My husband went to Miramonte (20 years ago) and I went to college in the East Bay. I haven't lived in one myself, though. Our block has lots of different kinds of families - different ethnicities and family structures. It's a true gift. So how exactly does Oakland stack up as a place to live – good or bad? Itching to move to one of these top 10 towns? I found the prices to be in line with Oakland's Montclair and Rockridge districts, but with better schools and lots of open space, trails, and such. Schools, houses, parks are all new and shiny. When we sleep with our window open, we often hear owls at night and cows in the morning. Another thing to check out when looking at an area is to go at different times during the day through the neighborhoods as well as the stores in the neighborhoods for it will give you a feel for the area. Also I really really miss the city. Our block on Mono Ave. in particular is very close knit - most of the neighbors know each other and we have holiday parties (Halloween, Christmas, and progressive dinner parties). You should be proud of your daughter for getting into Berkeley. As a parent I can understand wanting to save money but as a UC Berkeley graduate having her live so far away from campus and wasting so much of her time in driving and it traffic will set her up for failure. I would think the cost of gas, wear and tear on the car, insurance and parking would cost far more than having her live close to campus. Not saying it canât be done, but I just donât think itâs realistic. The schools are highly-rated (check greatschools.com), and very pro-active in the face of recent budget crunches, but there are also great charter schools available (ACLC & NEA). Happy mama. So many choices, good luck! I think your location is going to be heavily influenced by your budget and commute length tolerance and how much land you really want. Alameda! You might want to check out Emeryville. There are jewel-like parks all over the city - and a bay trail that is great for kite flying, bicycling, walking, biking & dog walking. I love living in Pleasanton because you have easy access to the freeway, and traffic is not a problem. However, spending time in Berkeley left me feeling a bit empty. We love living in the lower Rockridge neighborhood and utilize Ashby BART, the Telegraph and College Ave bus lines for everything - including taking our kids all around the area for parks and play dates. Overall Score. The neighborhood is no paradise mind you, but it has a lot of very nice qualities. When you compare a place like Moraga to the safer neighborhoods of Oakland (Rockridge, Montclair, Redwood Heights), I think you get a little more for your money out here. The cons: We've put more miles on our car(s)--we need 2 now--in 3 months than we did our entire driving history in Brooklyn (we owned a car for 2 years there).  And that will be a lot better for your marriage and your kids. There aren't other places like them, and housing prices reflect that. Commuting to and from an office will not be part of our day (for now, at least). Although it has all the fun and interesting stuff of an urban neighborhood, it *feels* small, and you see the same faces regularly. Safe neighborhoods near BART in Berkeley/Oakland. Amelia. in richmond 10 years. There's both Lawrence Livermore and Sandia national labs near Dublin, so there might be a more intellectual base there to influence schools, and plenty of surrounding rural area there too. Walk Score is available for any address in the United States and Canada. It is the seventh most dangerous city in California for violent crimes and the eight most dangerous for property crimes. This is great since I myself have 3 year old twins. The median income in Berkeley, CA is $37855 and the median home value is $77661. Family and people-oriented? Good luck! But the best part is they made wonderful friends--kids who were resilient, caring, and thoughtful. We lived in Rockridge and I loooved it - diversity, could walk to anything, blocks from BART for commuting into the city. Come check it out! We have a small 15 acre farm here. Dimond District. There are many liberals, maybe just not as outspoken as the liberals you find in Berkeley and Oakland. At the Newton Community Farm, locals come together to help harvest, weed - and even rebuild its farmstand after a fire. El Sobrante is somewhat rural (there are horses and goats in our neighborhood), diverse and family friendly. Livability helps people find their perfect places to live, and weâve got everything you need to know to decide if moving to Berkeley, CA is right for you. You will likely miss the diversity that abounds in these parts, an the winters can be rough, especially if you must commute Hwy 17.  