Oaksterdam, Oakland, CA
At a glance
Oaksterdam is ranked #72 of 130 neighborhoods in Oakland with an overall score of 2.3/5. Its standout factor is nearby merchants (5.0/5), at a median home price of $443.67k. It ranks 27th of 130 in Oakland for schools. The trade-offs are safety (1.4/5) and curb appeal (2.9/5).
Neighborhood Reviews & Questions
Oaksterdam is the cannabis cultural district on the north end of downtown, the portmanteau of Oakland and Amsterdam that named the area when dispensaries, cafes, and the activism around them clustered here in the 2000s. It sits between downtown proper, Lakeside, and the old financial district, roughly bounded by 14th, Harrison, 19th, and Telegraph, and it is best known as the home of Oaksterdam University, the cannabis trade school founded by Richard Lee in 2007 and famously raided by federal agents in 2012. Physically it is a compact downtown grid of older commercial blocks, some restored, some weathered, with housing mostly in upper-floor units and newer infill. The appeal is central and walkable: Lake Merritt and its shoreline are a few blocks east, the restaurants and nightlife of Uptown are right there, and 19th Street BART and frequent buses put the region a short walk away. Green space inside the boundary is limited to the lake's nearby edge rather than anything internal. Oaksterdam's identity is its history, a small district that played an outsized role in California's cannabis-legalization story. For residents the draw is a dense, central, transit-rich downtown address with Lake Merritt and Uptown at the doorstep; the tradeoffs are the limited greenery, the parking and noise that come with a downtown core, and the block-by-block mix of polish and grit.
Top Neighborhoods in Oakland, CA
Neighborhood Amenities
Near good merchants5.0
Public Spaces3.2
Curb Appeal2.9
Overall Amenities score: 3.4
Neighborhood Weather
Neighborhood Photos
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Schools serving this Neighborhood
| School Name | Type | Grades | Houseberry School Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln Elementary | Primary | K-5 | |
| Westlake Middle | Middle | 6-8 | |
| Oakland Technical 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
Oaksterdam FAQs10 answers
Is Oaksterdam a good place to live?
Oaksterdam ranks 72nd of 130 neighborhoods in Oakland with an overall Houseberry score of 2.3 out of 5. Its strongest factor is nearby merchants (5.0/5). The trade-offs are safety (1.4/5) and curb appeal (2.9/5).
Is Oaksterdam safe?
Oaksterdam, Oakland scores 1.4 out of 5 on Houseberry's Safety Score, ranking 122nd of 130 neighborhoods in Oakland.
What do homes in Oaksterdam cost?
The median home price in Oaksterdam, Oakland is $443.67k.
Are home prices in Oaksterdam rising or falling?
The median home price in Oaksterdam, Oakland is roughly flat over the past 12 months, at $443.67k against $443.67k a year earlier. The full 12-month history is charted in the Median Price section on this page.
Which schools serve Oaksterdam?
Schools serving Oaksterdam, Oakland include Lincoln Elementary (3.7/5), Westlake Middle (1.8/5) and Oakland Technical High (3.8/5).
What is the weather like in Oaksterdam?
Oaksterdam, Oakland receives 77% of its possible sunshine, 53rd of 130 in Oakland. Summer days run 56° to 71°F and winter days 45° to 59°F, September is the warmest month and rainfall averages about 23 inches a year.
Is Oaksterdam walkable to shops and restaurants?
Oaksterdam, Oakland scores 5.0 out of 5 for nearby merchants and 3.2 out of 5 for public spaces. Its overall amenities score is 3.4 out of 5, 53rd of 130 in Oakland.
What is Oaksterdam known for?
Oaksterdam, Oakland is associated with Cannabis culture district, Downtown-and-lake adjacency and Walk to 19th St BART. Its highest-scoring factor is nearby merchants (5.0/5).
How does Oaksterdam compare to other Oakland neighborhoods?
Oaksterdam ranks 72nd of 130 neighborhoods in Oakland. It ranks 27th of 130 in Oakland for schools (3.1/5) and scores lowest on safety (1.4/5). The highest-ranked neighborhoods in Oakland are Crocker Highlands and Piedmont.
What are the downsides of living in Oaksterdam?
Oaksterdam, Oakland scores lowest on safety (1.4/5) and curb appeal (2.9/5).
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