Alameda - Air Noise a problem? (Oakland: apartment complex, houses, roofing)

[Mike-NC]

My wife & I are thinking of relocating West when I retire, in about a year. We lived in Marin about 10 yr ago and though we liked the scenery, we found the cost excessive and transportation options poor. We would love to have the cultural, climate, and scenic attractions of the Bay Area. Investigating Alameda, it seems like a nice location that we might afford.

I notice Alameda is very close to Oakland International Airport. I am wondering, is air noise a factor?

[jeevcy]

Originally Posted by Mike-NC

My wife & I are thinking of relocating West when I retire, in about a year. We lived in Marin about 10 yr ago and though we liked the scenery, we found the cost excessive and transportation options poor. We would love to have the cultural, climate, and scenic attractions of the Bay Area. Investigating Alameda, it seems like a nice location that we might afford.

I notice Alameda is very close to Oakland International Airport. I am wondering, is air noise a factor?

You can probably look at the Gold Coast area if you're worried about proximity to the airport.

[sonarrat]

Originally Posted by Mike-NC

My wife & I are thinking of relocating West when I retire, in about a year. We lived in Marin about 10 yr ago and though we liked the scenery, we found the cost excessive and transportation options poor. We would love to have the cultural, climate, and scenic attractions of the Bay Area. Investigating Alameda, it seems like a nice location that we might afford.

I notice Alameda is very close to Oakland International Airport. I am wondering, is air noise a factor?

Yes, the incoming flight path for OAK goes straight over Alameda. Outbound traffic goes south over the water before turning to go to its ultimate destination. Most of the noise pollution is restricted to Bay Farm Island. But a lot of funding has been put into soundproofing for properties affected by OAK and other airports' air traffic in the Bay Area over the years, so I really would not worry. My apartment in the SFO flightpath has the thickest windows I've ever seen - it wouldn't surprise me if they stopped a bullet!

[Mike-NC]

Originally Posted by jeevcy

You can probably look at the Gold Coast area if you're worried about proximity to the airport.

Thanks, not sure what that area is. Can you give street names?

[Alamedan]

The Gold Coast is the area around Grand Street in Alameda... There are some beautiful (and expensive) houses there.

I used to live nearby, and planes weren't a problem at all.... As long as you're on the main island (94501) you won't really notice... Bay Farm Island (94502) may hear planes - it's very close to OAK - but I'm not sure...

[Mike-NC]

Originally Posted by sonarrat

Yes, the incoming flight path for OAK goes straight over Alameda. ... Most of the noise pollution is restricted to Bay Farm Island. But a lot of funding has been put into soundproofing for properties affected by OAK and other airports' air traffic in the Bay Area over the years, so I really would not worry. My apartment in the SFO flightpath has the thickest windows I've ever seen - it wouldn't surprise me if they stopped a bullet!

Thanks for the info -- it helps. By "funding," do you mean that public funding is available to homeowners?

We'll have to schedule a trip out there and take a look around.

[sonarrat]

Originally Posted by Mike-NC

Thanks for the info -- it helps. By "funding," do you mean that public funding is available to homeowners?

Yes, intermittently. They'll designate an affected zone that gets noise levels over 65 dB, set aside some money, and open up applications. I haven't been through the process myself, since I'm a renter, but I appreciate the results every night when I lay down to go to sleep. And we get inbound and outbound planes here, all night long..

For what it's worth, I was looking at an apartment complex at Webster and Central once. I was there over an hour and didn't hear any planes.

[Mike-NC]

Thanks to all who posted. Your useful information is much appreciated!

[fizbin]

Having lived on the main island of Alameda (middle of the island near the hospital) for 10 years or so, I never noticed air traffic/noise at all. I moved to the Bay Farm/Harbor Bay area of Alameda (next to the Oakland airport) for one year, and it was night and day - you could not not notice the air traffic and noise, not to mention the soot/dust covering everything from the exhaust.

[bigdave01]

What is Alameda like? I love the beautiful homes, and the fact its an island, but are there a lot of businesses, and is it walkable? Or is it just a sleepy suburb?