San Ramon has lots of neighborhood parks and Las Trampas East Bay RegionalPark. We're also relocating this coming June, but it has nothing to do with Castro Valley! To figure out how bad a place is to live in, we only needed to know what kinds of things people like and then decide what cities have the least amount of those things. We have friends with a terrific large stable in Brentwood. Oakland has seen a huge influx of people over the last 10 years even as California has started to see an outflow. There seem to be a lot of children around, the parks are nice, schools are very good, and I just can't say enough about how nice it is to call Alameda home. Contest: Where's your favorite place to take a weekend drive? Rockridge is a very walkable neighborhood with several great preschools/daycares/nanny shares around and the public elementary schools are very good for K-5 (Peralta or Chabot). You should check out El Cerrito . What home is complete without a casino and Star Wars-themed bar? Bushrod community center has amazing kids programming and affordable day camp. The cost of living is high on the whole, but utilities are very affordable. miss those sunny days, Noe Valley is relatively sunny for the city (as is the Mission, but you said you were concerned about safety - probably not the best area for you). for public schools people often choose albany, but there are a variety of public schools that people like all over. Specifically: people there are wealthy. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all ⦠Weâre starting to wonder if weâd be happier in another area where people might put more of a premium on community. Diablo, and next to Briones park in Martinez or Pleasant Hill. Nick Fruendt: Awesome theater, fun to go see a concert here. --Rockridge is FULL of families w/ small children, and it feels like a village. We are lucky to live in a wonderfully progressive community in East Nashville where we know our neighbors and all of our children know each other. The next best thing would be to live in a neighborhood where people know each other and there are other small children. Those of us who love Oakland and continue to live here often end up sending our kids to private school for middle and high school. Anyway, come on over and check it out! I also think when you're a parent it's tough because your social life is kind of dictated by who your kids hang out with, which can be challenging. True, the Bay Area is an infuriatingly expensive place to live. it's more expensive to rent/buy in albany, i believe, because of the schools. Eureka. 2) Several nice local parks, quick access to large parks like Tilden, easy access to a bayside beach and a quick hop across the bay to Marin County and Point Reyes I currently live in Oakland, but if I had my choice (maybe in a couple of years) I would live in Orinda . The weather can get hot there, but it is a SAFE community with lots of friendly people. Unlike places like Brooklyn with subways that run every few minutes and very late into the night, the BART service here isn't nearly as complete - stops are far apart and trains don't run often outside of peak times. --Downside: Rockridge is an expensive place to buy a house (see above if you wonder why).  Not sure if you are going to like the commute. There's a bar at the restaurant where you can get some good beer and carefully selected wine. View this lot for sale by owner with 0.21 acre by Oakland in Alameda County, California 94619. Berkeley. It should come as no surprise that there are some trendy neighborhoods in Oakland. Our neighborhood (the area behind the Mallard bar) is full of kids. But to where? 7y Orange County. Most of your desires can be met in most of the communities in the Berkeley-Oakland area. 1. Public schools in Berkeley, Albany, Alameda, North Oakland, and El Cerrito (including Richmond Annex, Richmond View and Pt. As one of the best affordable places to live in Northern California, this small town offers a pleasant climate and plenty of forests, beaches, lakes, and rivers to explore (without having to deal with the crowds). All in all, I think you will find something to love about your Bay Area experience, no matter where you end up. Too far from work, not urban enough, or interesting enough. In 2010, CNNMoney visited Eden Prairie, now No. My advice is to do activities that interest you (yoga, community service, whatever) so that you can find people that you connect to and it's not about your kids. The home is on a dead-end street with lots of kids, an easy walk from Bateman Tot Park (near Alta Bates Hospital)and Willard Park. as a working mother with 2 small children, I have found it overwhelming at times the extent to which I am asked to participate). Usually the bedrooms are located at one end of the house, away from the main living area and kitchen, so there is never the problem we currently have of worrying about banging around in the kitchen while our son sleeps in the room above (or worrying about downstairs noise in the living room, while dad works in the office upstairs). anon. My partner is a physician assistant and I''m a social worker (LMSW - I'll probably have to start some or all of my ''internship'' hours over again due to strict rules in CA). The Lime Truck's owner is a driving force behind the O.C.   