Carol’s 5-star review:
I am not a native Alamedan. Instead I am a native Oaklander who with hubby and daughter moved here in September 1988. About three months ago I had a yelper from San Francisco who said, "Alameda is a snooze fest; end of story". I wasn't going to stoop to his level of mentality, feed into his statement and get into a "pissing" contest with him. Instead I took the higher road and thanked him for his nice compliment. There is a saying, "kindness kills". There's also "to each, his/her own".
Alameda is an island surrounded by water and in close proximity to Oakland and San Francisco. I have family in Oakland and I work in San Francisco; thus, what little wealth I have is spreaded throughout these three cities. I believe what I have on hand is the best of all three cities - urban mixed with a little suburban. Can't get any better than that, can it. On occasion, my money is spent in Emeryville (Bay Street Shopping, Target) and San Leandro (Target). Hint, hint - I would like to see a Target here in Alameda on my end of town - the west end.
Even though Alameda is not as "dynamic" as Oakland (another yelper's opinion), I like the quietness, the quaintness and the small town feel of this community. Yes, it is a bedtime community - so it seems as people are in bed by 9:00 PM. and there is not much going on in the later evening. The schools are dynamic and it's a great place to raise a family. Picnic in the summer? Check out Littlejohn Park and Washington Park. Don't want to shop in a huge shopping mall? Come on down to Southshore Shopping Center - there's Safeway, Trader Joe's, Kohl's, Old Navy, Ross, Walgreen's, Office Max, Beverly's, Post Office, several banks, eateries (Pearl's Burger, Panera Bread, Chipotle, Loard's, Starbuck's, See's Candies, etc.). Ooh, almost forgot...Beverly's, Bed, Bath & Beyond and Sushi House. Other places to shop and dine at - Marina Village, Webster Street, Park Street, Nob Hill Foods with all other businesses by the Fruitvale Bridge, even Bay Farm Island.
For those of you who are unaware, last Saturday evening there was a representative from Washington, DC, who appeared at the City of Alameda Christmas tree lighting ceremony, proclaiming this city for the second year in a row was selected as a community for young people to grow up in - what an honor. I was glad that I was there for the first time being at the Christmas lighting ceremony. I enjoyed myself and nobody stopped the group of carolers singing "We wish you a Merry Christmas" among other Christmas songs. There was a band (Mistletones) who performed on the stage and of course, who could forget the Christmas tree dancers and the children having fun, waiting for Santa Claus. Also, a group of people was selling refreshments (hot cocoa, hot apple cider, popcorn, etc.) for a fundraiser and I finally got a bag of Peter's Kettle Corn, which I read on this website, had raved reviews from many yelpers. They were not lying. They were definitely the best kettle corn I have ever had - way better than the ones being sold at the farmer's markets. Aahhh, childhood memories - so sweet and so charming. Charming enough to knock some socks off..LOL.
For all the "spunk" this community has, I am staying - this is my home and I am very comfortable here. Alameda - dynamic and unique in its own way - love it.