Lynn

Just east of the Bay Area is a vibrant community with street-side fruit stands, colorful murals and restaurants rich with flavor. Lynn is a centrally located Oakland neighborhood boasting proximity to parks, public transport and a hospital. "This area offers easy access to downtown and the freeway," says real estate broker Alex Sandoval of eXp Realty. "But the real draw for most residents is having Highland Hospital of Alameda Health Care right there. Many move here for employment, so there's a lot of nurses and doctors." Sandoval has sold homes in the area for nearly 30 years.

Lynn's housing consists primarily of early to mid-20th-century craftsman bungalows with Mediterranean influences. Most homes feature low-pitched roofs and small columns that form covered front porches. Other common housing features include first-story garages and cement staircases that lead to the front door. Housing prices vary anywhere between $600,000 and $1.1 million. "It can be more affordable than other Oakland neighborhoods," Sandoval says. "Generally speaking, entry-level homes sell quickly." A walk down the sidewalk-lined streets affords a tour of the community's diverse vegetation, including mature trees, cacti and intricate landscaping.

Students in Lynn attend schools under the Oakland Unified School District, which is home to nearly 35,000 and earned an overall B-minus from Niche. Children kickstart their education at Bella Vista Elementary School, which touts an overall C-plus from Niche. Students advance to Edna Brewer Middle School. Students at Edna Brewer score high on their tests, earning an eight out 10 on GreatSchools. Students progress to Oakland High School. Established in 1869, OHS is the oldest high school in Oakland and today has an overall B-minus on Niche with a student-to-teacher ratio of 18-to-1.

When you want to spend a day outdoors, ample parks surround the community. Just over a mile east is Dimond Park, chock-full of amenities. Locals explore the numerous hiking trails that weave around the Dimond Canyon and Sausal Creek, like the Bridgeview Trail and the Dimond Canyon Trail. The park additionally sports a pool open for recreational use, a small playground for the kids and two tennis courts. Lynn residents commonly head 2 miles west to Lake Merritt for more adventures outside. What locals deem the "Jewel" of Oakland, Lake Merritt covers over 150 with a park, boat launch and small beach area. You'll often see bikers, joggers and casual strollers perusing the nearly 4 miles of lakeside sidewalks. Twinkling lights are strung along most of the lake's walkway, assuring a lit path for nighttime visitors.

Most Lynn residents head 1 mile east to Fruitvale Avenue when they need to shop. You'll have a few grocery options, but Farmer Joe's Marketplace is a popular choice for local shoppers. A Safeway is a quarter mile north of Farmer Joe's for more options. Another perk of Fruitvale Avenue is the diverse string of restaurants, cafés and bakeries that line the roadway. There's something for every palate, like Shaan Indian Cuisine, La Perla Puerto Rican Cuisine and La Farine bakery. The melting pot of flavors will leave you an area regular, inevitably dabbling in the overflow of tasty spots on MacArthur Boulevard. And if you're looking for something within walking distance, venture over to Taqueria el Cruzero for authentic Mexican cuisine.

Lynn is close to ample community events. A popular annual celebration is Oaktoberfest, a two-day event at the corner of Fruitvale Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard. Oakland locals flock to the festival for over 200 craft beers, traditional German food and live music.

Location is everything in Lynn. Downtown Oakland is only 3 miles west, and San Francisco is 12 miles west. While many residents own cars, several use public transportation. To get around Oakland specifically, several bus stops of the AC Transit System scatter the area. You can also hop on the Bay Area Rapid Transit, or BART, to reach the greater Bay Area. There are BART stations in Fruitvale and the Lake Merritt area, both within 3 miles of Lynn. If you're driving, Highway 580 borders Lynn and Highway 880 is a few blocks south. Lynn boasts a conveniently located address with an idyllic backdrop.

Written By

Brennen Martin

Photography Contributed By

Anne Kohler

Video By

Melinda Anselmo