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Photo: Peter Lyons Photo Image 1 of / 20 Caption Close Image 2 of 20 The 1939 facade The 1939 facade Photo: Peter Lyons Photo Image 3 of 20 The open concept home sold in 13 days. The open concept home sold in 13 days. Photo: Peter Lyons Photo Image 4 of 20 The living room has views of downtown Oakland and San Francisco. The living room has views of downtown Oakland and San Francisco. Photo: Peter Lyons Photo Image 5 of 20 Image 6 of 20 The open concept dining room is adjacent to the kitchen. The open concept dining room is adjacent to the kitchen. Photo: Peter Lyons Photo Image 7 of 20 The eat-in kitchen has quartz countertops. The eat-in kitchen has quartz countertops. Photo: Peter Lyons Photo Image 8 of 20 The stainless steel sink and Grohe faucet The stainless steel sink and Grohe faucet Photo: Peter Lyons Photo Image 9 of 20 One of three bedrooms, all on the same level One of three bedrooms, all on the same level Photo: Peter Lyons Photo Image 10 of 20 Image 11 of 20 The second bedroom The second bedroom Photo: Peter Lyons Photo Image 12 of 20 The third, smallest bedroom The third, smallest bedroom Photo: Peter Lyons Photo Image 13 of 20 The downstairs "rumpus room" The downstairs "rumpus room" Photo: Peter Lyons Photo Image 14 of 20 The updated half-bath downstairs The updated half-bath downstairs Photo: Peter Lyons Photo Image 15 of 20 Image 16 of 20 The laundry room The laundry room Photo: Peter Lyons Photo Image 17 of 20 The private backyard pergola with built-in barbecue The private backyard pergola with built-in barbecue Photo: Peter Lyons Photo Image 18 of 20 The home sits on a large corner lot. The home sits on a large corner lot. Photo: Peter Lyons Photo Image 19 of 20 Views from the living room at night Views from the living room at night Photo: Peter Lyons PhotoPeter Lyons Photo Image 20 of 20 Oakland's median sale price up 121% in the last four years 1 / 20 Back to Gallery

We all know that Oakland’s market is soaring, but MLS data compiled by Red Oak Realty shows just what a difference four years can make. Between January and May 2010, the median sale price for single-family homes in the city was 203K. In the same time period in 2014, the median price was $449K—a 121% increase.

According to Red Oak, other East Bay cities have seen increases during this time as well—Albany median prices are up 44%, Berkeley is up 24%, El Cerrito is up 13% and Piedmont is up 34%—but they are nowhere close to Oakland’s appreciation.

“Oakland has finally been noticed as the San Francisco annex and is gaining steam on all fronts: real estate, art and culture, which transformed it into the new ‘it’ place in the Bay Area,” explained Red Oak agent Patrick Leaper. “Most S.F. transplants are headed to Rockridge, Piedmont and parts of Berkeley. They come with a different sentiment about values and that, coupled with added competition, has been a huge part of the area’s increase in value.”

In fact, Red Oak agent Deidre Joyner said that 30% of the 35 transactions she closed in 2013 were with current San Franciscans who wanted to own in Oakland. And it’s not just San Franciscans paying renewed attention to the city. Joyner listed 4248 Wilshire Blvd. (featured in the slide show above) in Oakland’s Lincoln Heights Neighborhood on April 24 for 699K. The three-bedroom, 1.5-bath 1939 property sold in only 13 days for 858K (almost 23% over the asking price) to buyers moving from Palo Alto.

Joyner added that even people who already live in Oakland seem newly aware of all the city has going for it. “There’s been an awakening in which Oaklanders want to utilize all of the amenities that Oakland has to offer,” she says, pointing to Lake Merritt as a prime example. “Last weekend, I marveled at the picnics and barbecues, as well as boot camps, all happening simultaneously.”

Joyner also said the restaurant scene has changed “dramatically” in the last five years, an attraction sited by many other Red Oak agents as well. As agent Negar Souza points out, restauranteurs have been drawn to the area for the same cost-saving reasons prospective homeowners have. “Restaurants and shops began moving to Oakland to open their businesses because they, too, were outpriced, thus creating more of a draw for buyers from other places,” he said. “Oakland has some of the best, hip restaurants in the area, and offers people an urban, culture-rich lifestyle.”

Emily Landes is a writer and editor who is obsessed with all things real estate. She also has a DIY problem that she blogs about at pritical.com.