Comments on: Home is Where I Want to Be

By: Sacha Grippando

Sacha Grippando — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 05:21:12 +0000

I can’t believe this is my first post on your blog – you should take me out and have me whipped! Anyway, I feel a little intimidated now!! Just a quick note to say don’t give up on Oakland. I know, I know it has some low points, like bad schools, high crime and expensive housing, but it is such a vibrant and beautiful city with great neighborhoods. With that said, I do understand where you are coming from. I think about it all the time, especially as I feel we are at an important juncture in our lives in terms of what to do about schools and where we want our kids to be for the next 12 or so years of their lives. OK – I am getting too heavy now and need to go to bed. I just want you to know that you can’t leave us – no Brattleboro VT for you!!

By: Jenny G

Jenny G — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 17:27:48 +0000

You described Alameda perfectly rightdown to the tree tunnels and concerts in the park. Sweet Home Alameda that is only 7 miles or so away from where you are now. And the schools (especially elementary) are really good! The restaurants/food are not as good but Oak, Berk., and SF are just a short drive or ferry ride away. Come check us out, you’ll love it!

“Well, really I fantasize about affordable grand Victorians, streets where trees form tunnels over the roads, and blocks bursting with sassy, wise-cracking moms who make lemonade for the kids and mojitos for each other. I long for free concerts in the park where we bump into other families we know, and where the kids play free range, without us having to keep our urban eagle-eye watch over them.”

By: Joe Brown

Joe Brown — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 06:04:35 +0000

Renter or no, if you don’t write on the walls your daughters will. Especially when they reach 16, start resenting something, and take solace in the words of Ani DiFranco/Tori Amos/TKAngsty Female Singer/Songwriter whose lyrics, like, “totally express what [your kid] is feeling inside, Mom!” That second-rate poetry will end up on the walls, and then you’ll have a mother/daughter bonding moment as you repair the damage at midnight the evening before you have to move out.

That’s my experience with renting in the city. And don’t listen to your sister. Your kids will thank you for the street cred when they go to college. Trust me. When everyone’s saying where they grew up during the freshman orientation name game, Kate will wait her turn, lean back, cock her head, make the west-coast hand sign, and say “Oaktown, yo. East bay in the house and don’t touch my shit!”