I moved to Oakland Hills about four years ago by choice. I lived in Danville, Blackhawk, Pleasanton, Moraga, and Concord in the past; even though each of these neighborhood brought a lot of joy and growth to my family none of them compares to what I am personally experiencing since living in Oakland hills.

This blog covers some of the benefits of living in South Oakland Hills.

Where is Oakland Hills?

It is part of Oakland lying east of highway 13 and Interstate 580. The area includes Upper Rockridge, Oakmore, Montclair and Mountain View Cemetery. The Oakland Hills also touch the eastern border of Piedmont, California and include the Claremont neighborhood, the Oakland Hills also include the northern section of Lake Chabot Regional Park. The orange section of map below is what Oakland Hills are.

Where is South Oakland Hill?

Southern part of Oakland Hills starts from South part of Joaquin Miller Blvd and cover Westminster, Crestmont, Caballo Hills and Leona Heights and it goes all the way up to Skyline-Hillcrest Estates and Sequoyah Heights. It covers the south park of Keller Ave (including the future Oak Knoll project) and end Chabot Park (also known as Grass Valley Area) and ends at Sheffield Village on the boarder of San Leandro. South Oakland Hills is marked as the pink area east of interstate 580 and part of south-east section of highway 13.

What is living in South Oakland Hills Like?

1- Better Home Prices

South Oakland Hills home on average are cheaper per square footage and slightly smaller compare to North Oakland Hills Homes. For example, by comparing median price per square footage of home sold in the last 12 months, South Oakland 3 bedrooms, 2-3 baths homes are 16% cheaper and 4 bedrooms, 2-3 baths homes are 12% cheaper compare to similar homes in North Oakland.

Charts below are a comparison of price difference of 4 bedrooms, 2 to 3 baths in North and South of the hills.

1- Heavenly Ground for Active Individuals

South Oakland Hills backs to multiple regional and local parks that is the playground for all sorts of activities like hiking, mountain biking, fishing, boating and kayaking. Home to 5 Equestrian centers and stables, this part of the hills is a dream place for horse back riding and its related activities.

One cannot live in this area and ignore its easy, door-step access to year-round active lifestyle that is offered so abundantly.

· Joaquin Miller Park and Woodminster Amphitheater home of summer musicals

This dog friendly park is managed by city of Oakland and offer hiking, horseback riding, camping and even large event site for public or private events. I specifically love going up and down the Palos Colorados Trail by Palo Seco Creek and listen to the sound of nature during spring and fall season. This map covers different areas of this park for your further exploration.

· Reinhart Redwood Regional Park

Over thousand acres of redwood this area offers close to 40 miles in trails and is open to horse back riders and dogs and has 4 picnic area that can accommodate anywhere between 50 to 150 people at a time.

I love hiking in the redwood groove on French and Stream trail in this area. Ladybug trail is a wonderful season part of this trail full of ladybug colonies between November and early March.

· Lake Chabot Recreation Park

3- Better topography and street grid

Streets in this area compare to other parts of Oakland are wider and less winding. Street parking is more abundant compare to other parts and makes getting in and out or your home much easier.

4- Safer compare to other parts of Oakland

City of Oakland has always been a high crime rate area. As of early 2020,city of Oakland is ranking 3rd in violent crime in state of California after San Bernardino and Stockton; even though Oakland has a come a long way since its peak of crime in 1990’s, residents and officials still feel there is a lot needs to be done. City of Oakland has been able to reduce the number of violent crimes however number of property crimes like auto and personal property theft, arson and burglary has continuously been on the raise year over year.

Chart below is a projection of violent and property crime for 2020:

It is important to note that number of property crime has increased in other major cities like San Francisco, Berkeley and Walnut Creek over the past few years.Considering this, South Oakland Hills (except South of Keller Ave to the boarder of San L… — It is important to note that number of property crime has increased in other major cities like San Francisco, Berkeley and Walnut Creek over the past few years.
Considering this, South Oakland Hills (except South of Keller Ave to the boarder of San Leandro/Castro Valley) is relatively safer that other parts of the city. Lighter area in the map below are indicative of lesser crime parts of the city.

6- Potential, Oak Knoll Project

Oak Knoll community is residential and business development project that I am very excited about. After decades of reviews, revisions, planning with city of Oakland and addressing local concerns, the project finally broke the ground in early 2019.

The development consists of 918 new homes of all ranges from townhouse and single-family homes, a much needed 80,000-square-foot retail center with around 350 parking spaces. There will be a system of trails and paths connecting to the regional park, pocket parks, and public art, with a restored Rifle Range Creek as their centerpiece nestled in parks and open spaces.

To obtain more information about this project contact me at megan.nazeri@outlook.com

Conclusion:

South Oakland Hills is an area full of potential that offers a wide access to physical and recreational activities to its residents. Better home prices and more comprehensible street grids along with lower crime rate compare to other parts of city of Oakland makes this area a desirable part of the city. Oak Knoll residential and business development will bring potential value to this part of city and makes homes in this area great investment opportunity.

Why I am an advocate of South Oakland Hills Living.