Bay Area Sweet Digs

July 14, 2008

For Rockridge Fans: Three Homes In The Heart Of Things

It’s not often that substantive homes come up for sale in Rockridge. And I mean the heart of Rockridge, not Upper Rockridge, Lower Rockridge or So Far Away From Rockridge You May As Well Live In Montclair.

There are three fresh listings in this desirable Oakland neighborhood this week. Why is it a coveted location (with accordingly high prices) you ask? Proximity to highways, BART, great shops and even better restaurants. What else do you need for perfect inner-city living?

ross 5839 For Rockridge Fans: Three Homes In The Heart Of Things

5839 Ross Street (above) is a 5+/4 English-style home close to College Avenue and Chabot Elementary School. It comes with a 2-car garage, an unfinished basement, a rooftop patio, large garden and “Jack and Jill” room (a new concept to me). The home’s website includes a letter from the owners extolling the virtues of the neighborhood, including the dad’s movie club and Yahoo block group. Price: $1,375,000.

benvenue 6421 For Rockridge Fans: Three Homes In The Heart Of Things

6421 Benvenue Avenue (above) is a 3+/2.5 traditional home designed by well-known architect,John Hudson Thomas circa 1916. Its location is heading towards The Elmwood but it probably still counts as Rockridge because it’s in Oakland not Berkeley. Benvenue is a lovely tree-lined street with some very distinguished architecture. As well as a remodeled kitchen, the house boasts lots of period detail and a detached building which could be used as an office or rec room. Price: $1,095,000.

Last but not least, there is 5302 Lawton Avenue, a 4/2.5, two-story Craftsman with boxed-beam ceilings, lovely stone fireplace in the living room and detached garage. Price: $1,295,000.

How refreshing for Rockridge lovers (with the requisite dough) to have the luxury of choice for once.

Rockridge Community Planning Council

Rockridge Neighborhood Crime Prevention Council

Previous pertinent posts on Rockridge:

Seeking an “active urban lifestyle with a small footprint”? Rush to Rockridge

Notes on a neighborhood: “everything on your doorstep” Rockridge

Posted by tracey.taylor on July 14, 2008 2:42 PM | del.icio.us | Digg

  • Annette: You mean 362 Cavour Street I presume. Interesting, as you say, that this house hasn't found a buyer in more than 80 days. It's had two price reductions too (started at $749,000 and is now $699,000. That's a competitive price for the area. But it's not a big house -- only 1,383 sq ft -- which puts it at $505/sq ft.
  • Annette Porter
    There are also some real bargains in Rockridge, not "so far..." on Cavour near Manila there's one whose only "problem" seems to be a lack of a second bathroom, but for the price something like that could be done for way under the asking price of most of its neighbors. It's a 4-bedroom house with a huge garage, also with numerous possibilities. Check online for the address.
  • Anon: Good point. I don't know the answer to that question. It may be that once kids are at a school they are allowed to stay there even if their family home moves out of the district. Perhaps for a limited amount of time. Or if they have been an the school for a determined period. Anyone know the answer to this?
  • anon
    This isn't directly related to the listings, but it got me wondering--the letter from the Ross homeowners extols the virtues of the Chabot School, and notes that they're keeping their kids there even though they've moved to Berkeley. Huh? Are you really allowed to do that (barring an interdistrict transfer)? Given that Chabot is one of Oakland's most coveted schools, seems like OUSD ought to be cracking down on out-of-district students...
blog comments powered by Disqus

Share

Redfin Blogs

San Francisco Real Estate

Inventory Trends
House $/Sq.Ft.

More Bay Area Homes and Condos

Bay Area New Listings

close