What are the good & bad areas of Alameda? (San Francisco: apartments, rentals)

[Caligirlx]

I am going to be moving to Alameda soon. I've looked on-line at rentals in the following locations: Bay Farm Island, Shoreline Dr, Broadway & Tilden, Webster & Central, and Lincoln & Chestnut. Basically all over Alameda and I'm not sure where to focus. Can anyone familiar with the area tell me which neighborhoods to avoid and which are fairly good to prime?

[oaktownchris]

There are no real bad areas in Alameda, and overall crime is very low. In general the east side of the island is more upscale than the west side. Grand STreet is typically the dividing line between the east and west side - at least in my mind. Bay Farm island is nice but very quiet and a bit isolated because it is not on the main island.

For rentals, there a lot of apartments and condos along Shoreline drive which runs along the beach with great views of the bay and San Francisco and there are many apartments in that area with a nice walking/bicycling path along the shore and a park nearby not to mention a large shopping center with a Safeway and Trader Joes. Broadway is generally a nice area.

I also like Santa Clara Street which runs deadcenter the length of the Island.

Lincoln street and the Webster street area west to the old navy base are less desireable but cheaper.

The fernside and gold coast neighborhoods are very nice but there's few rentals there.

[Caligirlx]

Oaktownchris - I appreciate the info. I looked at a few rentals today and I think your assessment is dead-on. I quickly realized that I did not want to live West of Grand. Now I just need to decide between Shoreline and Santa Clara & Walnut just a few blocks from Park. It's nice to have options. Thanks for your feedback!

[fizbin]

Either choice would be fine. All thing being equal I'd go for Shoreline - quieter, close to the beach. And to put in a good word for the west of Grand area, that is where the Gold Coast is, home of many of the nicest biggest old homes in Alameda - a great area by any standards. However, it is not a rental area. For rentals, generally east of Grand is better. (Note that much of Shoreline is also west of Grand and is a great rental area.)

[Caligirlx]

I drove through the Gold Coast area, just beautiful! When friends come to visit I plan on making it part of my Alameda tour. Like you said, those just aren't the kinds of places to rent to the likes of me or anyone else for that matter. Must be nice though. Back to reality, I'm leaning towards Shoreline. Thanks for your help.

[tomcatmoving]

We used to live on Shoreline in Alameda. Very noisy street and hard to find parking during the Summer when everyone comes from everyone to go to Crown Beach. Also, if you live on Shoreline and have sliding glass doors facing the Beach, get used to having sand or grit in your living room. But I will say, my husband loved the VIEWS, both to The City and to the females sunbathing on the beach.

Originally Posted by Caligirlx

Oaktownchris - I appreciate the info. I looked at a few rentals today and I think your assessment is dead-on. I quickly realized that I did not want to live West of Grand. Now I just need to decide between Shoreline and Santa Clara & Walnut just a few blocks from Park. It's nice to have options. Thanks for your feedback!

[pflau]

Hi. I was looking at the map and I couldn't find Grand Street. Where is it???

[sonarrat]

Center of town.

grand, alameda, ca - Google Maps

[jeevcy]

Originally Posted by tomcatmoving

But I will say, my husband loved the VIEWS, both to The City and to the females sunbathing on the beach.

that's it then. caligirlx will not move there then ....

[Caligirlx]

Over the past few weeks I have come to know Alameda well, actually it only took 2 afternoons to learn all the streets and areas. You can get across town in 5 minutes. Like oaktownchris said, west of Grand isn't bad, it's just relative to the rest of Alameda. Alameda in comparison to the rest of the East bay is one of the best places to live. I am moving to Shoreline great 1 bedroom for $1200. I'm not on the water, so I'll be able to avoid the irritations you mentioned.