A friend is looking to buy a house. They've settled between two cities: El Sobrante and Rodeo. (San Pablo: neighborhood)

[PixelatedTherapy]

Which city do you think is better and why?

[Perma Bear]

Originally Posted by PixelatedTherapy

Which city do you think is better and why?

If they want a McMansion I’d suggest rodeo or anything else in the Tri-Valley.

[smashystyle]

Originally Posted by PixelatedTherapy

Which city do you think is better and why?

Like any place, both cities (actually neither is an incorporated city, they are both unincorporated parts of the county) have better and worse areas. But to summarize, El Sobrante's farther from the refineries. It's a little warmer in the summer. Rodeo's middle school and high school are in Crockett, which is a few miles up 80. They are both blue collar, diverse, somewhat insular towns, although that may be changing.

There are few McMansions in either city, maybe a few in El Sobrante as you head out San Pablo Dam Road towards Orinda.

I would probably choose El Sob all else being equal, primarily for the refinery factor and because I'm more familiar with it. But I could be swayed for Rodeo depending on the house and neighborhood.

[evening sun]

whichever is the closest to work.