2015 review of Castro Valley, CA
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11/11/2015
CURMUDGEON - THANK YOU for your post. The most important part of your comment is your second paragraph. "Hodge-Podge" is the correct word for a lot of Castro Valley housing. I'm writing this at the end of 2015 and have lived in Castro Valley for many years. Although the location is wonderful for commuting, the town of Castro Valley is extremely crowded and not pretty at all for a stroll or shopping. Even with the "renovation" of a couple of blocks in the Village Center in 2014, little was done to improve the looks or a way to get around in Castro Valley. Only in Castro Valley would someone drop off a freshly killed black bear on the side of the road closer to San Leandro and get away with it. Castro Valley does have a great park called Lake Chabot and a small neighborhood theater and a good high school. The climate is great but with the drought conditions it's getting to be a great deal hotter in the summer and fall so one MUST have air conditioning now starting in 2014. The climate is no longer what it was like in 2008. It's hotter! Neighborhood sidewalks and streets are in sub-par condition with extremely crowded street parking. Lots of dog-lovers in Castro Valley who allow lots of barking for the enjoyment of the neighbors. Most people don't use their garages but instead park on the crowded streets and use the garage for storage only or another bedroom. The main thoroughfare thru C. Valley is Redwood Road and is perpetually littered/dirty. Poor zoning laws allow the landscape to look littered and disheveled. Housing is extremely high probably due to its location but much of the older housing is not in the best shape. Lots of churches and two large grocery stores in town, but that's about it. Nothing cultural here, but it's location is good enough that you can commute to entertainment, better restaurants and better shopping to the Oakland area or east of Castro Valley. Come and live in Castro Valley if you need a good location for commuting and understand you must go elsewhere for amenities. This last sentence sums it up.
Ken | Walnut Creek, CA