What is it like to live in Oakland, CA?

Question

Considering a job there. How much do you have to get paid to have a decent quality of living? Can drummer's find places to practice? How does it smell?

Answer 1

It's all right. I lived there several years ago on the border of Oakland and Berkeley. In that area, I mostly remember an Italian deli, and the California Academy of the Arts. BART is nearby and many employers will give you incentive to take the BART train...so you may be able to avoid traffic at least a few days out of the week. Finally, downtown Oakland is much like any other city, only it has some important perks.... San Francisco and Berkeley are just minutes away and the Napa Valley wine country is an easy day trip!

Think about it..it's California. Go and have fun..!

Answer 2

Oakland is a different place. The areas closest to the airport are a little dingy. I guess it depends on your perception of "decent."

I've been poor and now I am living a little more comfortably, but I still wouldn't choose living in Oakland. The surrounding cities (like San Jose) are alot nicer and still affordable. A lot of people in Northern California commute these days, and that's simply because they work in areas that they do not wish to live in.

FYI: I'm in southern Cali now, the lowest rent I've found for say a 1 bedroom apartment is no less than $1,100-$1,200. You people up north are lucky! :)

Answer 3

Stay away from Oakland. Horrible place to live. It's dirty, delapitated, and falling apart. If you're going to work there, move somewhere and commute! A lot of people live in the Sacramento region and drive to the Bay because the housing costs alone are half the price.

Good luck.

Answer 4

It's cold, smelly and dark.

Oh wait, that's my house.

Nevermind.

Answer 5

it pretty much sucks! it has ever since MC Hammer moved away