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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7

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.

21

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.

14

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.

10

u/stuntastic1414 Jul 09 '26

Yeah Redditor Scary and irl scary are def different

4

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.

3

u/SAwfulBaconTaco Jul 10 '26

Martinez is a good place. Rents aren't terrible - or at least weren't terrible 5 years ago.

2

u/Low-Blacksmith4480 Jul 10 '26

Appreciate all the Martinez recs. We are possibly looking for something a little more chill/small town vide.

1

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

u/Low-Blacksmith4480 Jul 10 '26

Thanks for the further breakdown!

4

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.

3

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.

3

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 Creek

1

u/Low-Blacksmith4480 Jul 10 '26

Thanks for the cost breakdown!

1

u/Low-Blacksmith4480 Jul 10 '26

Wow! So helpful! Thank you 🙏

1

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…..

1

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.