SF and Oakland residents, is this a safe area of Oakland?

Hi, as some of you may have seen in my recent post @wrighteous86 and I are going on a road trip to San Francisco this summer. Prices in SF are a bit above our budget, so we've been looking through Air BnB and found a nice looking cottage around Oakland.

I've never heard anything about Oakland myself, but @wrighteous86 is a bit apprehensive as he's heard it's a dangerous area. From the reviews it seems like this cottage is in a nicer part of Oakland, but I wanted to be sure before we booked anything

"A" is where it's located, so does anyone have any idea if this is a safe area or not? Places are selling out fast, so we wanna get it booked as soon as! Also, would it be dangerous to drive to and from SF from here?

Thanks for your help!

I don't know anything about Oakland, but you might check on Trulia. It lets you check crime statistics for different areas.

Edit: Took a quick look myself. That area you marked shows around 6 crimes for the last couple of weeks, compared to hundreds downtown. I'd say it's a relatively safe place. You should be fine driving. You'll mostly be on the highways anyway, and that cottage is right by 580.

I don't live there, but I've been to Oakland a few times before. It has crime, but nothing too crazy unless you are looking for trouble. But that's everywhere.

Since the cabin is near a country club and park, I think you might be okay.

All of Oakland is pretty dicey. However, (A) is right next to a country club so it may be pretty nice. I highly recommend street viewing that area to get a feel for it.

I don't see why it wouldn't be safe to drive to/from SF from there. It's not that far (actually it is a lot closer than I realized).

EDIT: Make sure you have cash. I am pretty sure Eisenhower has a toll on it.

Well shoot, I just compared that area to where I live, and there's substantially less crime near that cottage. I've never felt unsafe here in Madison, so you should be totally fine.

The only thing I know about Oakland -

Same, have family who live in Oakland and been there a few times when I was younger. Just make sure you aren't out too late and don't look at anyone sideways. Cottage in Oakland, heck Kreyshawn's from Oak-town so how dangerous can that city be really. You mentioned in your other post the both of you are traveling from Chicago, I think Chicago is a far more dangerous city compared to Oakland depending on what side you live on, though that's how it is for most major cities.

@i_stay_puft: I visited Oakland once myself, now that I think about it. I was there for a family reunion. I walked around Lake Merritt with my cousins. It's on the other side of the city from where they are staying, but it didn't seem particularly in the daytime.

Oakland has the third highest crime rate in the US...

When I was 13 I stayed with my auntie and her family. First night heard gunshots after that not so much. That night was properly introduced to Half-Life One by my cousin so gunshots and Gordon Freeman have become synonymous with each other.

Here's a site that tracks crime in Oakland: http://oakland.crimespotting.org/. If the cottage is in the hills, you're fine.

Could also grab a police scanner and stay away from the bad guys.

Just watch out for Too $hort.

You should be fine. Generally the higher up you go, the less crime and the wealthier the area. You are right on the border of Oakland Hills, which is good. Just stay out of Richmond.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oakland_Hills,_Oakland,_California

Used to live in Alameda here, I'd stay away from Oakland if I were you. I've seen and experienced a lot of bad shit there, and I generally tried to avoid it best I could. The hills are fine usually (eastern section of the city), but be careful anywhere else.

Thanks to everyone for your advice. I checked out the crime rates and they don't look worrying in that area *touch wood*. From Google Street view it looks like a quiet cul-de-sac. We'll just be sure not to drive around downtown late at night and keep the doors locked.

@i_stay_puft: The thought of guns terrifies me. I'm sure they scare everyone, but being a quiet, little Brit that's never heard a real gun shot I'd probably hide under the bed for the whole trip if I heard some. First thing my mum told me when I said I was going to the US was "Be careful! They have guns there!!"

It's a cute little cottage though, and the reviews look really promising, so we are going to book it.

Thanks again everyone for your advice!

