Benefits of Buying a Home in the East Bay Versus San Francisco

What are the advantages of living in the East Bay versus the city of San Francisco? Should I buy a home in San Francisco, or over in the East Bay? What are the pros and cons of each?

These are common questions among home buyers planning to make a purchase. Today, we will focus on some of the advantages of living in the East Bay, versus the city of San Francisco itself.

Benefits of Buying a Home in the East Bay

As a mortgage company located in the East Bay, we often write about real estate market conditions in the area. But we’ve never really done a side-by-side comparison between buying a home in the East Bay versus San Francisco. Until now, that is.

Here are some of the benefits of living in the East Bay:

1. More affordable housing options

The first, and probably most obvious, advantage has to do with home prices. When buying a home in the East Bay, you will have the opportunity to get more house for your money. Granted, home prices cover a pretty wide spectrum in the East Bay. But overall, this area has some of the lowest median home values of the broader Bay Area region.

For instance, the current median home price in Solano County is around $560,000, as of early 2023. During that same time, the median price for the city of San Francisco was around $1.2 million. So clearly, there are some savings to be had.

This is one of the major advantages of buying a home in the East Bay versus San Francisco. You can stretch housing dollar further, especially if you choose one of the lower-priced counties like Solano.

2. Access to beautiful parks and outdoor spaces

San Francisco is a beautiful city in which to live. That’s something most of us can agree on. But there’s not a lot of “open space” to explore.

The East Bay, on the other hand, offers a wide variety of beautiful parks and outdoor spaces. There is no shortage of places to explore when you buy a home and live in the East Bay.

Some of the popular parks and recreation areas include Tilden Regional Park, Redwood Regional Park, and Lake Chabot Regional Park, to name a few. If you’re someone who loves spending time outdoors, the East Bay might be the perfect place for you to buy a home and settle down.

3. More spacious living quarters and yards

In general, homes located in the East Bay tend to be larger than those in San Francisco. This means that you might be able to find a property with more bedrooms, more bathrooms, or more living space in the East Bay.

As with most urban areas across the country, spacious yards are a rarity in San Francisco. The same goes for square footage. The vast majority of houses located within the city are relatively small, compared to national standards. The reasons for this are somewhat obvious. It’s a major urban center with a high population density and fixed geographical boundaries.

In contrast, home buyers in the East Bay can often find more spacious homes at an equal or lower price point, when compared to San Francisco. You can also get a pretty sizable yard, if that’s a priority for you.

4. A more suburban feel

Some home buyers prefer a more urban lifestyle, while others like the amenities offered by a suburban environment. And there’s a very clear distinction here, when it comes to San Francisco and the East Bay. The former is urban, while the latter is more suburban. So, if you prefer to buy a home in “the burbs,” you’d be better off looking at the East Bay rather than San Francisco.

San Francisco Has Its Perks as Well

The point of this article is not to knock San Francisco, but only to shine a light on the East Bay for home buyers who are planning to make a purchase.

The truth is, San Francisco has a lot to offer as well. But it’s a very different locale when it comes to buying a home. Generally speaking, the city is more expensive and more crowded than most of the East Bay neighborhoods and communities.

But what it lacks in affordability, San Francisco makes up for in many other ways. Here are some of the benefits of buying a home and living in the Golden Gate city:

• A thriving cultural scene with world-class museums, theaters, and galleries
• A wide variety of dining options, from street food to fine dining
• Beautiful and iconic landmarks such as the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island
• A vibrant nightlife with bars, clubs, and music venues
• A bustling economy with high-paying job opportunities in tech, finance, healthcare, and more
• A diverse population and a rich history of activism and social justice
• Excellent public transportation, including Muni buses, light rail, BART trains, and ferries
• Access to some of the country’s best universities, including UC Berkeley and Stanford
• A mild and pleasant climate year-round, with plenty of sunny days
• Proximity to some of the country’s most beautiful natural scenery, including Muir Woods and Yosemite National Park

Need a mortgage loan? Located in the East Bay, Bridgepoint Funding helps home buyers and homeowners all across the San Francisco Bay Area. As a mortgage broker, we are able to offer a broad range of financing options, including FHA, VA and conventional. Please contact our staff with any questions you have.