Lower Solano, Albany, CA
At a glance
Lower Solano is ranked #10 of 12 neighborhoods in Albany with an overall score of 3.6/5. Its standout factors are nearby merchants (5.0/5) and schools (4.7/5, 10th of 12 in Albany), at a median home price of $1.47M, which Houseberry currently rates as undervalued by about $364,000. The trade-offs are safety (2.5/5) and curb appeal (3.0/5).
Neighborhood Reviews & Questions
Lower Solano is the neighborhood most people picture when they think “classic Albany.” It sits directly behind the lively Solano Avenue strip, so morning errands often mean a three-block walk to Hella Bagels, Talavera Cocina, or the Saturday farmers market at San Pablo & Marin. The grid is a tidy checkerboard of 1920s bungalows and 1940s cottages on 2,500-3,500 sq ft lots, with mature camphor and liquidambar trees shading narrow sidewalks. Families prize the area for Cornell Elementary at its center and the Albany Library just a block south; both serve as informal gathering spots after school. Despite the busy commercial edges, interior streets feel quiet and safe for kids learning to ride a bike. Commuters can board Transbay buses on San Pablo, reach North Berkeley BART in an eight-minute bike ride, or hop on I-80 via Buchanan in under five. The flip side of all that convenience is congestion: San Pablo traffic hums day and night, and street parking can be competitive after 6 pm. Many homes retain original knob-and-tube wiring or single-pane windows, so expect ongoing maintenance projects. Still, buyers looking for a genuine small-town feel with walk-everywhere practicality will find Lower Solano hard to beat.
Top Neighborhoods in Albany, CA
Neighborhood Amenities
Near good merchants5.0
Public Spaces3.5
Curb Appeal3
Overall Amenities score: 3.6
Neighborhood Weather
Neighborhood Photos
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Schools serving this Neighborhood
| School Name | Type | Grades | Houseberry School Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cornell Elementary | Primary | K-5 | |
| Marin Elementary | Primary | K-5 | |
| Ocean View Elementary | Primary | K-5 | |
| Beach Elementary | Primary | K-5 | |
| Havens Elementary | Primary | K-5 | |
| Wildwood Elementary | Primary | K-5 | |
| Albany Middle | Middle | 6-8 | |
| Albany High | High | 9-12 |
Click links for school listing
info at GreatSchools.org
Houseberry School Score Data
from CA Dept. of Education
Houseberry recommends using these scores as only a starting point, and conducting your own investigation into what schools fit best for your preferences. School boundaries are not guaranteed and may change. It is important to contact the appropriate school district to confirm enrollment eligibility before making any decision to move to a neighborhood.
Median Price
Lower Solano FAQs10 answers
Is Lower Solano a good place to live?
Lower Solano ranks 10th of 12 neighborhoods in Albany with an overall Houseberry score of 3.6 out of 5. Its strongest factors are nearby merchants (5.0/5) and schools (4.7/5). The trade-offs are safety (2.5/5) and curb appeal (3.0/5).
Is Lower Solano safe?
Lower Solano, Albany scores 2.5 out of 5 on Houseberry's Safety Score, ranking 10th of 12 neighborhoods in Albany.
What do homes in Lower Solano cost?
The median home price in Lower Solano, Albany is $1.47M, compared with $1.37M for Albany as a whole. Houseberry currently rates it undervalued by about $364,000 against comparable neighborhoods.
Are home prices in Lower Solano rising or falling?
The median home price in Lower Solano, Albany is roughly flat over the past 12 months, at $1.47M against $1.47M a year earlier. The full 12-month history is charted in the Median Price section on this page.
Which schools serve Lower Solano?
Schools serving Lower Solano, Albany include Cornell Elementary (4.7/5), Marin Elementary (4.5/5), Ocean View Elementary (3.5/5), Beach Elementary (5.0/5) and Havens Elementary (4.7/5). 3 more schools are listed in the Schools section on this page.
What is the weather like in Lower Solano?
Lower Solano, Albany receives 77% of its possible sunshine, 6th of 12 in Albany. Summer days run 56° to 72°F and winter days 45° to 60°F, September is the warmest month and rainfall averages about 24 inches a year.
Is Lower Solano walkable to shops and restaurants?
Lower Solano, Albany scores 5.0 out of 5 for nearby merchants and 3.5 out of 5 for public spaces. Its overall amenities score is 3.6 out of 5, 9th of 12 in Albany.
What is Lower Solano known for?
Lower Solano, Albany is associated with Walkable Convenience, Top Schools and Vibrant Dining. Its highest-scoring factors are nearby merchants (5.0/5) and schools (4.7/5).
How does Lower Solano compare to other Albany neighborhoods?
Lower Solano ranks 10th of 12 neighborhoods in Albany. It ranks 10th of 12 in Albany for schools (4.7/5) and scores lowest on safety (2.5/5). The highest-ranked neighborhoods in Albany are Solano Hill and Albany Terrace.
What are the downsides of living in Lower Solano?
Lower Solano, Albany scores lowest on safety (2.5/5) and curb appeal (3.0/5).
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