Why the East Bay Is Becoming the Bay Area’s Most Desired Luxury Market in 2025

[Q+A] Why Are More Luxury Buyers Choosing the East Bay Over San Francisco in 2025?

Client Question:
"Why are more luxury buyers choosing the East Bay over San Francisco in 2025?"

Maya’s Perspective:
This question reflects a profound shift in what today’s high-net-worth buyers truly value. In 2025, we’re seeing luxury redefined—not by excess, but by intention. And nowhere is that more evident than in the East Bay.

Long regarded as San Francisco’s quieter counterpart, the East Bay is emerging as a luxury destination in its own right—a place where legacy meets lifestyle, and where every square foot tells a story of space, light, nature, and design.

1. Luxury Without Compromise
The East Bay offers something increasingly rare in the Bay Area: room to breathe. Whether it’s the sweeping hilltop estates of Orinda and Lafayette or the architectural elegance of Crocker Highlands, buyers are finding homes that combine privacy, craftsmanship, and beauty—without sacrificing proximity to culture, commerce, or community.

2. The Rise of Conscious Wealth
Today’s affluent buyers are rethinking legacy. They’re seeking homes that feel grounded—not just glamorous. In neighborhoods like Rockridge and Berkeley Hills, we’re seeing a return to intentional living: walkable streets, locally-owned boutiques, high-caliber schools, and homes with soulful design. It’s luxury with a conscience.

3. Value, Space, and Architectural Integrity
Compared to San Francisco proper or Silicon Valley, the East Bay continues to offer exceptional value—especially when it comes to lot size, landscape, and livability. Historic homes with curated updates, mid-century gems, and artfully reimagined contemporaries offer buyers something more personal than the glass towers across the Bay.

4. The Second-Home State of Mind
More and more, East Bay homes are being designed and lived in with a "second-home sensibility." Think: spa-inspired bathrooms, lush gardens, chef’s kitchens, meditation decks, and natural light at every turn. For buyers who crave retreat-like living without leaving the Bay Area, these homes provide a daily exhale.

5. A Return to Rootedness
There’s a rising desire among Bay Area natives to come home—but come back differently. They want space for families, room to entertain, and homes that reflect their evolved priorities. The East Bay’s quiet elegance is perfectly suited for this next chapter.

As always, I help clients navigate not just the market, but their personal vision of luxury—one that balances legacy, lifestyle, and long-term value. If you’re considering buying or selling in the East Bay, now is a powerful time to align your real estate choices with what matters most.

Walk in beauty,

Maya