Had Potential, Had Hope, Now Extinguished - 8/11/2022

I move to Oakland 20yrs ago with high hopes, loved the geography of the city, the diversity is outstanding, and the charm of the older homes is wonderful. When I first moved here I saw all the potential, unfortunately things have spiraled downwards for years to the point we are now, the city is almost unlivable due to rampant crime, homelesness, and the do no good city management style. The police are completely unreliable, treating all citizens like the enemy. The department is corrupt & incompetent and unwilling to solve crime. Our new police commission is a black hole to bury the police misdeeds, allowing politicians to avoid accountability. So sad, I want to love Oakland for all its great things, and there are many, unfortunately in the few years the bad outweighs the good.

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Fun to visit - 8/5/2021

Fun place to visit. Little rough is some areas- a lot to do though.

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Watching the destruction of a beautiful city! - 4/14/2021

I moved to Oakland because of its racial diversity in the early eighties although I've seen some ups and downs in this visually beautiful city, it has never been as bad as it is now. Homeless camps and trash everywhere, Illegal dumping and blight litter our streets and sidewalks, crime & lawlessness totally out of control, there is no police enforcement unless there is a dead person or shooting thanks to the city' councils anti-police politics. Third world roads, dangerous sideshows, unbearable noise and lawlessness around lake Merritt (Oakland's central park) on weekends and the WORST city leadership imaginable. My city has become outlaw, not suitable for peace and law abiding citizens. VERY SAD

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the good, the bad, the ugly 510 - 12/20/2020

I've lived in Oakland since 2008. If you have money to live in affluent hoods you might get robbed while waiting on carpool at 7am and will likely have your vehicle tampered with. My car was broken into several times and finally stolen and ruined after being returned 4.5 months later. I live in a rough area where the young sex workers work the streets, people sell drugs out of RVs near the multiple pop up plywood shelters and tarp/tent homes. Garbage is piling up. Tweekers zombie around with pants around ankles and butt hanging out, human feces on sidewalk, my car got hit and run. But the food is diverse and delicious in my specific hood (jingletownish) Oakland is a huge city and it has old charm and beauty and there are nice places if you have money. Oakland leadership is very poor. City services are reduced. I report dead animals and rarely reach a human because animal control has reduced hours. People just leave dead animals in the street in front of their home. There is an inhumanity here. Low income neighborhoods are becoming more white because whites cant afford $1M homes so the buy in east and west oakland. There's been a lot of displacement and people end up on the streets. I do think Oakland is exceptional in its diversity, tolerance, and activism. For my personal safety I never walk at night. Ive never been a victim of violent crime but i pay attention because being alert is a deterrent. I think someone who is considering moving to Oaktown should come. Its a great city but you must be cautious. There is s lot of opportunity to be free as any race, sex, style. Its a chill place to live. Its much different than San Francisco- more laid back.

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the good, the bad, the ugly 510 - 12/20/2020

I've lived in Oakland since 2008. If you have money to live in affluent hoods you might get robbed while waiting on carpool at 7am and will likely have your vehicle tampered with. My car was broken into several times and finally stolen and ruined after being returned 4.5 months later. I live in a rough area where the young sex workers work the streets, people sell drugs out of RVs near the multiple pop up plywood shelters and tarp/tent homes. Garbage is piling up. Tweekers zombie around with pants around ankles and butt hanging out, human feces on sidewalk, my car got hit and run. But the food is diverse and delicious in my specific hood (jingletownish) Oakland is a huge city and it has old charm and beauty and there are nice places if you have money. Oakland leadership is very poor. City services are reduced. I report dead animals and rarely reach a human because animal control has reduced hours. People just leave dead animals in the street in front of their home. There is an inhumanity here. Low income neighborhoods are becoming more white because whites cant afford $1M homes so the buy in east and west oakland. There's been a lot of displacement and people end up on the streets. I do think Oakland is exceptional in its diversity, tolerance, and activism. For my personal safety I never walk at night. Ive never been a victim of violent crime but i pay attention because being alert is a deterrent. I think someone who is considering moving to Oaktown should come. Its a great city but you must be cautious. There is s lot of opportunity to be free as any race, sex, style. Its a chill place to live. Its much different than San Francisco- more laid back.

