08/27/2026
Picking where to buy your first place isn’t about the “best” city it’s about matching a place to how you actually live. 🧐
Are you car-light and want to walk to coffee? Berkeley. Chasing the most square footage per dollar? Hayward. Want modern and roomy, and you’re okay paying the Tri-Valley premium? Dublin. Daily BART commuter who wants to stay central? San Leandro. Room and a slower pace without the top-tier price? Livermore. And if quiet streets close to everything sound right, that’s my own backyard Castro Valley. (median near $1.08M per Zillow, June 2026).
None of these are rankings. They’re seven honest fits, so you can find the one that matches your real life instead of a highlight reel.
Tell me your must-haves and I’ll narrow it down fast or DM me “BAY AREA” and I’ll walk you through it. No question is a dumb question.
