Clinton

Of course Clinton is not like Rockridge, Noe Valley, the Mission, Claremont or even Temescal. Guess what? Most people cannot afford half a million dollar homes or higher. I think Clinton, Bella Vista, Ivy Hill, Highlands and the east lake neighborhoods in general are the best kept secret of affordable, interesting, close in urban housing. This is a diverse neighborhood of working and middle class families and yes it is a checkerboard of styles of architecture, incomes, traditions, customs and aesthetics. Welcome to a real neighborhood where real people live-from all over the world. I think it's beautiful. There are palm trees, gardens, redwoods, native oaks out my window. Yesterday I walked my dog over to lake merritt (15 min over ivy hill) and got organic veggies at the farmers market and starters for my backyard urban garden. Go down to Woody's or Rooz on park ave and grab a coffee.10 min bus to lake merritt bart for your commute. Driving or biking you are 5 minutes from lakeshore or grand shopping.There are problems and I acknowledge them, sure some of the apartments are run down (and some are re-fabbed victorians with solar panels)Yes, you need to be aware and cautious and it sucks because we don't have enough cops in this town. My Chinese, Black, Vietnamese, Laotian, Cambodian, Afghan, and White neighbors are all here to live a peaceful life and we have found a great little spot here. Shhh don't tell anyone, this close in, beautiful, affordable Oakland hood will have a wine bar springing up before you know it and I hope it is Black or Chinese owned.

Clinton is a densely populated, lower-middle class neighborhood with very little to offer. There doesn’t seem to be much charm along the ragtag blocks, unflattering homes and old apartment buildings. It’s only saving grace is the cheap rents and the townhouse-like homes costing in the range of $400,000-$500,000. The district presents with a somewhat diverse population, most of whom come from an Asian background.

Like most Oakland communities, Clinton is organized in a grid-like formation with houses tightly stacked along narrow streets. Driveways are shallow and sometimes surrounded by cheap, ugly fencing while streets are wrinkled with cracks. Even house fronts could use a bit of a makeover with many homes built before the 1940s. It seems as if the houses are split between those with yards and those without yards. Nonetheless, they’re both nothing to brag about. The most redeeming quality of Clinton are its houses clustered around East 18th Street, which emit a sense of middle-class status.

Franklin Recreation Center sits along Foothill Boulevard and 10th Avenue, adjacent to Franklin Elementary School. The after school program offers a myriad of youth programs and family events. Those getting to the area by public transportation, can choose between East 15th and East 18th Streets.

Clinton runs rampant with crime related issues which include assaults, robberies and vandalism. It is one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Oakland, which should be noted if you ever plan on visiting. But I wouldn’t.

No, its not named after the president, but after one of the founders of the area (technically after one of the girl friends of one of the founders. This is a working class neighborhood with very old homes, half of which were built before 1950. Most of the nicer homes in the neighborhood are on the northern end near the Lake. There you will find some well kept Craftsman bungalows, with perfectly trimmed lawns and shady terraces.

Most of the 10K people who live in this neighborhood, however, live in densely packed apartment buildings. This neighborhood actually has 2.5 times more people per square mile than other parts of Oakland. This is basically an urban residential area. There are at least two different churches in the neighborhood, Korean United Methodist, and St. James.

Overall, however this neighborhood is kind of run down and a bit dangerous. Despite its proximity to Merritt Lake, I can’t really recommend it.