Did you know that Oakland is over 55 square miles? That leaves a lot of room for neighborhoods of all types, from small and charming (a growing family’s dream come true) to large, hip, and happening (perfect for young professionals looking to network).

So, where should you pack up and move to in Oakland? We’re glad you asked!

Today, we’re going to chat about some of the best up-and-coming neighborhoods in Oakland to help you narrow down potential places to live and find something that truly speaks to you. 

Let’s get started. Shall we? 

The 5 best up-and-coming neighborhoods in Oakland

Looking for a great place to live in one of the country’s “most diverse cities?” We have your back. Below are five of the best up-and-coming neighborhoods in Oakland to consider for your next home or apartment. (One thing we love about Oakland is that there is something for everyone!)

Bellhop - "Best Movers Ever'

Trestle Glen

One of the overall best Oakland neighborhoods 

Developed back in the early 1900s, Trestle Glen is easily one of our favorite neighborhoods in Oakland, so you know we have to lead with this! Go east once you get to Lakeshore Avenue, and that’s where you’ll find the beauty that is Trestle Glen.

The homes alone are a sight to see, created in just about every style you can imagine, from Spanish to craftsman. Most people living in Trestle Glen are homeowners, and if you hope to add your name to that list, expect to pay a median home value of $1,207,816. (If renting is more your thing, the median rent is $1,916.) 

One thing we love about Trestle Glen is the proximity to Downtown Oakland. It only takes about 10 minutes to get there, so if you work in that part of the city, commuting will be a breeze. This neighborhood also has lower violent crime and property crime rates than other parts of Oakland, making it a safe place to live, raise a family, and put down roots. 

While we’re on the subject, if you have kids, you’ll be happy to know that there are many good schools in the area. These include Glenview Elementary School, Crocker Highlands Elementary School, Montera Middle School, Westlake Middle School, Oakland High School, and AIMS College Prep High School–to name a few. 

Also, for activities, Trestle Glen has many bars, restaurants, and parks to take advantage of in your off-time. Some of our personal favorite parks in the area are Mandana Plaza Park, Dimond Park, and Oak Glen Park. 

Adams Point

One of the top, most affordable neighborhoods in Oakland for young professionals and families

Adams Point is another great up-and-coming Oakland neighborhood, situated to the north of Lake Merritt and beside Grand Lake and Downtown. A few of the must-see spots to check out in Adams Point include the Children’s Fairyland, Splash Pad Park, Lakeside Park, and Veterans’ Memorial Building.

Approximately 85% of people rent in Adams Point, with the median rent costing $1,671. (The median home value is $523,021.) So, whether you intend to rent or buy a home in Adams Point (or a condo, which one Reddit user recommends), Adams Point might just be the place for you. 

One person who lives in Adams Point says, “This safe, family-friendly location is perfect! You are very close to the beautiful Lake Merritt. Grocery shopping is easy with stores like Safeway, Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods a very short drive or a brisk walking distance away. Transportation is very convenient, with AC transit buses frequently running at early and late house; BART is also about 20 min walk away and 5 min by bus.

They go on to add how incredible this neighborhood is for growing families, especially those who enjoy weekends out and about at places like the farmer’s market. And even if you don’t have a family and are simply a young professional trying to find an economical, fun place to live, this Oakland neighborhood could be a great option for you, too. You can enjoy shopping, walking, socializing, hiking, and hanging out at the park all in a day’s time. 

For schools, Adams Point has Lakeview Elementary School, Lafayette Elementary School, West Oakland Middle School, Envision Academy Middle Grades, MetWest High School – Ericka Huggins Campus, and Oakland Technical High School.

Grand Lake 

One of the all-around best neighborhoods for families in Oakland

We’ve covered Trestle Glen and Adams Point, so we have to make room for their iconic neighbor, Grand Lake, too! Grand Lake is to the northeast of Lake Merritt, surrounded by Adams Point, Trestle Glen, and another one of our favorite neighborhoods, Piedmont. 

