Dimond District Homes for Sale
As the city of Oakland has grown over the years, many new neighborhoods were built around existing park lands. Such was the case with the Dimond District. In 1917, the city began creating the handsome Dimond Park acreage located at the intersection of Fruitvale and Lyman streets. Since that time, the park has been a pleasant retreat for the residents, visiting hikers and picnickers, and children from all over who enjoy the play structures, Sausal Creek, and the swimming pool built by the city for their pleasure. [Read more...]
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The Dimond District Real Estate Market
The Dimond district of Oakland is a multicultural melting-pot of striking contrasts and mixtures. It is a neighborhood of diverse people: mildly affluent, middle-class and the working poor, where one can discover beautiful nature trails filled with wildlife and a meandering stream down a ravine mere yards from the edge of an empty parking lot. It is a neighborhood enjoyed by the people who call it home, with many wonderful stores, parks, and activities that will "keep you and your kids busy happy."
Dimond is known for being family-centric, with a warmth and sense of shared interests within happy neighborhoods, and friendly relationships throughout its merchant community. The neighborhood is named for Hugh Dimond, who came to California during the Gold Rush and purchased real estate in 1867 that later became the entire district. Eventually, he built himself a cottage from adobe bricks originally used to build the Peralta family home in 1827. The cottage is no more, but these same bricks were used once again to erect the Boy Scout hut that stands in Dimond Park today.
Sausal Creek and its greenbelt are an important part of the bay area watershed and ecosystem, with strong community support to protect and revive it. Running from Skyline Boulevard in the hills down through Dimond Canyon and Fruitvale on its way to the Bay, Sausal Creek has blessed the otherwise urban Dimond neighborhood with a magical abundance of wildlife. Many species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians are found along the Sausal Creek, and due to conservation efforts in the past few years, even the fish have returned.
Where is the Dimond District in Oakland?
This neighborhood is centered on the intersection of MacArthur Boulevard and Fruitvale Avenue. It is just two miles east of Lake Merritt, north of the Fruitvale District, and west of the Laurel District. The Dimond District has excellent freeway access to I-580, which runs parallel to MacArthur. The main intersection is also a major AC Transit hub including Transbay lines to San Francisco. Casual carpool pickup is available on Montana Blvd, across from the CalTrans "park & ride" lot.
Things to Do Around Dimond
The Dimond is nestled in the center of several vibrant Oakland neighborhoods—Oakmore, Glenview and Lincoln Highland, as well as Laurel—so people who buy houses here will find plenty of retail options near by. Besides convenient chain offerings such as Peet's Coffee & Tea, CVS, and Safeway, plenty of locally-owned options abound. Favorites include Farmer Joe's Market for fresh, organic produce, and lots of cafes and bakeries like La Farine, Paws and Claws, and the delectable Hive.
Dimond's business district also includes most major banks, a U.S. Post Office, and a warm and inviting Oakland Public Library branch, where " the librarians are incredible." Residents are proud of new artworks commissioned (murals and mosaics) and other beautification projects. Dimond Park is a great place to play and have a picnic, and a hike in the Redwoods with majestic bay views is a 5 minute drive up the hill on Joaquin Miller. The Dimond district is home to Oakland's annual craft beer festival, Oaktoberfest, as well as many other events throughout the year.
Dimond District Schools
Dimond is served by OUSD. Sequoia Elementary School is described by local parents as "vibrant and full of great teachers and sweet kids." Many children in the neighborhood walk to school every day on a "walking school bus." Bret Harte Middle School has had favorable reviews for their principal, who is described as welcoming and smart.
In addition to its public schools, Dimond is also home to The Renaissance International School, a highly desirable independent Montessori school for grades Pre-kindergarten through 8th, with two campuses (the other is in the City of Piedmont). The 6 to 1 student-teacher ratio, art, music, and language immersion programs offer an excellent education experience, in an environment where students "love school and love to learn."