This City Deserves Better: My Real Talk on Oakland.

Yesterday, a reporter called me. His beat is car accidents and violent crimes, and he wanted to ask about my experience with these issues in Oakland. He thought that, as a realtor, I might have some insight into the matter. Boy, did I give him an earful.

I am thoroughly tired of the news media trashing Oakland to fill space, whether in a paper or on a broadcast. It affects our housing values, and the number of people turned off of Oakland by the media is enormous. The reality is that Oakland is one of the best places to live on earth.

The Real Oakland

Yes, some neighborhoods are more urban, noisy, and bustling. And, sure, some crime does occur. But in my 25+ years serving all of Oakland as a realtor, my take is that it’s one of the most vibrant, art-filled, beautiful, relatively affordable, and fun places to live, work, or play.

What's truly remarkable about Oakland are our phenomenal parks and hiking trails, the gorgeous Lake Merritt, the Grand Lake Shore neighborhood with its shops and restaurants, and the iconic Grand Lake Theatre. Rockridge boasts charming craftsman bungalows and fantastic eateries. We also have a well-maintained, forward-thinking zoo, numerous gyms and fitness classes, excellent libraries, and two community colleges along with superb public and private schools.

A City of Connection and Culture

Getting around is easy—freeways and other access points make commuting straightforward, and we’ve got the ferry to San Francisco. Across the Bay Bridge or through the tube is Alameda, a lively nearby community filled with shops, restaurants, and entertainment options.

We’re home to the Oakland Ballet, the Oakland Theatre Project, the Oakland Museum, the Oakland Symphony, and a thriving artist community. Many famous people are either from here or live here, including Rita Moreno, Stephen Curry, Tom Hanks, Zendaya, Buster Posey, and countless jazz greats. We have the legendary Yoshi’s jazz club, the Fox Theatre, vibrant bookstores, BART, and a kaleidoscope of diversity.

Festivals, Nature, and a Spirit That’s Unmatched

Oakland also boasts terrific outdoor experience venues, including the Woodminster Theatre, which hosts outdoor musicals, the annual Oakland Pride Parade, the Oakland Carnival, Lakefest Oakland, and farmers' markets in Montclair and Lakeshore, as well as numerous other festivals. More than half of the historic Claremont Resort and Spa is in Oakland. And I haven't even begun to list all the incredible things happening in this city. More than anything, Oakland is a state of mind.

My Final Word

So when a reporter calls to denigrate this wonderful place, I refuse to participate. Crime stats are down, and the vibrant, beautiful, and expansive possibilities here are on the rise. Oakland is a city full of life, energy, and enormous potential—and I stand firmly behind that truth.