PollockFan

Charming cul-de-sacs, exquisite flower gardens and a brick lane make Lux Avenue a very prosperous street in both visual and prospective. A wonderful street for walks and you most certainly won’t be verbally attacked by deranged old ladies. This is also a great place to bring your dog because there are plenty of dogs that live in some of the houses that come right up and sniff things out. My dog lives making new friends and there is also a Petsmart right around the corner. This street would be good for families that have older kids and couples that are looking to start their retirement.

Wilson Avenue leaves many things to be desired. I have no patience for snooty people that put on airs. This is exactly the type of things that you put up with people on Wilson Avenue. Some of these people would think they are living in the Hollywood Hills. I was walking with my two children down this street a few months ago and one of my kids picked a rose of some sort from a house. I scolded my kid and told her that was not polite. All of a sudden this older lady comes bolting out her door and screeching at the top of her lungs. She insisted that my children were monsters and that we leave the street immediately. There were a few other words that were exchanged but as you can see my expression of the street was not well intended. I would recommend this street to old couples that want nothing to do with the outside world and of course people that put on airs.

Plenty to do on Stanton Avenue. Get all of your computer supplies at Staples. Catch a bite at Applebee’s. Rent a movie at Blockbuster. As you can see this is a very commercial street that is home to some very familiar brands. Stanton Avenue is also home to the “medical mile area” Both hospitals are located on this street. There is plenty of parking in this area but it might not be visible to the eye. All of the parking spots and private lots are off to the side streets on the East Side if you are coming from the North. Don’t go and park two blocks over, because the parking spots are there and I’m usually talking about people that need to visit the hospital(s). Obviously the retail stores and other companies are going to have their own private lot’s. There are some houses along Stanton Avenue but the most residential areas are old warehouses that have been converted into modernized style city apartments.

Whenever I think of a duck calling I automatically think of Quall Avenue. Most streets in Castro Valley with the exception of some residential streets are pretty long. Quall Avenue is pretty short and it is also home to the Castro Valley Community Park. Traffic during special city events and during the summer can be overflowing on this road into the surrounding streets. That is usually in terms of parking, but I think you get the big picture. I personally believe there are nicer parks in the area but this park certainly has it’s standouts. Location wise this is an odd street because of the incoming and outgoing traffic that flows from Lake Chabot Road and Seven Hills Road. There is a pocket of houses across the street on Quall Avenue from the park. I always thought living across such a popular park would be creepy. I would not want to look out my windows and see into a dark park with trees. You never know who might be watching you.

Christensen Lane was the first street that my husband and I lived in way back in the early 90’s. Not much has changed on this street. It continues to be a great street for newly married couples who are just settling down in their married life but not ready for kids. I drive by our hold house quite often. I am a little nostalgic that way. I rarely see children out playing on this street. I do notice they have sprung up a couple of little hips bars at the end of the street near the corners of Lake Chabot Road. We didn’t have those options back then, we needed to drive into the downtown area when it came to bar nights. Most of the houses still look the same with the exception of a couple newer houses that have been built This street is relatively quiet with the occasional domesticated disturbance.

Interstate 580 is a nightmare. I have driving issues. I like slow and controlled driving. I might be overreacting but I never drive with my kids on I-580. The traffic has no laws. Despite blaring neon signs insisting that motorists abide by the speed limit and threats of tickets for speeding, they continue to speed at excesses of 20 miles above the speed limit. I don’t take I-580 that much but it is literally impossible to avoid if you want to leave the valley and head into the Bay area or out the city altogether for that matter. There are also certain areas that are in definite need of repair. The only positive note that can be said about this gigantic creation is the fact that getting to certain locations can be quicker than the local streets.

If you want one little lively road then you need to visit Center Street. This road touches on all aspects of life in the Castro Valley. It makes introductions with a freeway, passes residential houses, little gas stations on the corners of intersections and offers plenty of stop lights to annoy motorists. The traffic on Center street is always active making it one of the busiest streets in the City. I probably would not want to live on the street with children because I would always be worrying about their safety in terms of traffic accidents. This is a really great street to drive up and down during the holidays. Christmas, Valentine’s Day and whatever other holiday you can think of there is always some sort of display to be offered.

Paradise Knolls might not have the tropic beaches that Fiji has to really qualify the street as a paradise alcove but Paradise Knolls does end in a nice park filled with beautiful trees. So many roads in the Castro Valley this is another great hidden surprise. There is a large track field, warehouse, spacious park and about a dozen houses on this street. It is a thriving street that offers the best of all worlds. During the sports season’s like high school track and little league soccer, this street is filled with traffic as parents watch their kids in their local games. A really great street for the person that does not mind a little noise every now and then.

Alana Road is situated off of a busy avenue. If you have problems driving in busy traffic like I do these types of roads are always great for a quick escape or breather. There are a few small bread and pastry shops along Alana Road and a few other independent "niche" types of places. This is a cute little street to takes strolls on and doing some shopping that offers fresh quality foods rather than the typical supermarket food. There are some houses along this street. The blend of bakery shops and houses gives it a rather New England charm. This would be an ideal place to retire.

Malabar Avenue is a nice street for it's own reasons. I doubt that it is everyone's desirable street and that would probably be because of the construction that goes on over at the Polentnik Field about six months out of the year. Constant tractors and bulldozing are always up to something in that field. Besides that and the common midday traffic rush this is a very good street to live on. Small but practical houses offer that cozy feeling that the bigger houses just don't offer. The street is built on a slant, so be careful when you are going downhill on the rainy days or you might slip. There are plenty of activities in the summer including a street BBQ and a block sale.