Any recommendations for places that are at most about 30-45 minutes away from UCB that are friendly for a toddler and has a somewhat neighborhood vibe where one doesn't need a car to get around? At last count, there were at least 8 elementary school children on our block--all living within 5 houses of each other. City of San Bernardino 5. Given the dynamic and turbulent nature of the California budget situation and local politics and that our daughter is still a baby we have decided NOT to use schools as a factor in our decision (by the time it really matters, things will very different than they are today.) I also teach riding lessons. Since our arrival in July, we've had only 2 completely overcast days and no fog!) It is ridiculously family friendly. Whether youâre into locally-roasted coffee, craft beer, or outdoor activities, these are the 5 best Oakland neighborhoods for you. My parents-- after more than 30 years of listening to Oakland-bashing on the news--were surprised to see that Oakland was really an interesting and beautiful place. Anywhere else in the East Bay that is not prohibitively expensive (we are middle class). Our kids are bilingual (French/English) and I know there are a few French preschool around the are - any experience with them (pros/cons)? It was just selected as one of the 'Top Ten Suburbs' in Travel & Leisure magazine and one of the 'Top 100 Communities for Kids' by America's Promise Alliance.  Downtown Lafayette and Walnut Creek have many nice restaurants and shops. The city is great - we took a great city class on how to do a seismic retrofit project on our house, and just dealing with the city to get the permit and pre-inspection and borrowing the tools (a great perk!) Its a wonderful place to live - it's just an urban area with all the good (theater, diversity, restaurants, culture) and the bad that implies. Mira Vista, like Tehiyah, is K-8, and most of Richmond View is zoned for El Cerrito High School. San Diego, considered one of the best places to live in the world, is ⦠Best wishes. I think you would like Piedmont from what you are saying. But it works pretty well for us. City of San Pablo 6. ritual. Good luck.Â. Our current school has wonderful teachers, a very involved principal and a great sense of community. Hi. Oakland city councilmember addresses plan to end gun violence Things to do in the Bay: Surfing Moms, Art on the Square Trucking company experiences backlog at Port of Oakland What home is complete without a casino and Star Wars-themed bar? Be aware that both Berkeley and SF have a lottery for public schools. As far as schools go, some districts are better than others, but California's budget is in a shambles and our schools are taking the brunt of the blow. The very safest place in Oakland is Montclair, separated from the rest of Oakland by the city of Piedmont. There are only about 5 apartment buildings, but a fair amount of residents rent out one level of their house or have additions or mother-in-law units. Natural Grocery. Pacifica and Millbrae, Green. Says who? Top Best U.S. Cities to Consider Moving To, Sell your home: 8 Questions to ask yourself if your home isn’t selling, This Gorgeous Bozeman Time Lapse Will Show You Montana’s Ultimate Treasure, These Are The 10 Most Exciting Places Connecticut, 36 Photos of New England That Will Make Your Day, 30 Things No One Tells You About Leaving Pittsburgh, Reduced Closing Costs and Other Discounts for Mortgage Borrowers. The Bay Area really is the most beautiful place in the world wherever you land, but it can be expensive. Unfortunately, I don't think it's that affordable for first-time home buyers but houses are slightly less expensive than Albany, Lafayette or Orinda. Are we somehow just unlucky in our specific neighborhood or school community? The median income in Oakland, CA is $44378 and the median home value is $183468. Attitudes. Experience Oakland lifestyle from our side. I am in the final stages of interviews for a position at UCB and I trying to get a head start on possible neighborhoods that are safe, affordable and relatively child friendly. Iâve lived in the San Francisco Bay Area since 1971. There's no reason not to live in El Cerrito off Barrett Ave or Richmond View, right around Tehiyah / Tassajara Park / Mira Vista (public) Elementary. While I grew up in San Jose, it had been nearly 20 years since I left the Bay Area, so coming back feels very much like we are getting to know things from scratch. It is also very safe. Our culture