Consuelo

If you are still looking for information about Castro Valley I would like to put my two cents in. I have been in Castro Valley since 1959.and have owned two businesses here also. I have seen Castro Valley grow from the bedroom community we used to be known for to what we are today. This is a great place to live whether you are single or married, have children or not. We are a diverse community with great schools and friendly people. We are unincorporated so we don't have much for big business (except for Starbucks we have to many of those) but we do have mom & pop franchises. We have one movie theatre which has been renovated, we have a Pee Wee Golf and a new skate park with a Bocce Ball court also. Our schools are credited and we passed a school bond to get our schools updated. There are new improvements coming to downtown. We have a parade every May and an Art & Wine Festival every September.
If you would like any other information I would be happy to drive you around to see MY HOMETOWN and proud of it. This is a great place to live and work.

Kathy Anderson Murphy
Coldwell Banker
510-684-4200

Kudos to Ms. K for a honest, accurate write up (a nod to Pacita too). Shame on the rest of you for the typical "it's always a great time to buy, contact me and I'll help you" spiel that has degraded the Trulia forums to the real estate agent's equivilent of a used car lot.

And BOO for anyone who tries the blatently manipulative "I used to live there and loved it" or "I'm a native to that area" drivel. If you live there NOW and love it that's one thing (provided you give specifics in your post). But to say that you lived there before (how long ago?) and have since left is pointless and manipulative. Any time you hear a realtor say they lived somewhere and loved it (but have since moved out of that area), what they really mean is that they fled a once upscale area that has since transitioned downward.

I also currently rent on the Peninsula (San Mateo) and have been looking in San Ramon, Dublin, and Castro Valley. We have friends and family living in the Palomeres Hills build and that is the only area I would consider. Mrs. K is spot on about the other areas, including Five Canyons. It gets much better as you move East, especially East Dublin (Dublin Ranch) and Windemere (San Ramon). In my view, the East Bay is still very much over priced, especially East Dublin and San Ramon, which I believe are due for a significant price correction over the next 12 -18 months. If you wait, you may be able to buy a Single Family Residence in West Dublin for the same (current) price ranges for Condos or Townhouses.

Good luck!

One last thought. Have you noticed that all of the posts except for mine are from real estate agents? Hmmmmm-mmm. There remains a dogmatic view of Castro Valley being so " small town and country-like". Those days are long gone real estate agents! But I understand perfectly why this perception of Castro Valley must remain for folks in your profession. Your livilihoods depend of it. I might very well perpetuate the very same myths if I was in your profession. KIm

I speak from 10 yrs experience in living ALL OVER Castro Valley (except the newer development up in Five Canyons). Castro Valley is so-so I'll start with the negatives and end with the positives. The downtown area needs to get a department store and many areas of Castro Valley have no sidewalks and occasional blighted areas. Because of the High School, we have a lot of speeding by young men in many parts of Castro Valley with huge monster SUV's or illegally loud motorcycles. I call C.V. a cowboy town! Planning trips around the village takes planning as to factor in gridlocked stores and parking lots and constant untimed red lights. Getting around town takes time. Period. Serious crime did not seem to be around but has increased in the last two years a great deal. A number of bank robberies and shootings at Blvd are all readily available and written about in our local papers. Check out the Castro Valley Forum newspaper and you'll see that what I mentioned is fact. A lot of spousal abuse and petty arrests for hard drugs like alcohol abound in certain areas and are constantly listed in the Police Log in the Castro Valley Forum. Occasional homeless people. But it mostly the terible speeding, running red lights and deafening exhaust pipes all run in tandam with blazing rap music screaming from the car windows. Castro Valleyians are tough and many are red-necks. It is unincorporated, therefore the taxes are cheaper but the general overall look of the town and communities show blighted areas because of it. Casto Valley folks are independent minded and don't like rules about upkeep of property. You are single? Families abound in Castro Valley with lots of kids. Yes, many kids and lots of teenagers and lots of noise. Positives: The weather is very good here and I think our downtown offers a lot of stores. The downtown area is tired looking but they are trying to update it. A new library will be opening soon. For some reason, real estate prices are way high, probably because of the location and proximity to Oakland and San Fran . The HIgh School is considered good but extremely overcrowded. My advice? Please rent here FIRST and DON'T BUY WITHOUT AT LEAST ONE YEAR renting. Buying is a huge commitment and I NEVER encourage it without renting in that town first. I did and I'm very glad I did so in Castro Valley. Because of my many yrs of experience there, I moved out of Castro Valley and moved just a little father WEST of Castro Valley. So glad I moved.
Good luck to you

Consuelo,
Castro Valley is a great place to buy a home. I am a native of the area and the amenities are great. You certainly can't beat the location either with access to all the major freeways. I would be happy to show you some options or you can feel free to look on our website at http://jscarealty.com/mls-search-c10346.html.
Best,

Erica

Erica Jones Starkey
Broker, Co-Founder
DRE# 01503540
JSCA Real Estate Group
Providing Superior Solutions for Your Individual Real Estate Needs http://www.JSCArealty.com
office: 925.989.1613
fax: 925.905.2417

Hi Consuelo,

I have lived in Castro Valley for 7 years and can tell you everything you need to know about the area, schools and neighborhoods.

I have sold many homes, condos and townhouses in Castro Valley. It is a great area, close to 880, 580 and 92 freeways. Even though schools may not be important to you since you are childless so far, it is a great investment since the schools are very good and that is an important factor when you are ready to sell it. Areas with good schools will appreciate more in value than other areas.

You can reach me at 510-279-9580 and I can help you with all the neighborhoods and tell you to good and bad of each area. Please go to my link below to see all the properties I have sold in Castro Valley:
http://www.helpusellachievers.com/About_Castro_Valley/page_2…

Meena Gujral
Help-U-Sell Achievers Realty
510-279-9580

Consuelo

What would you consider a "good place for the single and childless"?

If what you're looking for as a good place based on...

* safe neighborhoods...yes.
* nice neighborhoods...yes
* homes that retain their market values for future resale (comparatively speaking)....yes
* choices of homes (townhouses? condos? detached homes?) ... yes
* proximity to other cities and amenities....yes
* richness and diversity of residents ... yes
* affordability compared to cities in the Peninsula...yes
* weather...yes

And...if you do decide to sell your Castro Valley home someday to people with kids and school district is a concern....yes

Go for it!

Consider expanding your search to neighboring cities, too. Get to know this area....you'll be glad you did.

Hello Consuelo,

Castro Valley is nice area. Try checking out Five Canyons & Palomares Hills. There are nice condo & town houses in these communities. I will be happy to help you find your dream condo/ townhome.

Jasbir Gujral
510-279-9580

Hi Conseulo,

Great idea to consider Castro Valley as a place to purchase a home. I live here with my family and know that the schools are great and community is safe. There are curently 3 condos and 11 townhomes on the market ranging from 225k to 450k. If you like more details on these homes or any others feel free to contact me. I hope this helps.

Tim Ambrose
Realtor
510-258-8909

Hello Consuelo,

I have lived in the Peninsula before myself too... but I currently live in San Leandro... Castro Valley is a very nice place to relocate especially the school district is good. Just in case in the future you wanted to sell them. When it comes to purchasing Condo & Townhouses there are only few that comes out in the market... You will be much closer to work and take the bart or even drive to work. You might want to check the place out. If I could be of help let me know you could reach me at (650)2910172

Thanks,
Ailynne