Tell me about Brentwood, CA

[mattja]

Originally Posted by 2sleepy

No one wants to live in Martinez, are you for real? And about Vallejo there is shopping a lot closer than Walnut Creek - or are you thinking about Vallejo as it was 30 years ago?

I should have been clearer. No one wants to live close to the refineries. There are plenty of areas in Martinez miles away from the refineries.

The farthest you can live away from the Benicia refinery and still be within the city limits is about 2.5 miles. For Martinez, it's about 4 miles.

Plus the stigma of living in a refinery town doesn't help home prices, which is one reason Pleasant Hill has always been more desirable than Martinez.

If you must live in Martinez, it's more desirable to live south of Highway 4.

[mattja]

Originally Posted by RedWolf6450

All that I am saying is that based on my research, people shouldn’t choose not to live in Benicia because of safety concerns from the refinery. Especially when alternative locations have different public health issues like crime or other pollutant sources. I am not excusing them for accidental releases, I’m simply saying people shouldn’t be fearful of a health risk that isn’t based on facts.

That said, I know they are a necessary evil and can still wish they didn’t exist in our state. I recommend that you read Braiding Sweetgrass and maybe do some mushrooms in a forest some time. But honestly, what do I know - maybe we should ask descendants from the Patwins or other native bay area tribes what they think about big oil on their native land.

And for the record, Matt, I respect your perspective..just having fun with the internet banter. Cheers

Okay, cool. Next time I run into a Patwin I'll ask.

[nowhereman427]

Brentwood used to be no homes just U-pick farms back in the 90's. Now it's all developed with homes in the million dollar range for the newer larger houses. The only problem is it get real HOT out there and you must deal with the deadly Highway 4 traffic congestion, riff raff. collisions and freeway shootings.

[mattja]

Originally Posted by nowhereman427

Brentwood used to be no homes just U-pick farms back in the 90's. Now it's all developed with homes in the million dollar range for the newer larger houses. The only problem is it get real HOT out there and you must deal with the deadly Highway 4 traffic congestion, riff raff. collisions and freeway shootings.

My MIL was just out there picking cherries at age 90. I picked strawberries out there in the early 80s. Those u-pick-'em farms are still around. I hope they don't go away.

[nowhereman427]

Originally Posted by mattja

My MIL was just out there picking cherries at age 90. I picked strawberries out there in the early 80s. Those u-pick-'em farms are still around. I hope they don't go away.

You are correct there is very little U-Pick-Farms left. I remember in the 90's there were nothing but U-Pick-Farms. Lots of cherries and it was fun climbing the ladder and picking the exact cherries you wanted. All kinds of fruits, vegetables run by family farms. A single story home brand new cost $127,000 back then as I remember looking at those.

[mattja]

Originally Posted by nowhereman427

You are correct there is very little U-Pick-Farms left. I remember in the 90's there were nothing but U-Pick-Farms. Lots of cherries and it was fun climbing the ladder and picking the exact cherries you wanted. All kinds of fruits, vegetables run by family farms. A single story home brand new cost $127,000 back then as I remember looking at those.

Within one month of moving up to Contra Costa from Southern California in 1980, my parents took me to Brentwood to pick strawberries and Cherries.

There were scattered homes out there, but they were primarily farmers, ranchers and people who raised horses. I knew three girls in the early 80s who lived there on what I thought was a small plot of land in an antiquated 3-bedroom house with one bathroom. They gave me a tour and then asked if I wanted to see the stables. They took be back and they had a beautiful stable with 30 horses, cattle, and all the accoutrements necessary to live that life. I asked how much land they had and they said 80 acres. Here I thought all they had was that tiny house but in fact, they had a $1+ million operation when $1 million meant something. The gazillion pairs of designer jeans should have been a clue. lol

It sucks to see those farms disappear, just as it sucks to see the dairy farms disappear in Chino, CA near where I grew up.

I'm all for development, but not as the expense of small farmers who provide products vastly superior to corporate farms.

[nowhereman427]

Originally Posted by mattja

Within one month of moving up to Contra Costa from Southern California in 1980, my parents took me to Brentwood to pick strawberries and Cherries.

There were scattered homes out there, but they were primarily farmers, ranchers and people who raised horses. I knew three girls in the early 80s who lived there on what I thought was a small plot of land in an antiquated 3-bedroom house with one bathroom. They gave me a tour and then asked if I wanted to see the stables. They took be back and they had a beautiful stable with 30 horses, cattle, and all the accoutrements necessary to live that life. I asked how much land they had and they said 80 acres. Here I thought all they had was that tiny house but in fact, they had a $1+ million operation when $1 million meant something. The gazillion pairs of designer jeans should have been a clue. lol

It sucks to see those farms disappear, just as it sucks to see the dairy farms disappear in Chino, CA near where I grew up.

I'm all for development, but not as the expense of small farmers who provide products vastly superior to corporate farms.

Those were the good old days now. Go to that area now and all you get is gridlock, traffic and fast food franchises and more traffic. Also more bull dozing going on for more development off the freeway.

[mattja]

Originally Posted by nowhereman427

Those were the good old days now. Go to that area now and all you get is gridlock, traffic and fast food franchises and more traffic. Also more bull dozing going on for more development off the freeway.

On the bright side, the geography of the Bay Area prevents it from becoming another LA or Dallas. All the hills prevent sprawl and the commute from the Central Valley is murder (although, some people do it.)

[pgk500]

Originally Posted by mcp86

We moved to Oakley (neighbor of Brentwood) last yr and previously rented in Walnut Creek. Except for unique restaurants it's good over here.

Hi,

Appreciate the input. Oakley is also an option for us. Also, we want a home with a pool and yard as we have a pup and close family staying with us. Nothing is coming under a million for pool houses except Brentwood/Oakley. Good schools are also important and I’ve heard Brentwood schools are good. Any recommendations on schools?

[nowhereman427]

Originally Posted by pgk500

Hi,

Appreciate the input. Oakley is also an option for us. Also, we want a home with a pool and yard as we have a pup and close family staying with us. Nothing is coming under a million for pool houses except Brentwood/Oakley. Good schools are also important and I’ve heard Brentwood schools are good. Any recommendations on schools?

It gets real hot out in Brentwood. Have you ever gone to the Cornfest in July in Brentwood?
Or the Oakley Almond Fair?