Hard to believe that we bought our first home almost 7 years ago in on the outer edge of the Dimond district in Oakland. At that time, it was pre dot com bust, and in the midst of one of the many real estate booms that came over the next few years. We chose this house mostly because of (the price of course- a 3 bedroom Rockridge home was already out of reach for us) but also for the friendly walkable neighborhood...we were charmed by neighbors visiting with each other on their porches and children playing together on the sidewalks. The house (and perhaps the neighborhood) were in need of a bit of repair, but we dove in head first and hoped that both would improve over time.
Back in less busy times when not fixing plaster or pulling out crabgrass, I became involved with neighborhood associations with the hope of bringing some quality businesses to the commercial district. At that time the commercial district had roughly 5 run down Chinese restaurants, 3 pizza parlors, and too many nail salons to count.
While I left the neighborhood organization, I am delighted to see that through the continued effort of the neighborhood volunteers, the Dimond is finally on an upswing. I am so glad that the neighborhood managed to pull together to make things happen. Last year a locally owned natural foods chain called Farmer Joe's moved in, and this year Bay Area favorite Peet's Coffee, and now finally *finally* we have a first rate bakery in La Farine. I can now realize my dream of running out on mornings for fresh croissants, or in the afternoon to pick up a fresh tart for a special dinner. And that's just it...run out...I can literally run or walk there. This is city living at it's best.
Pics are here and here from neighborhood blogs. It is a lovely bakery. Tres chic!
Oh my goodness. Another reason for me to get myself out there for a visit.
I love fresh baked goods. And the ones in those photos look oh-so-good.
I'm jealous of the walkscore you must get. (http://www.walkscore.com/)
Posted by: alejna | September 22, 2007 at 09:32 PM
thanks for the walkscore link, alejna! my score is 68, which bests the 6 feet under house in LA (63), but not the brady bunch house (74) or white house (91). i don't think la farine or a number of other places were included like the post office and banks (3). so i'll just go ahead and add 15 points :)
Posted by: | September 23, 2007 at 05:15 PM
I think our walkscore was 0. I kid you not. But that shouldn't surprise you.
However, we can walk to a dairy farm, and a blueberry farm. And a zoo. Shouldn't those count for at least 2 or 3 points?
Posted by: alejna | September 25, 2007 at 08:08 PM