$790,043Average Value$247Average Price per Sq Ft3Homes For Sale
A midtown neighborhood full of midcentury charm
San Leandro’s Lower Bal neighborhood may be one of the sweetest places to live. Full of vintage charm and close to the heart of the city the neighborhood is home to the Ghirardelli Chocolate factory. However, Suzanne A. Agasi, a Realtor with Marker Luxury Properties, says the real treat about living there is the community feel. “It’s sunny, it’s safe, it’s sophisticated and it has a real warmth to it,” says Agasi. Most of Lower Bal’s residents have called this community home for years, even as its advantageous location near Oakland and San Francisco has created an in-demand housing market.
Lower Bal offers residents an urban suburban mix feel and most residents rent their home.
Homes in Lower Bal come in a wide range of shapes and sizes.
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Home to the Ghirardelli chocolate factory
Ghirardelli has famously produced and sold chocolate in the Bay Area for more than 170 years. It moved its factory to Lower Bal in the 1960s. Today, residents and tourists head to the factory outlet there for chocolates, ice cream sundaes and milkshakes.
Hesperian Boulevard and 14th Street are two of San Leandro’s main retail corridors and both border Lower Bal. It’s where grocery options like Target and the Asian-themed 88 Seafood Supermarket are located. The Bayfair Center shopping mall at the neighborhood’s southern end has closed but the San Leandro Farmers’ Market continues to be held outside of it every Saturday. Also the Cinemark continues to show there. For a vintage movie-watching experience, the BAL Theatre, which opened in 1946, frequently hosts live music and independent film screenings. For dining Fat Fish specializes in Japanese classics like teriyaki, sushi and ramen, while Joe’s Pho serves up the famous Vietnamese soup. Parekoy Lutong Pinoy, which sits across from the BAL, offers a vast menu of Filipino staples like adobo and lumpia.
Ghirardelli Chocolate proudly manufactured in Lower Bal, San Leandro for many decades.
Ghirardelli Chocolate proudly manufactured in America for over 165 years.
A wide selection of delicious chocolate at the Ghirardelli Chocolate Factory in Lower Bal.
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Postwar ranch-style homes mix with 1970s condos in Lower Bal
The majority of Lower Bal’s housing stock was built during the 1940s and early 1950s, and ranch-style homes dominate its grid-patterned streets. These houses vary in price from $400,000 to $950,000, while split-level residences can fetch between $1 million and $1.3 million. Condos present less expensive alternatives, varying in price from $300,000 to $610,000. Lower Bal’s streetscapes are defined by small front lawns and driveways, while all homes enjoy sidewalk access. Condos and townhouses tend to feature community pools.
Lower Bal is an attractive place to live for those seeking a residential lifestyle.
In Lower Bal ranch-style homes dominate the grid-patterned streets.
You can often find manicured gardens in Lower Bal.
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Creative career pathways at San Leandro High School
Jefferson Elementary School receives a C-plus rating from Niche, while Bancroft Middle School scores a B-minus. San Leandro High School, rated “B,” offers AP courses in addition to specialized programs focused on fine arts, business, career technical education and a social justice academy. The school’s Maker’s Club recently took the top prize at a UC Berkeley robotics competition. Russell Means, a crusader for Indigenous civil rights, is among this school’s notable alumni.
Jefferson Elementary School is one of the top elementary schools in Lower Bal.
Bancroft Middle School provides a comprehensive program that supports all learners in Lower Bal.
San Leandro High School offers Advanced Placement courses for Lower Bal students.
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Community happenings at Halcyon Park
Halcyon Park forms the green heart of Lower Bal, both due to its central location and its popularity as a community gathering place. “There are lots of birthdays, lots of baby showers, lots of celebrating. Plus, people love to go walking there,” Agasi says. Abundant trees shade this park’s circular walking paths, and Halcyon Park also features a volleyball court, a large playground and a fenced-in tot lot. Lake Chabot Regional Park sits 3 miles around the corner from Lower Bal, and its 315-acre reservoir is popular for hiking, fishing, canoeing and picnicking.
