I have a condo 2 blocks from Jack London Square in Oakland. I like the area a lot.
I have a condo 2 blocks from Jack London Square in Oakland. I like the area a lot.
I lived in Oakland near Piedmont for a year and a half. Great area. I felt safe. For daily runs I would run down to Lake Merritt and do loops on the grass/dirt loop. For weekends you can choose between 4 or 5 really great areas of trails close by. It would take years for you to explore them all.
I now live in San Francisco. My social life is much better (being in the city), but it's more expensive and parking sucks. My daily runs are now on pavement, but weekend runs are still fun. The Presidio, GG Park, and Headlands are all close. Plus all my old East Bay running routes are only a bridge away.
I'd recommend either place, depending on whether you want urban or suburban.