has always been counter. Check out redfin for houses (I used that a ton in our research) and spend time in the cities that are options; will help you get a feel for what is a good fit. The advantage of living in Oakland is utilities, coming in 19 percent lower than the state average and 9 percent lower than the national average which is sure to have something to do with the fact that Oakland is the top city in the country for usage of electricity from renewable resources. It is super green - we ended up on the far west side of Lafayette and are surrounded by trees (I'm getting in shape with all the leaf raking I'm doing). Please no endorsements of why your neighborhood is so great. plaza and E.C. We are interested in living elsewhere in the East Bay, somewhere that is safe and very kid-friendly where the neighbors really know and look out for each other, close access to nature, and in a good school district. Commuting from the east bay to SSF by car can be soul crushing. Rockridge is probably one of the safest neighborhoods near BART and I think in your price range. Hi -- We live in SF currently, but know we want to move to the suburbs next year for all the typical reasons (good public schools, strong local community, more space, and the slightly warmer weather is a bonus!).  Â, We are currently in Berkeley but thinking of moving to Lamorinda for the schools but are open to other areas as well. Culturally, it feels quite liberal, and the families I have met seem to share our values in education, healthy living, the arts, politics, etc.) Visit Santa Cruz, Oakland, Sacramento, Napa and other unique destinations. We are also planning to go to the local public middle school when my son is ready. I am afraid to take a walk due to rise in crime. Shannon, you are describing berkeley and oakland. If you live in Kensington, you'll think alameda is very affordable! Oakland's Neighborhoods provides a warm, informal guide to how the neighborhoods grew in this early California city. Top 100 rank: N.A.  It seems as though it's impossible to get a 2 bedroom for less than 3k. signed: an oakland resident for 13 years. Super family friendly neighborhoods where kids can safely play, ride bikes, etc, high quality neighborhood public schools from K through 12 with high parental and community involvement, and additional school choices in the form of respected charter schools and private schools (at elementary, middle, and high school levels). It's a 10-15 drive to UCB and there's a few buses that go that way. From a revitalized waterfront to redwood-filled parks and some of the region's finest restaurants, Oakland has got its gameface on. There are not a lot of rental houses in town, but there are some. It is like a launching pad. elementary school in PAUSD is incredible. Is it us? Moraga is semi-rural. Best ceviche: Mariscos La Costa Where to mingle with locals: Mexican bakeries like Bakery El Sol. Our friends who live in ranch style homes have such spacious backyards that the children can run and explore to their hearts delight. I have a very short drive via highway from Lafayette to Fish Ranch Road. Don't believe the image of Piedmont. Soon as you get 'through the caldecot tunnel it gets hot; as far out as concord is deadly hot. Even so, Oakland has a high poverty rate, at 19.4 percent compared to the state 13.5 percent and the national 12.3 percent. Same with San Ramon, Danville, and Dublin. Best Places to Live in Newark, California Regional center - Northern California coast at the head of San Francisco Bay. Take a stroll down San Ramon's City Center and soak up a luxury movie experience at THE LOT, which features 10 screens. My husband works at UC Berkeley which is a 20 minute ride. The vibe. From the sophistication of San Francisco, CA and high tech advances of San Jose to ancient sequoia forests and the untamed wilderness of its many parks, Northern California is land of contrasts, breathtakingly beautiful, cherished and protected, visited by millions, and painted, described, ⦠Bara Waters bara, Okay get out your bay area map and we'll color code it together. A 45 minute commute seems like a lot when you are not from the Bay Area, but you will find that you have to drive at least 20-30 minutes just to get anywhere, so you might have to readjust your expectations. Montclair is one of the safest, affordable, family-friendly, and peaceful neighborhood in Oakland. There was an energy here I really appreciated. All remaining cities were then ranked against the others in their state on factors No. Another thing that I think should be noted when looking at cities - Berkeley has historically and consistently been a big booster of schools & libraries. VERY family friendly. anon, My husband, 9 month old daughter and I live in a small house in Kensington at the top of the hill. Good luck! For us, it has been one of the best changes we ever made. Moraga Momma, We currently live in the Dimond/Laurel area of Oakland with our young children. Oakland has a rich history and continues making history with people like you who push for equality and a ⦠Emeryville. You can learn and experience so much from living there that you can use in your future life. Best Places to Live | Compare cost of living, crime, cities, schools and more. People have recommended Layfayette and Orinda but I am afraid that will be a long commute and very suburban.  