Real Estate in the East Bay: Albany

Solano Avenue, Albany
Photo by Kathie Berg: Real Estate in the East Bay

Why Live in Albany

- walk to Solano Avenue
- highly rated schools
- family environment and strong sense of community
- numerous parks, playgrounds and community centers

About Albany

The City of Albany lies in the northwestern corner of Alameda County, bordered by El Cerrito and Richmond on the north and Berkeley on the east and south sides. Highway 80 runs through the city; AC Transit bus lines and BART provide convenient access to the metropolitan Bay area.

With a population of around 17,000 Albany is the quintessential small town. With its highly regarded schools, Albany is a magnet for families looking for a good education for their children. Parks and playgrounds abound; the streets are some of the safest in the East Bay and the residents are decidedly community minded. Homes in Albany are mostly 2 or 3 bedrooms; lot sizes range from small to medium.

Solano Avenue, Albany's main commercial thoroughfare, has over 500 businesses, including restaurants of every ethnic variety, movie-theatres and over 150 retail shops. And Albany is small enough that it is possible to walk to Solano Ave. in just a few minutes from just about anywhere. The annual Solano Stroll, a mile-long block-party with plenty of food, entertainment and community activities draws nearly 250,000 attendees.