I’ve lived in Hayward, CA for about 6 years now as a homeowner and…it’s…okay. My particular neighborhood is near Shafer Park and Shafer School and it’s got a nice blend of folksy citizens that I don’t mind.

There are far worse places than this in the area. In fact, I wouldn’t call Hayward an urban area at all. You don’t see homeless, you don’t see furniture or appliances on the streets.

The weather is decent and the freeways are accessible.

Definitely not a city made for tourism but not a bad place to live.