Melrose, Oakland, CA
At a glance
Melrose is ranked #96 of 130 neighborhoods in Oakland with an overall score of 2.0/5. Its standout factor is nearby merchants (4.6/5), at a median home price of $602.44k, which Houseberry currently rates as undervalued by about $121,000. It ranks 104th of 130 in Oakland for safety. The trade-offs are schools (1.7/5) and safety (1.9/5), though prices run about 38% below the Oakland median.
Neighborhood Reviews & Questions
Melrose is one of the historic settlements of East Oakland, a name that predates annexation, when small communities grew up along the old Oakland-San Leandro Road. It centers on International Boulevard around High Street and once held ostrich farms and a smelting works run by Borax Smith. Today it is a flat residential grid of 1920s cottages and post-war homes on narrow lots, with the block-by-block mix of fresh paint and deferred upkeep that defines the flats. High Street is the spine, a busy northeast-southwest thoroughfare that ties the neighborhood to the rest of East Oakland and the freeways. Daily needs run on International and High, with markets, taquerias, and bakeries close at hand and bigger grocery runs a short drive off, and AC Transit covering the corridors while most trips happen by car. Green space inside the boundary is limited, so park time leans on the nearby recreation centers and school fields. Melrose carries a long history as a once-independent settlement, even if little of that era still stands. The honest frame for buyers is the East Oakland standard: affordable stand-alone homes and central, well-connected access weighed against thin parks and retail inside the boundary, modest curb appeal, and the safety concerns common to this stretch of International.
Top Neighborhoods in Oakland, CA
Neighborhood Amenities
Near good merchants4.6
Public Spaces2.4
Curb Appeal2.4
Overall Amenities score: 2.8
Neighborhood Weather
Neighborhood Photos
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Schools serving this Neighborhood
| School Name | Type | Grades | Houseberry School Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenleaf Elementary | Primary | K-8 | |
| Bridges Academy | Primary | K-5 | |
| Coliseum College Prep Academy | Middle | 6-12 | |
| LIFE Academy | Middle | 6-12 | |
| Fremont 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
Melrose FAQs10 answers
Is Melrose a good place to live?
Melrose ranks 96th of 130 neighborhoods in Oakland with an overall Houseberry score of 2.0 out of 5. Its strongest factor is nearby merchants (4.6/5). The trade-offs are schools (1.7/5) and safety (1.9/5).
Is Melrose safe?
Melrose, Oakland scores 1.9 out of 5 on Houseberry's Safety Score, ranking 104th of 130 neighborhoods in Oakland.
What do homes in Melrose cost?
The median home price in Melrose, Oakland is $602.44k, compared with $974.22k for Oakland as a whole. Houseberry currently rates it undervalued by about $121,000 against comparable neighborhoods.
Are home prices in Melrose rising or falling?
The median home price in Melrose, Oakland is roughly flat over the past 12 months, at $602.44k against $602.44k a year earlier. The full 12-month history is charted in the Median Price section on this page.
Which schools serve Melrose?
Schools serving Melrose, Oakland include Greenleaf Elementary (1.7/5), Bridges Academy (0.6/5), Coliseum College Prep Academy (2.3/5), LIFE Academy (2.8/5) and Fremont High (1.1/5).
What is the weather like in Melrose?
Melrose, Oakland receives 77% of its possible sunshine, 102nd of 130 in Oakland. Summer days run 56° to 72°F and winter days 45° to 59°F, September is the warmest month and rainfall averages about 22 inches a year.
Is Melrose walkable to shops and restaurants?
Melrose, Oakland scores 4.6 out of 5 for nearby merchants and 2.4 out of 5 for public spaces. Its overall amenities score is 2.8 out of 5, 104th of 130 in Oakland.
What is Melrose known for?
Melrose, Oakland is associated with Historic High Street settlement, Affordable flatland grid and International corridor. Its highest-scoring factor is nearby merchants (4.6/5).
How does Melrose compare to other Oakland neighborhoods?
Melrose ranks 96th of 130 neighborhoods in Oakland. It ranks 104th of 130 in Oakland for safety (1.9/5) and scores lowest on schools (1.7/5). The highest-ranked neighborhoods in Oakland are Crocker Highlands and Piedmont.
What are the downsides of living in Melrose?
Melrose, Oakland scores lowest on schools (1.7/5) and safety (1.9/5).
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