Best Neighborhoods in Oakland

A Balance of Everything

Living in Oakland California has a lot of advantages. These include access to startup opportunities, a Mediterranean climate, and a booming art scene. For people who want to get after it professionally but still want access to relaxed, green, and comfortable spaces, living in downtown Oakland is an ideal way to live a balanced, budget-friendly lifestyle.

Great Transit Options
Oakland is part of the BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) system that also serves San Francisco and Berkeley. This connects Oakland to the rest of the Bay Area and makes it easy to commute into the city. In addition, AC transit serves all of Oakland as its regional bus service and the Broadway Shuttle or take advantage of “the Free B” for free connection to BART, San Francisco Bay Ferry, and Amtrak Capitol Corridor.

These buses run all night up and down local route 800. Finally, Amtrak has service regularly out of Jack London Square, located in downtown Oakland. These options make it easy to get around local Oakland and the wider Bay Area. If you’d prefer to bike, you can take advantage of over 230 miles of bike paths.

Excellent Education
Oakland schools have a strong dedication to excellence, with the schools located in the Montclair neighborhood among the best in the nation. In fact, many new homeowners move here from Berkeley and San Francisco due to the superb school districts. While Montclair has the best Oakland schools, all of the neighborhoods mentioned in our Top 10 Oakland Neighborhoods list have excellent educational options as well. There are also several colleges and universities located in Oakland, such as Mills College, Laney College, and Lincoln University.

Ample Natural Spaces
Oakland is well known for its abundant natural areas and nature preserves. With easy access via public transit, you can enjoy natural beauty and de-stress in green surroundings. Favorites include:

• Redwood Regional Park: This inviting space is located in the hills east of Oakland. It is accessible via BART and is home to several second and third growth Redwood trees. One first growth tree remains--a 93-foot-tall tree that grows out of a rock face near Merritt College. The park has spaces for hikes and nature walks as well as large green spaces for relaxing. The park is also home to the Chabot Space and Science Center, which hosts a wide array of science and astronomy programs in conjunction with the City of Oakland and the Oakland Unified School District.

• Lake Merritt: This large tidal lagoon is located near Downtown Oakland and Redwood Regional Park. It includes jogging paths, canoes, and rowboats. In addition, Lake Merritt has large grassy shores that are perfect for relaxing. This area is also a wild bird sanctuary, with several areas set up for wild bird nesting.

Better Weather
Oakland has excellent air cleanliness and quality due to its position in the East Bay. The temperatures are in the 60s and 70s year-round, with about 260 days of sunshine every year. You can expect warm summers and mild winters, as well as far less of the fog and temperature changes that San Francisco is known for across the bay.

A Vibrant Startup Scene
Startups flock to Oakland and the city is now a veritable leader in the tech industry. With amazing tech companies come equally amazing job opportunities, making Oakland an ideal location for anyone working in this space.

The 10 Best Neighborhoods in Oakland

Fairview Park
Jobs 9, Affordability 3, Safety 8, Amenities 8.5
Fairview Park is renowned for its wide-open green spaces. It also has a high level of job security as well as safety for its residents.

Panoramic Hill
Jobs 9, Affordability 4, Safety 8, Amenities 5
Located on the border of Oakland and Berkeley, homes here lie along the scenic corridor of Panoramic Way. The Panoramic Walking Path contains several built-in steps that lead up and down the side of the adjacent hills of Orchard Lane. The area is also a noted redwood preserve.

Crocker Highland
Jobs 9, Affordability 4, Safety 8, Amenities 5
This neighborhood is part of the so-called “Lower Hills District” in Oakland. The city of Piedmont is on the northern border, Grand Lake/Lakeshore to the west, Trestle Glen to the south, and Glenview to the east. The Olmsted brothers, who are sons of famous architect Frederick Law Olmstead (noted for his Central Park design), helped residents to create the Lakeshore Homeowners Association, one of the oldest homeowner associations west of the Mississippi River. This was done, in part, to protect the local sycamore trees and the vibrant natural beauty of the area.

Upper Rockridge
Jobs 9, Affordability 3, Safety 8, Amenities 8
This area is east of Telegraph Avenue and south of the Berkeley city limits. Rockridge, as a whole, was listed by Money magazine as one of the best places to live in 2002. The town is known for its deeply committed residents who are involved in various civic organizations, and its excellent schools.

Trestle Glen
Jobs 9.5, Affordability 4, Safety 8, Amenities 8.5
Trestle Glen is named after a railroad trestle that was built in 1893 and removed in 1906. A local myth is that Mark Twain road on the local streetcar when it first started operation. However, Twain lived in Europe at the time.

Piedmont Pines
Jobs 9.5, Affordability 4, Safety 8, Amenities 6
While considered by many to be part of the larger Montclair district, Piedmont Pines has its own distinct character. It is a quiet neighborhood that does not have a business district and is noted for its affluence and charm.

Montclair
Jobs 9.5, Affordability 4, Safety 8, Amenities 8
This heavily forested neighborhood has, at its center, a shopping district known as Montclair Village. This is also a well to do neighborhood with a wealth of pre-war architecture. The area is noted for its highly rated schools, such as Montclair Elementary, Thorn Hill Elementary, Joaquin Miller Elementary, and Montera Middle School. David Brubeck, noted jazz composer, also calls Montclair home.

Shepherd Canyon
Jobs 10, Affordability 4, Safety 8, Amenities 5
Shepherd Canyon cuts a line between the Montclair and Piedmont Pines neighborhoods in Oakland. As a result, it shares schools with the two districts. Due to its central location, it is considered an ideal location for jobs.

Merriwood
Jobs 10, Affordability 4, Safety 8, Amenities 6
Also called “Merriewood” in some older sources, this is another crossover neighborhood and is a section of larger Montclair. In 1925, ads in the Oakland Tribune stated that no other tract of land in Oakland could offer “…a combination of magnificent views and comfortable homes.” Today, it’s a green and tranquil spot that is an excellent place to live.

Piedmont
Jobs 9.5, Affordability 3, Safety 8, Amenities 9
Piedmont is a small city entirely surrounded by the greater city of Oakland. This small residential enclave is cozy and comfortable, offering many small parks, coffee shops and restaurants.

Last but not Least: Downtown!

Downtown Oakland is a vibrant urban core characterized by a mix of historic architecture, modern high-rises, and bustling streets lined with shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions.

From sweeping views and floor-to-ceiling windows to luxe amenities like our rooftop lounge, fitness and wellness spaces, and coworking center, discover elevated downtown living at Atlas. Contact us today about our modern new apartments for rent. We can't wait to show you around!