How is Lake Merritt?

Question

Can anyone tell me how the Lake Merritt area is like? (crime, bars, places to eat, and grocery stores) Hows the night life?

Answer 1

The lake's relatively big and encompasses 3 or 4 neighborhoods. I lived in the area to the south and liked it. It was close to Chinatown and downtown, also reasonably close to Jack London. There wasn't much violent crime, but there wre things like car thefts, car break ins. There wasn't much nightlife except in Chinatown and Jack London. And there are only Chinese grocery stores (not a bad thing, but the selection can be limited). There are a lot of good and cheap restaurants in the area, esp. asian ones.

The Grand Lake area's more lively. I didn't live there, but felt safe being there. It has grocery stores, restaurants and other shops.

I think it's okay all in all, but if I had it to do over I would probably look around rockridge.

Answer 2

I would suggest that you look in the area between the lake and Piedmont. I lived there for four years (as a single female) and never had a problem. Then again I never felt entirely safe in Oakland either, but I am not from a city so that might have something to do with it. Although when you live in Oakland, you get kind of used to murder on the news all the time. There are some good places to eat (I definitely second the Zza's vote) and some good coffee shops and such. But living between Piedmont and Lake Merritt, I definitely found myself hanging out on Piedmont Avenue more often or even the Rockridge area or Berkeley which are both nice (but more expensive). There is a small Safeway not too far from the lake if you are looking for groceries.

Answer 3

Depends on where around the lake. Adams Point has some nice apartments, but has a fairly high crime rate (residential and auto burglaries) ... crimes against persons are not unheard of in this area either.

There are some decent restaurants (Zza's comes to mind) ... and the Grand Lake area is close by.

If I were you, I would consider the advice about moving to Walnut Creek - or at least the Trestle Glen / Grand Lake areas on the other side of the freeway.

Good luck. I am from Oakland, and still feel strongly about the city - just realize that it has it's drawbacks.

There certainly are WORSE parts of town than the Lake area.

Answer 4

At night it can be very scary. Crime is very very very high (150 murders per year in Oakland). I looked at living there..... then I found walnut creek, at 20 min bart ride away ($2.95 Bay area rapid tranisit) WC is rated nicest town in California.

Rent is about $900 for a one bedroom near the lake. There are not many good restaurants or bars, you have to go toward city center for that, or a mile east of the lake.

Though, if you have the money to afford the commute ($6 per day), l suggest living in a safer place, for $1000 per month you can live in Laffiette, Pleasant Hill, or Walnut creek.

If you are interested in Night life, live in Berkely, ($1.50 Bart ride from Oakland)

Answer 5

Why move anywhere a 100 mls near Oakland? But if you're set on it...buy all means move in...gangs are running out of people to rob, maim or kill. Bring in the fresh meat! Seriously, give it a good thought.