Why is Concord inexpensive compared to other cities nearby? (San Jose: real estate, high crime)

[SageCats]

I saw a house in Concord (Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed) that looks beautiful and seems to be in a decent neighborhood. It's going for $550K. Closer to the bay, that home would go for at least $1M in Fremont. Why is Concord so inexpensive? It's not "ghetto", as you head south closer to Walnut Creek, the neighborhood seems nicer, crime is a similar rate to north San Jose... so, aside from the school system not being good, what gives?

[Bisaro TMF]

Originally Posted by SageCats

I saw a house in Concord (Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed) that looks beautiful and seems to be in a decent neighborhood. It's going for $550K. Closer to the bay, that home would go for at least $1M in Fremont. Why is Concord so inexpensive? It's not "ghetto", as you head south closer to Walnut Creek, the neighborhood seems nicer, crime is a similar rate to north San Jose... so, aside from the school system not being good, what gives?

I don't think many people know about concord. Bart runs out there it's not that far from Oakland or SF I really don't get it. Prices are only a little more expensive than high crime suburbs like Pittsburg and Antioch.

[SageCats]

Maybe I should go back and edit the post to say something like Pittsburgh or another city and keep Concord a secret... ! hehe

[sav858]

Originally Posted by SageCats

I saw a house in Concord (Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed) that looks beautiful and seems to be in a decent neighborhood. It's going for $550K. Closer to the bay, that home would go for at least $1M in Fremont. Why is Concord so inexpensive? It's not "ghetto", as you head south closer to Walnut Creek, the neighborhood seems nicer, crime is a similar rate to north San Jose... so, aside from the school system not being good, what gives?

Parts of Concord are "ghetto" and have occasional shootings and gang activity, not the area of that property you listed though. Some areas can be kind of far from the freeway too, but those areas tend to be the nicer areas with slightly better schools too so kind of a trade off. I think it's mainly the schools that contribute to Concord's more reasonable housing costs. It is definitely one of the better deals in the Bay Area overall imo. I live in Concord and its fine and we're satisfied, if we still live here when my kids go off to school we'll send them to private though.

[NJEmmert]

Originally Posted by SageCats

I saw a house in Concord (Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed) that looks beautiful and seems to be in a decent neighborhood. It's going for $550K. Closer to the bay, that home would go for at least $1M in Fremont. Why is Concord so inexpensive? It's not "ghetto", as you head south closer to Walnut Creek, the neighborhood seems nicer, crime is a similar rate to north San Jose... so, aside from the school system not being good, what gives?

Quick look on Zillow, the schools. Martinez, Walnut Creek, and some place called Pleasant Hill are showing 8s and 9s on School rankings... Concord is right beside Pittsburg with 3s, 4s, and 5s.

Rankings aren't everything but strong rankings tend to drive demand into an area... for someone completely naive about an area, rankings mean even more as they are seen as an indicator of the sort of area. Personally, I believe high test scores and good grades come as much from parents setting expectations at home (and in PTA meetings) as the actual teachers. Those types of expectations come from parents who are highly educated and successful themselves, they place a premium on education and grades. If I move some place with highly rated schools, I'll likely have neighbors with similar beliefs and backgrounds.

There are expectations to anything... but that's my logic.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by SageCats

I saw a house in Concord (Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed) that looks beautiful and seems to be in a decent neighborhood. It's going for $550K. Closer to the bay, that home would go for at least $1M in Fremont. Why is Concord so inexpensive? It's not "ghetto", as you head south closer to Walnut Creek, the neighborhood seems nicer, crime is a similar rate to north San Jose... so, aside from the school system not being good, what gives?

The bolded is why. It's farther from the Bay, and it's not upscale, like Lafayette or Walnut Creek.

[SageCats]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

The bolded is why. It's farther from the Bay, and it's not upscale, like Lafayette or Walnut Creek.

But Livermore is even farther and far more expensive. Is Livermore much more upscale? I thought it was rural. What about Dublin? It's a lot more expensive than Concord and roughly the same distance from the bay. Isn't Dublin about the same in terms of affluence as the better parts of Concord?

[bentobox34]

Originally Posted by NJEmmert

Quick look on Zillow, the schools. Martinez, Walnut Creek, and some place called Pleasant Hill are showing 8s and 9s on School rankings... Concord is right beside Pittsburg with 3s, 4s, and 5s.

Rankings aren't everything but strong rankings tend to drive demand into an area... for someone completely naive about an area, rankings mean even more as they are seen as an indicator of the sort of area. Personally, I believe high test scores and good grades come as much from parents setting expectations at home (and in PTA meetings) as the actual teachers. Those types of expectations come from parents who are highly educated and successful themselves, they place a premium on education and grades. If I move some place with highly rated schools, I'll likely have neighbors with similar beliefs and backgrounds.

There are expectations to anything... but that's my logic.

So it sounds like Concord is a bargain for those who do not have any need of a good school system. E.g. empty nesters, childless, homeschoolers, etc.

[Eastbaynative]

The price of a home is what the current market is willing to pay for that home. The Appraisal will reflect that with any Neighborhood Comps plus upgrades. The list price is not necessarily what the home will sell for. I am a local Realtor I would be happy to help anyone looking to buy or sell or has any questions regarding real estate, message me anytime.

[sav858]

Originally Posted by SageCats

But Livermore is even farther and far more expensive. Is Livermore much more upscale? I thought it was rural. What about Dublin? It's a lot more expensive than Concord and roughly the same distance from the bay. Isn't Dublin about the same in terms of affluence as the better parts of Concord?

Schools are a lot better overall in those cities. Plus those cities don't really have any bad areas like Concord does.