Suitability of Walnut Creek/Pleasant Hill for a 22 year old? (San Francisco: apartment, renting)

[Redstarburst]

So I've read a lot about Walnut Creek in these forums and have also frequented the area several times and everything I've seen and read indicates that Walnut Creek is a great place for families to live and kids to grow up.

The thing is. I'm not married. And I don't have kids. And I certainly don't plan on being married and having kids in the near future.

I'm 22 years old, a recent graduate of the University of Southern California and tentatively making plans to relocate to Northern California now that I have my degree in my hands. I'm politically active (self proclaimed, bleeding heart liberal), I'm a photographer by profession, a dancer by hobby, and I'm really not sure if I can live without having access to Korean BBQ.

If I had to choose a place to live in San Francisco, it would be the city proper. But my Boyfriend (27) who works in the Financial District in the city, is set on buying a condo somewhere in the East Bay (he's tired of renting an apartment) and he's been eying Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill.

I'm just wondering if these areas are decent places to live if you're young, unmarried, and without a child in sight.

And if not, are there other places in the Bay Area that are a good compromise between the cleanliness, safety, and comfort of suburbs and the hustle and bustle, non-homogeneous and vibrant vibe of the city?

[ImRandy]

There are many places to eat and a few bars. With San Francisco so close though the options are more extensive than just what Walnut Creek and Pleasant Hill have to offer.

[City Boy]

That area is very boring. Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, Concord. Is Bleh to me. It feels very much like that movie Pleasantville. I personally hate it. Others on here love it tough.

I'd recommend, Albany, Parts of Emeryville, Berkeley, El Cerrito, Alameda. Best of both worlds, Urban and suburban. Emeryville being more urban but really nice condo's.

[redwoodlvr]

You know it might not be so bad. You will have a good investment and Walnut Creek is alright. It is not San Francisco, but it offers it's own culture, social activities, good restaurants etc. I personally would not have lived there when I was 22 and I didn't, but it's possible.

If you own a car, there is the Bay Bridge and you can always drive into the city or north Oakland/Rockridge, Berkeley or meet your man downtown after work...hang out.

It would probably be a wonderful idea for you to come to the areas you're considering, drive around and scope them out. Check the vibe and see if you are open to this section of the East Bay. I say this because I'm taking a wild guess that you're used to more city living & diversity after attending USC and being in LA. I haven't been in WC for awhile, but I suspect it's still pretty conservative and not as multi-cultural as other parts of the Bay. This may not be an issue for you....just my opinion.

Good luck all the way around. Don't settle, if you don't like it make it known.

Hope it works out well for you. Have fun.

[sav858]

Walnut Creek is a fine place to live for 20-somethings as there is plenty to do and good nightlife too, probably some of the best in the east bay and you don't have to deal with the crime and thug mentality more present on the otherside of the Caldecot Tunnel. It's a good city to raise a family but there are plenty of young people that live downtown and go out there at night. It's not conservative like 'redwoodlvr' claims unless you want to compare it to Berkeley but pretty much anything is conservative compared to that town. Lots of shopping, good restaurants, good parks/recreation, cultural amenities and festivals, and good nightlife. I think WC is a good compromise between the cleanliness, low crime, and comfort of the suburbs and the craziness of the city, it's much better than most suburbs and you don't have to deal with all the negative crap of the city. It's probably somewhat comparable to Pasadena, or at least reminds me of it, if that helps give you a frame reference.

[bayarea-girl]

sav858, Walnut Creek is more like Pasadena (didn't think of it in that way before). I would agree with you. Walnut Creek is a great place to live. But you should check out the surrounding areas as well. Albany is not a bad suggestion for 20 somethings.

[City Boy]

Pasadena? Isn't Pasadena twice the size of WC and Doesn't Pasadena have a gang problem? Walnut Creek has basically no Crime and no Murder at all.

[redwoodlvr]

Originally Posted by sav858

It's not conservative like 'redwoodlvr' claims unless you want to compare it to Berkeley but pretty much anything is conservative compared to that town.

I respect your subjective opinion.

My subjective opinion is that Walnut Creek is highly conservative and boring. I currently live in Berkeley, but I've also lived in cities all over this country and in three countries in Europe & Asia.

Walnut creek definately is not on par with them. And it makes me almost want to laugh out loud to think that it possibly could be.

Again, my opinion only and that's where my statement, which you felt the need to respond to....stems from.

Peace.

[bayarea-girl]

Cityboy, yes Pasadena is larger than Walnut Creek. But their downtown is reminiscent of Walnut Creek (the cleanliness and shopping). Walnut Creek does have crime, mainly car breakins. Murders happen in Walnut Creek every other year or so but usually is do to domestic issues. Pasadena has South Pasadena which has no crime and no gangs. Pasadena actually doens't have a gang problem (too much rich folks for that to happen). You might be referring to Altadena which people at times refer to as Pasadena to give people points of reference since a lot of people don't know where that is. Altadena has a bad gang problem and has for years. It is North of Pasadena.

[bayarea-girl]

Redwoodlvr, I lived in Roswell, GA that is a conservative place. Don't think it gets any conservative than that. I think Orinda is more conservative than Walnut Creek. At least in Walnut Creek people will speak to you and one will be able to make friends.

Walnut Creek has a different vibe than Berkeley altogether so it depends on ones comfort level at what there are trying to get out of a place. For a 20 something Berkeley should be fine. I just hate how most things close early there. But the nightlife would be more vibrant in Berkeley than in Walnut Creek.