I think I posted that I wad getting transferred to the Bay area this summer, more specifically I will be working in Alameda. I have only been to Santa Rosa for a wedding but no real time on west coast.

I would love to avoid Oakland since I have not heard good things about it. Plus, being a Steelers fan it just won't be good. So have been looking at areas like Union City, Fremont, and Dublin. I have also been looking at Walnut Creek but it just sounds kind of boring to me.

Looking for any and all suggestions. I have some friends out there that I'm waiting for feedback but thought I would ask my STOner friends also.

Thanks and look forward to riding your roads soon.

What sort of city-things do you want to be close to? Nightclubs, late-night restaurants, arenas etc or is suburbia OK? 

I've never lived in the East Bay so I can't help with specific areas of the cities you listed, but I have a couple of friends who live in Alameda; I can ask them for suggestions.

Thanks. Not really into clubs anymore but love restaurants and outdoors. Kind of looking for good mix of both, which is what I have now. I like the neighborhood feel with great local places instead of big chain restaurant's. If that makes any sense at all.

I lived in Googleview - I mean "Mountain View" - for a year and it was ok. Not much of a neighborhood, but the apartment complex we were in was really nice (I mean *really* nice) and within walking distance to the grocery store and the best damn Mexican restaurant I've ever been to (Fiesta del Mar).  I should say that the "down town" area of Mountain View is pretty good, but San Carlos seemed much more interesting.

Thanks. I think we are trying to stay on the east side of the Bay since that's where I thinking both of us will be working. Good to know about the Mexican food. That is one of the things we are definitely excited about!

What kind of housing are you looking for?

Parts are Oakland aren't horrible -- Rockridge, most areas in the hills and east of 580, etc.

Why not Alameda itself? There's only one bad part of Alameda -- former base housing southwest of the corner of Webster and Atlantic. Otherwise it's safe and very well patrolled (too well, in the case of the strict 25 mph speed limit). Good Mexican food at La Piñata/La Penca Azul.

Union City, Fremont, Dublin -- all very very suburban, if you're into that...

Great! Thanks for the info.  We are in the process of getting released from the CG housing in alameda (by the old navy base). I'm not against living in alameda but the options of a 3/2 (or similar) with yard and garage seems few and far between on alameda island.

Traffic everywhere in the bay area sucks.  Don't sucked in by "reverse commute".  Seriously, you should give Alameda a chance.  People who live there love it.  Small town feel, lot's of ma and pa stores/restaurants, relaxed vibe.  You won't feel like you're missing anything and if you want open spaces you drive to the oakland hills (not far).  Plus you can easily get to SF when you want by a variety of modes of transportation. 

Hayward/dublin/Fremont also have their bad neighborhoods, just like Oakland.  So don't get something just because it's cheap.  Do you want an older or newer house?  The further you get away from the 'hub' of the bay area, the newer the houses get.  Are you renting or buying? 

Is Berkeley/Albany not an option?  It's certainly pricier than hayward/fremont area. 

eD

Traffic everywhere in the bay area sucks.  Don't sucked in by "reverse commute".  Seriously, you should give Alameda a chance.  People who live there love it.  Small town feel, lot's of ma and pa stores/restaurants, relaxed vibe.  You won't feel like you're missing anything and if you want open spaces you drive to the oakland hills (not far).  Plus you can easily get to SF when you want by a variety of modes of transportation. 

Hayward/dublin/Fremont also have their bad neighborhoods, just like Oakland.  So don't get something just because it's cheap.  Do you want an older or newer house?  The further you get away from the 'hub' of the bay area, the newer the houses get.  Are you renting or buying? 

Is Berkeley/Albany not an option?  It's certainly pricier than hayward/fremont area. 

eD

Alameda is definitely an option but the main reason we are trying to get released from housing is BC of our 75lb fur child. She needs a yard and I need a garage so it's just a comprise game. If we could find something that meets the puzzle of needs on alameda, I think that would be our first pick.

The furry ones:
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If I'm not mistaken the Alameda to SF ferry is pretty close to the old Alameda Naval Air Station...

New to *this* site, so a little late... caught your PGH comment and should note that there is a good "Stillers" bar in North Beach in the city: http://www.giordanobros.com/northbeach/.  Primanti brothers knock-off, but tastefully so.  Lots of 'Burgh expats here, myself included.

Don't know much about East Bay neighborhoods, though Coast Guard Island seems a nice enough place to work when I happen to pass by in need of gas or have to visit the DEERs folks.  Anything with a garage is excellent.