On the east side of the San Francisco Bay, 16 miles east of Oakland in Contra Costa County, lies the little city of Walnut Creek. Home to more than 66,000 residents and a variety of shopping and business centers, this city is a hub of entertainment and business in the area. In addition, Walnut Creek is home to the county’s largest mass of city-preserved land, allowing its residents and visitors to enjoy both the perks of nature and a city.
Walnut Creek is an incredibly desirable city for living. With a close proximity to Oakland, and San Francisco just across the bay, Walnut Creek combines the best attributes of a small town, small city and large metropolis. Inland from the Bay, the city also enjoys fabulous weather. Not too cold, Walnut Creek’s mild climate allows residents to enjoy time outside during every season.
One perk of this city that residents love is its home values. While the community is relatively affluent, with a wealth of business opportunities nearby and an average household income of $85,000, its homes are considered affordable when compared to other neighborhoods in the region. The average home price in the city is estimated to be around $485,000, which is a reason why the majority of the city’s residents choose to live in single-family homes. However, a large amount, a little over 40 percent, lives in multi-family dwellings.
There are a variety of neighborhoods in Walnut Creek that illustrate the architectural diversity of the city. These neighborhoods range from winding streets of older homes to newer developments with modern properties.
Residents choose Walnut Creek for more than its great housing and business opportunities. The city is also known for a top-rated school system. With an overall rating of 9 out of 10 on the Academic Performance Index, the city’s public schools are great places for the residents of a very educated community to send its children. The schools are a part of a larger community emphasis on education. With 56 percent of the community having at least a bachelor’s degree, it’s easy to see why this is. Besides great schools, the city also has many artistic and educational programs available for both children and adults.
With Broadway Plaza and many other businesses downtown, Walnut Creek attracts visitors and business from all over the Bay Area. These shopping centers feature prominent, high-end stores, such as Macy’s, Neiman Marcus and Nordstrom, as well as smaller, unique boutiques. The centers are a part of the city’s strong economy and have helped growth and development since the mid-20th century, and they are the reason so many business owners choose to own and operate a business, as well as live in, Walnut Creek.
Walnut Creek enjoys a high quality of life and lower unemployment rate than most places in the United States. In order to protect residents, businesses and the community as a whole, the city does a lot to prepare and protect Walnut Creek in the case of an emergency or disaster. These efforts include Community Emergency Response Team training and other resources available to the public.