House Hunting

I gotta say Yard, I love the Bay Area. Weather is great and I'm going to love making it my home. I just haven't found my spot to live just yet. I've been looking around for the last couple weeks but haven't settled on anything. I found one spot in Pleasanton that I liked but it's just a little too far from the facility. It would probably be a 45 minute drive each day and I don't want to commute like that. I've been looking in Pleasanton, Oakland Hills, Alameda. Coming from the South the places are a lot smaller than I'm used to, but don't get me wrong I'm not looking for anything big. I want to start small, something with decent space but not too big. I don't do much cooking and most of these places that I'm seeing don't have yards. The most important thing for me is proximity. I want to be close to work so I need to find a nice spot that's not too far out. If you have any ideas let me know

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Comments (59)

DubsFan said June 01, 2008

Walnut Creek is a nice place to live. It's a safe, wealthy suburb about 20 minutes from Oakland. It has a lot of nice houses.
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BeenTo2SUs said June 01, 2008

Why not SF? I live in SF, in the North Beach/Russian Hill area. I visit friends in Oakland every now and then and the commute is actually not that bad. Of course, you would get more for your money in Alameda or the Oakland Hills, but there are some nice areas on the north end of SF that could get you across into Oakland pretty quickly, too.
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RaidersFAN20 said June 01, 2008

Maybe you should look at Piedmont. Its a nice area and close to everything. you can ask Mr. Davis about it. He lives here too.
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dynastykid22 said June 01, 2008

I Vote for Walmut Creek too, very nice town, not too big ! The commute wont kill you, you need a nice place to chill, after we kick some @ss on Sundays !
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Spawn474 said June 01, 2008

Well Darren if i am thinking you want some place where your not seen alot try blackhawk but i know you said u wanna start small walnut creek seems to busy its really nice but i dont think u will like it cause you drive in the city part of walnut creek you will get lost . Orinda try that area
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justwinbaby said June 01, 2008

Walnut Creek is really nice.The Oakland Hills is nice,but every year there is also the big threat of the fire season! Good luck Darren......
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st1ns0n3 said June 01, 2008

Orinda, nice houses n nice yards
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ThirdWishER said June 01, 2008

Darren,
If you liked Pleasenton, you could always look at Lafayette or Orinda. It's about 15-20 mins from the Alameda facility. It's also easy access to I-680 which a faster alternative to Napa. I-80 is terrible for communiting to Napa.
Lafayette is right on 24, past the Culdecut Tunnel.
The home prices are a little higher than Pleasenton, but the slight difference in pricing is not that bad. Also, you are house hunting in the right time. :)
Best of luck.
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McNabbisking05 said June 02, 2008

checkmate you make no sense

and d-mac i doesnt matter what people say
they're probally just trying to get you to live near them
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JUSTautumnWINd said June 02, 2008

You're gonna want to stay in the Oakland or Berkeley Hills. It's just too convenient. Plus, you get THE BEST view of the San Francisco skyline and the Golden Gate bridge from the Oakland Hills. Pleasanton is too far out, but like Thirdwisher said, Lafayette and Orinda are much closer to all the action but they feel like they're far removed from all the urban hussle and bussle.
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mrbarker1982 said June 02, 2008

oakland hills it is we are going to be very glad to have you here that's for sure
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Tenebrous said June 02, 2008

I live in Los Angeles, so I cannot help you much in regards to the real-estate market in Oakland, but congratulations on whatever home you choose.
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iknwftbl said June 02, 2008

Lafayette, Orinda, Walnut Creek and Piedmont are all nice but I say make a decision between Lafayette and Walnut Creek. As always I wish you well and happy house hunting!
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smhallert said June 02, 2008

Just wanted to say hi and welcome to the Bay Area and our hard hitting Raiders. Things do look very promising. As a suggestion, you would probably be very happy with a place in either Alameda or maybe San Leandro. Both are pleasant communities and close to the job. Good luck in finding a place and again, Welcome.
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BrockSamson said June 02, 2008

Haight/Ashbury4Life!

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thumbsup said June 02, 2008

Take Pete's apartment. the rent is great and it is in a quiet part of Oakland right by Berkley campus.
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Pinkpanthrrr said June 02, 2008

Post the crib pics when you do finish?
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KaliBlaze said June 02, 2008

Pleasanton isn't that far from Oakland, I live in Dublin (its practically the same town) it takes me about 15-20 mins when theres no traffic. But yeah, I agree with some of these other guys, Walnut Creek is a pretty damn nice place to live.
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GSWgirl said June 02, 2008

Hello Darren - I am actually the yard's resident real estate agent. lol!
you should check out the city, there are some great hotel condos like the St. Regis or the 4 seasons. They also have some cool lofts if that is your thing. Check out SOMA (by the ballpark). There are lots of nice condo buildings on the embarcadero - like the infinity.

