Oakland and the Bay Area

Living in Oakland

Oakland grew rapidly in the 20th century. Following the disastrous San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1906, many families and businesses relocated from San Francisco to Oakland. Within a decade Oakland’s population more than doubled. World War II (1939-1945) also brought tremendous growth and change to Oakland. Thousands of war workers and their families moved to the area to work in wartime shipyards. Many members of the armed forces who were stationed at nearby military bases chose to remain in the area after the war. The war also increased the region’s ethnic diversity.

Oakland was revitalized in the 1970s with the construction of new downtown office buildings. At the city’s historic center stands Oakland City Hall, built in 1914. The building was heavily damaged in the devastating Loma Prieta earthquake of 1989 but was later restored to its original splendor as part of the redevelopment project. North of City Hall is the magnificent art deco Paramount Theatre, with colorful tile murals depicting the performing arts. Just south of City Hall are the twin towers of the Federal Building and Oakland City Center. A few blocks west is Preservation Park, a neighborhood of restored Victorian residences; to the east is Lake Merritt and its surrounding Lakeside Park. Near the southwest shore of the lake stand the fortress like Alameda County Courthouse and the Oakland Museum of California. A waterfront square of shops and restaurants has been named to honor one of the city’s early residents and well-known author, Jack London.

Oakland’s cultural institutions include the Oakland Ballet, Oakland East Bay Symphony, and Oakland Ensemble Theatre. The Oakland Museum of California, devoted to the art, environment, and history of the Golden State, is a notable attraction. The African American Museum and Library interprets the experiences of blacks living in California and the West.

Oakland features many parks, playgrounds, and recreational facilities. Its crown jewel is Lakeside Park, which encircles Lake Merritt, the nation’s largest urban saltwater lake. Designated in 1870 as the first wildlife refuge in the United States, Lakeside Park is a favorite of lawn bowlers, joggers, and bicyclists. Also on the shores of the lake are:

Children’s Fairyland, a theme park based on popular nursery rhymes; and the Cameron-Stanford House, a restored Victorian home. Nestled in the Oakland Hills are Knowland Park and the Oakland Zoo, featuring more than 300 exotic and native animals. Nearby is the East Bay Regional Park District, with additional parklands. *

The City of Oakland is diverse in cultural heritage and places of natural beauty and holds a long tradition of civic pride. Fellows know that the Bay Area is a truly unique place to call home.

Location

With the northern part of the city resting on the Oakland hills and the southern side stretching along the San Francisco Bay, Oakland’s landscape is marked by rolling hills, two beautiful lakes, and 19 miles of shorefront. The city offers more parks and open space per capita than any other Bay Area city. Temperatures comfortably range from the 60’s to 70’s during the summer and remain mild between the 40’s and 50’s throughout the winter months. Oakland’s neighboring cities of Berkeley to the north and San Francisco across the Bay Bridge offer even more options of countless outdoor and city-based activities Both Oakland and surrounding areas celebrate the arts in nearly every form, including various forms of dance, symphony, museums, and galleries all offering regular performances and exhibits open to the public. For those looking to escape the bustle of the city, it is only a short drive north to scenic Point Reyes National Seashore, Muir Woods National Monument, and Napa and Sonoma Valleys, and a quick ride south to the beautiful beach towns of Pacifica and Santa Cruz. In the winter, head east to take advantage of world-renowned ski resorts in Lake Tahoe.

Transportation

With top-notch public transportation systems easily moving residents throughout the area, entertainment opportunities seem endless. Many Bay Area residents choose to take advantage of the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) system which connects Bay Area cities via a network of underground and above-ground trains. Oakland residents may opt to use the local Alameda-Contra Costa Transit bus service (AC Transit) to commute locally. While there are several options for public transportation, many Fellows report that owning a car makes the relocation and transition to teaching in Oakland much easier.

Diversity and Relocation

Oakland is one of the nation’s most ethnically integrated cities, where the nearly 400,000 residents who call the city home speak more than 100 languages and dialects **. Oakland also boasts a strong tradition of community organizing around issues critical to its residents ranging from environmental protection to community youth involvement to healthcare advocacy. As Fellows from outside of the Bay Area make plans to relocate, they have many choices available when choosing a location for a new home. Individuals can start researching apartment rentals in the downtown area, near the lake, and in the diverse neighborhoods of Oakland. Many Fellows find they enjoy various neighborhoods near their schools including Rockridge, Piedmont, Lake Merritt, and Fruitvale.

It is also possible to live outside of the city of Oakland and commute to work. Fellows recommend living relatively close to work in order to integrate within the school’s greater community and maximize time with students and colleagues.

Regardless of which feature most attracts you to Oakland and the Bay Area, you can be sure that you will find an exciting and diverse place to live as you embark on your new career as an educator in one of our community's high-need schools.

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*MSN Encarta, Oakland, 2008 

**Oakland Convention and Visitors Bureau website, 2008