Hayward isn't cheap, by any definition, but compared to the Bay Area behemoths around it, Hayward's prices are survivable. Rent here is one of the most affordable within an hour's drive of Downtown San Francisco. Commuting from Hayward is pretty simple on account of its proximity to BART (Bay Area Railway Transit) which gets you to downtown Oakland or San Francisco without switching lines.

Those who are used to cities with a lot of excitement in town are going to need to familiarize themselves with BART for more than just commuting if they choose to live in Hayward. There isn’t much to do here for young professionals. Things don’t get all that much better for families within the city limits (outside of the parks and play areas you associate with suburban cities), but it's so centrally located to Oakland, San Francisco, and San Jose, that it's hard to complain about finding things to do. 


The Bay on a "Budget"

LookyLOO Review of Hayward

Residents say that living in Hayward is like living in a dense suburb. It’s more sprawling than the urban meccas around it but without the nightlife options. Hayward does have decent dining options that locals love and support. Unlike other areas with the term “suburb” attached to them, Hayward is incredibly diverse and residents claim it is extremely welcoming to people from all races/ethnicities/geographies. The city has made pushes to build out a vibrant Downtown Hayward, but locals will tell you that significant strides are needed to address a run-down infrastructure and prevalent homeless population (very common for California cities). There are big plans for downtown so expect things to get more hopping socially over the coming years.

To see what locals get up to in Hayward check out the [calendar of events](https://www.eventbrite.com/d/ca--hayward/events--today/).

We highly recommend visiting Hayward and staying in the community in a [VRBO](https://vrbo.com/affiliate/p4JS4ZC) rather than a hotel to get a feel for what it's like to live among the locals. You can receive discounted fares on travel via our [partnership with Expedia](expedia.com/affiliate/9NZ8LBQ) as well.



Lifestyle of Hayward

If you’re looking to move to the Bay Area and don’t want to cough up thousands per month on rent, or multi-millions on buying a home, Hayward should be on your shortlist. In fact, it may realistically be the only option you’ll get to consider if you’re managing a limited budget. 


California On A Budget

Why You Should Move Here Now?

**WhoAteMySoup**
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉

I live right there and consider this to be one of the best and safest neighborhoods in the Bay Area. Hayward is a big city, with some legit sketchy spots in the Jackson Triangle, but that’s miles away. This is not to say that there is no crime at all here, there are occasional burglaries, car break ins, and mail theft, but seems to be less so than what is considered “nice” places like Palo Alto, Atherton, Danville etc. I believe a big part of it is that Hayward Highlands is too geographically isolated to be an easy target for crime: too far away from a highway and it requires you to travel by only one of two roads that can easily be blocked by police. There are tons of nice routes to jog around here, night or day, the only thing I would be worried about is mountain lions, maybe.

For more reviews of what living in Hayward is like from locals, check out [The Reviews](https://lookyloomove.com/locations/hayward/reviews).

Not the Bay You’re Thinking Of

Reviews of Hayward from Locals

Hayward is not an obvious place for young professionals or young couples to choose. Ridiculous prices in San Jose, Oakland and San Francisco though drive people to live wherever they can afford. For this reason, Hayward does get some SINKs/DINKs looking to make a go of it within reasonable distance from a major set of cities. Downtown Hayward has a pretty cool older historic district near the BART station. These blocks are filled with nice older cottage style homes and Victorians and big beautiful trees. This is also where there are apartment/condo options for those who want to walk to BART and avoid any daily driving. If you’re young and looking this is likely where you’ll start your search. 
- Downtown
- North Hayward
- Burbank


Young Professionals/DINKs/SINKs

Downtown

One of the newer neighborhoods in Hayward is Eden Shore. The homes were mostly built in the last few years and so everything is modern and fresh and for the area, affordable. While Hayward does not have the best school ratings overall in the Bay Area, this is one of the areas that have the better public school options. It’s a master planned community with some views of the Bay Area. It has a beautiful community park with basketball, tennis courts and a great path along the shoreline. There is an older section of Eden Shore with homes built a couple decades ago with homes that range in the million dollar range so there is some variety of pricey and “reasonable” by Norcal standards.
- Mt Eden/Eden Shores
- Hayward Highland
- Mission-Foothill


Families

Mt Eden/Eden Shores

Hayward

**WhoAteMySoup**
1y ago
🦉🦉🦉

I live right there and consider this to be one of the best and safest neighborhoods in the Bay Area. Hayward is a big city, with some legit sketchy spots in the Jackson Triangle, but that’s miles away. This is not to say that there is no crime at all here, there are occasional burglaries, car break ins, and mail theft, but seems to be less so than what is considered “nice” places like Palo Alto, Atherton, Danville etc. I believe a big part of it is that Hayward Highlands is too geographically isolated to be an easy target for crime: too far away from a highway and it requires you to travel by only one of two roads that can easily be blocked by police. There are tons of nice routes to jog around here, night or day, the only thing I would be worried about is mountain lions, maybe.

**PerpetwoMotion**
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉

The schools are mediocre, but there is a dedicated pipeline for students to go from the middle/high schools to Chabot Community College to Cal State East Bay.

Hayward has a new central library, and a small farmers market. Unlike other towns and cities who are moaning about post-pandemic losses, the Hayward City Council is actively trying to find a way to keep B Street open and vibrant. I spoke to one of the business owners there two days ago, and the city is trying to reopen Buffalo Bills (but it won't happen in time for the Stanley Cup).

Chabot Community College has a free Healthy Aging Program for residents over age 50, to use the gym, and swim-- the gym is clean and new, the pool is clean and saline. It is a wonderful community of seniors who are serious about their health.

The hills and shoreline haveparks, and trails for hiking and biking.

**metalmikeinoakland**
2y ago
🦉🦉🦉🦉

downtown hayward RULES since gentrification of it started ten years (beginning with 6? city sized blocks of condos built just to the west of the BART station).

there is so much jammed into the 3blks x 2blks (6 blks total? 6 and 1/2 if you count the "south side of B St) since that time it is a mindfckk. (i own a house 20 min on foot from the east-edge of downtown, i.e. Foothill Blvd's eastern side, and the BART/and full-size Lucky's supermarket on downtown's west border are less than 15 min away on foot, from my front yard and walking in that direction) --

a) 10 screen Cinemark MOVIE THEATRE at B St/Foothill // with a-1) 20 or more "places to eat food" on both sides of that block on B St. a-2) a Bank of the West ATM right across the street from the movie theatre (outside the bank). a-3) um, and a new/used indie-non-chain bookstore inbetween two of the umpteen places "to waste your money eating eat-out food"

b) brand new modern public library on C St/Mission's northwest corner https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/hayward-public-library-hayward-3 // c) with a M-Fri post 9am-5pm US Post Office right next to it (on its west side)

c) for anyone who likes music (this is my personal jackpot you can't even get on a Santa Free Wish xmas wish list) -- since fall 2021 post-covid



Hayward, California

Heart of the Bay

Looklyloo Score: 86