Castro Valley is a community many potential home buyers consider because, like Albany, it has a highly rated public schools. Overall, Castro Valley is a popular community that attracts many home buyers because of it convenient proximity to Bart, Highway 580 and Highway 238, more affordable home prices, and kid friendly activities like fishing, hiking, biking, swimming, and horseback riding at Cull Canyon and Lake Chabot. However, compared to Berkeley, Alameda, and Oakland, Castro Valley is more of a bedroom community as it doesn’t have as many restaurant, coffee shop, and urban options. There is a Peets Coffee, Trader Joe’s, and Farmers Market.
Another comparison to Berkeley and Oakland is that, like Alameda, there is more of a balance politically. While Berkeley and Oakland are overwhelmingly liberal Castro Valley tends to have more of a prevalence of moderate perspectives.
One home buyer couple stated they purchased their home in Castro Valley because of……….. excellent public schools with smaller class sizes, decent social/racial and economic diversity (not as good as Berkeley/Oakland, but much better than Lamorinda), larger houses and yards, warm weather (but not too hot), some ethnic restaurants, one small health food store, easy BART and freeway access.
