7.3 out of 10

Brookwood Rd, Orinda

Ranked 2nd best street in Orinda
37.875550847987 -122.183705242542
Great for
  • Public Transport
  • Safe & Sound
  • Schools
  • Parks & Recreation
  • Pest Free
Not great for
  • Cost of Living
  • Gym & Fitness
  • Childcare
  • Internet Access
  • Nightlife
Who lives here?
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Professionals
  • Singles
  • Hipsters

Reviews

4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 5/5
  • Peace & Quiet 4/5
  • Eating Out 3/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Lack of Traffic 2/5
  • Parking 2/5
  • Cost of Living 1/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 5/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 5/5
2yrs+

"Very friendly plus Downtown and Bart access!"

Brookwood Road is perpendicular to Camino Pablo and right across the road from Downtown facing Beverages and More. The neighborhood is so friendly that I often get stopped by neighbors driving up the hill to their million dollar home who ask me if I need a ride. I live in the condos right near the main drag (just behind Orinda Florist and the music academy). Our views are lush and green, peaceful and beautiful, which carries through the entire neighborhood and up the hill. This is a beautiful place to live and voted the 2nd friendliest city in the entire nation recently. My neighbors always wave hello, stop and chat, and we all know each other. It's a very small town and you tend to run into the same people over and over again.

This location give you easy access to downtown's vintage style theater, great restaurants, unique shops, salons, and eateries. There's also a gas station only a couple of blocks away where they actually pump your gas for you and don't accept tips. Plus, it's just 2 short walking blocks to BART which takes about 25 minutes to San Francisco, 10 minutes to Walnut Creek, and 10 minutes to Berkeley. There are nearby parks and trails and even Safeway, Rite Aid, and CVS are all within walking distance. Also, there is a County Connections bus stop just on the corner of Brookwood and Camino Pablo. Easy freeway access as well. You just cannot beat this location. I love living here. I hope I never have to move.

You cannot beat the top rated schools throughout this entire community as well.
Pros
  • close to popular restaurants
  • little bit of a nightlife
  • convenient location and walkable
  • Affordable Apartments
  • Close to BART
  • Close to Downtown
Cons
  • Expensive Area
Recommended for
  • Professionals
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Hipsters
  • Country Lovers
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 3/5
  • Safe & Sound 5/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 3/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 2/5
  • Parks & Recreation 5/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 3/5
  • Internet Access 4/5
  • Lack of Traffic 3/5
  • Parking 5/5
  • Cost of Living 2/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 5/5
  • Childcare 4/5
2yrs+

"Most Affordable Place in Orinda"

Brookwood Road in Orinda is probably the only place that anyone of moderate income can afford in Orinda. Well, at least one half of the road is. I visited a friend who lives in one of the apartment complexes that line the northern end of Brookwood, right by the rumble of the freeway. They are happy to be here because of the great Orinda schools, so they are willing to pay the extra hundred bucks or two to rent an apartment here. (Basically $1500 for a 1 bedroom.)

The apartment is kind of cavernous even though it has two big sliding glass doors that lead out onto the balcony (with its view of nothing in particular). The apartments are okay, I suppose. The location really is the main appeal of this location. As I already mentioned Orinda schools are great by all accounts.

The other great thing about these apartments is that you are a 5 minute walk from the quaint downtown area of Orinda where there is a movie theater, some restaurants and a little shopping area. It is really nice.

The other great thing is that the Orinda BART is right there as well, so if you are commuting to work--as you most likely are since Orinda is not known as a big commercial center, then you can walk right to your train. (You can be in Berkeley in about 25 minutes and in SF in about 45 minutes, I think.)

On the other side of Brookwood Road, it is practically a different world with million dollar homes with beautiful leafy entries. Brookwood road itself is also particularly attractive, with lots of tree cover and an appealing look to it.

I can see why my friend likes living here and was willing to pay the extra $2000 a year to do it.
Pros
  • Affordable Apartments
  • Close to Downtown
  • Close to BART
Cons
  • Expensive Area
  • Slightly Dingy
  • Next to Freeway
Recommended for
  • Singles
  • Families with kids
  • Retirees
  • Students

Best Streets in Orinda

1

Monterey Ter

3.5/5
"Orinda with an Alpine Feel"
37.8809981795394 -122.167926343402
2

Brookwood Rd

3.5/5
"Very friendly plus Downtown and Bart access!"
37.875550847987 -122.183705242542
3

Cam Pablo

3/5
"A No Header--It's Great!"
37.8889518932268 -122.195130019467

Unranked Streets in Orinda

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Alice Ln

3.5/5
"The Heart of Lamorinda"
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Ardith Dr

3.5/5
"Quiet Suburban Street"
37.8497944534845 -122.149682430856
"Best Area for Orinda Renters"
37.8935616986039 -122.17041930534
"Ranch Homes and Raccoons"
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Dalewood Dr

3.5/5
"Great But Beyond Reach for Most"
37.9104134771574 -122.175709871396

Dias Dorados

4.5/5
"Beuatiful Winding Road Hugging the Country Club"
37.9011857212024 -122.188854816475

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