area. It has easy access to the Peninsula, South Bay and the East Bay. Crime has improved over the years but it still has a high crime rate for a city of its size. Overall, it's a rundown city that just really isn't very nice. Some people have speculated that it will gentrify or that it already is in the process. Maybe it will years down the road, but I think it's got a long way to go before it becomes a desirable place to live. I personally have zero desire to live there. You could rent or buy directly across the Dumbarton Bridge in Fremont or Newark and be in a much nicer neighborhood for the same or less money.

Since EPA is on the Peninsula right next to Palo Alto and Menlo Park, the prices reflect that. EPA and PA are like night and day though. You can see it immediately when you cross from one city into the other.

The western edge of epa is
Nice.

[mstnghu2]

Originally Posted by Perma Bear

The western edge of epa is
Nice.

It is?

https://www.google.com/maps/@37.4534...7i13312!8i6656

[Perma Bear]

Originally Posted by mstnghu2

It is?

https://www.google.com/maps/@37.4534...7i13312!8i6656

That trailer park is probably worth more than half of Portland.