Pleasant Hill or Brentwood (Alhambra, Pittsburg: custom home, neighborhoods, to buy)

[WizardOfRadical]

Originally Posted by davdaven

If you can afford what you want in Pleasant Hill, this isn't even a competition. Pleasant Hill all the way. Brentwood exists for people who can't afford towns like Pleasant Hill.

This. Brentwood is for people who want a McMansion for cheap, or people who can't afford a house in places like PHill.

It's dusty, with lots of backwards thinking delta bumpkins, and schools are mediocre at best

It's a town for blue collar cops, who drive obnoxious pick up trucks, and vote Republican

[Radioactivity]

My two cents:

I've lived in Pleasant Hill for 20+ years. I've lived in the downtown area and on the nicer west side. I would stay clear purchasing a home near DVC college and College Park HS due to the congestion and foot traffic. Crime can be higher due the a large international student body at DVC which the lowlifes prey on. Stay clear of the Sun Valley mall as well, which can bring in riff raff. Poets Corner is nice with older homes in a woodsy established area and is close to downtown PH. In General, the west side (against the hills) is nicer than the central areas and Gregory Gardens, Poets Corner excluded. I would also look in South Martinez around Virginia Hills, which borders PH and Lafayette. This area offers PH schools and is over the hill (Taylor Blvd) from Lafayette BART, in case you don't want to drive to SF.

Going north down Alhambra Ave you will find nice neighborhoods off of Elderwood, also Forest Hills is a nice older development with a swim club. Many other nice area south of highway 4. If you continue down to downtown Martinez where I currently reside, you can cool off at the marina and checkout the historic downtown.

I worked in Brentwood for 4 years. It's mostly newer construction, and in more "country", but plenty of shopping. It butts up against Antioch which has problems and the commute into Concord is hell during commute hours. It can also be quite warm and windy at times. If you're willing to deal with these issues you can get a large newer home in Brentwood.

[seraphes]

Okay. Looks like I'll be focusing on Pleasant Hill. Thank you all so much.

[USCGmkc]

Originally Posted by seraphes

Okay. Looks like I'll be focusing on Pleasant Hill. Thank you all so much.

Do not rule out Martinez either. Martinez has neighborhoods that are pretty much indistinguishable from Pleasant Hill, these neighborhoods also feed the Pleasant Hill schools, but the Martinez School District is just as good, imo. When I was in the market to buy a home a couple years back the Martinez zip code still came at a discount compared to Pleasant Hill.

[SFBayBoomer]

It looks like the decision has already been made; however, should anyone else want something more to think about, Pleasant Hill has in the past weathered a real estate downturn (around 2008) significantly better than Brentwood. When the market dropped, Brentwood McMansions lost significant value and were difficult to sell. There were stories of squatters moving into the properties. For that reason alone, I would not buy in Brentwood.

[aslowdodge]

Originally Posted by SFBayBoomer

It looks like the decision has already been made; however, should anyone else want something more to think about, Pleasant Hill has in the past weathered a real estate downturn (around 2008) significantly better than Brentwood. When the market dropped, Brentwood McMansions lost significant value and were difficult to sell. There were stories of squatters moving into the properties. For that reason alone, I would not buy in Brentwood.

Quite true. I had a realtor friend thAt showed me several at bargain prices. Outlying areas tend to get host first and recover last.

[roadwarrior101]

Originally Posted by USCGmkc

Do not rule out Martinez either. Martinez has neighborhoods that are pretty much indistinguishable from Pleasant Hill, these neighborhoods also feed the Pleasant Hill schools, but the Martinez School District is just as good, imo. When I was in the market to buy a home a couple years back the Martinez zip code still came at a discount compared to Pleasant Hill.

Yes, but then you're right next to the oil refineries. I wouldn't risk my health for cheaper real estate.

[CaliforniaNative2]

Originally Posted by roadwarrior101

Yes, but then you're right next to the oil refineries. I wouldn't risk my health for cheaper real estate.

We are looking to buy in the East Bay, still undecided on city. We just added Pleasant Hill to the list. We were avoiding Martinez due to the oil refineries. Is there any part of Martinez that you would consider, or would you personally avoid altogether?

[sav858]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaNative2

We are looking to buy in the East Bay, still undecided on city. We just added Pleasant Hill to the list. We were avoiding Martinez due to the oil refineries. Is there any part of Martinez that you would consider, or would you personally avoid altogether?

I think south of Highway 4 is fine personally. Parts of Martinez south of 4 border and are indistinguishable from PH.

[MyBad1]

Originally Posted by WizardOfRadical

This. Brentwood is for people who want a McMansion for cheap, or people who can't afford a house in places like PHill.

It's dusty, with lots of backwards thinking delta bumpkins, and schools are mediocre at best

It's a town for blue collar cops, who drive obnoxious pick up trucks, and vote Republican

This is funniest thing I have read here in a while..




Brentwood is way out there, it is a long, and tiresome drive to almost everywhere.


Homes are very expensive, [to me] crime has slid in from Antioch, transient folks are making their bid along the delta.



The delta is a fine reason to live there, so much to do, and explore. Pleasant hill would make more sense if you are commuting,closer into the Bay Area.