Oak Center

Like many of the neighborhoods in this area, it is mostly a poor neighborhood. Residents live below the poverty line. This is especially true of the area to the east of Adeline and south of 14th street. The homes in this area are mostly made up of run down Victorians.

The effects of gentrification are beginning to make their mark to the area to the northwest of the neighborhood. This is only barely noticeable however, as the Victorians in this area are barely more well-kept than those in the other areas. The autos outside of the homes tend to be newer models, which I suppose is the telling sign.

Overall, however, I don’t think that I would feel safe moving into this neighborhood at this point. There is just too much gang-activity in the area.

One of the highlights of the neighborhood is KIPP Charter school. Unlike the nearby West Oakland Middle School that receives terrible evaluations when test scores and objective criteria are applied, KIPP has proven results educating its students. It is really a credit to the community.