MOST AFFORDABLE to LESS AFFORDABLE

Concord: Average closed sales prices single family detached homes:
9/08 $402,601
This is Contra Costa's largest community of about 115,000 north of Walnut Creek. Bank of America is the largest employer in the area. Chevron also employs thousands.  There are two BART stations (Bay Area Rapid Transit), a satellite campus of California State University, Hayward, and many recreational facilities including 19 parks, 12 playgrounds, golf courses, miniature golf course. The Concord Pavilion hosts well known entertainers from Ray Charles to the California Symphony. Located in the Mt. Diablo School District. Large indoor Mall, Sun Valley Mall draws shoppers from all around. 

Martinez Average price: 9/08 $456,985

This is the county seat for Contra Costa County and has a population of about 35,000 people. The town is noted for the Shell and Tosco Oil Refineries located there.  Government agencies employ the majority of workers.  The downtown is a mix of older homes, with newer suburbs in some of the outlying areas. Martinez includes the Alhambra Valley with its rolling hills, horse ranches, and many subdivisions of more affordable homes. Served by the Martinez School District and Mt. Diablo School District. 

Pleasant Hill Average price: 9/08 $561,421

Pleasant Hill has been working for years on a revitalization of the downtown area and it has just been completed. Right next to town hall, a large retail/entertainment complex has been opened. There a 14-screen movie house, huge supermarket, Border Books, a hotel and about 50 small shops. Population of Pleasant Hill is about 33,000. The public schools are in the Mt. Diablo School District. Pleasant Hill is the site of the county library, and Diablo Valley College, largest community college in Contra Costa County. This is a bedroom community with many homes in the more affordable range.

Clayton Average price: 9/08 $668,929
Clayton is a small, quaint historic town of about 11,000 residents. It's located just east of Concord at the base of Mt. Diablo. Oakhurst Country Club is a prominent part of the town with a 19 hole golf course, pool, and tennis court. There is a rural, country feeling, stables here and there,  Clayton originally was a stagecoach stop and mining town. Lots of open space, rolling hills. Clayton is in the Mt. Diablo Unified School District. The schools usually score in the 80th and 90th percentile range. This is a very popular, picturesque community.

San Ramon Average price: 9/08 $827,190
San Ramon is south of Walnut Creek and the Danville area in the Diablo Valley. It's the last Contra Costa city before Alameda County. The opening of a new BART station in Dublin has greatly improved commute possibilities. Bishop Ranch, a 585 acre office park includes Chevron,  Pac Bell and hundreds of other smaller companies, many are high-tech firms. San Ramon has many middle income housing tracts and is somewhat more affordable than neighboring Danville. School are governed by the  San Ramon Valley School District.

Walnut Creek Average price: 9/08 $866,301

Walnut Creek is the center of our beautiful Diablo Valley. I have extensive info on Walnut Creek. Click here to view it.

Danville Average price: 9/08 $1,048,350

Incorporated in 1980's as a town rather than as a city. Charming downtown areas with lots of upscale shops and good restaurants. Split by 680 freeway. Westside is older but popular because it is close to shopping, eastside toward Mt. Diablo features many newer subdivisions.
 

Moraga Average price 9/08 $1,116,257

Small town, more rural atmosphere. Top schools, privacy, home of St. Mary's College. Close knit community feeling. Closer commute to San Francisco.


Lafayette Average price 9/08 $1,254,186

Prestigious community with closer commute to San Franciso. Split by Hiway 24 freeway.  Northside contains most expensive homes including prestigious Happy Valley. Top schools.
 

Orinda: Average price 9/08 $1,282,388
Perhaps the most prestigious community in the county. Split by Hiway 24 freeway. Closest commute to San Francisco in county. Top schools.
 

Blackhawk: Average price 9/08 $1,412,804
Prestigious area east of Danville/San Ramon. Much is a gated community built around a golfcourse.

Alamo: Average price 9/08 $1,549,703
Prestigious area, many with larger acreage, lots of new construction.

Other areas:

SOUTH:

Dublin (More affordable) y/t/d average closed sales price 9/08 $675,943

The City of Dublin is generally bounded by the City of San Ramon to the north, Castro Valley to the west, the City of Pleasanton to the south, and the City of Livermore to the east. Dublin has grown in the past several years to the addition of the Dublin BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit) station to the East Bay system. This gives residents a much improved access to San Francisco. The City of Dublin has approximately 30,000 residents and about 12 square miles in area.

Livermore  (Alameda County) More affordable

y/t/d average closed sales prices 9/08 $581,645

Livermore started as an agricultural community and still today you will find many vineyards, wineries and ranches. Livermore is home of the University of California's Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. There are also a number of high tech and scientific industries in this growing community. The proximity to the BART station in Dublin is a major advantage for commuters who travel into San Francisco. The historic downtown with restaurants and shops provides an inviting community center. Population: 80,723, about 24 sq. miles, 43 miles southeast of San Francisco, 30 miles southeast of Oakland.

Pleasanton  (Alameda County) More Expensive
y/t/d average closed sales prices 9/08 $1,017,668
Located south of San Ramon, population around 64,000. City covers 24 sq. miles. This area has also grown because of the neighboring Dublin BART station. Located in the Livermore Valley. Pleasanton's popularity grew during the Silicon Valley boom and newer subdivisions sprang up. Currently there is a range from more affordable homes to developments priced in the million dollar plus range.

NORTHEAST:
(This area is considerably more affordable than most of Contra Costa County. These areas have been hit hard during the past couple years with many foreclosures. Activity has started to pick up there (mid-08) because homes have become much more affordable.

However, theses areas are a distance from San Francisco and the greater Walnut Creek area. The commute to San Francisco could be hours.

Antioch
Brentwood
Pittsburgh
Oakley
 

Need one of the most knowledgeable, experienced Realtors® in any of these communities? Contact me today. I will provide you with names of agents for you to interview.  E-mail: judy@judydickey.com