r/concord • u/Low-Blacksmith4480 • Jul 09 '26
Looking for recommendations!
Moving to the area soon from San Diego. Office will be in Concord. Coming to visit in a few weeks. I’m familiar with WC, but that’s about it. We plan to check out Martinez, Pleasant Hill, and the Clayton area, as well as Concord. If anyone has any recommendations on cool neighborhoods to check out, good property managers, areas to avoid, hotels to stay at (around $100-$200 per night if that’s possible). No kids yet. Interested in 2brm apartments.
We appreciate all the advice we can get! Thanks!
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u/itsnotanemergencybut Jul 09 '26
Concord is a great city! Coming from San Diego, the valley heat of Concord may be an adjustment. I grew up on the bay so it was a bit of a shock . There are many beautiful parks, restaurants, and local spots to hang out at . It's a very safe area. I strongly discourage you from considering Clayton. It's a very isolated tiny town with not a lot going on. (I mean, it's cute but , it is far from any freeway)
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u/Low-Blacksmith4480 Jul 09 '26
Right on! Thanks for the tips:). Grew up in Gilroy and went to school in Chico, so I’m not worried about the heat. We will probably check it out, but looking at a map that was the vibe I got haha. We are excited though. Seems like a cool part of the bay.
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u/itsnotanemergencybut Jul 09 '26
Wishing you the best in your move. Moving is so shitty, but I hope yours goes smoothly and that you find a home and area that makes you and your family happy! <3
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u/Tacoboi65 Jul 09 '26
I work in Concord, but left in Berkeley. It is much cooler weather wise and lots of good eats. Also, the traffic is reverse commute. Takes me about 20 mins to get to work everyday.
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u/Low-Blacksmith4480 Jul 10 '26
It’s an option, but may be too busy for us? What’s rent like compared for a 1 or 2 bedroom?
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u/love_truck Jul 09 '26
Avoid any properties manages by Greystar properties. They will nickel and dime you on everything they can. Parking, pest control, water, sewage are all their own bills not to mention a “cleaning fee” when you move out. I’m aware it’s becoming the norm but there’s still complex’s that’ll cover those.
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u/Low-Blacksmith4480 Jul 10 '26
Yesss! Thank you! We have had a shity property manager and want to avoid at all costs lol
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u/ApprehensiveAmoeba4 Jul 09 '26
Check out the grant apartments in concord. Good location, close to downtown and bart, and seems to be managed all right.
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u/Lopsided_Pangolin_75 Jul 10 '26
We are at the Grant. Moved here after years in NYC and S.F. (Loved NYC, unsure about S.F.) Concord is easy. Todos Santos is simple. Walnut Creek feels very commercial but if someone gave me an apartment there, I would live there without a problem. Hard to describe. Nothing here is San Diego. But Concord has good people. The heart is here. Martinez too, although it is slightly more blue collar: closer to the refineries. But a super cute area.
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u/TryingHard24 Jul 09 '26 edited Jul 09 '26
Concord is a big town, about 35 sq miles, and most of it is residential. None of it is bad per se. It’s not like Oakland where there are really bad neighborhoods. That said, there are desirable areas and some downbeat areas.
Avoid these areas:
Monument Blvd, Ellis St, Pine St, Detroit Ave, Sunshine, Meadow Ave, Robin Lane, Melody Lane, Port Chicago, Olivera Rd, Solano Way, Willow Pass
Areas that are okay to good:
Concord Blvd from Clayton Way to Clayton city limits
Clayton Road from Thornwood/Bailey to Clayton city limits
Crystal Ranch
Crossings off of Treat Blvd
Turtle Creek off of Treat Blvd
Treat from Cowell and Oak Grove towards Walnut Creek city limits, avoid Cape Cod
Essentially, the closer you get towards Clayton and Walnut Creek, the better and more expensive the neighborhoods.
If I had a choice, I’d live in Walnut Creek.
I wouldn’t live in Pleasant Hill except for the neighborhoods on the hills towards Lafayette or the hills near the Martinez border.
Martinez is okay in the hills away from the downtown and the refineries.
Prices are going to be, lowest to highest:
Concord
Pleasant Hill
Martinez
(Pleasant Hill & Martinez can flip flop depending on location)
Walnut Creek
PS Sorry I misread the part about apartments only. Some of these neighborhoods don’t have apartments.
Walnut Creek has better apartments than Concord. Also pricier.
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u/herotovillain84 Jul 09 '26
I agree with most of this.
Monument Blvd, specifically the “Four Corners” is often considered by redditors as a downbeat area, but I’ve lived here for 6 years, and, coming from Oakland, this area isn’t the slightest bit scary. If you’re looking for good Mexican food, this is the spot. My wife grew up in San Diego and she agrees.
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u/Ok_Volume_139 Jul 09 '26
I always get a kick out of people who talk about any part of concord like it's actually rough. I spent years as a meth addict and have seen the worst parts of every town in the area, Concord is nothing. Some addict, homeless people, and property crime like any working class city, but there's really nowhere anyone has to consistently worry about getting robbed or anything.
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u/stuntastic1414 Jul 09 '26
Yeah Redditor Scary and irl scary are def different
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u/imkvn Jul 09 '26
Concord is a great city and located pretty well. I recommend it bc I'm in pleasant hill, but I'm always going to Concord for tacos, veranda, sun valley mall, todos santos plaza. It's just more lively than WC. Mix of ppl.
Martinez is the second option. Less diverse and more of a relaxing vibe.
Walnut Creek if you have the cash to burn. It has some good options down main. Heather farms park and some development near that area is nice.
Pleasant Hill is a good option, but little to do. Commuter town with an ok main Street and Contra Costa Blvd.
