Oakland

 

Renowned for its artistic and cultural richness, thriving dining scene, and leadership in environmental sustainability, it’s a highly desirable place to live, attracting people from all over the world.

 

Located just 20 minutes from San Francisco, in the geographical center of the Bay Area, Oakland enjoys a warmer climate than its West Bay neighbor. Its landscape includes vast parkland with towering redwood trees, babbling creeks, and miles of hiking trails, as well as Lake Merritt, a large tidal lagoon that connects to a beautiful waterfront. In such a large and ethnically diverse city, where 400,000-plus residents speak more than 120 languages, there is no shortage of cultural amenities to draw your attention. The city’s world-class attractions include an internationally acclaimed museum, ballet, symphony, and zoo; two grand, Art Deco-style performance venues; and the A’s major-league baseball team. Every first Friday of the month, throngs of people flock to the city’s hugely popular art walk, Art Murmur, and accompanying street party, First Friday.

 

Oakland is also home to a large LGBT community and, in recent years, has attracted an influx of tech companies, helping usher in a wave of new restaurants, bars, and boutiques. The city’s neighborhoods are as diverse as its population, with charm and uniqueness permeating every corner.

 

Oakland real estate spans the gamut, from the restored Craftsman bungalows of Rockridge to the stately Tudors of Crocker Highlands and the colorful Victorians and lofts of West Oakland, offering something for everyone. Transportation-wise, Oakland residents have plentiful options, with an international airport, major freeways, bus lines, BART, bike lanes, and a free downtown shuttle. To make it even easier to get around, the city expanded its bike- and car-sharing options in 2017.