THE WILLOWS: Fabulous BEACH condos in Alameda CA

The Willows at 2101 Shoreline, Alameda  CA

The Willows is one of my favorite condominium complexes in Alameda. It’s not the newest, not the flashiest….but it has so many amenities that one can describe living there as like being in a resort. The address describes it appropriately: it’s on SHOREline. Cross the street, and you’re on the beach.

Built in 1974, there are 201 units most of which are town-house style where the living areas are on one level, and the bedrooms are on another.  Most of the units have two bedrooms, with a sprinkling of 3-bedroom and 1-bedroom units.

What makes The Willows special?

Perhaps what I like best about The Willows, besides the fact that it’s across the beach is that it has a fabulous courtyard with lush fauna and flora. The courtyard even has a “running brook” --- one has to cross over short bridges to get to the extra large and heated pool and spa. No matter what time of the year that I show units for sale, I always see people swimming in the pool, or enjoying themselves in the spa.

They have one of the best clubhouses in the city. It’s large enough to accommodate more than one party at a time, the game room has two pool tables and the ever-popular Foosball table, there is a video room, and there are kitchenettes.  It makes me wonder if they’ve ever used the clubhouse for a wedding reception.

There are other amenities --- like secure access, separate men and women’s gyms, onsite management staff, fabulous lobby, elevators and covered parking.

Best feature besides the beach location?

It’s next to South Shore Shopping Center which has undergone quite a transformation from when it was built, to when it was renamed as Alameda Town Centre (for snob appeal) and back to South Shore to the delight of the locals who never wanted to call it by any other name.  When you  have Starbucks, Old Navy, Bed Bath and Beyond, Kohl’s and Trader Joe’s  --- you’ve arrived.

For commuters, The Willows is ideally located because it’s also by Otis Drive which is where all the bus routes are. So one can ditch the car and catch the express bus to San Francisco.

Okay….fine. Are they affordable?

Well, affordable is relative, depending on where one is from. If one is from San Francisco, then yes, absolutely, this place rocks because it’s so much more affordable.

As of September 2011, there are five active listings, ranging from a low of $305,000 for a 2 bedroom/1.5 bath, 1015 sq ft unit to $399,000 for another 2 bedroom/1.5 bath  but larger 1335 sq ft unit with partial views of San Francisco Bay.

Like most cities, Alameda has taken a hit too because these prices are 20-25% less than what they sold for at the height of the market in the mid 2000s. So buyers who are looking to buy a condo by the beach,  these present that opportunity to buy while the prices are good and the interest rates are low.

Come on over!