I am bit anxious since we'll be living on my salary until my husband finds a job out there. debora, We recently moved to Alameda, because we wanted to be in a neighborhood that's good for raising children. i think near the ashby bart stop can be rough. Since you are from Hawaii, you should be aware that the Berkeley area, basically from North Oakland to north berkeley/albany/so. Since Alameda is very flat, it couldn't be more stroller friendly. # 3 in Best Places to Live in California. We had a good long atroll. Adam helped us buy our house in Rockridge, and the experience was fantastic. It is a rich, culturally-diverse community with great restaurants & stores, festivals, and beaches, plus it is the sunniest place in the Bay area. If you do choose the east bay, I would investigate how easy it is to park by the BART station. whatever) community of people with kids, safe for running/letting kids play in evenigns/mornings, decent public schools in case we are not able to afford tehiyah at some point - and is it realistic for us to live in the Bay Are and send our kid to a private school? We relocated over 7 years ago from the East Coast (the southeast) and found that it is very hard to establish community here.  There are also a lot of small businesses in San Ramon. The schools are good - some have better reputations than others, and I cannot attest to that as my kids are not yet in elementary school, but you can check out the basic stats on www.greatschools.net. We presently live in Hawaii where I am from. There is a beautiful creek, library, boys and girls club, dance studio, soccer league, and some great restaurants (peruvian, salvadoran, chinese, italian, mexican, indian as well as local breakfast places). Oakland has a rich theatre history, from the amusements of a gas-lit downtown light opera and vaudeville stage in the 1870s to the ornate cinematic escape portals of the Great Depression. W. Berkeley is less expensive, Central Berkeley medium, N. Berkeley and Claremont area are more affluent--again, these are generalities. BUT it is far, far more affordable that the Bay Area. SF's is very intense and you could wind up in a school across town. Your neighbors can help you figure things out. Oakland airport is close by and easy to get to without freeways. The drawbacks are a higher than average crime level, and a lower high school graduation rate. Can anyone tell me about their experiences in Petaluma, Walnut Creek, Castro Valley, Lafayette (maybe too expensive), and Santa Cruz? anon, Hi I recommend you look hard at Albany. 4. for sunny, hot you can go through the hills to Lafayette, Orinda, etc. They went on field trips to Chinatown, Alcatraz, Ano Nuevo, Pt. We have 15 year old and 8 year old daughters who are both involved in horses, drama, dance and music. Good luck! Want to rent somewhere in between St Helena and UC Berkley. Oakland is like any city. Prices to buy in Berkeley and Oakland are horribly inflated -- you probably can't afford them, and if you can, you really would need to think twice about buying in at summer 2005 levels. If the ferry wouldn't work for location of the SF job, there are busses, casual carpool, and a couple shuttles to BART if you didn't drive yourself. Inglewood I would love any suggestions. Moving to rural horse-friendly area for job in Oakland? As far as commuting to the city, my husband takes the bus from about a block away. It's a beautiful neighborhood, and we love being part of the community.Â, We have similarly aged children and love where we are in North Berkeley. The apartment I'm at, Avenue 64, has 2 bedrooms around or just below the 3K range. Any leads on great schools? I understand public schools here are excellent. Feel free to contact me if you would like to ask me anything else. (In fact, when we outgrew our small starter house last year, we purchased a larger house just a few blocks away so that we could stay in the neighborhood, where our kids have lots of friends and where we really feel like a part of the community.). Thanks. I have greatly enjoyed strolling around our neighborhood and looking at the great variety of architecture (many victorians, craftsmans...) and overall the island has a nice ambiance. We knew we did not want to be in the South Bay. (I'm from the East Coast and my husband is from LA.) Since they are