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Skip this hood - 6/24/2020

I've lived in Oakland 28 years, it's gone from ok- better to horrible (current state). 1/90 people are robbed. Years of lame duck leadership, accountability for nothing and rampant theft contribute to this city sliding closer to hell. If you live here, consider moving here or visit there is a high likelihood you will be a victim of crime!

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California Soul - 1/18/2020

I went out to the Bay Area to get away from the negativity of Cincinnati, OH. It was the last advice my mother gave me before She passed away in 2008 So I finally did that and I have to say I Hella Love Oakland. The Media has told so many lies about The Town. There's so much there to do from seeing the Raiders Athletics and Warriors. The Oakland Hills are Beautiful as the sun sets then too Tower of Power music can be heard everywhere there. All towns has its bad sides but Oakland is far from ugly. I plan to move there and start my own business!

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A Sanctuary for Criminals, even the elected ones - 1/11/2020

Deserves a Negative number- crime, illegals, More crime, Government, More crime, & elected officials all act like None of that is a problem. A Liberal Cesspool.

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best place ived lived - 8/8/2011

january 24,2003 was when i arrived in oakland.i have fond memories there people were very helpful towards me,non biased treated me like the norm.when i was looking to find a place to get insurance the lady on the bus was helpful and told me where it was.also when i was looking for a church this young white lady invited me to her church but also told me of churches where young black men be at.that was helpful since im black myself.people of all ethnicities would speak to me in my neighborhood. sequoyah community church was the best church ived been.really nice people and a diversed church made me felt wanted and appreciated. i was sad when i had to leave oakland,no where ive lived was good to me like oakland. oakland is a culturally sensitive diversed city which i liked,the nbas warriors have loyal fans.

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The Real Oakland - 7/25/2010

The real Oakland is not what the media portrays. It is a beautiful city. The topography is awesome. Oakland is one of the most diverse cities in the country...actually I believe it is second. The crime factor is a reality. However the majority of it is in the flat lands; the neighborhoods of east and west Oakland. The million dollar mansions in the Oakland hills are breath taking. Lake Merritt is a beautiful sanctuary to many rare birds and Jack London Square is a haven of culture, wonderful eateries and waterfront views. This is a beautiful place.. but don't take my word for it - come visit!

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I Simply Love Oakland - 3/13/2010

I lived in San Francisco; yet, I spent more time in the Oakland parks and museums than I did in the same of my own city. If I was in CA, today, I'd see Oakland first, headed for Lake Merritt. Another favorite area was East Oakland [Fruitvale] I was at home there, not in most of SF. During recessions, crime always increases; the current rate of crime is not forever. Just stay alert and don't look lost; yes, one can be a tourist, but you don't have to look like a tourist. If Juarez, Mexico had as much to offer as Oakland, I'd still be living there.

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pretty fabulous weather in oakland - 11/21/2009

nice breezes blow in off the bay in the summer - you don't even need air conditioning. and perfect climate for gardening 10 months of the year!

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Dining and Culture in the East Bay - 10/5/2009

One does not have to venture over the Bay Bridge to "the City"(San Francisco) for a night out. Oakland has more than it's fair share of first class restaurants (Oliveto, Bay Wolf, Wood Tavern, A Cote, Ozumo) and nightlife (Yoshi's, Fox Theater). Add to this a myriad of BBQ/Soul Food and international fare, gourmet markets, Chinatown and several weekly farmer's markets year round and you have a world class dining destination.

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Vibrant and diverse population - 4/16/2009

Been in the Bay Area the past 30 years but never knew Oakland. Then 2 years ago a housing opportunity too good to pass up made Oakland my new home. I discovered an incredibly vibrant and diverse population, - creative, active and activist, down-to-earth, native Oaklanders & newcomers from everywhere. although Oakland does have its problems w/ serious crimes, the balanced perspective should include the wonderful people here and unbeatable climate - even by California standards.

