5.2 out of 10

Laurel Ave, Dimond

37.7952243856937 -122.204522778725
Great for
  • Childcare
  • Eating Out
  • Medical Facilities
  • Nightlife
  • Parks & Recreation
Not great for
  • Gym & Fitness
  • Lack of Traffic
  • Safe & Sound
  • Schools
  •  
Who lives here?
  • Singles
  • Retirees
  • LGBT+
  •  
  •  

Reviews

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

"Good For Singles but Only So-So for Single Parents"

Came here over the weekend to take a look at a apartment for a friend. She’s got 3 kids so she has been looking for an affordable 3 bedroom--not so easy in the Bay Area--especially if you still want good schools and relative safety.

Laurel Avenue, which also gives this section of the Dimond District its name, is a relatively quiet streets that stretches over MacArthur and disappears into the hills where it turns into Carlsen.

Laurel Avenue looks pretty much like the flat section of Berkeley: lots of bungalows and houses dating from before World War II. There are also a number of older boxy apartments on the lower end of Laurel.

As Laurel climbs up into hills past Madeleine, you get some nice views of the bay and some better kept homes. This eastern end is definitely the better section of Laurel.

We looked at one of those apartments just off the lower end of Laurel and it was going for $1500 for a 3 bedroom. A pretty good price, but there are some drawbacks to the area.

One is crime. You get about a half dozen reports of assaults per month in this area.

The schools are a bit of mixed bag with Bret Hart Middle School being pretty bad, but Skyline High being solidly average.

As far as Oakland goes it is a pretty good spot for a single gal with kids, but not ideal.
Pros
  • Relatively Affordable Apartments
  • Good Public Transportation
  • Nice Views On Upper End
Cons
  • Some Crime
  • Bad Middle School
  • Boxy Looking Apartments
Recommended for
  • Singles
  • Retirees
  • LGBT+

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Unranked Streets in Dimond

Laurel Ave

2.5/5
"Good For Singles but Only So-So for Single Parents"
37.7952243856937 -122.204522778725

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