PeterFrank

Hi all,

I am considering moving to the San Francisco area from NYC for a lifestyle change and also to tap into the internet companies based in the bay area. I am a marketing specialist for small to medium sized internet companies.

I am looking for info and opinion about what Oakland is like to live in. The realities of accessing SF from there on a daily basis for work. The cost of living in Oakland vs NYC. What are realistic expectations to meet new people. Any opinions on whether making the coastal switch is a good or bad idea in general without knowing my specifics. And lastly what the job market is like in SF vs NYC.

Thanks all. Happy Sunday.

Wintersong

SF is very accessible from Oakland via BART. That's the good news.

Be aware that Oakland consistently has one of the highest violent crime rates in the country. There are some very nice areas, but there are a lot of not so nice ones. On average, Oakland has a lower cost of living than NYC, but more information would be needed to make more specific comparisons - i.e. the area of NYC you've been living in and the area of Oakland you'd be moving to.

I love the Bay Area, but I personally wouldn't choose to live in Oakland. There are much nicer areas in the East Bay which are just slightly further away on BART.

Is it just you looking at making the move, or do you have a family?

md95065

It would help to know what kind of "lifestyle change" you are looking for and whether there are specific companies that you would like to work for.

What I am trying to figure out is whether you really need and/or want to be working in San Francisco itself or whether you just want to be in the Bay Area.

If work does have to be in San Francisco and you can't or don't want to live in the city then I would probably be looking a little further north than Oakland - up towards Berkley / Albany / El Cerrito but, again, we don't really know what kind of environment you want, which things are really important to you and which things are just "nice to have"

PeterFrank

I am looking to make the move on my own. I am currently living in the expensive bits of Brooklyn. Not much less expensive than Manhattan. I haven't settled on a specific location in Oakland just yet and am open to other better options. Tks !!

PeterFrank

I am looking for a more outdoors lifestyle and less stress than NYC. I want to achieve a better work life balance and to be able to access the mountains and beaches. Work most likely towards downtown SF but obviously Oakland would be out if I was to start work in San Mateo etc. I would like to find somewhere that has some kind of town centre I don't really want super residential with nothing walkable but if commuting would be a hassle that would be a problem

Wintersong

Work/life balance for most people in the Bay Area isn't great - it's very much a 'rat race' atmosphere around here. Having said that, I do know a few lucky souls who have somehow managed to strike the balance, so it's do-able.

As md95065 said, I think in your position I'd probably look more towards Berkeley than Oakland. Going further into the East Bay is going to land you squarely into serious family territory, so will probably bore you to tears It seems that most single professionals working in the city also live in the city to take better advantage of the social life and city amenities, but obviously that's going to be a fair bit more expensive for you.

I'd recommend a reccy trip before taking the plunge.

johnwoo

If you are looking for easy access to San Francisco you should look for somewhere along the BART line.




Prefered area IMO
Rockridge to Walnut Creek. Pleasant Hill at a push.
Pleasanton
Fremont sort of.
Berkeley has it's own special vibe, University town.
Oakland if you like to live dangerously.

AnnieBelle

I work in downtown Oakland and I would not recommend living there. On the plus side there is a great night life, food places, concert venues and just generally lots going on like markets etc. But since working there we have had multiple shootings right outside, there are a lot of very dodgy homeless people and drug dealers who like to make their deals right outside my office front door, and I've had some scary encounters one of which a guy was showing me his scars from being shot demanding money. Another thing to consider is if there is going to be any kind of protesting They will congregate in downtown Oakland. I personally do not feel safe there but then I do still go out there even when I'm not working. Whatever you do don't move to west Oakland as that's supposed to be even worse. Rockridge on the other hand is considered Oakland but has a really great vibe with lots of restaurants and cafes. If I had to live in Oakland I would live there. I live in pleasant hill which is definitely for the person that wants a quieter life and I love it. My husband works in the city and commutes in but he hates Bart and does bitch and moan about it.

Wintersong

My husband commutes in by BART from PH as well. It's a long commute

Wintersong

I'm not sure that a single guy is going to particularly enjoy Pleasanton, Walnut Creek, Fremont, Pleasant Hill... they're very family-orientated and maybe a bit on the quiet side, with not much in the way of night life.

johnwoo

The consensus pretty much counts out Oakland, there aint much else besides San Francisco itself. I know my son never seemed to be home much before 2:00am most nights. I've no idea what he did untill 2:00am.
A lot seems to be going on in Danville and Walnut Creek. $900,00 for a one bed apartment.

Wintersong

It's altogether possible that I'm just too old to have noticed

johnwoo

If you had a 20year old son you would. He was 20 Yrs old a long time ago that is.

I have a 22 yr old granddaughter coming home from college soon. When she's home she seems to be out alot, I guess if they are imaginative enough they will find a way.

Wintersong

10 & 7 - they're not quite there yet...

PeterFrank

Thanks for all the replies so far.

Not getting a warm and fuzzy feeling about Oakland so far. Berkeley sounds interesting. Any views on that location specifically?

Are there any manageable areas of SF from a money perspective that are still nice to live in? Getting in the countryside looks more difficult on the SF side.