Lower Bal resident can enjoy a brisk morning walk with their dogs at Halcyon Park.
An outdoor gym offers hours of exercise near Lake Chabot at Sequoyah.
Lake Chabot Park is encompassed by scenic natural beauty including lush greenery and hills.
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Train and highway access to the Bay Area's big cities
Lower Bal sits halfway between Interstates 880 and 580, connecting this neighborhood to downtown Oakland 13 miles to the north and San Francisco 25 miles to the northwest. This neighborhood is also close to the Bay Fair BART station, which takes commuters into both cities within a 30-minute train ride. San Leandro Hospital, a 93-bed facility, is located within the neighborhood.
Bay Fair station is the closest BART station to Lower Bal.
Lower Bal sits halfway between Interstates 880 and 580, connecting this neighborhood to Oakland.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
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to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Lower Bal
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
5
4
Robbery
5
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
7
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Lower Bal Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Lower Bal, San Leandro sell after 57 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Lower Bal, San Leandro over the last 12 months is $275,000, down 59% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Brand New single family home that offers incredible interior space for everyone! Bedroom and bath on the first floor is perfect for an office or guest room. Very spacious kitchen, dining & great room with 9'ceilings! All the interior selections have been made with designer vinyl plank flooring throughout the first floor with the exception of the bedroom. A bright open floor plan seamlessly
BRAND NEW! A traditional single family home ready for you! Upon entrance, you will be warmly greeted with designer selected floors and a bright open floor plan seamlessly connecting the kitchen & dining to the great room. The Modern kitchen features light shaker style cabinets, quartz countertops, and Whirlpool stainless steel appliances including a convenient center island and step in pantry.
Welcome to this rare top-floor corner unit offering privacy, natural light, and sweeping views! Situated in a secure, well-maintained building, this spacious 2-bedroom, 2-bath condo combines comfort with contemporary style. Inside, enjoy an open-concept living and dining area with large windows that flood the space with sunlight. The kitchen is thoughtfully designed with ample cabinetry, updated
Why rent if you can own. Only $250 HOA. This home is conveniently located in the center of San Leandro, right next to the beautiful Halcyon Park and in between downtown San Leandro and Bayfair Mall. Close to freeway 580 and 880, and 7 mins drive to Bart station.
MODEL HOME, Farmhouse style on a Large Lot with open space view! Upon entrance, you will be warmly greeted with a formal entry, designer selected floors and a bright open plan seamlessly connecting the kitchen to the living room leading to the inviting backyard that provides plentiful space for gardening and entertaining with an open view. Also features a downstairs bed and full bath quarters
Summerhill Terrace Apartments offers garden style studio, 1- & 2-bedroom apartments in San Leandro, CA! Fantastic amenities + Great location in Lower Bal & near Bay Fair BART. Click for more!
Welcome to this wonderful apartment located on the ground floor of a four-unit building. The apartment features a spacious living room, an updated kitchen, and two spacious bedrooms, including the primary suite. There’s also an additional hall bathroom and a patio room with an extra-large backyard. The entire interior has been recently updated with new windows, flooring, paint, a new kitchen
Come home to the peace and beauty of San Leandro Racquet Club’s park-like community. Enjoy our beautiful lakes, streams, and walking paths plus amenities and services we’re sure you’ll enjoy. Nestled in the heart of San Leandro, we are close to premium shopping and dining, and a range of different recreation and outdoor activities. BART, major freeways, and Oakland International Airport are
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Glenn Macayan,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
7,392
Median Age
42
Population Density
16 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
17.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$84,693
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$106,675
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
85.4%
College Graduates
26%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
7.8%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
69.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
25''
Average Winter Low Temperature
44°F
Average Summer High Temperature
73°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
54/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
59/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
54/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