The vast majority of gun violence is from gangs. You don't really have anything to worry about . . . unless you randomly stumble into a gang war.

hehehehehe

do you mean knock on wood?

@duskvamp:

15 years ago when i moved from Australia to US, all my australian friends would scare me saying "all kids in school have guns, you better get ready." It scared the shit out of me. You will very rarely see any guns here.

As a bay area resident for 8 years (4 years in berkeley, 4 in SF), certain parts of Oakland are ok others are bad. One thing to note is try to avoid walking around Oakland at night. East Oakland is the area which gives Oakland the bad rap. Avoid that area. Downtown Oakland is ok during the day because there are lot of business people around. North Oakland (Pidemont) is also ok during the day.

I can't quite understand where exactly the location is from your map but it looks like its in the hills. Oakland hills should be ok. Lot of rich families stay there. Hopfully you have a car to travel. If you plan on taking public transportation, you should find a place that is closer to the bart (the bay area subway Vinny keeps talking about).

Unfortunately the new thing in the Bay Area is for people to walk up to someone, ask "You in a gang?" and then shoot them before they can even respond. That might be more of a SF thing, though.

I thought all of California is a giant, perpetual gang war.

Is that actually in the news? Because that reeks of urban legend. Reminds me of this: http://www.snopes.com/crime/gangs/lightsout.asp

Not dishing out that sweet XGAL relationship advice is the true crime here.

Yeah, ever since the great earth quake of '97 that caused us to split away from the rest of the country.

Yeah, just don't walk alone and in places that look even remotely shady. It has a decent nightlife too for those stuck in the East Bay. Also, get used to seeing the droves of homeless that occupy the Bay area; freaked me out when I first moved here.

NO PART OF OAKLAND IS SAFE FROM THE WRATH OF RAIDER NATION.

That's how she (or they?) say it. I'm used to it.

@rorie: Sorry for the double question. I sent you the PM before she thought to make this thread. Appreciate the help!

We need more questions!

Giant Bomb Xtreme Girl Advice Line, everybody. Get on it!

Hopefully I don't look like I'd be part of a gang... What colours should I avoid wearing?

Knowing me I would, it would be like a scene from Bridget Jones's Diary. (Not that I've seen it, but that's the impression I get)

I was shocked by the amount of homeless people I saw in Chicago!

Lived in SF for about 3 months, but I stayed in Oakland for 3 days before moving to SF. Since I didn't stay very long in either area I can't really judge too well, but I found Oakland to be much safer than SF.

Everybody becomes a victim of a crime eventually, might as well get it over with as soon as possible.

I'm just kidding though, I mean no offense to the beatiful place that is Oakland.

Oakland isn't as bad as people may make it out to be. I've never felt threatened. Now Richmond... that's a different story.

Also, yeah, enjoy the waves of homeless people.

You're gonna get shanked.

Oakland is full of criminals and San Francisco is full of crazy homeless people. You're kinda fucked either way.

Kudos! I know I would certainly not be mature enough to be able to get used to it.

HEHEHE You guys are definitely going to have a good time ;)

Me and my cousin were approached by a guy who was driving by and stopped his car to see if we were members of a rival gang. He asked if we gang banged and what area we came from. We figured he had to have had a gun on him because any one of us would have been enough to smash this guy's face in. After a minute he decided we weren't in a gang and got in his car and left. This happened about a year ago.

It's stuff like that which makes me hope that for a law that allows for gang members to be killed on site by police. If they were as persistent in doing their job as they were with catching Chiristopher Dorner where it didn't matter if they shot up two women then our society would be a better place.

Nowhere is safe.

This might seriously be the dumbest fucking thing I've read at least 10 internet days. Let's give police executioner powers, like they don't shoot enough people already. Jesus Fucking Christ.

How many people have you seen killed in front of you?

What's even the point of this stupid question?

I would prefer it gang members didn't kill people on my street in front of me and my surrounding area. Do you know what it's like to live in an area where you have to watch people and wonder if they're going to pull out a gun and shoot someone?

