86,762
Population
Sunny Days: 258
63100 Affordability
85100 Schools
85100 Diversity
66100 Safety
San Leandro, California
40 Mins. from Everywhere
Downtown San Leandro
San Leandro Public Library
E 14th Street
San Leandro Farmer's Market
The Best Thing About San Leandro?
The Price is Right
If you’re moving from another part of the country, you probably wouldn’t put the words “affordable” and “average home value of $827,981” in the same sentence. But if you’ve lived in the Bay Area, you know this kind of pricing is a rare find.
Up until the late 20th century, San Leandro was largely a light industrial and warehouse community. Today, this history is still baked into the neighborhoods west of the 880. Built mostly between the 1930’s and 1960’s, homes in San Leandro range in styles from bungalows and craftsman to Victorian and 1950’s ramblers. Mixed in, you will find duplexes, newer builds and manufactured homes, meaning no matter what they’re looking for, home buyers can almost always find their vibe.
This area is great if you’re looking for a small, starter home. First-time homebuyers can expect older builds with 2-3 bedrooms and 1-2 bathrooms. Newer builds are larger with more than three bedrooms and around two baths.
Renters also benefit from more reasonable rates. Typically a 1 bedroom will cost anywhere from $1,800 to $2,500 and a 2 bedroom will cost between $2,100 and $3,000 (as of late 2023).
It’s important to note that demand in the Bay Area is increasing faster than supply, forcing San Leandro’s housing costs to rise. That said, it remains one of the most affordable places to live in the Bay Area.
The Worst Thing About San Leandro?
Bedroom Community
Unless you’re in healthcare, education, the industrial sector or a remote tech worker, you’ll likely be commuting for work. And if you’re a young professional looking for live music or a club, you’ll have to “commute” to a town with nightlife as well.
Luckily, San Leandro is a commuter-friendly town. Running right through the city you’ve got main freeways like the 880 and 580 as well as several smaller freeways like the 238 and 112. Fair warning, all this “access” leads to more traffic congestion in the city. If you don’t want to deal with all that, the city hosts two BART stations (the San Leandro and BayFair stops). Centrally located within the Bay Area, you can get almost anywhere you want to go in 40 minutes.
Not to renege on our choice for the “worst” part of San Leandro, but job opportunities and entertainment options aren’t nonexistent. One of the cool things about the city is the economic diversity. You’ve got teachers living next to software engineers and Ghirardelli Chocolate Company factory workers living next to Kaiser Permanente Medical Group employees.
There are also several established restaurants and breweries that attract people from neighboring cities. For example, the upscale food with a view at Horatio’s is a mainstay of SL, you can’t watch a video on “what to do in San Leandro” without hearing about Drake’s Brewing Company, and the dining experience at Paradiso's is said to be top notch. For those who do need to work and play outside the city, Oakland is only 20 minutes away and San Fran is 30.
Lifestyle of San Leandro
Eat, Hike and Be Merry
San Leandro is a hybrid of city and suburbia. As we’ve mentioned, getting out of the city to other parts of the Bay is pretty easy, and within city limits almost anything you’d need is fewer than 10 minutes away.
History and charm are infused into the culture and aesthetic here. The downtown area is populated with Mom-and-Pop shops and family-owned restaurants. While residents often complain the city needs a “facelift,” they mean improved infrastructure and a few upscale amenities, not trading in the community-centric appeal for generic corporate offerings.
Eating is one of residents favorite activities. In addition to finer dining options like Horatio’s and Paradisos, and fan favorite breweries like Drake’s and 21st Amendment Brewery, you can get your daily dose of caffeine at the lovely Zocalo Coffeehouse or satisfy the sweet tooth at Koolfi Creamery (seriously, check out their Indian-inspired flavors, if you don’t decide to move here you’ll at least want to visit).
On a nice day, take your scoop of Bombay Butterscotch from Koolfi Creamery on a walk in one of San Leandro’s 20 parks. Niche.com’s “A” rating of San Leandro’s “Outdoor Activities” reflects the city’s winning combination of great weather and great access to the outdoors. Marina Park is the star amongst the green spaces. Here, fishermen, boaters, swimmers and picnickers can enjoy a beautiful view of the Bay Area with family and friends. On the other side of town is Lake Chabot Regional Park. Available activities here are numerous, ranging from biking and golfing to kayaking and horseback riding.
For some indoor family-fun, residents head south to Hayward where they can bowl and play arcade games at Southland Mall’s Round 1.
Schools in San Leandro
Could Be Better
For some families moving to San Leandro, the schools are a concern. As one resident described it, the public schools are just good enough to make it feel like you’re rolling the dice on your child’s education. That said, enough students excel and are accepted into Ivy League schools to satisfy some concerned parents.
The city of San Leandro is served by three school districts. Most students will attend schools in the San Leandro Unified School District, but those who live in unincorporated Ashland or the southern part of the Washington Manor neighborhood will attend school in the San Lorenzo Unified School District and students in a section of the hills will attend Castro Valley Unified School District. In other words, get familiar with the city’s wonky school zoning before you move.