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It all depends on what part of Oakland you live in - 6/3/2008

It gets so mad when people say Oakland is a bad place to live! It all depends on what part of Oakland you live in. East Oakland is really what you hear of all the time when you hear about drugs, crime, etc. Most of the crime that goes on in Oakland is in East Oakland. I’m from Oakland (North Oakland, close to the Berkeley boarder line). Now not evening all of East Oakland is bad. Once you get to certain areas in East Oakland you will realize that it is bad. For example E.14th Street (International Blvd) is bad from the beginning from lake merit on up till you hit the city of San Leandro. One good part of east Oakland is the Laurel district. It's a very diverse area. Nice hardly too much crime in that area. As if you live in 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 and part of the 100’s Avenues. Believe it or not that where most of Oakland’s crime occurs. But let me say I would love to live here it just to live in a good area in Oakland you would have to pay more for the price of a home. I grew up in the lower Rockridge area in Oakland. Many of people in the area (Rockridge) say that they love it there and wouldn’t want to move because it such a family oriented area. So get the facts. Not all of Oakland is bad. Oakland is divided in 4 parts North Oakland, West Oakland, East Oakland and Downtown Oakland. So the next time you watch the news, read the newspaper, or hear something word of mouth. Ask or see what area of Oakland it happens in!

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OAKLAND IS TOO NOISY! Bad schools, high crime, dru - 6/2/2008

and the people who grow up in the environment of the flats, and believe me, there are many, many, many inconsiderate, noisy people that infiltrate and destroy the beautiful and peaceful environments of the good areas--not only with crime, but with NOISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! If you live in one of those low quality, substandard houses, and you have bad schools, high crime, drug dealing, and overburdened police, you will also have a lot of NOISE! AND IT WILL BE IN YOUR HOUSE ALL DAY. YOU CANNOT ESCAPE FROM THE NOISE! AND OCCASIONALLY YOU WILL BE UNABLE TO CONCENTRATE BECAUSE OF THE SMALL PEOPLE WITH REALLY BIG AMPLIFIED STEREOS! TOO MUCH BOOM! BOOM! A SPOILED AND INCONSIDERATE UNDERCLASS THAT SPENDS ITS MONEY ON NUISANCES SUCH AS AMPLIFIERS, BASKET BALL COURTS, ILLEGAL, NOISY MOTORIZED SCOOTERS, GUNS, FIREWORKS, ETC...IT SUCKS HERE. I FEEL LIKE I LIVE IN A PRISON. Last I heard the local governments were sending recent parolees to Oakland, and the police department has been discussing hiring cops with criminal records...It doesn't bode well for the NOISY future. We are not free in Oakland.

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OAKLAND IS TOO NOISY! Bad schools, high crime, dru - 6/2/2008

and the people who grow up in the environment of the flats, and believe me, there are many, many, many inconsiderate, noisy people that infiltrate and destroy the beautiful and peaceful environments of the good areas--not only with crime, but with NOISE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Last I heard the local governments were sending recent parolees to Oakland, and the police department has been discussing hiring cops with criminal records...It doesn't bode well for the NOISY future. We are not free in Oakland.

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Increasing property crime - 3/10/2008

Oakland has been seeing a resergance of property crime lately. How sad.

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Oakland- Bay Area - 2/11/2008

it's great to love here for the experience. rent is terrible and there is no way I will be able to even buy a house. No wonder it is such a transient population, who could raise a family here?!

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Diverse! - 2/10/2008

Oakland is home to a very diverse natural and cultural experience. With its proximity to SF, the San Francisco Bay, Pacific Ocean, Lake Tahoe and the Sierra's while be nestled in the diverse East Bay hills, every outdoor recreation opportunity is available to you with a 10 minute to 3 hour (snow) drive. Common activities include kayaking, sailing, surfing, mountain biking, trail running, hiking, swimming, skiing, camping, and so on. Oakland is also very diverse culturally. One can find cuisine and art from almost anywhere in the world in your local neighborhood. In addition, the proximity to SF makes world-class museums a 10 minute train ride away.

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