Best Cities to Buy a House in the East Bay - 2025 Guide

The East Bay real estate market presents exciting options for Bay Area residents or anyone looking to buy a home with more square footage and maybe even a lawn. 

For outdoor enthusiasts, both Alameda and Contra Costa Counties offer premium locations between rolling hills to the east and the San Francisco bay to the west. Whether by land or sea, there’s always a new adventure. 

For foodies, each city provides opportunities to experience everything from international cuisine to fine dining, depending on the neighborhood. 

The job market is equally abundant in the East Bay with multiple tech start ups, universities, and hospitals making careers of all kinds available. 

With so many incredible cities making up the East Bay housing market, it can be difficult to decide which one is the best for you. That’s why the team at Prevu Real Estate compiled a list of the best cities to buy a house in the East Bay. 

Best cities in the East Bay

• Hayward
• San Ramon 
• San Leandro 
• Albany 
• Berkeley
• Alameda
• Fremont
• Oakland 

Hayward

The entire Bay Area is accessible from Hayward, earning it the moniker "the heart of the bay". Situated at the western base of the San Mateo-Hayward Bridge, and only 30 minutes from both San Francisco and San Jose, Hayward’s location is impeccable. 

You’ll rarely need to leave Hayward though, as it essentially has everything you’ll need.

For nightlife, residents head downtown. Here, murals commissioned by the city decorate the walls and local restaurants like the colorful La Piñata line the streets. 

To the north, Target and Home Depot lie on either side of Hesperian Boulevard, while Southland Mall features well-known staples like Macy’s and Sephora one mile away. 

The trails of Eden Landing Ecological Reserve are one of Hayward’s key features. Whether you’re there for a quick hike, birdwatching, or the sunset over the bay, the reserve has something for everyone. 

Hayward is also host to the East Bay campus of California State University, bringing students and an abundance of careers to the city. 

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San Ramon

Bordered by the Oakland Hills to the west, San Ramon is a peaceful oasis of neighborhoods and green open spaces, like the Crow Canyon Gardens and Central Park. 

The city’s rolling hills are ideal for golfing which has resulted in four unique courses all within the city’s limits. In fact, many of the homes sold in this area are purchased by gold enthusiasts. 

For those seeking larger houses and plots of land, the meandering streets of San Ramon are lined with single-story ranches and single family homes built in California’s classic, Spanish architectural style. 

For a fun night out, locals enjoy THE LOT City Center. This multileveled indoor/outdoor mall features local restaurants and breweries, a movie theater, coffee shops, and an open-air square. 

Though modest in size, San Ramon serves as home to some major corporations, like 24 Hour Fitness, Chevron, and AT&T’s West Coast office, providing career opportunities to residents. 

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San Leandro

With Route 185, and interstates 880 and 580 running through San Leandro, the whole Bay Area is easy to access. More specifically, the Oakland International Airport creates the northwest corner of the city, meaning the airport is ten minutes away from anywhere in the city.  

For those hoping to escape the bustle of city life, the Oyster Bay Shoreline offers sweeping views of the San Francisco Bay and an 18-hole disc golf course. The Lake Chabot Regional Park creates the western border of the city. While famous for its multitude of sunset viewpoints, Lake Chabot is also perfect for fishing, camping, hiking, and fishing. 

Scattered throughout each corner of the city are commercial parks with well-known businesses like Walmart and Marshalls. However, the city’s local flare is on display in downtown San Leandro with places like the Pelton Cafe. Serving classic American breakfast fare, the walls of this one-of-a-kind cafe are covered with decorative pitchforks, antlers, and wagon wheels. 

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Albany

A quaint city of less than 6 square miles in Alameda County, Albany’s slanted streets and colorful homes mirror the historic spirit of San Francisco, which can be seen across the bay from the Albany Waterfront Trail. 

One of Albany’s unique features is the Golden Gate Field, the only horse racing track in the Bay Area. Dating to 1941, this former marshland was filled with dirt to create land for the construction of the racetrack. 

Albany’s most noteworthy event is the Solano Stroll, which takes place on Solano Avenue each September. First held in 1974, the Solano Stroll began as a way for local businesses to feature their products and show appreciation to their customers.  

The festival has grown from its modest beginnings to an annual attendance of nearly 300,000 people. Each year the fair begins with a parade followed by a variety of musicians, international food vendors, and street performers.

