DanielM7

Oceanview is San Francisco's best kept real estate secret, especially so for professionals and young families looking for an affordable, but safe and family-friendly neighborhood.

Yes, Oceanview used to be one of San Francisco's most crime-ridden districts. TODAY, it is safer than most neighborhoods in the city. Walk around Oceanview Rec Center (now the newly renovated Minnie and Lovie Ward Recreational Center) any day of the week and you will see Asian grandmothers caring for their grandkids at the playground, and before sunset, white moms running throughout the neighborhood pushing their babies in jogging strollers. There is true diversity in this neighborhood: according to the 2010 Census, Oceanview is 44.68% Asian, 22.99% African American, 20.36% Caucasian and 14.1% Latino. My wife and I are both bi-racial, and this is one of the few neighborhoods in the city that still has celebrates its culture and diversity. We have lived in the city for 15 years and are sadly seeing the cultural diversity diminish. Not in Oceanview! It is flourishing! From the several Christian/Baptist churches and Korean Catholic churches to the Oceanview Rec Center, community centers and collaboratives (Ocean View-Merced Heights-Ingleside Neighbors In Action - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Oceanview-Merced-Heights-Ingleside-Community-Collaborative-OMICC/193618090737917) – the community is overflowing with neighbors from different backgrounds and one shared goal – taking pride in the Oceanview district.

Okay, enough of the wikipedia type summary. Here’s why I love Oceanview:

1. Oceanview Rec Center / Minnie and Lovie Ward Rec Center. RENOVATION COMPLETE as of September 2014. http://sfrecpark.org/event/celebrate-the-new-athletic-field-at-minnie-lovie-ward/ New fields, including lined turf soccer and softball fields with night time field lighting. The new rec center building itself has a gym, community room available for event rental, teen building, and multipurpose rooms. http://sfdpw.org/index.aspx?page=163 My kids’ favorite park in the city!

2. Just two blocks north is Ocean Ave., which has all of the following within a half mile stretch: Whole Foods, Walgreens and CVS, and neighborhood favorites, Champa Garden (one of the top Thai/Laotian restaurants in the city), Beep’s Burgers (burgers, fries, hot dogs and shakes are always on point), Pho Ha Tien (tasty Vietnamese Restaurant), and some very solid cafes (Melanios, Fog Lifter, Java On).

3. Easy transportation galore! 3 blocks from Balboa Park BART, which is a 10 minute ride into the financial district. Uber, Lyft and Sidecar are readily available, and based on my experience, can usually pick you up in Oceanview within 5 minutes. For a cheaper way into the financial district, Muni M line along the east, south and west boundaries of Oceanview; and J, K and L lines are just a few blocks north.

4. 24 Hour Fitness with an indoor basketball court on Ocean Ave. just a few blocks north with games going on night and day.

5. What was once a crime-ridden neighborhood, is now safer than most neighborhoods in the city.

6. Easy access to the freeway – 2-3 minutes to the 280 with a quick connection to the 101.

7. Stonestown Mall is less than 5 minutes away! http://www.stonestowngalleria.com/ Nice stroll around the mall with young babies. And the Stonestown Farmers market! http://www.yelp.com/biz/stonestown-farmers-market-san-francisco Food stands are the best and you don't have to drive to Fort Mason for Off the Grid -- the Fritas Shack booth, which serves San Diego Fried Mexican Food (California Burrito and Carne Asada fries are the best in Northern California) is to die for. Grocery shopping has a decent selection, but not amazing.

8. 10 minutes to Ocean Beach; 10 minutes to Golden Gate Park, de Young Museum and Academy of Sciences; 5 minutes to Stern Grove

Solid, up and coming neighborhood.