Places: Oakland

As an incoming freshman, you’re almost definitely going to call the neighborhood of Oakland… As an incoming freshman, you’re almost definitely going to call the neighborhood of Oakland home this year. While Oakland might appear quiet – perhaps even quaint – for a city neighborhood, don’t be fooled. There is far more to Oakland than meets the eye.

You are entering an Oakland divided, a neighborhood in the midst of a silent civil war.

To the untrained eye, Oakland as an entity is simple: two big streets – Forbes and Fifth avenues -with apartments and University buildings littered about, a single community in a perfunctory existence.

Oakland is divided into three parts. What most students refer to as South Oakland – the streets in between Forbes Avenue and Bates Street – is actually Central Oakland. Beyond the glamour of Forbes Avenue, South Oakland consists of mostly off-campus housing, with the exception of Bouquet Gardens, Pitt’s answer to apartment-style living.

South Oakland residents usually don’t choose to live there for the luxury. These apartments are close to campus, and there is a special camaraderie South Oakland residents share.

While generally less expensive than its northern counterpart, you will often awake to find the streets of South Oakland littered with trash, broken glass and inebriated students.

North Oakland, while just on the other side of Fifth Avenue, is a totally different world. If neighborhoods were people, North Oakland and South Oakland would be the bitter relatives that don’t talk at Thanksgiving dinner and make it awkward for the rest of the family.

North Oakland apartments vary in distances from campus, ranging from “acceptable” to “acceptable when the temperature is more than 35 degrees.” North Oakland is usually quieter, cleaner and more expensive than the south.

Speaking of quiet and clean, many fraternity houses can be found in parts of North Oakland.

The real South Oakland lies beyond Bates Street. Generally, “The Forgotten Oakland,” as I just now decided to nickname it, consists of more locals as the walk to campus starts to get a bit lengthy.

While navigating Oakland, a resourceful student can use his or her surroundings to help lead the way. Fifth Avenue travels into the city – remember the “i” in “Fifth” goes in – while Forbes Avenue leads traffic out – remember the “o” in “Forbes” goes out – while both streets are one-way, Fifth Avenue has a bus lane traveling against traffic, so be careful when seeking the right bus stop.

The Cathedral of Learning is viewable from almost everywhere in Oakland, be it north or south.

No matter where in Oakland your travels might take you, and no matter which side of the civil war you inevitably back, take solace in knowing that to the untrained eye, it’s all just Oakland. Outsiders will never understand.