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Old 08-07-2020, 05:20 PM
 
36 posts, read 28,844 times
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To give a little background. Relocated a couple times of the last couple of years. Chi-to-LA and now looking to settle down in the bay area. My job will be bouncing me mostly between Walnut Creek and Oakland and I am looking for a home in the budget range of 2.5-3.5M. Married, but no plans for children but looking for a minority friendly area. A lot of diversity is a definite plus, but at this stage in my life I am used to not being able to have that. Additionally, we have large birds and a dog that require a large aviary/yard and neighbors that may not mind the occasional screech or two. We found a couple of houses but learned the houses may be in the range of oil refineries. One of these homes was located in Alhambra Valley and we were worried about toxins for the birds. With regards to politics etc., I am a pretty liberal, vegan+eggs type, and art history type chap. If anyone has any broad recs about where this discordant Venn diagram may fit then please let me know your thoughts. Oh, I don’t mind a commute of up to an hour if that helps with any recs. Thank you.
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Old 08-07-2020, 09:29 PM
 
5,913 posts, read 3,188,243 times
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I would think living in Oakland would work best based on your criteria. Here is an example of what I would call a contender. https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/7...4821302_zpid/? But, you need to get a realtor first. Also, as you know, at this price point, you are not going to find a diverse neighborhood to live.
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Old 08-08-2020, 08:37 AM
 
36 posts, read 28,844 times
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Originally Posted by Oakformonday View Post
I would think living in Oakland would work best based on your criteria. Here is an example of what I would call a contender. https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/7...4821302_zpid/? But, you need to get a realtor first. Also, as you know, at this price point, you are not going to find a diverse neighborhood to live.
Diversity is a major plus, but it is not something I have been able to have in quite some time. Thank you for your recommendations and I will procure a realtor. In all honestly, I may do a short rental because before I purchase hopefully my last home, I want to make sure and the current housing stock seems to be lackluster. The conflict arises in the fact that I enjoy the housing plots around Danville, Blackhawk, and to a lesser degree San Ramon but have heard these neighborhoods can be somewhat isolating. I have lived in neighborhoods that were fairly well-heeled but have a xenophobic coldness. It is always awkward, like the conversation becomes slightly less energetic when you join, and weird stares when you go to the store in your sweatpants type stuff. They also tend to be rather conservative which doesn't bother me, but it becomes another layer of fog between you when people find out you are a Sanders or Warren supporter. If my view on these neighborhoods is to pessimistic then please feel free to re-direct my opinions.

Would Napa or Sonoma be too far out? I think I know the answer to this but as I glutton for punishment I asked anyhow.
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Old 08-08-2020, 09:17 AM
 
Location: As of 2022….back to SoCal. OC this time!
9,297 posts, read 4,586,529 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dienasty View Post
To give a little background. Relocated a couple times of the last couple of years. Chi-to-LA and now looking to settle down in the bay area. My job will be bouncing me mostly between Walnut Creek and Oakland and I am looking for a home in the budget range of 2.5-3.5M. Married, but no plans for children but looking for a minority friendly area. A lot of diversity is a definite plus, but at this stage in my life I am used to not being able to have that. Additionally, we have large birds and a dog that require a large aviary/yard and neighbors that may not mind the occasional screech or two. We found a couple of houses but learned the houses may be in the range of oil refineries. One of these homes was located in Alhambra Valley and we were worried about toxins for the birds. With regards to politics etc., I am a pretty liberal, vegan+eggs type, and art history type chap. If anyone has any broad recs about where this discordant Venn diagram may fit then please let me know your thoughts. Oh, I don’t mind a commute of up to an hour if that helps with any recs. Thank you.







I'd recommend renting before you think about buying a home....specially since you seem to relocate a lot AND because your job has you bouncing from Walnut Creek to Oakland. What are the reasons for another move? Will you be staying or moving again in a couple of yrs? There are a lot of threads & other forums about this very same question. Good luck.......
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Old 08-08-2020, 12:09 PM
 
36 posts, read 28,844 times
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Originally Posted by TashaPosh View Post
I'd recommend renting before you think about buying a home....specially since you seem to relocate a lot AND because your job has you bouncing from Walnut Creek to Oakland. What are the reasons for another move? Will you be staying or moving again in a couple of yrs? There are a lot of threads & other forums about this very same question. Good luck.......
This is my last rodeo, things can always happen but it is not something I am planning. Every move so far has been anticipated. There are many threads about this topic but not a lot of insight from or about minorities in the region, especially since the racial tolerance landscape may have been altered in recent 1-2 years and more specifically in the recent months. Everyone says Oakland or Berkeley, but getting the yard size may be difficult in those areas may be difficult because I do not want to balloon my budget that high. Some of those other neighborhoods seem desirable but it is that "X" factor which concerns me. Trying to find a good medium, a nice and tolerant liberal enclave off the coast with a a little larger plots. Or if I can get some good information about the risk of refinery oil fumes down by Alhambra Valley Rd, that would also be helpful. Talked to a couple realtors about this but they were not exactly knowledgeable.
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Old 08-10-2020, 07:53 AM
 
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
44,585 posts, read 81,243,006 times
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Castro Valley has homes (even new construction) below your budget, and is placed almost evenly between Oakland and Walnut Creek (via Crow Canyon Rd.). We lived there for 15 years while I worked in Oakland, and often visited family in Walnut Creek. It would also meet your demographic goals pretty well.




https://www.zillow.com/community/rev...80977971_zpid/


https://homefinder.com/property/4374...alley-CA-94552
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Old 08-10-2020, 12:20 PM
 
36 posts, read 28,844 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hemlock140 View Post
Castro Valley has homes (even new construction) below your budget, and is placed almost evenly between Oakland and Walnut Creek (via Crow Canyon Rd.). We lived there for 15 years while I worked in Oakland, and often visited family in Walnut Creek. It would also meet your demographic goals pretty well.




https://www.zillow.com/community/rev...80977971_zpid/


https://homefinder.com/property/4374...alley-CA-94552


Thank you that seems like a great place to start, much appreciated. I have been told in some offline conversations with friends that Walnut Creek is a friendly area. Honestly, I am not looking for any paradise, just a solid place you can be apart of the community, listen to some Joan Sutherland, and fly exotic birds. Nothing too crazy...lol.

Will search the forums, but anyone have an inside track on El Cerrito?
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Old 08-10-2020, 12:29 PM
 
Location: As of 2022….back to SoCal. OC this time!
9,297 posts, read 4,586,529 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dienasty View Post
Honestly, I am not looking for any paradise, just a solid place you can be apart of the community, listen to some Joan Sutherland, and fly exotic birds. Nothing too crazy...lol.




Who is Joan Sutherland?
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Old 08-10-2020, 02:16 PM
 
36 posts, read 28,844 times
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Originally Posted by TashaPosh View Post
Who is Joan Sutherland?
A dramatic coloratura sop., some consider her to be the greatest diva. Not my absolute favorite, but I was just being somewhat flippant.
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Old 08-10-2020, 02:31 PM
 
Location: As of 2022….back to SoCal. OC this time!
9,297 posts, read 4,586,529 times
Reputation: 7613
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dienasty View Post
A dramatic coloratura sop., some consider her to be the greatest diva. Not my absolute favorite, but I was just being somewhat flippant.






I would now ask what is a coloratura sop...BUT....nvm...thank you.
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