Bella Vista

Situated just south of Interstate 580, Bella Vista is a tiny, middle-class residential neighborhood rarely visited by the outside public. However, the neighborhood is not too aesthetically appealing. Streets are typically wrinkled with cracks, laws are typically unmaintained with bushes growing onto the sidewalks and a few palm trees strewing the neighborhood, as if trying to maintain a semblance of upscale character. Those who live within its borders are typically Asian, with a large set of Hispanics and African Americans rounding out the next significant population.

Bella Vista is a step up from the average Oakland district. Housing is relatively affordable, averaging in the mid $50,000 range. However, there are a string of old, unpolished homes that sprinkle the area.

Bella Vista elementary school lies in between 10th and 11th street, averaging marginal ranks among the community. Attached to it is Bella Vista park, one of the only grassy terrains the neighborhood has to offer. The small community park includes a kid’s playground, a small baseball field, public bathrooms and two outdoor basketball courts. For safety, the neighborhood is congested with speed bumps on almost every block. Moreover, the Alameda County Medical Center serves the local community, lying a block east of Bella Vista.

Commercial real-estate is situated within a 5-to-10 minute drive of Bella Vista. Many of the residents travel to Grand Lake for their shopping needs or trek around Lake Merritt and into the downtown district for fine dining and excitement.

Balla Vista is a tiny working class residential neighborhood surrounding Bella Vista Park. It has a bit of a secluded feel, as if you are farther away from the action than you actually are. Though the neighborhood is below average in terms of income, the residents shell out a slightly higher amount of rent than you might expect so that they can live in this slightly nicer neighborhood.

I don’t mean to give the wrong impression. This isn’t like a neighborhood in Piedmont. The buildings here are old and look old, though relatively well-kept. They are almost invariably Craftsman style bungalows of the kind that are extremely common in this area and up into Berkeley. So, you get the two storied shingled variety next to the more straightforward stucco looking variety. You do still get the traditional aspects of the Craftsman bungalow, recessed entrances with walk-up steps, exposed supports and a heavy looking roof.

There are also lots of older looking—largely three story—buildings.

One thing that I didn’t really see in Bella Vista, is a beautiful view of much of anything. There may be some from the back porches of some of the residents—but none seems evident from street level.

Bella Vista Elementary School and Bella Vista Park mark the center of this tiny neighborhood. The elementary school is not too bad, making it an okay neighborhood for working class families. The park is attached to the school and, like much of everything else you will find in this neighborhood, is not much to write home about.