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Many people dream of living in the Bay Area as they want to enjoy the incredible coastline, mild temperatures, and liberal communities. San Francisco is usually the first choice that comes to mind when people think of moving to the California Bay Area.
However, many prefer to live away from the hustle and bustle of a crowded city. That is why they are drawn to the neighboring areas. Oakland has become the new destination for such people because it offers several advantages over the other locations. So if you are planning to move to the Bay Area, these factors might convince you to choose Oakland over the other pieces.
Convenient Location
Oakland is perfectly located across the bay from San Francisco and is a short drive/BART ride away. If you live in Oakland, you can access downtown San Francisco faster than several neighborhoods located within San Francisco itself. The reason behind that is a highly efficient public transport system that connects the two cities.
The BART transport system is much faster and easier to access than San Francisco’s network of trains and buses. You can drive to the train station in Oakland, park your car there and go about your business in San Francisco before taking the train back at the end of your day. Oakland and Berkeley are equidistant from San Francisco, and both places offer lots of cultural entertainment to the residents.
Affordable
If you have researched living in the Bay Area, you would know that San Francisco has insanely high rents. Moreover, hunting for an apartment can feel like a full-contact sport that makes it even more difficult to find a decent house to live in. Oakland, on the other hand, offers way more affordable options for housing in the Bay Area.
You will also find that there is better availability of decent apartments in Oakland and San Francisco. So if you choose to live in Oakland, you will not have to live inside a shoebox or share an apartment with a dozen other people. Moving to Oakland is less expensive than San Francisco. You can also save some money if you hire a moving company in Oakland.
For example, they will be able to tell you whether you need to pay almost $ 300 for a parking spot or not. There will also arrange for the obstruction permit that you will need while moving to Oakland so that the moving truck can park in the parking spot, curb, or traffic lane.
More Job Opportunities
Most people want to move to the Bay Area to look for job opportunities in San Francisco. While it is true that most of the companies and start-ups are located in San Francisco, Oakland can offer you a lot of opportunities as well. Many large corporations like Pixar and Pandora opened up offices in Oakland.
While San Francisco is heavily saturated with talented individuals, it is relatively easier to find a job in Oakland. The start-up scene is also exploding in Oakland, creating massive growth in job opportunities, especially in technology and media. Many companies from Oakland have also appeared in Forbes’s list of 100 fastest-growing companies in the country.
Better Weather
You may not believe it, but Oakland has better weather conditions than San Francisco, especially the West Bay. Oakland enjoys 261 days of sunshine in a year, which is way more than San Francisco.
The west side of San Francisco is mostly covered in fog, which makes the evenings a lot cooler than the day. However, in Oakland, the temperatures stay around the 70s throughout the year, which is more enjoyable. So unlike San Francisco, you will not have to carry a light jacket with you every day.
Small Businesses Grow Better
The Oakland community gives a lot of importance to supporting local businesses and ensuring that the revenues stay in the East Bay. Several local nonprofits give small businesses a lot of support through the Sustainable Business Alliance.
That means it is great for you if you want to start a small business in Oakland. These practices also ensure that the cost of products stays lower than the local markets of San Francisco.
Driving and Parking Are Easy
If you have experienced driving and parking in San Francisco, you will love the conditions in Oakland. You won’t have to circle blocks to find a parking space, nor will you have to pay insane parking fees. Driving and parking in Oakland is bliss compared to most other cities.
There are several other perks of moving to Oakland. You will find Oakland to be a lot more greener than other places in the Bay Area. It is also home to several art galleries and cultural events, which are also common in San Francisco and the neighboring places.
If you are a food lover, you will feel that you have reached food heaven when you live in Oakland. The prices in restaurants are also less expensive than in San Francisco. So if you want to live close to San Francisco and yet away from its disadvantages, Oakland can be the perfect choice for you.