Moving from NYC to SF Bay Area (Oakland, Fremont: rental market, condo)

[Valley Boy]

Originally Posted by 04kL4nD

I really don't understand the logic of trying to recommend that people new to the region move farther away from their job than necessary when traffic is absolutely terrible in the Bay Area- as if having A/C during the "summer" months is a worthy trade off? I just don't get it. I don't see where the OP said they'd be working fully remote and they seemed fine with being able to afford Alameda, so why recommend places that makes dealing with traffic a guaranteed nuisance?

Many people living in the Bay Area have no choice but to endure soul crushing traffic/BART because where we like living happens to be far from where we work, but telling people to move to Walnut Creek, and especially Fremont when they could live in Alameda sounds like such poor advice imo. Honestly I really think some people are just trying to rep their own city and not even bothering to read the OP.

Damn bro you are on a tear right now! This post is spot on. WINNING

[masterchingsinc]

Originally Posted by blueengineer

Hi everyone! I’m currently contemplating an offer for a job out by Oakland international Airport. I am looking at apartments and it’s kind of overwhelming. Currently my budget is between 3000- 4000 for rent. Where are some good places( safe, able to go on walks, etc) to live? I don’t necessarily don’t want a long commute but the job is a hybrid model so I could tolerate the drive if I like it. Thanks.

A few ideas to save on rent and live like a king.

Roomates and use a bike along with public transport to get to work and not have to find parking in your residence.

Or

Vanlife or Truck+Camper life haha

I wish you the best of success and welcome to California!

*Note if you live in the eastbay you wont have to pay or cross the bridge. Try to avoid SF, San Mateo, and Santa Clara counties as they will require crossing the bridge.

Check out solvang, black sand beach with black sand haha, sales force sky park, etc

I wish you the best of success and welcome to California blueengineer!

[5thgenSF]

Originally Posted by TheseGoTo11

Walnut Creek if you're willing to commute a little. Better weather, very safe, and plenty of apartments.

Walnut Creek is too hot!

[BayAreaResiding]

Originally Posted by roadwarrior101

I actually would second the vote for Walnut Creek over Alameda. I think Alameda is overrated, IMO. There are some areas there that seem a little bit rough to me (albeit not as bad as neighboring parts of Oakland). Yes, it's close to SF and Oakland (probably the best thing it has going for it), but it's often a little too chilly for my tastes. In my view, if you're not living IN SF to take advantage of everything going for it, there's a big drop off in general. I think Walnut Creek has the perfect mix if you're not living in SF. It has a great downtown with lots of restaurants/bars/stores, BART access, warm weather and most importantly, is safe.

This. I also feel that Alameda is overrated and never understood what was so great about it.

I like Walnut Creek a lot more than Alameda, the vibe of the city is so much better. I would prefer Walnut Creek, even if I worked in Oakland.

But then again, it's all personal preference. OP you can always drive through both cities and see what vibes with you the best.

[davdaven]

All I can figure by these comments is people like Walnut Creek because it is hot and very suburban. Reminds them of the rest of the U.S., perhaps? About the only thing you can get in WC that you can't get in Alameda is a Neiman Marcus. *shrug* In all seriousness, both are nice towns. But Bay Area traffic cannot be understated. No reason to select WC over Alameda unless budget or lifestyle really interferes, which in this case they don't. Save yourself the hour plus of extra commute time each day!

[5thgenSF]

Originally Posted by davdaven

All I can figure by these comments is people like Walnut Creek because it is hot and very suburban. Reminds them of the rest of the U.S., perhaps? About the only thing you can get in WC that you can't get in Alameda is a Neiman Marcus. *shrug* In all seriousness, both are nice towns. But Bay Area traffic cannot be understated. No reason to select WC over Alameda unless budget or lifestyle really interferes, which in this case they don't. Save yourself the hour plus of extra commute time each day!

i'm a native peninsula dweller and i've maybe been to alameda twice! rarely go to the east bay. and it probably has changed, but decades ago it seemed alameda/oakland used to be overcast until afternoon. then i didn't like it but now i sure would. i think those days are gone now anyway.

[mcp86]

I live in Park Regency apt, 4 min walk to pleasant hill bart. Never had any issues and safe here. Don't get fooled by the google review. I got 1bd apt for $1950 after discount when I signed the lease 1 yr back with updated kitchen and patio with washer/ dryer.

[MrHoover]

Originally Posted by mcp86

I live in Park Regency apt, 4 min walk to pleasant hill bart. Never had any issues and safe here. Don't get fooled by the google review. I got 1bd apt for $1950 after discount when I signed the lease 1 yr back with updated kitchen and patio with washer/ dryer.

I can get you a one bedroom in Fremont by bart for a similar price

[mcp86]

Originally Posted by MrHoover

I can get you a one bedroom in Fremont by bart for a similar price

WC is much closer to SF than Fremont and also have to change 2 trains. WC has a nice little downtown and Fremont doesn't.

[MrHoover]

Originally Posted by mcp86

WC is much closer to SF than Fremont and also have to change 2 trains. WC has a nice little downtown and Fremont doesn't.

Fremont doesn’t hit 100 all summer long either and it’s about the same barting distance.