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seemattrun1 said June 02, 2008

Come to the P-town (Pleasanton) by far the best community in the bay. One of the only places in the bay where everyones a celebirty, in their own mind, and will treat you as a normal resident. celebrity resident like us all.
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seemattrun1 said June 02, 2008

that 45 minute commute, is only like 30 mins. we drive a bit faster than in the south.
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GSWgirl said June 02, 2008

If you wanna do some research on what's going on with real estate in the city this blog is a great start.
http://socketsite.com/

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Osi4president said June 02, 2008

Hey,
Maybe you could share a place with one of your teamates. Or do you want somewhere to yourself....?
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Diana said June 02, 2008

When you come out of the facility, turn left and go to the end of the road. Turn left at the stop sign (onto Aughinbaugh) and keep driving. A few miles down that road is a really nice area. You can get one of the houses that's on the water (either the bay or along that river thing). Probably as close as you'll get to Southern livin without being too far from the facility. Good luck!
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- UnionCounty replied July 16, 2008
  
  D-MAC. Can't wait to see them PRO stiff-arms! I like Diana's idea here, can't miss with the southern living quote!
ValentinoRossi said June 02, 2008

Walnut Creek is a good spot but you gotta roll thru the tunnel. The Hills are nice and close If your looking for the country style. If you dont mind the city life downtown oakland Lake Merritt area is cool. Im in berkeley and I love it. Id say go to the Berkeley or Oakland hills. Dont go to alameda cause its built on landfill. aint no solid bedrock out there.
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Alex_G said June 02, 2008

Lafayette, Orinda, and Moraga are all legit places to live in, because it's kind of an escape from the city life you have to go through every day with tons of redwood trees, and a natural setting, but with pretty nice houses. You don't need to buy anything big here, and if you don't have a realtor already, my mom is a realtor in this area and she knows her stuff pretty well, I can hook you up if you need it. Its pretty legit out here and it gets warmer over here than in say Oakland or Alameda because it's not right near the water.

If you like watching high school football there are some pretty good teams in the area too that are fun to watch. Drew Bennet (Rams WR) and Ken Dorsey (not that good anymore) both came from Orinda.

I used to live in Alameda and I like Moraga wayyyyy better. It's just a whole lot nicer to come home to such a relaxing atmosphere like this one.

Definitely check this place out, most people like it here, I think you might too.
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oflarity said June 02, 2008

DMac - we just so happen to have an opening in our apartment right now. It's a nice place - we've got a kegerator. You'd even get your own room. You'd be sharing the bathroom with just one other guy. We just need to do a credit check to make sure you're good for rent every month.
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- wjbrown3 replied June 03, 2008
  
  you also have to deal with bunch of derelicts in your place every week for poker-hope you can cover the buy in
HoopsHoncho said June 02, 2008

Dude, if you need help, I grew up in Alameda (on Bay Farm Island) and would be happy to help you. I lived amongst alllllllllllllll the athletes (Canseco, Don Nelson, Mark McGwire, Chris Mullins ... they all lived in my neighborhood/development. Hell, Rick Honeycutt's daughter and I were best friends growing up and they were my next door neighbors!). I know just where you could hide out. (and I promise I'll keep it a secret - LOL). Drop me an email sometime. (if not here, rdheadedrealtor@aol.com ... ) - Jackie
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mjamrst said June 03, 2008

Dmac - go with piedmont. Nice houses and close to the raiders facility.
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PantyRaider said June 03, 2008

"McFab" if you want something different there are several Marinas in the area where you could buy a boat to live on as I do now in Morro Bay....I was in Berkeley and Valeyo and Half Moon Bay and Sasalito before moving my boat south....Also there is ferry service to several areas if you want a comfortable and relaxed commute....But don't move to "WestBay" around those "SadFranchise" Winers....Thats just too miserable....
Question...What up with the rumors that you grew up a "Donkey" Fan....Well if so I hope you enjoy "Kickin-Some-Donkey-Ass" come MondayNight...."Pull-da-Tail-Off-da-Donkey" is our favorite Pass-Time in OakTown....Enjoy yourself and I will enjoy watching you play but it's difficult to find the game here in Thailand and Cambodia but i'll be back 10-21 for some Front-Row Action....GOOOooooRaideeeeerrrssss!!!!!
PantyRaider....
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RowdyR8R said June 03, 2008

