Alameda: Best Place To Live

Every year, Niche releases their list of the United State’s best places to live. Once again, Alameda has earned an A status with the ranking site, making it one of the most coveted spots in California. When you’re looking into Bay Area apartments for rent, here’s why you should consider moving into the island oasis of Alameda.

How Does Niche Create Their Rankings?

To better understand Alameda’s A ranking, it helps to know how Niche creates their lists. Anyone could rate a neighborhood at America’s best with a bias, but the site goes to great lengths uncovering and analyzing data before making a decision.

When looking at an area, Niche gathers as much up-to-date data as possible from public sources and millions of resident reviews on their own site. They then begin employing advanced algorithms and statistical data techniques to compare and connect aspects from schools and neighborhoods. This helps them weigh in aspects like livability and quality of education.

Their research team then combines user feedback and insights in order to weigh them against industry standards. The process allows them to determine the key components that create their grading rubric. Once the rubric is made, scores are given to each neighborhood.

While Niche produces a number of lists, all neighborhoods receive an overall grade. This consists of:

• Quality of public schools
• Quality and affordability of housing
• Availability of jobs
• Number of and access to outdoor activities
• If the area is suitable for families
• Crime and safety statistics
• Quality of nightlife
• Diversity
• What the weather is like throughout the year
• Options for health and fitness
• What the average commute looks like

Grades range from as low as an F to as high as an A+, using plus and minus scores to increase precision in their scoring. So, how did Alameda end up with an A in this rigorous vetting process?

The Data

Alameda has long earned its reputation as one of California’s best places to live. It offers residents an urban feel with a mix of dining, shopping, and nightlife opportunities while placing them just far away enough from the city. Access to the Bay Area is simple with public transportation, but residents always return home to this island oasis.

The neighborhood is considered a suburb of San Francisco, with a population of 78,246 in the last census. It ranks #19 of 525 as a best suburb in CA for young professionals, #39 of 562 for most diverse suburbs in the state, and #73 of 526 for best suburbs in the state. Those are just a few of the area’s qualities, though. To better understand why Alameda is so great, take a look at its ratings for each of Niche’s criteria.

Crime and Safety

Alameda received a C+ in this category, coming in under the national rates for both violent and property crime in nearly every category. The area is constantly improving this score, too. When surveyed, 42% of residents said the police are very visible and responsive, while 41% said there is virtually no crime to speak of. Another 52% stated that while there is some crime, they always feel safe.

Diversity

With an A+, Alameda is one of the most diverse neighborhoods in the country. There are no overly dominant age groups and education levels are evenly spread out. Racial and gender diversity are also fairly even across the board. Residents describe the area as accepting, highly diverse, and say they look forward to meeting new people.

Jobs

Employment rates, job growth, and business growth netted Alameda a B. The medium household income rests at $89,045, well above the national average, while top companies like Wind River Systems and AbsolutData provide ample opportunities in a variety of fields.

Education

School systems in Alameda all received at least an A if not an A+ from Niche. Both public and private schools receive stellar reviews while offering quality education. The College of Alameda only received a C, but most students in the area head to other Bay Area colleges.

Weather and Outdoor Activites

It should come as no surprise that Alameda, like all of the Bay Area, receives and A+ in this category. Cool temperatures mixed with near endless sunshine make the bay an envious locale across the world. Thanks to the exceptional weather, you can also take advantage of the numerous parks and natural landscapes here (which received an A).

Nightlife

When it comes to bars, the Bay Area has a unique scene. Craft breweries have exploded over the past decade, distillers create some of America’s favorite spirits, and the wine scene is bolstered by NorCal’s Silicon Valley. You can enjoy all of this right in Alameda alongside exemplary atmospheres, which leads to an A+ score.

Health and Fitness

The weather and number of outdoor activities here aid in yet another A+ rating, but that isn’t all there is to it. You can find an ample amount of not only gyms, but various forms of fitness clubs from yoga to Pilates as well as the opportunity for many to simply bike to work.

Speaking of biking to work, this healthy aspect is part of what comprises the neighborhood’s A- rating for transportation. Adding to this score is near immediate access to the Bay Area’s public transportation options like BART.

Cost of Living and Families

With a rich, diverse community and exceptional public schools, Alameda is considered one of the best family spots in the bay. Its A rating comes with community amenities that cater to families as well as endless activities and events that children can enjoy.

The only poor grade on the report is Cost of Living, which comes in at a D+. Alameda is slighty more expensive than nearby Oakland (who also receives a D+ in this category), with the average home’s value totaling $729,100. That’s why 53% of residents choose to rent. The average cost monthly is $1,607. Compared to San Francisco and Berkeley, however, Alameda remains less costly.

Bay Area Apartments for Rent

If you’re looking to grab a slice of Bay Area life for yourself, then look no further than Admirals Cove. Whether launching off for the day or anchored comfortably at home, these luxury apartments offer the charm of open living space to relax and a place to roam. Sprawling green and an easily accessibly neighborhood provide a bounty of opportunity as you explore on-site amenities and a vibrant community.

Welcome to your launch and landing point. Welcome to Admirals Cove.