North Hayward

Though many locals consider it as a southerly annex to Castro Valley, North Hayward reminds me more of Berkeley. I think that it has a lot to do with all the old bungalows that are here, and the way the streets look.

The median priced family home here runs around $275K, very moderate for the Bay Area as you no doubt know. 90% of the homes in this neighborhood are on sale due to foreclosure. High for the Bay Area overall but not that surprising given that this is a lower middle class neighborhood, which is not a put down but a statement of the obvious--recessions hit those living closer to the edge harder than those who have a safety cushion.

Unfortunately, the schools here are pretty solidly below average, unlike those in Castro Valley.

Crime is also a bit of an issue here with Mission Blvd. near here and into Cherryland being basically a red light district in terms of prostitution. There are also a fair number of assaults in the area.

This is however one of the best spots in the Bay from which to begin your commute with SF, San Jose, Livermore and Richmond within an hours drive.

There is, however, a very cool downtown area with about a dozen pretty cool lounges in the area, which draws a fair number of single folks. You have for example, The Fernandes Stein Lounge, the Hayward Ranch, and the Palace Hookah Bar. There is also a movie theater in the downtown area, and a Poker Casino on the southern end of the neighborhood.

Crime is, of course the worst in this section of the neighborhood.

Overall this is a pretty cool spot to visit, but I’m not so sure living here would be so great. A bit too much action in terms of crime and gang activity and that sort of thing.

I've been here a few times during the day, and its kind of a deserted street. It's the middle of the day, and I didn't see anybody on the street but me and my co-workers. There is nothing much to do in this area. It's quiet and a little bit lonely. It's mostly houses and once in a while there would be a shop or restaurant. The houses are big, but old looking, with lots of trees in the area. I also saw lots of empty vacant lots while passing by, it feels like a small town down south where everybody knows everybody. It would be boring living here. The only people I would recommend to live here are retired people looking for a quiet place to live in.