Living in Glenview, Oakland
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Living in Glenview, Oakland
May 2012
We're considering moving to the Glenview neighborhood and
would love to hear from residents about what they like and
don't like about the area. The reviews on BPN are positive
but they're from 2004 and before.
We're a family with a preschooler and a toddler, and we're
looking for a welcoming community with a good public school
(I'll ask more about the school in that forum), a place
where kids play on the sidewalk and friendly neighbors host
impromptu barbeques. I get the feeling that Glenview might
be perfect for us -- driving by, I've seen kids riding bikes
in their driveways while the parents chat, etc. It looks
like a diverse community of down-to-earth, friendly people.
It also seems like it would be fairly easy to meet your
neighbors if your kids went to Glenview Elementary, and at
an open house there, it seemed like the parents were fun,
intelligent, artsy, unpretentious and committed to building
community -- our kind of people.
Are my impressions right? What do you like and dislike about
living in Glenview? Would you recoommend it?
Thanks!
Looking for a new home
Sounds like you've discovered the secret... Glenview is the
best! We have lived here for 5 years. It's super friendly,
has that great neighborhood feeling, and is diverse
(ethnically and lesbian/gay). We've made many friends on our
street and enjoy walking to all of the great new restaurants
on Park. The only downside for us is the school situation.
We thought we would be able to attend Glenview Elem. and
toured it eager to love it after hearing so many like-minded
seeming parents rave about it and dismissing the few
neighbors who sent their kids to private schools or
transferred to other OUSD schools. Unfortunately, we didn't
love it or even find it acceptable. I suggest you tour the
school for yourself if you are planning on attending it,
it's difficult but not impossible to use the options process
to attend another school. my 2 cents
My husband and I bought a house in the Glenview neighborhood
just over one year ago. We absolutely love it. Our
neighbors are very friendly and social, and even left us a
welcome basket on our front stoop before we moved in! There
are many families with children, and parents in the area
seem very comfortable allowing their kids to ride their
bikes around the neighborhood or play a game of football in
the street. Glenview is also walkable, and more and more
restaurants are moving onto Park Blvd. Though we do not
have any school-aged children (first baby currently on the
way), I've heard wonderful things about Glenview Elementary.
There is definitely a strong community feel. Our block has
an annual block party and we all watch out for each other.
My husband and I feel very comfortable, welcome and safe.
Two thumbs up!
I work as a nanny in Glenview for friends, and have gotten
to know the neighborhood very well in the past year and a
half. Overall, it's a beautiful neighborhood, people are
generally friendly: moreso than Berkeley, less so than San
Leandro. I've made friends with lots of the neighbors here.
Last year I observed would-be burglars across the street and
called the police, the police came pretty quickly and the
burglars had already left without breaking into the house.
And I know a mugging happened on this street in the past six
months - the victim was walking on Park Boulevard and was
followed as she took a side street, I think her bag or purse
was stolen. So there's some crime factor here, even though
crime statistics would put this neighborhood in the
'green-safest' zone. Generally I have felt very safe
walking around the neighborhood with a stroller. People are
around, enjoying the neighborhood more than some places
(Piedmont has been empty of any signs of life whenever I've
walked in that neighborhood nearby). The Glenview village
is cute, and I believe as you said that families get to know
each other from the elementary school. Some neighbors are
considering moving as their children are getting older and
while the elementary school is considered good, most say
that upper grades are not. Other families send their kids
to private school as they get older. hope this is helpful!
M
October 2004
I'm so excited to be moving in the VERY near future to
Glenview, but I don't know much about the area. I'm sure we'll
discover many things on our own, but I'd be interested in
having a good head start when we get there. Specifically
parks/playgrounds. Hoping for one nearby the house, although
the drive-by I did the other day didn't reveal one to me.
We'll be living somewhat near the Glenview elementary school,
but are there playgrounds nearby that toddlers can use during
the weekdays?
Other recommendations for services in the neighborhood are also
sought (dry cleaners, coffee shops, cafes, shopping, family
activities, etc)
Thanks!
-New Glenview Neighbor!
There is a wonderful toddler playground in Dimond Park, just
south of where El Centro crosses the park. Check it out!
Evette
Glenview has Dimond Park, an easy walk from most places in the
neighborhood. Park Blvd has most of the shopping that you can
walk to, and you'll discover pretty quickly which restaurants
you like. Compadres on the corner is Mexican, and I'd say it's
convenient and not bad but not outstanding. Purple Plum is good
if a little pricey, and Blackberry is pretty popular for
breakfast. There's also a coffee place. Fruitvale neighborhood
also has a number of stores you might go to, and some
restaurants--there's a burrito place on Macarther. Also a
library on Fruitvale itself, which you can get to by walking
through the park also. Other todder areas are Montclair Park,
on Mountain Blvd near the Montclair shopping area. And there
are loads of young families around.
I'm sure you'll get plenty of responses. . . but DIMOND PARK is
right in your new neighborhood. We have used it for almost
daily toddler play, potlucks, swimming lessons, and birthday
parties. Its fabulous. Also, the East Bay Dance Center has
recently relocated to the neighborhood with everything from pre-
ballet to hip hop. Enjoy!
Debbie
I am sure you'll get lots of responses from Glenview residents.
Here's my 2 cents:
I have lived in Glenview for about 4 years and moved there from
SF. At first we rented, then bought a house about 2 years ago.
