Oakland Real Estate For Sale In CA

Incorporated in 1852, Oakland was once mainly a community around the General Motors factory that opened in 1917. Over time, it expanded its economic base until it also included war-related industries during World War II and then became a hub for shipbuilding. For a time, its economy suffered after a massive fire in the nineties, but it has since recovered due to a number of urban renewal projects. It is now, like much of the Bay Area, a center of technological advancement and innovative ideas.

There are around 50 distinct neighborhoods in Oakland and even more districts within those neighborhoods. The geography of the city is divided into flatlands and hills, with the hills tending to be home to more affluent communities. However, this has changed in recent years, and many of Oakland’s neighborhoods have been revitalized. The city’s biggest regions are the Central Business District, Lake Merritt, East Oakland, North Oakland, West Oakland, and the Oakland Hills.

If you're looking for real estate in Oakland with the best family-friendly venues, including the Museum of Children’s Arts, Montclair is the right market for you. Given its friendly vibe and excellent schools, there is no wonder Montclair is a neighborhood of choice for families with children. There are several parks and other opportunities for outdoor activities in Montclair. The median listing price for Montclair real estate is around $1.3 million.

Oakland’s downtown area was once a wasteland of empty buildings but has recently experienced a period of renaissance that transformed it into a thriving community. Deemed a “walker’s paradise,” with art galleries and restaurants galore, countless coffee shops, and tons of fun things to do, Downtown Oakland real estate is a great place for any young professional to get their start and find some like-minded friends. The median home price in this area is around $600k.

The neighborhood of Lakeside is situated, as its name suggests, alongside the shores of Lake Merritt. It is an ideal neighborhood for seniors and retirees, offering plenty to do and a number of excellent retirement communities, such as Lakeside Park. Homes in this area sell for an average of $725k.

Most of Oakland’s schools are under the jurisdiction of the Oakland Unified School District (OUSD). (The only exceptions are those within Sheffield Village.) OUSD includes 118 schools, 32 of which are charter schools. These schools serve over 50,000 students in grades kindergarten through twelfth grade. Historically, schools in Oakland have struggled to keep up with schools in other major cities throughout the state, but more and more institutions are beginning to catch up, and some stand out not only within the district but among all California schools. 

The highest performing school for K-5 students in the city is Montclair Elementary School, which received a Blue Ribbon award in 2015. Nearly half of the students live outside the neighborhood of Montclair, ensuring a diversity of backgrounds and experiences. The school benefits from a unique intervention model that allows its students to perform at a higher rate of success than others.

Many schools in Oakland serve a K-8 population. Based on criteria including performance on state tests, high school readiness, teacher quality, and other factors, Hillcrest Elementary in Upper Rockridge is one such school. Its above-average test scores and high teacher quality are supported by a community that provides plenty of resources for the students in attendance. Other schools of choice in the district are Thornhill Elementary School (north of Montclair), Peralta Elementary School (Elmwood), and Chabot Elementary School (Rockridge).

Oakland real estate has access to 19 high schools in the city. Based on test scores, Advanced Placement participation, graduation rate, and other criteria, the highest performing schools in the district are Coliseum College Prep Academy and Oakland Technical High School. 

Coliseum College Prep Academy, also known as CCPA, serves students in grades 6-12. Around 90% of students participate in Advanced Placement courses, and students perform above average on state and college entrance exams. 

Oakland Technical High School, known as Oakland Tech or sometimes just “Tech,” operates as a group of six academies. Each academy has a specific focus, and students take one class daily as part of that focus before continuing the rest of the day with core classes. The academies focus on technology, healthcare, engineering, race policy and law, and fashion, arts, and design. Notably, a group of students in the 70s organized and pushed for what is now recognized as a national holiday on Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.

Lake Merritt near downtown was the first official wildlife refuge established in the country, and it remains one of the most important areas for the many endangered species of Northern California. Visitors to Lake Merritt can walk the beautiful gardens of Lakeside Park, and children with families adore the fairytale-themed Children’s Fairyland within Lakeside Park. Lake Merritt is also the home of some of the best-maintained Victorian homes from the turn of the 20th century, including the Camron-Stanford House.

The Oakland Museum of California focuses on the history of Oakland and how it has contributed to the arts and sciences since its establishment. The African American Museum and Library at Oakland provides unique exhibits centered around the cultural experiences of that demographic throughout the history of the city.

Fifteen zip codes are located in Oakland. Of these, the most populated are 94601 (Coliseum Industrial), 94605 (Toler Heights), 94606 (East Peralta), and 94611 (Montclair). 

Oakland is Alameda County’s largest city, as well as its county seat.

Schools in the Oakland Unified School District begin in early August and last until early June.

Oakland real estate is one of the most competitive markets in California. The median listing price is nearly $1 million, and rent is around $2500 on average.

The nearest major airport for Oakland is Oakland International Airport (OAK). Some may choose to use nearby San Francisco International Airport (SFO) instead, about 20 miles away from Oakland.