Oakland means many things to many people, but above all, it is a city of neighborhoods.
In the northeast, the Oakland hills translate into a city of redwoods and streams, cafes and culture, views and wildlife, commercial villages and mom-and-pop shops, with sprawling hillside mansions and modest first homes.
Diverse both in their residents and their geography, the Oakland hills aren't easy to characterize. And even with their issues, locals wouldn't live anywhere else.
"You sort of meet the rest of the world here," says Pamela Drake, a 14-year resident of the Lakeshore neighborhood near Lake Merritt. "San Francisco is a fun place to go out at night and to shop, but to live you want to be in Oakland."
According to the 2000 U.S. Census, the Oakland hills are home to roughly 117,000 people who form part of Oakland's 400,000 population. The hills area stretches from the Berkeley city limit to the shore of Lake Merritt, from west to east along the I-580 freeway to Highway 13, up to the crests above Montclair.
More than 56 percent of hills residents have a college degree or better. And though the hills are often portrayed as an enclave of multimillionaires, the median household income is just over $73,000.
Last year, our friends, Peter and Kathy, moved from San Francisco to Rockridge because their priority was to find a church community for their kids. They have found just that and more. While the move was initially tough, their kids are now thriving. Peter has found an office close by that is surrounded by fabulous restaurants.
Kathy still commutes every day into the city which is a good thing; it keeps her connected to her roots. She and her daughter also have piano lessons in the city once a week.
While we miss this great family, they have nestled into the Oakland Hills. Their new home has a pool. And they have plenty of room for guests!
Oakland is a key part of what makes the Bay Area such a special place.
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