San Francisco-Oakland Bay Area vs. Washington D.C.-Baltimore Area (compared, place)

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by Adavi215

This is like choosing between a BMW or a Mercedes, a Lamborghini or a Ferrari, a Rolls-Royce or a Bentley. Either way its a win.

Basically.

[BPerone201]

Uh oh.. a Toughie.

SF > DC
BMore > Oakland

I'm really undecided more than anything.

[BigCityDreamer]

I think it boils to whether you prefer east coast or west coast. That's going to be the biggest difference.

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by BPerone201

SF > DC
BMore > Oakland

Both Baltimore and Oakland are highly underrated.

[BPerone201]

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

Both Baltimore and Oakland are highly underrated.

I feel a poll coming on
I really do like both cities- I really only got a blip of Oakland when I went to some shopping plaza (I don't remember the name), so I'm no expert- I know it's a beautiful city though. I just really like the character and vibe of some of those Baltimore neighborhoods.

San Francisco trumps all of the above IMO

[rah]

Originally Posted by krudmonk

Facebook and Apple are not even in the neighboring county. They're not part of this debate.

Dude, they're both in the BAY AREA. This is about the BAY AREA vs. Washington DC-Baltimore. Unless Santa Clara county is now for some reason not part of the Bay Area (which would be news to a whole lot of people), then facebook and apple can definitely be a part of this debate. Also, google was founded in the neighboring county to SF, and thus the SF MSA (San Mateo county). As it is now, with its headquarters in the SJ MSA, it's still only a few miles from the SF MSA border...and we all know both MSAs are part of the Bay Area anyways. What's with you and your whiney SJ vs. SF posts?

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by BPerone201

I feel a poll coming on

I really do like both cities- I really only got a blip of Oakland when I went to some shopping plaza (I don't remember the name), so I'm no expert- I know it's a beautiful city though. I just really like the character and vibe of some of those Baltimore neighborhoods.

Oakland doesnt have a mall-the areas that wouldnt mind having a mall dont usually meet developers requirements and the areas that demographically could support a mall dont want it-LOL...I think you were probably in Emeryville?

Yeah, no doubt. Baltimore is full of character and charm. I like it a lot.

One thing these 2 share in common is that they are both far better than their reputations would imply.

Just to give you an idea of how villified Oakland is in the Bay Area-I frequently have friends from the area visit me and when they arrive at my home, they are stunned and dumbfounded that Oakland could possibly have nice neighborhoods-its like beyond their ability to comprehend-like they found out the world isnt flat after all. LOL

[BigCityDreamer]

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

Yeah, no doubt. Baltimore is full of character and charm. I like it a lot.

Yeah, Baltimore has quite a few good sites and attractions. I don't understand its negative reputation, at least as a city to visit.

As far as living in Baltimore, I hear it can be difficult to find a safe place in the city because the crime level is high in most neighborhoods. However, the homes in the Baltimore suburbs are every bit as good as the ones in the Washington, D.C. area and perfectly safe with great schools, etc.

[18Montclair]

Originally Posted by BigCityDreamer

As far as living in Baltimore, I hear it can be difficult to find a safe place in the city because the crime level is high in most neighborhoods.

Really? I never would have thought that.

Much of Oakland also has moderate to very high crime rates-there's just no sugarcoating that.

But a huge portion of the city, that spans the entire length of the city actually has very low crime. That area, the Oakland Hills, is comprised of about 2 dozen neighborhoods and is home to about 120,000 people. And even many neighborhoods not necessarily located in the Hills have decent crime rates all things considered.

Because of its proximity, because of its beautiful wooded hillsides, breathtaking views and large beautiful homes, Oakland attracts many high income professionals and upper income households.

Here are some really nice homes all over town that show its not all ghetto in Oakland. LOL

This one perched at the crest of the hills is just jawdropping.

http://www.socketsite.com/Devon%20Way%20House.jpg


http://media.cdn-redfin.com/photo/10...40494056_3.jpg


http://pix.idxre.com/pix/clientPhoto...MLSLogoNEW.jpg


http://pix.idxre.com/pix/clientPhoto...LSLogoNEW2.jpg


http://pix.idxre.com/pix/clientPhoto...MLSLogoNEW.jpg


http://pix.idxre.com/pix/clientPhoto...MLSLogoNEW.jpg


http://pix.idxre.com/pix/clientPhotos/1_40491536_PhotoTourMLSLogoNEW3.jpg


http://pix.idxre.com/pix/clientPhotos/1_40488026_PhotoTourMLSLogoNEW7.jpg


http://pix.idxre.com/pix/clientPhotos/1_40484178_Logo.jpg

And Oakland completely surrounds the uber wealthy and very safe town of Piedmont(Pop 10,000)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/...356069c8_z.jpg


http://estately.s3.amazonaws.com/7_373495_0.jpg


http://pix.idxre.com/pix/clientPhoto...LSLogoNEW1.jpg

However, the homes in the Baltimore suburbs are every bit as good as the ones in the Washington, D.C. area and perfectly safe with great schools, etc.

The East Bay by itself has as many top notch public high schools as the entire LA Area, which is quite a fete.

[Stephen1110]

Golden State Warriors - NBA - Record: 2-1
Oakland Raiders - NFL - Record: 4-4
Oakland Athletics - MLB - Record: 82-82
San Francisco Giants - MLB - 2010 World Series Champions
San Francisco 49ers - NFL - Record: 2-6
San Jose Sharks - NHL - Recent Record: 51-20
San Jose Earthquakes - MLS - Recent Record: 13-7(draws)-10