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Berkeley

Directly south of Albany lies Berkeley, a much larger city with a variety of real estate. In north Berkeley, the winding streets of the Cragmont and La Loma neighborhoods hug the sloping hillside. Amongst the mature foliage and meticulously maintained properties of these neighborhoods, no two houses look alike. 

Throughout the remainder of the city, there are an assortment of homes for sale ranging from bungalows and tudor homes, to newer contemporary builds. 

To the west, the Berkeley Hills provide ample outdoor recreation to the residents of Berkeley. Though the trails and viewpoints seem limitless, the 360° view Inspiration Point is particularly stunning. From here you may even catch a glimpse of the bay when skies are clear. 

University of California, Berkeley is situated on the eastern side of the city. The famous university influences Berkeley in major ways, from educational and career opportunities to the progressive atmosphere of the city. 

Historically, Berkeley created zoning laws that favor local businesses over chains. The result is a thriving downtown with a variety of original restaurants, cafes, and bars. Most notably, Freight & Salvage Coffeehouse serves as a venue for traditional and original musicians from everywhere to showcase their songwriting skills. 

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Alameda

Located almost entirely on Alameda Island, the city of Alameda is an attractive bet for anyone hoping to live near the water. A surprising variety of homes is available in Alameda, from early 1900 beach cottages to townhomes on Bay Farm Island. 

Being on an island doesn’t mean the city lacks amenities. Despite its size, Alameda boasts both the College of Alameda, and Alameda Hospital. The Alameda Landing Shopping Mall also hosts Target and Starbucks as well as California favorites, Safeway and In-N-Out Burger. 

Alameda is separated from the city of Oakland by a thin channel of water called The Oakland Estuary. The Webster Street Tube and the Posey Tube ensure a 15 minute commute across the waterway to Oakland from most neighborhoods in Alameda.

Being on the water has its perks if you enjoy traveling by boat. The San Francisco Bay Ferry departs from Main Street Ferry Terminal, stops in Oakland, and continues on to San Francisco.  Even longtime residents will enjoy crossing the bay in scenic fashion and arriving among the high rise buildings on the northwest side of San Francisco. 

For those who enjoy the outdoors, the Corica Park Golf Course and the Harbor Bay Trail both give way to fiery sunset views of the San Francisco Skyline. 

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Fremont

Located near the southern point of the Bay, Fremont is one of the largest cities in the Bay Area. 

Its abundance of land makes Fremont a haven for outdoor enthusiasts with over 50 parks and recreational areas. The Coyote Hills Regional Park is especially beautiful with barren hills and foggy marshes akin to the Scottish countryside. 

Although Fremont permits an easy commute to San Jose and Oakland via Interstate 880, it sustains a job market all its own. The tech scene is particularly alluring for those building careers. Tesla and the Sigma Corporations are some examples of major tech companies with offices in town. 

While there are numerous commercial parks spread all across the city with big box stores like Whole Foods and Costco, the city has a developing downtown area southwest of Lake Elizabeth, known as the Central District. Here, residents can dine on an array of international cuisine that mirror’s Fremont’s diverse population. 

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Oakland

Just 15 minutes away from San Francisco by car or train, Oakland residents benefit from everything San Francisco has to offer at a more approachable listing price. 

Driven by its diverse community, Oakland’s food scene is both varied and delicious. From authentic Vietnamese food, to traditional American comfort food and Cajun seafood, Oakland is brimming with culinary options. 

For any homebuyer who wants more space, Oakland offers a housing market as varied as its food scene. Neighborhoods like Redwood Heights and Temescal are optimal for first-time buyers searching for a home in the median price range. On the other hand, neighborhoods such as Trestle Glen and Woodminster offer luxury homes nestled into the Oakland Hills. 

No matter where you live, Oakland is full of entertainment, from outdoor recreation to nightlife. East of Oakland are hundreds of opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and camping among the redwoods. To the west is the famed bay with everything from sailing to unforgettable sunsets. 

After enjoying a day outside, residents of Oakland make their way downtown. West of Lake Merritt, between Harrison Street and Broadway, Oakland’s nightlife is vibrant. From comedy clubs, to live music and dance clubs, a night out is always exciting in Oakland. 

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Interested in buying a home in the East Bay area? Learn how much you can save with Prevu’s Smart Buyer Rebate.