Fletcher Berke Realtor®

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A Piedmont Native’s Guide to the Neighborhood

By Fletcher Berke

The way I’ve always looked at Piedmont, you’ve got three distinct pockets: Central Piedmont, Upper Piedmont, and Lower Piedmont (or “LP,” as we called it growing up). 94610 vs. 94611.

Lower Piedmont

When I started middle school, we got a home on Wildwood and stayed there. Before that, my parents had a home on Portsmouth, and I have a lot of good memories growing up in LP. At the time it felt like the humble part of Piedmont, and to be honest, it still does. I love the feeling of storybook blocks like Harvard, Palm, and Wildwood. The homes are generally smaller than in Central and Upper Piedmont. Lower Piedmont is also slightly flatter and walkable to Lakeshore, Grand Ave, and Piedmont Ave. I remember skateboarding to Grand Lake Theater to see The Mask opening weekend. Homes in Lower Piedmont are zoned for Wildwood Elementary.

Central Piedmont

This is arguably the most competitive part of town. Blocks like Blair, Oakland Ave, Highland, Sea View, Wildwood Gardens, and Hazel Lane. The homes here are generally grand, built to impress. Most are zoned for Havens Elementary and walkable to the school, Mulberry’s Market, Dracena Park, and Piedmont Park. This part of town also has an easier, flatter walk to the middle and high school — compared to Lower Piedmont, where your kids will be hiking up to school, or Upper Piedmont, where they’ll be hiking home (ha). Otherwise, you’ll need to drive to most stores and restaurants. Living in this part of Piedmont can feel a bit like a bubble — but that’s how it’s always been.

Upper Piedmont

This is roughly the area around Hampton Field — roads like Saint James, La Salle, Hampton, Hager, and Scenic. You’ll likely get views from most of these homes, and with those views come smaller yards. I like to call these “deck homes.” I actually live in one now, and we’ve grown to love it — waking up to views of the Bay and downtown Oakland is meditative. The homes here are also statement pieces, grand traditionals that tend to be meticulously maintained. How competitive this area is really depends on the block, and how high up you go.

So, Which Part of Piedmont Is Right for You?

It really comes down to what matters most to you. What does your dream neighborhood look like? I’m sure there’s a pocket of Piedmont that checks those boxes.

Happy house hunting!
— Fletcher Berke