Dmac, check out Piedmont! It's right there in the Oakland hills so not far from the training facility. The houses are great and the neighborhood is quiet with many things conveniently located for you.
If you were looking in Pleasonton it is quite a commute and it's going to get you stuck in traffic. Piedmont would have you close with no traffic and I believe your neighbors would keep to themselves so you would be able to focus on the job at hand (winning rookie of the year) and when you need some socialization you can leave the solitude of home but have a quite place to go back to.
Hope this helps and best of luck, welcome to the NATION!!! (BTW- you've ruffled some feathers talking about being a fan of the Broncos, now you have to go out in the home opener and run all over them!!)
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RAIDERCZAR said June 03, 2008

I gotta go with the the suggestions of Piedmont, Oakland Hills, Orinda, Moraga, and Lafayette. Probably in that order.
Best of luck to you Darren! I've been praying that you'd be a Raider since your Freshman year.
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vollmarreal said June 03, 2008

check out Fremont- nice quiet town/city - good access to freeways, too. Only 20 minutes of drive to Oakland.
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EricFarrell said June 03, 2008

Someone needs to tell Darren that Lafayette, Moraga, Orinda, even Pleasanton, are not the most DIVERSE communities in the Bay Area..The Oakland Hills, the Caldecott tunnel area of Oakland, Alameda, the Hayward Hills, and probably Piedmont with its close proximity to urban living, are probably a better bet for a pro athlete. Most of Oakland's athletes live in this area, not Walnut Creek, Lafayette, or Orinda. The young man wants to come home after a game, not get pulled over D.W.B.
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- Alex_G replied June 03, 2008
  
  Cops anywhere will want to pull him over just to see if it really is Darren McFadden. Even though it's not a very diverse area, it's the kind of place where it's not really congested. The best part about living in the Lamorinda area is how neighboring houses must be 11 feet apart, giving you a sense of privacy and relaxation. You make it sound like Lamorinda is full of racists and rednecks which is quite the contrary. Lamorinda people are pretty educated and are wayy chill with race and we know whats up here. This ain't like white people in the south AT ALL and that's what you are making it sound like to me. In Lamorinda, Driving While in High School is the reason for getting pulled over, not really anything racial. My black runningback coach lives in Orinda and drives a bright red scraper buick with 24s and has not gotten pulled over yet and he's been living here for about 4 years now.
  
  Driving While any other race than white 's are more common in places closer to where crime happens more (not trying to be offensive, thats just what cops do), say Oakland hills, or Alameda, or Haywayrd hills, and even Piedmont since it borders Oakland, rather than places like Orinda where the most crime that happens in these areas is kids speeding and high school parties which is not a big deal at all.
  
  Actually one of my black friends was walking with another dude through Piedmont, minding their own business, and all of a sudden a cop car pulls up and the cop tells them, "You guys gotta leave this area, we've been called about you two being suspicious." Piedmont is one of the more likely places to get a DWB.
  
  Oh and by the way to the guy under me, E-40 also lives in Blackhawk.
- ThirdWishER replied June 03, 2008
  
  I've never been pulled over in any of those areas. Even late at night. I've been around those areas with the most diversed set of people to visit friends and family.
  Actually thinking of moving to Lafayette because it's a relaxed area. You can walk around without worrying about nothing.
  Like Alex said, i'd be more worried about being pulled over by cops to see if it's really him. lol
  A place you can get popped with a BS DWB pull check is in Danville and even San Ramon. Pleasenton has a lot of different cultures now. Since Oracle, Sieble and a bunch of tech companies are there now, there is a lot of Indian people there now.
  I think you are going to get static from the cops in any decent community you go. The other day I was even pulled over in Antioch while i was walking home from the park, which is 1 block away, by a cop claiming he hadn't ever seen me around.
trikee said June 03, 2008

Stay in the East Bay! Don't listen to these guys telling you to live in SF. They obviously don't know where you're from. Try Dublin Ranch. Daunte Culpepper lived there as do some of the Oakland A's. The other place that seems to attract a lot of atheletes is Blackhawk (east of San Ramon). John Madden used to live there (or still does) as well as Jose Canseco back in the days.
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GSWgirl said June 03, 2008

FYI - Darren, My Grandma lives in Peidmont. Stay close to the action.
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Pinkpanthrrr said June 03, 2008

If all else fails you can crash at my place. We have plenty of snacks and powerade.
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Johnny2 said June 04, 2008

Live in San Francisco. The city is real nice and the commute is easy. Baron Davis does it with the Warriors.
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aronhurt said June 05, 2008

