Moving to Oakland (Lancaster, Berkeley, Fortuna: home, neighborhoods, school)

[Ultrarunner]

The Mills students I know live on campus... it makes it very convenient.

[sluze]

I will have a car and I am planning on having roommates. I would rather not pay more then $700-$800 a month, but I understand it could be a lot more then that depending on the area.

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by sluze

In response the question above, I will be attending Mills.

I am open to living a little outside Oakland. But I'm also willing to give Oakland a try. I know there is a lot said about the crime and what not but I grew up outside of Cleveland, one of the most underappreciated cities, as long as I'm not putting myself in the heart of it, I think I'll be ok.

Thanks for the suggestions so far!

Mills is a great school. Congrats.

I would recommend the nearby Laurel District. It is a relatively safe area made up of bungalows and apartment buildings. There is lots of bus service(even direct service to Downtown SF), a vibrant retail strip along Macarthur Blvd. The area is politically very progressive, the racial makeup is quite diverse as well. Socio-Economically, you will find primarily middle class families and Urban-minded singles there.

Now, directly behind the campus is Seminary Av. I strongly recommend that during late night hours, you stay away from Seminary Av going towards the Bay...the part that goes up the hill where Seminary crosses Macarthur is fine. But as Seminary goes down towards Foothill Blvd down towards International Blvd, it becomes very precarious late nights.

Like I said, daytime is really not bad-for the most part-during the day simple application of street smarts should suffice. You can very easily explore that area during the day and be just fine. Someone I know recently opened a restaurant on Foothill near Seminary that has taken off and is doing really well. But as in horror movies, the vampires come out at night. LOL.

Oh, and on campus, you are basically as free as a bird. Its like you are stepping out of the hustle and bustle of daily city life and into an oasis. Very calm, very peaceful and you are totally safe there.

Also, as Ultrarunner mentioned, living on campus might be ideal for you if you can swing it financially.

Maxwell Park and Frick are two very nice neighborhoods directly adjacent to Mills College but they don't have the sort of vibe your looking for-and there is not enough decent retail in those areas to speak of. They are quite residential.

Anyway,
Good Luck and Welcome to Oakland.

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

Mills is a great school. Congrats.

I would recommend the nearby Laurel District. It is a relatively safe area made up of bungalows and apartment buildings. There is lots of bus service(even direct service to Downtown SF), a vibrant retail strip along Macarthur Blvd. The area is politically very progressive, the racial makeup is quite diverse as well. Socio-Economically, you will find primarily middle class families and Urban-minded singles there.

Not to mention the wonderful vets at Oakland Veterinary Hospital at High and MacArthur.

[Ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by sluze

I will have a car and I am planning on having roommates. I would rather not pay more then $700-$800 a month, but I understand it could be a lot more then that depending on the area.

Anything is possible... I think finding a place that is dog friendly with room-mates will be more of a challenge...

I know decent two bedrooms in a duplex that start at a $1000 and go up from there... Laurel/Dimond area...

[lmk1707]

Originally Posted by sluze

I will have a car and I am planning on having roommates. I would rather not pay more then $700-$800 a month, but I understand it could be a lot more then that depending on the area.

I actually think you'll have no problem at $800 finding a two bedroom with a roommate. A quick craigslist search shows dog-friendly places for $1400 or less at Lake Merritt. You can try offering to pay more rent to entice more takers with the dog situation (i.e. 725/675).

[maxicat1960]

I have lived in Piedmont, Emeryville, and West Oakland. Honestly, the only issues I ever had as far as crime was when I lived in Piedmont. My SUV was broken into TWICE in one year in a secured parking garage. Also, my apartment was burglarized. Emeryville is okay, just a bit expensive for what you get (and traffic is horrific). I have lived in West Oakland since 2005 without issues. There are lots of nicely rehabbed Victorians (some single family, many duplexes and triplexes) for reasonable prices. The neighborhood I am in now? Neighbors watch out for neighbors and the one problem person we managed to get out. I would not recommend some parts of West Oakland, but generally, not a bad area. I would say to you to stay as far away from East Oakland as you can.

[Mr. Fantastic]

East and West Oakland are both crime infested, just check the crime maps.

[Ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by Mr. Fantastic

East and West Oakland are both crime infested, just check the crime maps.

The Poster is attending school in EAST OAKLAND.... where do you suggest housing?

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by Ultrarunner

The Poster is attending school in EAST OAKLAND.... where do you suggest housing?

You might as well be asking a taxi driver in Cairo because both the taxi driver and MrFantastic have the same knowledge of Oakland neighborhoods.

Next to none.