Would you stay in Oakland (via AirBnB) in August?
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Would you stay in Oakland (via AirBnB) in August?
I'm going to San Francisco for a few days in August - August 6-11. Now I've found that city hotels are beyond all reason pricewise, so I am planning to do the same thing I've done for several other cities, which is to use AirBnB.
I have several reasonable prospects in SF neighborhoods. However, I was thinking if I should explore Oakland. I keep on hearing about how it is gentrifying. Is staying in Oakland becoming the equivalent of staying in Brooklyn? I have been to San Francisco many times, so I'm open to trying something new. I love Berkeley, but just do not know anything about Oakland.
I have several reasonable prospects in SF neighborhoods. However, I was thinking if I should explore Oakland. I keep on hearing about how it is gentrifying. Is staying in Oakland becoming the equivalent of staying in Brooklyn? I have been to San Francisco many times, so I'm open to trying something new. I love Berkeley, but just do not know anything about Oakland.
#2
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There are some very nice homes in Oakland - and I have not wondered around there for years - but there used to be some really bad dudes hanging out/cruising around Oakland.
Liked going to dinner at the Oakland Chinatown - or at the Wharf - but that was about it - other than going over for some Raider and A's games.
Liked going to dinner at the Oakland Chinatown - or at the Wharf - but that was about it - other than going over for some Raider and A's games.
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A good friend of mine lives in Oakland, in a private house with a superb view, in a beautiful neighborhood. Oakland is not a gritty inner city. There are also some excellent restaurants in Oakland.
#4
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How will you get back and forth? Driving is awful during commute times and BART fares will eat into your savings. Ferry? Maybe, but also $$ twice a day.
FWiW - short rentals like AirBnB are illegal in San Francisco and may also be illegal in Oakland.
FWiW - short rentals like AirBnB are illegal in San Francisco and may also be illegal in Oakland.
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What part of Oakland? Until a few months ago, my sister lived in the downtown/Chinatown area. I wouldn't feel comfortable walking around alone at night in her old neighborhood and I've lived in some sketchy areas of LA.
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What is your budget - that may help you find something that is not "beyond all reason pricewise"?
Oakland is not Brooklyn.
Brooklyn was not a dump before "gentrification." It was a working class, blue-collar borough with some questionable areas and some high end areas (the Heights, Park Slope, Sheepshead Bay). Then the "gentrification" (read: Gen Xers, Gen Yers, millenials) moved in because it's less expensive than Manhattan and better connected to the city than Queens.
Oakland has been the Detroit of the West Coast for decades. It may be improving a bit, but it is STILL one of the four worst large cities in the US in terms of violent crime rate (Detroit, St. Louis, Oakland, Memphis) and its reputation precedes it for a reason.
Why not airbnb in Berkeley or another suburb?
Oakland is not Brooklyn.
Brooklyn was not a dump before "gentrification." It was a working class, blue-collar borough with some questionable areas and some high end areas (the Heights, Park Slope, Sheepshead Bay). Then the "gentrification" (read: Gen Xers, Gen Yers, millenials) moved in because it's less expensive than Manhattan and better connected to the city than Queens.
Oakland has been the Detroit of the West Coast for decades. It may be improving a bit, but it is STILL one of the four worst large cities in the US in terms of violent crime rate (Detroit, St. Louis, Oakland, Memphis) and its reputation precedes it for a reason.
Why not airbnb in Berkeley or another suburb?
#7
>> Oakland is not a gritty inner city.ARE gritty inner city. There are parts of Oakland I would never (EVER) stay, and there are parts that are lovely. Unfortunately the dreadful parts outnumber the wonderful parts about 3 or 4 to 1. Some areas are very dangerous. Some parts - like the Oakland hills, have multi-million dollar homes w/ amazing views. Most parts have nothing of the kind.
Before you even consider a private rental in Oakland (or a hotel for that matter) - what is the specific address?
What is your budget?
Before you even consider a private rental in Oakland (or a hotel for that matter) - what is the specific address?
What is your budget?
#9
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My post above referred to the Oakland Hills, where there are quite a few listings on Air B&B. I know nothing about transport, or local laws, just commenting that you need an exact address to get good opinions.
#13
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Thanks everyone.
The reason for the especially extreme prices in SF hotels, I've discovered, is the Outside Lands music festival.
I have been to San Francisco a number of times, and I like it, and I have also visited Muir Woods, Santa Cruz, and Berkeley.
Is there enough of interest in Oakland to make it worthwhile to visit on its own?
The reason for the especially extreme prices in SF hotels, I've discovered, is the Outside Lands music festival.
I have been to San Francisco a number of times, and I like it, and I have also visited Muir Woods, Santa Cruz, and Berkeley.
Is there enough of interest in Oakland to make it worthwhile to visit on its own?
#15
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Is there enough of interest in Oakland to make it worthwhile to visit on its own?
No, not really. There are a few neighborhoods of some interest but it's not really a city that would generally be of interest to tourists. BTW, I agree with every word of janisj's posts.
No, not really. There are a few neighborhoods of some interest but it's not really a city that would generally be of interest to tourists. BTW, I agree with every word of janisj's posts.
#16
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My friend and I decided to stay in hostels in central San Francisco for the first part of the stay, and then go to Petaluma where we got a TravelZoo deal for the weekend. I couldn't find exactly what I wanted on AirBnB for San Francisco, and ultimately decided Oakland just was not the solution either.
I've stayed in hostels before, and no big deal to do it again.
Thanks everyone.
I've stayed in hostels before, and no big deal to do it again.
Thanks everyone.
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