Hey Darren I'm a fellow Razorback, played ball back in the mid-late 90's, who has been living in the bay area for 8 years now. I live in Marin and commute to San Leandro for work, actually not to far from your new facility. If your not having any luck finding a place in the East Bay come check out Marin. I do have some good contacts that might be able to help in your search. You can email me if interested, use my screen name @yahoo.com.
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rcs360 said June 06, 2008

Hey D-Mac, thanks for not going JaMarcus Russel on the Raiders with your contract. 6 year $60 mil's pretty good. That should be enough for a good house.
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wallybholly said June 06, 2008

If you don't want the Big City living of SF Walnut Creek, Laffy, or Orinda are great alternatives. Walnut Creek, and Laffy have decent nightlifes and great eating. The Giambi era A's used to kick it in Walnut Creek back in the early 00's.
Oakland Hills you would get to commute with Russell though.
I look forward to the McFadden/Bush tandem!
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RaiderRaul said June 06, 2008

Hey Darren,
Seriously check out Piedmont. It's up on a hill, with awesome views, yet very close to Oakland. Very upscale town, with a lot of history. You'll be able to find a sick mansion there, too, if you want. Also, the High School has a state-of-the-art sports facility with field-turf. In fact, back when Gruden was coaching, he took the team there to practice because the Raider Alameda facility was flooded. I live in San Ramon now (tons of NEW homes), which is right next to Pleasanton, but it's probably a little too quiet for you.
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HawgNutts said June 07, 2008

All you Raider fans are going to love D Dawg. First time he comes flying around the end and throw out that stiff arm on Erlacher and knock his helmet off, the place will go bananas, This Hog fan had the privlege of watching his many amazing feats. He is a GREAT person. He will bring much excitement to your team. HE can do it ALL. You'll love him!!! NEW RAIDER FAN HERE!!! GO RAIDERS!!!
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raiderfan said June 07, 2008

Wassup Darren.
Mayne congrats on signing your rookie contract. As far as the housing search goes, the best neighborhoods in around the oakland area is the Oakland Hills or Piedmont. I'm sure you'll be able to afford both. Lol
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maverick71088 said June 07, 2008

Congratulations bro...Being a Raider fan, its grea to see another Heisman Trophy WInner, other than my favorite Raider of all time, Tim Brown...I think you are gonna do well in our system , you n fragas are gonna be a great tandum! Oh, and i think a house in Alameda would be dope, i mean, the facillities are right there, i pass it everytime i go to my homegirls house. But yeah, have a great year...and i got my money on you to be rookie of the year next season!! HAHA!

ONE
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Razorback74 said June 08, 2008

Darren, I am a LR McClellan graduate and know where you are coming from when you talk about yard sizes not being big. I rarely saw anything out in the Bay that had yards like what we were used to in the Rock. I lived in Pleasanton for a while a few years back and loved it. John Madden lives there and basically owns all of the downtown area in the city. It reminded me of a nicer, quieter version of West LR, but not as busy. I'm not sure if you have ever talked with him, but see if you can get in touch with Derek Fisher. He played in Oakland for the Warriors and may be able to assist you with some areas. Wherever you pick, D-Mac, you will love the Bay Area. Raider fans remind me Hog fans in the fact that they are so passionate in their team. As any other Razorback fan, we will follow you and all that you do. You have made us all proud!
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warriorzfan5 said June 09, 2008

you know....to tell you the truth....nowhere is perfect here in the BAY....either its to small or too big or near train tracks...or in a bad area! but walnut creek is an awesome place....i live in Fremont which is cool. Good Luck! o and all the raider fans here, including myself are really looking foward to this season..you are our savior compared to our past seasons!
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sproctor said June 20, 2008

I've found him a house. Search is over. Congratulations Darren.
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ShawneM said June 26, 2008

D-Mac,
How bout you buy a house in Hawaii, because I'm gonna bust you up so bad, you gonna need a beach house to rehabilitate at.
Good luck chump,
Shawne Merriman
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- UnionCounty replied July 16, 2008
  
  D-Mac,
  Merriman's idea is genius! A house in Hawaii! Somewhere to stay during the Pro Bowl! You will be there!
r8er25 said June 26, 2008

Walnut Creek is cool, I used to live there. Berkeley is dope (in the right areas), Pleasant Hill (maybe too far) You'll find your spot son. But either way...WELCOME TO THE NATION!!!
R8er25
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the510 said August 06, 2008

Alameda man. Close to work. Great architecture. Easy to get to SF and Oakland.
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