Mosswood

Mosswood maintains much of the same characteristics of its bordering neighbors--that is, small, flat, unkempt and poor. The district is relatively residential, with lower class families living in old, off-putting households. Many of the residences were built before the 1930’s and maintain that same aesthetic. Homes are long and thin, mostly lodged in between narrow driveways. Other houses boast an attached garage that fits underneath it. Currently, houses are selling in the $300,000-$400,000 range with rents being moderately cheaper than the surrounding communities.

The streets are lined with bushy trees and ugly phone wires obscuring the beautiful skyline. The district is made up of lower income families, evenly mixed between white, Asian and African American families.

If there’s anything to boast about in the neighborhood, its Mosswood Dog Park. The park is three square grassy blocks, offering a basketball and tennis court, a small baseball field, a children’s recreational playground and a handful of picnic areas. On warm sunny days, the area fills up amongst the local community, but many homeless like to congregate here. Mosswood’s southeastern corner is filled with mid-rise, mixed use office buildings.

Telegraph Avenue also streaks through the neighborhood, hosting a myriad of slummy store fronts, diners and unattractive motels. Just off of the strip is Kaiser Permanente Oakland Medical Center. The hospital anchors the east border, along with satellite medical centers and plenty of hospital parking. Crime is a huge concern in the community with most of the criminal acts taking the form as robberies, assaults and petty crime.

MacArthur Bart Station is a convenient public transit option serving the district to the greater Alameda county and Bay Area. However, most residents are car owners and street parking is of no concern.