When considering a place to settle down and raise a family, many factors come into play including, but certainly not limited to, the cost of living, proximity to work and ease of commute, quality schools for the kids, and access to the everyday needs and amenities of life. For many, Alameda County California ticks off all the boxes and provides the perfect environment where kids can grow up happy and healthy, and mom and dad have the conveniences they need for work and play.
Alameda is a large and diverse county, yet somehow manages to maintain a sense of community. Neighborhoods within cities have their own character and personality, many of which are family oriented with events and activities centered around family fun and entertainment. The western side of the county extends from Albany and Berkeley south to Newark and Fremont. Just north of Interstate-580, the county reaches eastward to encompass the large inland cities of Pleasanton, Livermore, and Dublin. Alameda County is linked with other communities throughout the Bay area with conveniently located freeways and strategically placed BART stations.
Although parts of the county have the reputation of being rough and tumble, there are many areas that are safe, beautiful, have good schools, and offer convenient commutes to other Bay Area locations. Some neighborhoods are somewhat expensive, particularly in the Oakland/Berkeley/Hayward Hills, where homes often come with a prestigious addresses on quiet tree-lines streets. Typical (and frequently friendlier to the pocketbook) suburban homes can be found in fast-growing, family-friendly bedroom communities around Dublin and Livermore.
Along with finding a safe and affordable place to live, parents are often concerned about the quality of schools their children will be attending. As would be expected in such a populous area, there is a wide range in the ranking of public schools in the county. That being said, some of the top schools in California can be found in Alameda County.
There is plenty for busy families to do in this area. The East Bay Regional Park District supervises more than 1150 miles of trails and 65 parks that cover more than 100,000 acres in the two East Bay Counties. Private and public golf courses, sports clubs, yacht clubs, and swimming facilities help to round out the recreational opportunities. Boating, hiking, fishing, swimming, bicycling, picnicking, golfing, or just enjoying the beautiful outdoors is never far away from home.
Good schools, friendly neighborhoods, efficient commutes, a pleasant climate, convenient shopping, and lots of recreational opportunities are all a part of what makes Alameda County a number one choice for East Bay parents looking for a great place to live and work.
Renee Adelmann is the co-founder and owner of East Bay Modern Real Estate, a residential real estate firm specializing in home, condo, and loft sales in San Francisco’s East Bay. Visit her website online at http://www.EastBayModern.com.
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