Not only is Modesto 90 miles away which would be pretty damn awful as a daily commute, but it's also not the nicest spot to live in. If you're getting paid a Silicon Valley salary, you can easily afford Bay Area housing. You could find spots like Modesto, Fremont or Oakland that are much cheaper… but there's a reason they're cheaper. For the most part, they're pretty crappy places to live.
I say this having lived in Oakland for a year, and trust me when I say that it's a huge shithole. Insane crime, crappy acomodations, and a very depressing atmosphere. I got mugged at gunpoint there once, too.
I have lived in Oakland for 8 years, dont drive a car, take public transit, walk, shop, and work here. Never been mugged. Perhaps the problem was with you and not the city. Anyways, with that attitude Im glad to hear you left. Dont come back.
I see this sentiment a lot, and I appreciate that your visceral reaction is because of the tone of the post you're replying to, so please don't take this too personally.
But, and I say this as a happy resident of the East Bay, you're simply sticking your head in the sand if you ignore the fact that Oakland and some of it's neighbors are very good places to become a victim: ranked fourth in the US, actually. 2010 FBI crime rate data; sort by "violent crime":
I love living over here, but this is a terrible statistic, and Oakland has more than earned it's reputation. Expending all your effort telling people they're wrong to be afraid feels like such a waste; there are so many more productive things that could be done with that energy that might actually address the problem.
True that. I didn't mean to insinuate that Oakland is the safest place to live. I simply found the comment calling it a "huge shithole" mildly offensive. It may be more dangerous than other cities but I do believe, going on years of personal experience as well as observing the experiences of others, that the danger can be mitigated by one's own attitude and actions. I expend much energy in my community and leaving even that aside I believe I make Oakland a better place to live for everyone by smiling and saying hello to my neighbors every day. Perhaps not, just my take.
You have to make a lot to 'EASILY' afford Bay Area housing... I currently live in Arizona and to live in an equivalent house like I live in here (nothing too special, just a 3 bed 1 story newer home) would be at least 2.5 to 3 times the cost (if living right in the hotspot areas of Silicon Valley. I'm honestly not even sure as it may be more, I pretty much gave up looking and resigned myself to living a bit further out because my salary wouldn't triple if I move there, as I'm sure it won't for most people.
Comments
Not only is Modesto 90 miles away which would be pretty damn awful as a daily commute, but it's also not the nicest spot to live in. If you're getting paid a Silicon Valley salary, you can easily afford Bay Area housing. You could find spots like Modesto, Fremont or Oakland that are much cheaper… but there's a reason they're cheaper. For the most part, they're pretty crappy places to live.
I say this having lived in Oakland for a year, and trust me when I say that it's a huge shithole. Insane crime, crappy acomodations, and a very depressing atmosphere. I got mugged at gunpoint there once, too.
I have lived in Oakland for 8 years, dont drive a car, take public transit, walk, shop, and work here. Never been mugged. Perhaps the problem was with you and not the city. Anyways, with that attitude Im glad to hear you left. Dont come back.
I see this sentiment a lot, and I appreciate that your visceral reaction is because of the tone of the post you're replying to, so please don't take this too personally.
But, and I say this as a happy resident of the East Bay, you're simply sticking your head in the sand if you ignore the fact that Oakland and some of it's neighbors are very good places to become a victim: ranked fourth in the US, actually. 2010 FBI crime rate data; sort by "violent crime":
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_cities_by_crime_r...
I love living over here, but this is a terrible statistic, and Oakland has more than earned it's reputation. Expending all your effort telling people they're wrong to be afraid feels like such a waste; there are so many more productive things that could be done with that energy that might actually address the problem.
True that. I didn't mean to insinuate that Oakland is the safest place to live. I simply found the comment calling it a "huge shithole" mildly offensive. It may be more dangerous than other cities but I do believe, going on years of personal experience as well as observing the experiences of others, that the danger can be mitigated by one's own attitude and actions. I expend much energy in my community and leaving even that aside I believe I make Oakland a better place to live for everyone by smiling and saying hello to my neighbors every day. Perhaps not, just my take.
I don't live in Oakland, but glad there was someone with a dissenting opinion to counter this nasty diatribe.
You have to make a lot to 'EASILY' afford Bay Area housing... I currently live in Arizona and to live in an equivalent house like I live in here (nothing too special, just a 3 bed 1 story newer home) would be at least 2.5 to 3 times the cost (if living right in the hotspot areas of Silicon Valley. I'm honestly not even sure as it may be more, I pretty much gave up looking and resigned myself to living a bit further out because my salary wouldn't triple if I move there, as I'm sure it won't for most people.
fremont actually seems like a great place to live to me. it was pretty high on my list of fallbacks if i did not find a decent place in san francisco.
Just once? You got lucky.