Palm Ave, Adams Point

...this is not a bad spot. Oakland has a reputation for being a bit rough around the edges, but Lake Merritt is the redeeming factor to this otherwise less-than-desirable town. Palm Avenue is a mere three blocks away from this area, and is a residential area that doesn't raise any red flags. Highway 580 is right around the corner, offering easy in and out access. There are several BART stations nearby, and Broadway and Telegraph, two of the main drags, are a short five-minute drive.

The name of the game on this street is duplexes and apartment complexes, so the population density is fairly high compared to other similarly-sized streets outside of this city. As a result, parking is tough to find (like many parts of the Bay Area), unless you are the first resident in your home to grab some coveted driveway space.

Apartments here are fairly small, and given that it is Oakland, you do still have to be careful, so you're probably better off getting bang-for-your-buck in other parts of the Bay Area that offer more space and a desirable location. But if urban living is your cup of tea and San Francisco is not feasible, then this isn't a bad alternative.