Bay Farm, Alameda
Great for
- Clean & Green
- Lack of Traffic
- Peace & Quiet
- Safe & Sound
- Childcare
Not great for
- Parking
- Nightlife
- Neighborly Spirit
- Shopping Options
- Cost of Living
Who lives here?
- Families with kids
- Retirees
- Professionals
- Singles
- Tourists
Got a burning question? Why not ask the locals! Simply ask your question below
rating details
Jul 15, 2009
- Childcare
- Clean & Green
- Cost of Living
- Eating Out
- Gym & Fitness
- Internet Access
- Lack of Traffic
- Medical Facilities
- Neighborly Spirit
- Nightlife
- Parks & Recreation
- Peace & Quiet
- Pest Free
- Public Transport
- Resale or Rental Value
- Shopping Options
- Safe & Sound
- Schools
"A great place for families looking for outdoor opportunities."
Bay Farm Island is the only part of Alameda, CA connected to the mainland Bay Area. On a peninsula that also includes the Oakland Airport, Bay Farm features a quiet suburban environment with mostly newer (last 10-20 years at most) housing developments and communities.
Pluses are great running trails, parks, commuter ferry access directly to San Francisco, a small-town neighborly feel, good public schools, and a very safe environment. Kids play in the street, not much traffic, you know your neighbors. Also Alameda's only municipal golf course is located on Bay Farm and is one of the cheapest in the Bay Area.
Downsides of Bay Farm are a complete lack of local night life and poor public transportation. This is not a great place to live if you don't have a car, and if you're looking to meet young professionals or enjoy going out on most nights, you can probably find better places to live in the East Bay. There is a small shopping center with a grocery store, a great local coffee shop, and an excellent sushi restaurant (as well as a few other shops), but you will have to go to the main island of Alameda for most of your entertainment and shopping needs.
Overall I'd say Bay Farm is a great place to raise a family or even retire if you want to live quietly in East Bay suburbia (but still have great commuter access to the Bay). If you're looking for something a little more exciting, however, stick to the main island or Oakland/Berkeley.
Pluses are great running trails, parks, commuter ferry access directly to San Francisco, a small-town neighborly feel, good public schools, and a very safe environment. Kids play in the street, not much traffic, you know your neighbors. Also Alameda's only municipal golf course is located on Bay Farm and is one of the cheapest in the Bay Area.
Downsides of Bay Farm are a complete lack of local night life and poor public transportation. This is not a great place to live if you don't have a car, and if you're looking to meet young professionals or enjoy going out on most nights, you can probably find better places to live in the East Bay. There is a small shopping center with a grocery store, a great local coffee shop, and an excellent sushi restaurant (as well as a few other shops), but you will have to go to the main island of Alameda for most of your entertainment and shopping needs.
Overall I'd say Bay Farm is a great place to raise a family or even retire if you want to live quietly in East Bay suburbia (but still have great commuter access to the Bay). If you're looking for something a little more exciting, however, stick to the main island or Oakland/Berkeley.
Recommended for
- Families with kids
- Retirees