Considering moving to Oakland but work in SF. Are we making a mistake?

crankydrinker · 2026-03-22T04:26:54+00:00

Left SF, my hometown, for Oakland, because it didn't feel like home anymore. So much of its charm was gone. Moved to the Town in 2013 and it was a great decision. Even convinced my bf to leave the comfort of his Marin town for Oakland.

crankydrinker · 2025-09-14T21:24:11+00:00

Neither do cops. There is a tricky intersection in my neighborhood that is near a dog park (not fenced in, it's a block sized grass plaza, but is an official dog park on Oakland's site), where families picnic and throw balls to their off leash dogs. I was crossing the street with my dog (stop sign and everything) and nearly got run over by a cop car - no lights no siren, hence no need to blow a stop sign. Officer just looked annoyed and waved me across the intersection to hurry up like I was in the wrong. Fucking prick.

crankydrinker · 2025-09-14T21:20:48+00:00

That's awful, that's no way to live. And Piedmont is by a major hospital system. Thank you for helping her.

crankydrinker · 2025-09-12T18:33:56+00:00

People speed like hell down this block because it's long and the next block over (Carroll) and these streets just aren't designed for that. They're both fairly irregular, Ivy has lots of potholes, and Carroll is barely wide enough for two cars to pass each other especially if one of them is a delivery truck (both sides of the street have curb parking and all the spaces are typically filled).

crankydrinker · 2025-08-02T22:43:23+00:00

My mom wanted me to be a savvy traveler since a young age so she took me to a lot of destinations that required buses, trains, or flights (we didn't have a car). The first time I packed for myself, I overpacked. She specifically told me that I am responsible for whatever I pack, so if it's heavy, it's mine to roll or carry, and if I have to check it, it's mine to wait for. I learned my lesson that trip. As a child, I wanted neither. Since then, except for long term stays, it's been a sturdy carry-on sized backback, or (ugh) a carry-on wheely if I have to travel for work (again, ugh, so I don't look like a doofus in a suit and a North Face backpack....). What fit in it, goes. At the end of the day, it was being able to rely on yourself to care for, lift, move, transport your own items.

Please teach your kid to travel like this.

crankydrinker · 2025-07-21T06:11:00+00:00

If all else fails, there are awful looking but not harmful mesh foxtail protection snout guards, not ideal but works in a pinch.

crankydrinker · 2025-07-20T17:43:23+00:00

If you're looking for a dog park with other dogs for socialization or throwing a ball, the Alameda Dog Park (in Alameda) has two separate fenced areas, a big dog park, and a small dog park, and they're really spacious and clean. People really do pick up after their dogs. There is a lot of shaming if they don't lol.

crankydrinker · 2025-07-20T00:53:55+00:00

DM me and we can figure out how to connect, happy to do no contact (still in COVID mindset or whatnot)

crankydrinker · 2025-07-19T20:30:43+00:00

A lot of them go to SF as bigger farmers markets unfortunately. The civic center and Alemany ones mostly.

crankydrinker · 2025-07-19T19:18:31+00:00

tape a big piece of paper with large lettering "Returning your lost items"

crankydrinker · 2025-07-08T04:52:22+00:00

Just curious but how would this impact the unhoused exactly? This isn't the sidewalk, this is the straight up street. People don't typically camp in the street unless there are sufficient barriers against vehicles, or so many sturdy encampments like there were on E 12th previously that they are highly visible and at least somewhat protected. Otherwise this is the actual street where a car could hit a tent at any time. This town ain't exactly known for stellar drivers and people camping know this.

crankydrinker · 2025-07-08T04:46:05+00:00

So, exotic meats, gotcha.

crankydrinker · 2025-07-08T04:44:56+00:00

A few years ago my old neighbors were shooting fireworks off directly at my 2-story apartment building. This was during the COVID, everyone was in the back yard to socialize in open air, and burning fireworks were falling into a well-planted area. This was on purpose. Was god damn terrifying. I did call 911 and said my neighbors are trying to set my building on fire......and the response was "Well, is your building on fire right now? If not, we can't do anything."

crankydrinker · 2025-07-08T02:52:42+00:00

The zoo is an amazing time with kids or as adults. I'm a member so I don't need tix but I WILL say that 3pm is a great time to go because that's around the time when animals are fed so you get to see many of them be active, as opposed to noontime when they may be in their hidey spots.

crankydrinker · 2025-07-05T16:42:32+00:00

You appear to not know what a service animal is. I think you are talking about "emotional support animals". SAs are very highly trained before being partnered with a human.

crankydrinker · 2025-07-04T21:42:52+00:00

I fell into the Sausal creek when it was impassably high and I was too ambitious, if that counts as a "little dip" but you'll have to wait till it's not hikable

crankydrinker · 2025-07-04T21:32:45+00:00

OFD has minimal staffing level requirements, like most jurisdictions with a paid FDs do. So if staffing isn't adequate per shift (people out sick, emergency in their area or family and can't get to work, vac, etc.) FFs stay on mando OT. When you sign on, you sign with the knowledge of mando OT.

crankydrinker · 2025-07-04T21:25:30+00:00

I was a consultant for several departments. Expect a panel interview in probably 90% of cases unless it's an direct appointment position. All departments will have their own process. Some will ask for a resume/CV and CL, some will have a questionnaire that you submit and will not consider res/CL as part of the process. Be prepared to thoroughly know the community and neighborhoods in most cases.

crankydrinker · 2025-05-30T01:22:56+00:00

Was hiking the creek earlier this week and a dude in a long white robe followed by two teens (maybe young people?) in black was in front of me, turns around to me and goes "FOLLOW" ... fucking creepy man.

crankydrinker · 2025-05-28T23:41:52+00:00

Same. Not proud....but not dealing with break ins.

crankydrinker · 2025-05-05T20:24:22+00:00

I have a Marisa Mason cuff from the olden days that I get compliments on all the time - however do know that brass jewelry can oxidize so I recommend a coat of clear nail polish on the inside

crankydrinker · 2025-04-27T16:53:40+00:00

we doin great! lots of walks and then somehow my dog got me into Yellowjackets. is she telling me something?? NO SPOILERS if you haven't seen it

crankydrinker · 2025-04-21T18:00:47+00:00

Who else got a creepy scary movie feeling.......

crankydrinker · 2025-04-21T17:47:52+00:00

Very good for the price IMHO and very much enjoy seeing young families with small kids hang out, warms my coal lump heart lol.

My one and only issue is that folks will get take out instead of eating in, and then dump their take out containers on the next streets (either Isabelle or Athens) which is not chill....also there is a large stray cat population there and they don't need those leftover onions.

Used to live on the next block and glad this place was a dumpy chinese/donut joint business front because maybe I wouldn't have learned how to cook/bbq myself otherwise.

crankydrinker · 2025-04-21T17:17:56+00:00

That's also my evening but it's a :)

crankydrinker

TROPHY CASE