not yet school age I am also keen to learn more about preschools and daycares. The district comprised of many historical building and landmarks of the time. If you do the math, it is cheaper to live in upscale Piedmont, pay a lot for your house, send your kids to the public school,and board your horse at Skyline Ranch, Anthony Chabot Equestrian Center, Redwood Ranch, or Piedmont Stables. Oakland, CA Housing Market Lake merritt area is nice rockridge is Nice montclair is Nice grass valley is nice there are plenty of nice places to live in oakland and we have PLENTY of night life things to do in oakland. Brooklyn is our favorite, but after spending this past winter schlepping kids around in the wet snow and ice, we don't think it's for us.  Start your search with what you can afford. We also have Canyon Swim school which is quite popular for children's swim lessons. Found inside â Page 166Within three months , he stopped coming to see me in Oakland , and I saw him in Palo Alto only occasionally . ... told me that a lady in East Oakland wanted someone to live with her , and she thought this would be a good place for me to ... ''Berkeley has tons of diversity, poor/mediocre public schools..'' There it is, casually tossed out as if a given, ''poor/mediocre public schools.'' I think that the relocation, by itself, is a big part of what you're still dealing with. Lots of people commented on the safety and nice neighborhoods in Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Orinda and Moraga. Happy househunting! The school is also terrific, though certain things about it have taken some adjustment (the parent involvement is enormous, and expected. Mountains, beaches, lakes, rivers, desert, etc. There is a very nice and active park near by (San Pablo Park). The Bay Area is vibrant and cosmopolitan is a way that cities that Santa Fe will never be, but the cost of living here is a huge drawback. We love that we can walk to the park or to dinner, and there is a good mix of people (ages and ethnicities) and young families. Iâd appreciate any advice on safe neighborhoods near Bart or other easy public transportation. (All 3 friends who moved to PH live on this type of street). And the city really works to make this a great place to live. We are wondering what folks who are in the good Mt Diablo Elementry schools (Strandwood, Valle Vista...) are planning for middle and high? Its a safe small city in the Oakland hills with an excellent school district and a few preschools, your commute time would be shorter than from Lafayette or Orinda, and its not as suburban as you fear Lafayette or Orinda to be. as a public service employer we've had candidates turn down jobs due to housing prices  I hope that doesn't happen for you. We also considered Pinole, Crockett, and El Sobrante. If you happen to be a resident of Belvedere, you're probably not too surprised to find it on the top our list. Most houses are cute and well- maintained, and we found prices to be about 10-15% cheaper than for similar homes in Berkeley/Oakland when we were looking (not sure if that's still true). Anaheim, California 2014 Population: 346,997 See where you should live in Anaheim - heatmap. Good luck in your search. Ah, I miss those days. Many thanks! - Been there. But I will tell you what mattered to us, OTHER than the schools, in choosing a neighborhood and a house in which to raise our family (my kids are now 10 and almost 7, and we've lived in the same house since before the older one was born): - Pedestrian-friendly neighborhood, where it is easy and pleasant to walk or bike to schools, parks, restaurants and grocery stores, and the houses are close enough together that kids can walk next door or around the block to visit friends. SAD sufferer in Berkeley, My partner and I are the parents of 2 toddlers and live in Oakland. Our street is so lovely--our neighbors are very friendly, our kids all go to the same school, they ride their bikes and scooters in the street (it is a dead end street, so little traffic), we have BBQs together... we feel so fortunate to have that and without it, we would likely feel lonely. I lived on BPN and real estate web sites and pretty much had a lay of the land before we even came to visit. August, September and July are the most pleasant months in Oakland, while January and December are the least comfortable months. - A laundry room. Oakland tends to have a better grasp on city-wide PM2.5 levels. Found inside â Page 729... believe him to be the man who can make our organization take its place as the best business association that is nected with any kind of live stock . ... Oakland , California , on the other hand promises the big show of the season . You've got to center the easy-breeziness in order to help them not become overwhelmed with anxiety.
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