An East Coast Girl in Oakland

I've lived here for 5.5 years. I love Oakland. But it has a PR problem. Everyone thinks we're a tough town. We have horrible things, but we have beautiful things too. I just like the bad rap because it keeps my rent low. And tools like that, to eeek our a survival strategy in the SF Bay Area, are essential.

Thus I begin, raise a toast to my beloved city with all it's diversity, art, trees, neighborhoods and hidden gems. To Oakland!