The Better Way to Move

What’s it like in Grand Lake? Well, for starters, it has an urban but laid-back vibe to it, with some of Oakland’s best restaurants, parks, and boutiques. Grand Lake has the Grand Lake Theatre, Lakeside Park, and Grand Lake Farmers’ Market waiting for you if you ever decide to move there. 

Not to mention, the crime rate in Grand Lake is much lower than Oakland’s average crime rate, so you are sure to feel safe raising your kids there. (It also scores well for walkability, allowing you to easily go about your day without a car if you need to do so.)

Some of your options for schools to send your kids to include Grand Lake Montessori, Bella Vista Elementary School, EBMS, Roosevelt Middle School, McClymonds High School, and Oakland International High School.

Want to buy a home in Grand Lake? The median home value is $757,092. If you’d like to get to know the area first, renting might be more up your alley, and in that case, plan to pay a median rent of $1,926. 

West Oakland

One of the coolest neighborhoods in Oakland

As you might expect, West Oakland is the western part of Oakland (northwestern, to be exact). It’s surrounded by Downtown Oakland, Emeryville, and beautiful views right on the water. West Oakland is up against the Port of Oakland and part of the Oakland Bay Bridge, so if picturesque views of the water are something you look forward to, then West Oakland might just be the right fit. 

Whether you’re single or raising kids, West Oakland offers something for you. This neighborhood, which came to be back at the beginning of the 1800s, boasts stunning Victorian-style homes, funky bars and restaurants, and artwork from some of the city’s most renowned artists. 

In fact, one local artist mentions, “…So much art here. Many artists (and even many young professionals like me) just can’t afford the drastic rent in the city (or choose not to- what a waste!). First Fridays (Art Murmur) are a great display of all of the amazing things happening in Oakland. It is super culturally diverse and there are lots of great food options.

If you want to own a home in West Oakland, the median listing home price is $749,000. It’s $2,927 per month to rent an apartment there on average. One thing people love about living in West Oakland is the great nightlife and fast access to the BART public transportation system, which can take you throughout the Bay area. 

Do you have kids? West Oakland offers multiple schools, including Hoover Elementary School, Prescott School, West Oakland Middle School, Ralph J. Bunche Academy, Street Academy Alternative School, and Oakland High School.

Claremont

One of the best neighborhoods for students and kids

Looking for a neighborhood that’s near Oakland and Berkeley, with close access to the University of California, Berkeley? Consider Claremont. It’s less than 2 miles from the school when you take Claremont Avenue, making it easy to get there fast at multiple times of the day if you need to for school or work. 

Nearly 9 of 10 people who live in Claremont are homeowners, but rest assured that there are plenty of places to rent there, too. The median home value is $1,173,949, and the median rent is $2,878.

What is there to do around Claremont? You can go horseback riding or hike at the Claremont Canyon Regional Preserve, let your kids have fun at the Rockridge-Temescal Greenbelt, put your headphones in and walk through Garber Park, or stop by the Oakland Zoo. 

When it comes to schools, Claremont has John Muir Elementary School, Chabot Elementary School, Claremont Middle School, Presidio Hill School, Mentoring Academy, and Holy Names High School. All in all, Claremont is a wonderful place to live, with lots to do–especially if you like to spend time outdoors. 

Whether you’re working your way up in corporate America or planning to have kids soon, you’ll appreciate all of the wonderful amenities that this area has to offer. 

Plan your move to Oakland today 

Now that you have an idea of which of the best up-and-coming neighborhoods in Oakland are for you, let’s make that move happen. Bellhop provides multiple local and long-distance moving services in Oakland, helping you get from one location to another with ease. Need packing supplies? We got you! Looking for a delivery truck? We have you covered there, too. We also help coordinate moves for nearby cities such as San Francisco and San Jose should you be interested!

Book a move online today.

Harrison Stevens