Iveywood, Oakland, CA

This small, flat pocket of East Oakland sits between 98th Avenue and Bancroft Avenue, laid out in a tidy grid of numbered cross-streets (100th through 104th). Most homes are simple post-war ranches and a few earlier bungalows on narrow lots; front yards are often fenced and trimmed with drought-tolerant shrubs or concrete pads for extra parking. Industrial uses along 98th and the constant traffic on Bancroft lend the edges a utilitarian feel, and there is little tree canopy to soften summer heat. Amenities are limited inside the boundary. Residents rely on corner markets, a taqueria, and auto-parts shops along 98th for quick errands, with larger grocery options a short drive north toward Foothill Square. Elmhurst United Middle School and its playfields sit just outside the northern edge, but there is no dedicated park within Iveywood itself—families typically head to Tassafaronga or Brookfield parks a few minutes away. AC Transit buses run frequently on International and Bancroft, yet most trips still happen by car, and on-street speeding is a recurring complaint. Daily life feels quiet during work hours and busier at school dismissal. Neighbors keep an eye on one another, community clean-ups pop up in warmer months, and modest home prices draw first-time buyers looking for a stand-alone house. Trade-offs include freeway noise from I-880, scarce green space, and a reputation for after-dark safety concerns that prompt many residents to install security cameras and extra lighting.