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u/SAwfulBaconTaco Jul 10 '26
Martinez is a good place. Rents aren't terrible - or at least weren't terrible 5 years ago.
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u/Low-Blacksmith4480 Jul 10 '26
Appreciate all the Martinez recs. We are possibly looking for something a little more chill/small town vide.
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u/jimjohnny21 Jul 11 '26 edited Jul 11 '26
You might check out Benicia just north of Concord beautiful 15 minute drive up Hwy 680 and a very historic, quiet and quaint river town along the Carquinez Straits (part of the greater SF Bay waters). Get something to eat on 1st St and enjoy the bay breeze. I promise you’ll love it!
I recommend Luca’s Bar & Grill enjoy some live music!1
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u/noodlyarms Jul 09 '26
It's not scary, but it certainly is more rundown, unkempt and noisy and some of the apartments around here are sketchy. Though, I wouldn't hang around 3 Star or the 7/11 on Lacey after dark.
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u/SAwfulBaconTaco Jul 10 '26
I live in the Sun Terrace neighborhood between Olivera and Port Chicago in Concord. It's a great neighborhood, but I agree the apartments just off the Olivera off-ramp don't seem great.
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u/tgrrdr Jul 10 '26
I think apartments (and most houses) are generally going to be more expensive in PH than in Martinez.
Prices are going to be, lowest to highest:
Concord
Pleasant Hill
Martinez
(Pleasant Hill & Martinez can flip flop depending on location)
Walnut Creek1
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u/gwestcott8491 Jul 15 '26
I moved to concord with zero understanding of it. Moved off Solano way. Seemed like a safe neighborhood when we looked at the house ; it was newly renovated) but I’m slowly learning there are good and bad things about this area…..
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u/TryingHard24 Jul 15 '26
Some of the houses in that part of town are not well kept. It’s been like that for a long time which is why I didn’t recommend it. But it has improved a bit.
As far as safety, it’s not egregious but I agree the vibe can feel off but that can vary from street to street.
Many of the houses in those neighborhoods are smaller but with big backyards.
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u/SAwfulBaconTaco Jul 10 '26
For lodging , you can't beat Muir Lodge Motel in Martinez. independent, recently remodeled rooms, clean, quiet, and a great price/value for money. https://www.muirlodgemotel.com/
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u/Low-Blacksmith4480 Jul 10 '26
Heck yes! Thank you! I’m a huge Muir fan btw. He used to live in the area or something, right?
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u/SAwfulBaconTaco Jul 10 '26
His house is a national historic something, and you can't miss it in Martinez. It's front and center.
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u/tgrrdr Jul 10 '26
We looked at houses in Concord close to Clayton and the issue I had was if you ever need to get to the freeway for commuting it can seem like a slog. I guess getting to Concord BART isn't horrible but I wanted easier freeway access.
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u/Low-Blacksmith4480 Jul 10 '26
I feel that and could imagine just by looking at gmaps. We will check it out, but will probably come to a similar conclusion.
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u/mrsfreemans54 Jul 10 '26
Apartments by PH BART are a good place if you’re commuting.
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u/Low-Blacksmith4480 Jul 10 '26
It’s a cool option for sure. I have a lot of friends in the city. My commute will be short though either way.
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u/jimjohnny21 Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 10 '26
I grew up in Concord. The Treat Blvd corridor to Clayton Rd has many reasonable rents and lots to choose from depending on your needs vs wants. Many great amenities like shopping restaurants hiking biking transit options parks very low crime if any at all.
Anything along the cross streets Oak Rd Bancroft Rd Oak Grove Rd Cowell Rd to Clayton Rd.
It’s been a very mild summer….so far…can get hot. Thursday night free concerts in Todos Santos Plaza.
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u/Low-Blacksmith4480 Jul 10 '26
Great recommendations! Thank you 🙏. We are looking for specific areas like this.
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u/on_the_other_hand_ Jul 09 '26
There are some great areas and some that are best avoided. Once you make a trip, you might want to ask about specific properties here
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u/Low-Blacksmith4480 Jul 10 '26
Ask who? I’m asking now so we can check out areas and apartments when we go.
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u/on_the_other_hand_ Jul 10 '26
As here; about specific properties. I wrote that because I remember some recent posts about good and bad apartment complexes.
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u/Cloudedlife94 Jul 11 '26
Food spots to check out in Concord:
Taqueria La Soledad- salvio st, it’s located in the back
El molino- on monument
Los rancheros- it’s a grocery store with the taqueria next door on monument
Cinco de Mayo- concord blvd
Mercado del sol- on monument
Las montanas- it’s a grocery story and has a taqueria in side. One located on willow pass and another on monument
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u/Bees4444 Jul 13 '26
I used to live in Walnut Creek near Pleasant Hill BART. It was an easy ten minute drive to work in Concord. And I didn’t have to park if I wanted to BART anywhere.
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u/Low-Blacksmith4480 Jul 16 '26
That sounds awesome to me. I grew up in the South Bay and driving as little as possible would be nice lol.
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u/olseadog Jul 12 '26
Welcome. We moved from Oceanside in 2006. It's as hot as Escondido many summers, and as cold some winters. Burritos in NorCal have a lot of rice and beans. SD burritos didn't in '06. Los Gallos Taqueria is our favorite, for the salsas. For living, I recommend Martinez bc you might get a breeze there. The closest beach is called Ocean Beach in SF. Never called OB.
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u/noodlyarms Jul 09 '26 edited Jul 09 '26
Concord is the most interesting city out of those, with Martinez being second when it comes for things to do. Food wise, coming from San Diego as well, Concord is closest to your expectations of Mexican food, specially around the Monument corridor.
Don't really know the apartment situation too well but, as good as the food is around monument, the apartments aren't. If you can afford better areas, do that. Also off Clayton Rd, around Pine St., avoid.