Albany California

For homebuyers seeking quintessential small town qualities with the vitality of a major city, Albany has it all. This community-oriented city boasts low crime rates, manicured homes, friendly neighbors, grassy parks and playgrounds, a charming main street, a host of services, programs and wholesome events for children, families and the elderly, and excellent schools.

Albany schools consistently place in the 90th percentiles and year after year, the school district proudly boasts the continued achievement of producing some of the highest academic test scores throughout the state and Bay Area. Many attribute this to the large number of children here who are offspring of the many UC Berkeley grad students who reside in Albany.

Albany is made up primarily of 2- to 3-bedroom single-family homes ranging from charming California and Craftsmen bungalows, to Mediterranean style residences, to many McGreggor's. The homes here go for top dollar due to the excellent schools. A haven for people watching, Albany's Solano Avenue is a pedestrian-oriented street dotted with gourmet and ethnic grocers, florists, and charming boutiques, antique shops, cafes and inexpensive ethnic restaurants. Residents from all over the Bay Area have recently discovered this quaint street and it's now a popular destination for tourists as well as locals. The recently renovated El Cerrito Plaza features many chains including a Barnes & Noble, Trader Joe's, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Long's Drugs, and Albertson's.

Situated between North Berkeley, El Cerrito and Richmond, Albany is close to major freeways as well as BART and other public transportation. Oakland is about 15 minutes away and San Francisco can be as close as 20 minutes in light traffic.

Learn more about Albany:

City of Albany Official Website
Living in Albany (Berkeley Parents Network)
Albany Unified School District
Bay Area Private Schools
Best of Downtown Albany & Solano Avenue
El Cerrito Plaza