There is a heck of a time to be had in Hayward. Whether working, schooling or kicking your feet up, the California community has so much to offer family members of all ages.
Once called the Heart of the Garden of Eden for its temperature and soil, the community was congregated by the Costanoan culture in the late 18th century, when Spanish missionaries and explorers settled in the area.
With such a rich history in Hayward's 44 square miles, you may want to consider making a move to the municipality. Take a moment and read this guide to find out about the area's neighborhoods, transportation and cost of living.
After weighing all the pros and cons, you might find yourself in the San Francisco Bay area starting a whole new life.
Hayward Climate
With an average July high of 71 degrees and typical January low of 42 degrees, it is never too hot or cold in town. With no snow and only 18-inches of rain annually, locals love staying dry, never having to run for cover to get shelter from the storm. Out of 365 days of the year, Hayward sees 257 sunny days, making sunscreen and sunglasses popular accessories to wear. Like summer and winter, the spring and fall remain comfortable with locals really enjoying time outside from September to December and March to June.
Hayward Neighborhoods
With almost 150,000 locals living throughout Hayward, homes are spread throughout the town that is filled with subdivisions, schools, shopping centers and businesses. Some areas are more populated than others. While Harder/Tennyson has almost 27,000 locals and Glen Eden has more than 16,000 residents, Fairway Park, Garin and Longwood/Winton Grove average around 10,000 locals in the respective regions. Downtown features Hayward City Hall, Green Shutter Hotel and Cinema Place, bringing government, tourism and entertainment all together in the city center.
No matter where a family lives in Hayward, children are a priority on every street corner. As one of the 21 Promise Neighborhoods across the United States, Hayward is funded by the federal government for the design of comprehensive community curriculums. The vision of Promise Neighborhoods is that all the youth growing up in Hayward have a right of entry to effectual education and community support that better trains them while they prepare for higher education and professional careers.
Registering Your Car
You have 10 days to retain a new license in Hayward, according to the California Division of Motor Vehicles. You are considered a resident if you register to vote, pay school tuition or file property taxes in the state. New residents must provide proof-of-name, address, birth date and a Social Security number. A required vision test and $39 fee is all new residents need to become officially licensed after they turn in their former state permit. It is also easy to register your car and receive California license plates. With proof of insurance, you can register your car for $46 dollars and receive new California tags.
Hayward Schools
The Hayward Unified School District is where it all begins for students. The district, that serves more than 20,000 students in 30 schools, bases its education on the three R's - Rigor, Responsibility and Results. As students are taught to work hard, be accountable and shoot for a positive outcome, they excel throughout every school year until graduation. Students who attend Hayward private schools also have an excellent education available to them through religious and specialized training.
After graduation, students most often attend the California State University, East Bay. With over a 100 fields of study, small classes and award winning educators, the local campus is a popular place to learn. For students who are only looking to complete a two-year degree and attain their associate's degree, Chabot Community College is the campus to attend. Unless your children are college aged, it is wise to wait to move in the summer, so students are not pulled from their curriculum and friends in the middle of the year.
Hayward Employment
A 8.9 percent floating unemployment rate, one point above the 7.9 percent national average, makes Hayward a little hard to find a job in if you do not procure employment before you relocate to the region. Some top employers in the area that employ thousands of locals are Kaiser Permanente, Alameda County, Hayward Unified School District and Californian State University East Bay.
Home to high-tech companies, corporate headquarters and many manufacturers, Hayward is a great place to work, offering diverse career choices. However, if you are looking to relocate your business, it would be a good idea to contact the Hayward Economic Development Organization and ask about the community commerce.
Living Costs in the City
CNN Money reports a median family income of $67,012 and median home price of $257,244 in Hayward. Though the job growth in the Californian community was rated at 3.64 percent as of 2010, the state sales tax averaged 8.25 percent. When you do the math, it is obvious that with a well-paying job, you can live quite affordably in the area. This is particularly true when it comes to renting an apartment. Though they are a bit pricey for one person, with a one-bedroom starting anywhere between $950 and $1,300, a two-bedroom apartment that can be shared with a roommate is much more affordable.
Hayward Moving Resources
Moving and storage companies are ready and willing to help you with your move to Hayward, whether you're moving from out of state or from another county in Hayward. Make sure you get estimates from multiple moving services before you commit to hiring any (at least three estimates). Check back to our guides for tips on how to choose your moving service wisely with important questions to ask, differentiating between types of estimates, and mistakes to avoid. Visit the following pages at Movers.com to get quotes for the following services:
Hayward Transportation
Interstate 880 and State Route 92 and 238 run through Hayward, making it convenient for motorists to get around the metropolis. If you are not in the mood to drive yourself, then the Bay Area Rapid Transport, BART, is the way to go. With two stations in Hayward, one downtown and one on the south side, locals can catch a ride on the heavy rail system. Operating five routes over 104 miles, residents have no problem being on time.
For those that prefer riding the bus, the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District, AC, has 175 lines for locals to pick from. Of course, if you do not prefer riding alongside anyone, you can travel via taxi or a limousine in the city. When it comes time to flying, the Hayward Executive Airport is a general aviation landing strip highly used by residents and visitors.
Culture & Contemporary Life
The Hayward Youth and Family and Senior Services make living in the community fun for locals of all ages. Aside from free government run programs, locals can always be seen at the library receiving homework help and literacy training. Aside from the dozens of library and community wide events, residents enjoy dining and shopping in the city. So many can be seen eating something delicious every Monday at the Off the Grid Mobile Gourmet Food Truck Event or enjoying themselves at any one of the area restaurants any night of the week. As for shopping, Hayward is a hub of retail stores specializing in clothes, shoes and more.
Hayward Relocation Tips
- Really ask yourself if you should move. Though Hayward may seem like the perfect home, do not make a hasty decision and find yourself regretting relocation to the California community.
- If you do decide to change districts, do your research and find out the different types of moving services, comparing options and cost between at least or four companies.
- Visit Hayward and see if it is everything you thought it would be by spending a few days in the destination. Remember while you are there to check out the businesses and schools to see if there are solid employment and educational opportunities for you and your family.