Why Live in Bella Vista
Bella Vista, located in Oakland's East Lake area, is a neighborhood characterized by its early to mid-20th-century Craftsman-style homes, bungalows, and occasional Victorian "Painted Ladies." Many homes have been updated with modern amenities while retaining period details like ornate trim and bay windows. The area is walkable, with tall trees lining the narrow, hilly streets and sidewalks. Bella Vista Park serves as a community hub, featuring a playground, community garden, and picnic tables. Nearby Lake Merritt offers additional outdoor activities, including walking, picnicking, and barbecuing. The neighborhood is surrounded by diverse dining options, such as La Perla for Puerto Rican cuisine and Shaan for Indian dishes, with the Grand Lake shopping district offering Ethiopian fare at Café Romanat and retro dining at Bardo Lounge. Xochi the Dog Café is a local favorite gathering spot. Essential amenities like Safeway, Farmer Joe’s, and CVS are about a mile and a half away in Lower Diamond. Bella Vista is safer than the national average, with a crime rate lower than many other areas. Interstate 580 provides easy access to the rest of the Bay Area, with downtown Oakland 3 miles away, Berkeley 6 miles, and San Francisco 13 miles. While public transportation is available, many residents rely on cars for commuting. The neighborhood is served by the Oakland Unified School District, with Bella Vista Elementary, Edna Brewer Middle School, and Oakland High School nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bella Vista a good place to live?
Bella Vista is a good place to live. Bella Vista is considered fairly walkable and bikeable with good transit options. Bella Vista has 6 parks for recreational activities. It is very dense in population with 24.0 people per acre and a median age of 41. The average household income is $126,789 which is above the national average. College graduates make up 54.2% of residents. A majority of residents in Bella Vista are renters, with 67.8% of residents renting and 32.2% of residents owning their home. A
local real estate agent serving Bella Vista can help you decide if this neighborhood is the right one for you. Learn more on our
Bella Vista neighborhood guide.
Is Bella Vista, CA a safe neighborhood?
Bella Vista, CA is safer than the average neighborhood in the United States. It received a crime score of 3 out of 10.
How much do you need to make to afford a house in Bella Vista?
The median home price in Bella Vista is $812,500. If you put a 20% down payment of $162,500 and had a 30-year fixed mortgage with an interest rate of 6.74%, your estimated principal and interest payment would be $4,210 a month plus property taxes, HOA fees, home insurance, PMI, and utilities. Using the 28% rule, you would need to make at least $180K a year to afford the median home price in Bella Vista. The average household income in Bella Vista is $127K.
What are the best public schools in Bella Vista?
The best public schools that serve Bella Vista are:
What are the best private schools in Bella Vista?
The best private schools that serve Bella Vista are:
What are the most popular zip codes in Bella Vista, Oakland, CA?
What are the most popular neighborhoods near Bella Vista, Oakland, CA?
Home Trends in Bella Vista, CA
On average, homes in Bella Vista, Oakland sell after 1 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Bella Vista, Oakland over the last 12 months is $812,500, down 14% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Median Sale Price
$812,500
Median Single Family Sale Price
$812,500
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$171
Number of Homes for Sale
0
Last 12 months Home Sales
1
Median List Price
$812,500
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-14%