The point is how someone comes to the conclusion that gang members should be killed on site. I'd prefer it if they didn't exist in my area. If they could pick up and move to another city I'd be fine with that since you seem to be against killing them outright.

@golguin:

Wouldn't it be hilarious then for a known gang member to look somewhat like you and for the police to role up on you as you walk down the street and pump you full of holes "on site?" What you are saying is so ludicrous I feel like I am getting trolled and there is no point in discussing this anyway.

I don't think it would be funny. You never answered my question about seeing people killed in front of you. Have you ever seen real gang members with your own two eyes in person? I'm not talking about people wearing saggy pants and a wife beater. I'm talking about confirmed gang members.

Before you ask how you "confirm" if someone is a gang member please refrain from asking such a question.

@duskvamp: @wrighteous86 unfortunately has good reason to be concerned about Oakland. I'd mos def definitely stay away from downtown. Occupy Oakland went a lot differently than Occupy Wall Street did for a lot of reasons. I wouldn't go in the upper deck at A's games either if you are thinking catching a major league baseball game. Some bad things happen in the Oakland Colosseum once you get away from security. A's games are not nearly as well attended as Raiders games which makes it kind of no man's land up there. You're better off paying the higher ticket price and going to a Giants game.

I've been to Oakland a fair amount of times, never had anything bad happen to me personally, but I've always been with locals who knew the area well. Strangers definitely have no problem getting in your face there, whether it to hustle you or solicit you or ask you really unnerving stuff. It's a place that can feel rough and like the 'hood. It's probably not actually that dangerous, it just has a negative and confrontational vibe to the place, which can be scary if you're not used to it know how to handle it.

One thing general about the Bay area is the homeless tend to be unusually aggressive there. One scam in particular I'd see involves on street parking. Parking is at a premium in SF (there's something like 3 cars to every spot in the city) and what a lot of those guys will do (or used to last time I was there) is camp out in unused street spots. They will then "valet" you into it and demand a tip. If you don't tip expect to find your windows smashed out and your stereo gone when you return.

I'm sure 99% of time Oakland is fine just like most places are. If you do go, just mind your own business and don't dally about on the street. Also definitely don't leave any stuff in your car in plain sight.

Have you guys looked at San Jose and Palo Alto areas? little further away from SF than Oakland but not terrible maybe you can find something cheaper there. East Palo Alto can be rough as well, just an fyi

How do you "confirm" someone is a gang member?

You survived Chicago so I can't imagine Oakland being any worse. My advice after living on the South Side of Chicago:

1. Always make sure you walk with Wrighthouse. Don't under any circumstance walk alone at night, either in Oakland or San Fransisco.

2. If you use a smartphone or other expensive electronic device don't use it while walking at night.

3. Don't walk with headphones on.

4. Most importantly, if someone demands your wallet or any other possession give it to them. Nothing you own is worth dying for. It can all be replaced.

And, yea, there are a ton of homeless people in both San Fransisco and Chicago. Just be polite to them if they insist on talking to you. Your best bet is just to completely ignore them. Avoid eye contact at all costs. Once you lock eyes with them they know you have seen them. Just stare ahead and keep walking and most will move on.

I know exactly what you're talking about. It can be pretty unnerving day to day wondering if some fucker is going to roll up on you and that's it. I grew up with some Mexican kids that were in gangs and I was friends with some of them and cool with others. I was lucky since I was a white kid they were actually super nice to me (at least it made them not have to worry about me being in a gang). I even got in some fights myself and some would come back me up.

If they saw another Mexican they didn't recognize then here comes the puffed out chest, mad dogging and who do you roll with shit.

I saw a guy get his head bashed in by another guy at my school. That fucker was out to kill. Once that one kid hit the floor the other one aimed for his head and started kicking as hard as he could. I don't even know if they've ever met each other before that day. All I know is only one guy made it out alive.

@duskvamp this ^, is good advice for any US urban environment.