We live right in front of Glenview Elementary. My husband and I
love living in Glenview. It has so much to offer for the kids
(ours are 2 and 4) and is a great community. We know most of our
neighbors and there is a really nice community feeling. We talk
alot about relocating (due to economy, etc) but if it actually
happened, we would be so sad to leave our great neighborhood.
Here are some of our favorite things in/around Glenview:
1 - Dimond Park. This park is walking distance of Glenview
Elementary, so if you are moving near there you will be close
by. (It is at the end of Wellington St.). They have a couple
play areas, tennis courts and a nice pool for summertime. They
have a great recreation sched. for kids. Birrel, the guy who
runs everything, is awesome with the kids.
2 - Dimond Branch Library on Fruitvale - They have story time
for kids/families on Tues. nights and again during the day
(don't know which day). Sometimes they have performances like
puppet shows, etc for kids.
3 - Ultimate Grounds Cafe - it is walkable, has good coffee,
nice staff, and is a nice place to hang out with or without the
kids. They also serve ice cream.
4 - There is a dance studio on Park Blvd that used to be the
Glenview Performing Arts center. They have dance classes for
kids, etc. My daughter took ballet there before the change of
ownership (some of the same teachers are there) and she loved it.
5 - Park Blvd. Yoga - it is great to be able to walk to a yoga
class.
6 - Farmer Joe's - On McArthur and 35th I think. Its like
Berkeley Bowl but smaller and without the massive crowds and
horrid parking. They have tons of great organic produce and bulk
foods. Rumor has it that they are opening an even bigger
location on Fruitvale where ''Crazy Johns'' is right now.
I love Glenview because it has all these amenities within
walking distance from our house, and the people that I have come
to know as my neighbors are all wonderful and friendly (not to
sound like a Stepford wife - but they are really nice!). As a
result, I am not missing SF so much anymore ;-)
happy Glenview mom
welcome to Glenview! I'm a big fan of Oakland and especially Glenview,
having been here 6 years. Dimond Park is very close to the elementary
school, right down Wellington, and has baby swings, a climbing
structure, sand, grass, and an outdoor pool. My daughter went 3 days a
week with her nanny from age 5 months to 2 years. She loved it!
There's a great coffee shop right on Park Blvd, and 2 fabulous
restaurants (Blackberry Bistro & Purple Plum) I use a dry cleaner up in
Montclair (had a bad experience with the one on Park, near the middle
school). FemiNails on Park is great for mani/pedi. Enjoy!
Amy
We just moved to Glenview/Oakmore in August but have been delighted with the
neighborhood. As for parks, we take our 2 year old and 1 month old to the
Montclair Playground/Rec Center on Moraga and to Dimond Park Playground/Rec
center. Both are equally close to us and have been fun and safe places to play. Both
rec centers have great classes for kids. Our daughter especially loves Miss Marilyn's
ballet/tap classs at the Montclair Rec Center. As for other neighborhood
recommendations, the food at the Blackberry Bistro and Pastino's (both on Park) is
very good. The folks at the Hardware store onPark are very helpful with
recommendations for craftspeople/handymen/servicemen of all types although the
gardener we got from them was a flake. The East Bay Dance Center on Glenfeild also
has great classes for kids 3 and up. Hope this helps.
Lynn
Welcome to the neighborhood. Dimond Park is the closest to you
and has great climbing structures, swings, even a creek for
toddler and kid exploration - great swim programs for toddlers
and kids during summer months, and year round swimming for
adults. The Purple Plum is a great sort-of-upscale restaurant,
Pastino's has good pizza and pasta for a casual night out (or
take-out), the Blackberry Bistro or Diggery Inn are good for
breakfast. Femi Macus gives great manicure/pedicures at
reasonable prices. And, the Oak Hill Cleaner is good, too.
Don't forget that Montclair's right up the street - good park
there, too - and great restaurants and shops.
Welcome to Glenview! I'm sure you will love it as we do. There
is a great park very closeby, Dimond Park, with two playgrounds,
lots of grass, a creek, a pool, tennis courts, etc. It is just a
few blocks from the elementary school... the easiest access is
down at the bottom of Wellington. Also, there is a Glenview
neighborhood email listserve (much like Berkeley Parents Network)
that you should join to get all sorts of local news,
announcements and also to post requests for recommendations. You
can join through Yahoo Groups at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/glenfriends/
Roxanne
Feb 2003
Re: Seeking a friendly neighborhood w/kids
We have been living in the Glenview area of Oakland for 3 years
now and really love it. There are lots of small children around
us for our 3-year old daughter to play with, and for the first
time in my life, I can say that I know and am friendly with all
my immediate neighbors. There is a very strong sense of
community in Glenview.
Within walking distance, we have a great park(Dimond) with
activities for kids and a pool, as well as a small commerce area
(Park Blvd.) which has a neighborhood market, a cafe, and couple
of restaurants. I sometimes see rentals available in the
neighborhood. For more info on the area, you can check out the
Glenview Neighborhood's Association website at
http://www.glenviewneighborhood.org
Angelica
My sister lives in the Glenview area of Oakland and her street
(Randolph Ave) is very neighborhoody - in fact, I take my son
over there almost every weekend as he has so much fun with all
the kids playing outside. I have noticed this on some other
blocks in the area, so you might want to check it out.
anon
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