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West Oakland Neighborhood

West Oakland

West Oakland has had a storied past, with strong African American roots. Historically, it is Oakland’s oldest established neighborhood that originally rose up around the time of the Gold Rush, as Bay Area urban life began to take shape. 

Over time, a thriving jazz and business district moved in, along with heavy industry and manufacturing centers and sprawling rows of ornate Victorian and Edwardian homes.

Today, you’ll still find an abundance of industrial warehouses here, though many are either abandoned or have been converted to arts or residential spaces. A prime example of this is American Steel Studios, a huge warehouse that houses hundreds of industrial artists and makers.

Homes in this area include ornate Victorians and Edwardians. There is a noticeable lack of retail in West Oakland at present, though there are a few good spots here and there.

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Geographically, West Oakland is the closest neighborhood in Oakland to San Francisco. West Oakland BART station is the first BART stop in the East Bay, and every train runs through it, making this a very attractive commute option (it’s just a 7-minute ride to Embarcadero!).

We’re not going to sugarcoat it; crime is high here, and it’s not uncommon to find trash in the streets and graffiti on the walls. This is definitely an up-and-coming area, and a lot of real estate developers have their eye on this area.

More About West Oakland

West Oakland has a ton of potential and is going through a growth spurt of sorts. There’s a lot of new development in the area, and young professionals are finding the homes here attractive, with their close proximity to San Francisco. 

There’s a strong sense of community among the residents here, both new and old. Neighbors are nurturing beautiful gardens, there’s lots of sunshine, and you really can’t beat the commute. You’ll just need to use a little common sense when walking around at night.

An image of a living room that has been staged to attracted Oakland homebuyers and real estate investors.

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