The San Leandro Unified School District has 13 schools and received a “B” rating from Niche.com. San Leandro High School (rated “B” by Niche.com and 6/10 on Greatschools.org) is one of the top schools in the district. It offers Advanced Placement Courses in all the core subjects and relatively good college prep. John Muir Middle School (rated “B” by Niche.com and “4/10” by Greatschools.org) offers a nice balance between rigorous academics, diverse extracurricular activities and helpful support services. Madison Elementary School rated “A-” by Niche.com and 6/10 on Greatschools.org) is committed to cultural diversity and academic excellence, with a special emphasis on Mandarin dual language immersion.
Families have their pick of top private schools in the Bay Area. The College Preparatory School (9-12) in Oakland, Head-Royce School (K-12) in Oakland, The Quarry Lane School (PK-12) in Dublin, The Bentley School (K-12) in Lafayette and Bishop O’Dowd High School (9-12) in Oakland are all rated “A+” by Niche.com.
Whether students attend public or private school, they’ll benefit from the city’s well regarded San Leandro Community Library.
Why You Should Move Here Now
Trending Upwards
The standard of living and prices in San Leandro are trending upwards. If you’re thinking about moving to the Bay Area, but need a starter home, you should seriously consider San Leandro. And as they say, these good prices won’t last forever so better get ‘em while they’re hot!
Living in San Leandro
Neighborhoods in San Leandro
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Washington Manor
Families
Washington Manor is regarded as one of the safest neighborhoods in San Leandro. It is a sleepier part of town and popular with those looking to start and raise a family. Its relaxed and welcoming atmosphere offers a peaceful haven away from downtown San Leandro and big cities, but commuting is made easy by the nearby 880.
Home prices here range between $615,000-$998,000. They are typically 3-4 bedrooms with 1-3 bathrooms. You’ll find both single-family homes and townhomes in this area ranging between 1,100-2,300 square feet with large backyards.
Most of the homes look aesthetically similar with only a few unique options standing out. Most homes have long-term owners or have multiple generations living in the same house. In other words, it is not a transient neighborhood and residents tend to come and stay for a while.
Nearby schools include James Madison Elementary School and St. Felicitas Catholic School. Residents also enjoy easy access to Washington Manor Park and essentials like Foodnet Supermarket, CVS and Walgreens. The neighborhood’s walkability score of 82/100 makes it possible to accomplish errands by foot or bike.
Estudillo Estates
Families
Estudillo Estates is regarded as one of San Leandro’s premier neighborhoods. It offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and estate properties that exude an air of refined luxury and elegance set within tree-lined streets. Although it is one of the more wealthy neighborhoods in the city, Estudillo Estates undoubtedly gives off a sense of small town charm and humility.
Homes in this highly sought-after neighborhood typically cost between $1.2 and $3 million. They range in size from 3- to 9-bedrooms, and 2- to 17-bathrooms (yes, you read that right). Square footage typically maxes out around 5,300 on a half acre lot, keeping in mind that there are homes as small as 700 square feet on much smaller lots. Popular architectural styles here include Tudor, Spanish and Contemporary.
Nestled along the 580, commuting to other cities is relatively easy. Its high walkability score of 68 and bike score of 71 enhances residents' quality of life. Walking to restaurants, coffee shops and parks is a popular activity for residents, as well as simply walkin through the neighborhood to enjoy the beautiful architecture and scenery. San Leandro Creek winds through the neighborhood on its way to emptying in nearby Lake Chabot.
Public schools near Estudillo Estates are above average and include Roosevelt Elementary School and Bancroft Middle School. Nearby eateries with 4.4+ ratings on Google include Paradiso, As Kneaded Bakery and Boulevard Burger. Groceries range from local favorite Estudillo Produce & Deli to classics like Safeway.
Bay-O-Vista
Families
The neighborhood of Bay-O-Vista offers just what it sounds like: panoramic views. It sits on the hills east of 580, overlooking breathtaking landscapes and natural scenery. Directly east is Chabot Park and Lake Chabot (LINK).
The neighborhood is highly desirable, with housing prices ranging from $975,000-$1.9 million. Homes are typically one-story with 2-5 bedrooms and 2-3 baths.
This neighborhood provides a sparse urban feel. Residents enjoy the proximity to downtown San Leandro, the 580 and the Lake Chabot Regional Park. Students may be zoned for Roosevelt Elementary School, Bancroft Middle School and San Leandro High School amongst others. These schools are rated above average.
Within the neighborhood, Bay-O-Vista Swim & Tennis Club offers residents a way to stay active and enjoy the sun. Nearby shopping can be found in downtown just six miles away, or even closer in the Estudillo Estates and Broadmoor neighborhoods. You can grab your groceries from family-owned Galvan’s Market or splurge on your favorite drink at Starbucks.