Hayward also has Zaytuna (good) and certain public parks where lungiwallas can roam free from persecution from a judgmental public... and the world Kabadi championships were held at Cal State Hayward a few years ago. However, the first is reason is a good one... unless you fancy watching men adorn their lungis in public, in which case, Hayward and a therapist is ideal.

But seriously, I spent a week in Redlands (10 mins from Riverside) a few summers back for da man. Although the mountains are a few miles to the east, the smog filled air completely blocked what would have been a great view. It's the first time in my life I felt claustrophobic. As an allergy doc, you can probably appreciate that.

Hum: by the way, the actual job in Hayward is better set up and reimburses better then the one in riverside.

In case that matters...

one plea for all the lungi wallas -no adjusting in public.

Caution when seeking advice from someone who used to cut classes for Blondies Pizza or the Maverick Icon, "Lungi Surfer". If you're not claustrophobic and don't mind smog filled summers, Riverside is a good bet... Hayward on the other hand is a bit doggy (trust me, I used to live there), but it's surrounded by by great areas only a few minutes south (Fremont), East (San Ramon, Pleasanton), West (San Mateo, San Carlos) and even to the north (Berkeley, Piedmont and SF). Few minutes being slightly exaggerated of course, but nevertheless, there great places to live and visit and wonderful peeps (Big K, Atif, FreeFall14000 (soon!!) and the geek from Livermore). May Allah guide you with your decision.

LungiWalla.

I used to cut school to get out to half-moon bay when I was a truant child. I dont remember this part.

Thanks - will have to get the boogy board our and mosey out there. Lungi's need to be pinned very carefully or else... well....

I thought the MAvs were the team for Dallas?

fremont: (the old country): is desi town with naz cinema, and the desi per capita being roughly the same as Mumbai.

Hum! if you come to either place Ill give you a ride in my convertible and we can carouse around...

WHich mosque had you already chosen? You are way ahead of me in this arena

I'm afraid BigKahuna stumbled upon why I had to leave Walnut Creek...I would get mobbed because the locals never saw a Lungi Surfer before...whereas where I live now in Fremont a.k.a. DesiTown, they are a dime a dozen.

from what mystic says, it sounds like there isn't as big a desi/muslim community there?

thanks for all ur input! now i know which masjid to go to when i go up there to visit, ie the san ramon one it sounds like. so thanks atif, mstclvr, freefall! (and big kahuna for telling us a lil more about atif, :P )

Well apparently the position is actually in Hayward now! so ... is hayward similar?

I guess it comes down to being close to which big city, right? cuz i think neither are great in and of themselves, but their clame to fame is their proximity to other places, ie for hayward - being 45 mins to san francisco, and for riverside being 45 mins from orange county and its muslim community (which i was told is the largest in california), as well as 1 hr away from LA and San diego.

Hum: walnut creek all the way....

no question.Riverside is a dump compared to walnut creek.

Additionally, we can hang out and wonder if brother Atif is going to go lungi-surfing again.


The No-Cal Muslim Community is cooler. And I will be there.
Cant go wrong.

ok, i know both cities, but I know walnut creek better. Walnut creek i think is more white - and riverside is more asian. riverside is a bit cheaper, but not as pretty or nice. I side a bit more towards walnut creek. it is safe, nice (there are lots of trees and an outdoor mall), there is access to BART (the subway), close to the freeway (Hwy 24), etc. I do not know about the desi or muslim community there, but it is close to san ramon and they have a great mosque there. either way, congrats and good luck!

Salaams Hum,

Ahh, Walnut Creek. I lived there for 3.5 years and count it as one of my favorite places to live. Here's why: Heather Farms Park, Iron Horse Hiking/Biking Trail, Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts (Plays, Musicals, Symphony), Nice Outdoor Walking/Shopping District Downtown, Good Variety of Restaurants, BART Subway to S.F., Free Summer Concerts in the Park, Farmer's Market and Concord Pavilion (Professional Concerts) all make it a great place worth scoping out.

Summers tend to be warmer/sunnier as this area known as the East Bay is on the other side of the Oakland/Berkeley hills which acts as the buffer from the cool S.F. Summer Fog.

Now for the Desi/Muslim community...there is a slowly growing presence, but it is one of the smaller ones in the Bay Area. 2-3 Zabihah.com restaurants nearby. There are 1-2 Mosques/Masjids nearby but San Ramon (srvic.org) appears to be a bit more active. Zaytuna.org is ~35 minute drive and MCA in Santa Clara ~50 minute drive. There is a small Sister's Group in the Walnut Creek/Lafayette (next town over) area.

Bay Area housing prices are through the roof and since WC has a lot of desired amenities is on the upper end of property values. There are nearby towns of Pleasant Hill/Concord that have less amenities but are trying to spruce up their images to be as nice as WC that might offer some more comparably reasonable options.

I don't know much about Riverside so I am going to be more biased towards WC.

Atif