Alameda County is a county in northern California with approximately 1.4 million residents. The county is located on the East Bay, the eastern side of the San Francisco Bay, and contains a number of communities -- both large and small. The largest cities are Oakland and Berkeley. San Francisco is not part of Alameda, but it is a short drive for most of its residents. Housing costs generally are high in the county.
Pleasanton, a city of about 67,000 residents, has received the stamp of approval by Money magazine as one of the best places to live, not just in Alameda County but in the entire United States. The magazine ranked the city as the No. 63 best place to live in the U.S. in 2010. The city's charms originate in its vibrant arts scene, top-flight schools and abundant outdoor recreational facilities, including more than three dozen parks.
Piedmont, a sleepy suburb of Oakland, offers a great deal of advantages for its residents, including a sense of quiet and separation from the major city that it borders. The town's residents are affluent, and the property prices are very high, so finding an appropriate home within your price range can be challenging. Piedmont's schools are particularly well regarded. In 2008, Forbes ranked Piedmont one of the country's best suburbs to live in.
Berkeley, which is the home of the University of California at Berkeley, offers residents the advantages of a thriving college community with the accompanying arts, culture and commerce. The city boasts many galleries and performing arts venues, including the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, which routinely sends plays to Broadway. It is also known for a restaurant scene that focuses on local, sustainable foods. Among its most famous restaurants is Alice Waters' Chez Panisse. Berkeley is known worldwide for its progressive culture and environmentally friendly initiatives.
Oakland's reputation has not always been strong, particularly regarding concerns about crime in the city, but the city's relative affordability for the Bay Area has helped attract residents and business that have made it a more exciting place to live, according to the Los Angeles Times. The city has a great deal of historic architecture and an appealing geography of hills with views of the San Francisco Bay. The city has gained a reputation with foodies for its cutting-edge cuisine, and with art lovers for an underground arts scene.
