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Moraga Real Estate:

Incorporated 1974, 16,290 residents (2000
census) 9.54
sq. miles
Winter Climate: Average 30 to 60 degrees
Summer: Average 50 to 80 degrees
Average Annual Rainfall: 26.86 inches
Annual Snowfall: 0.00 inches! (There
was an exception back in the 70's when there was measurable snow but for
that was 30+ years ago!)
"A pocket of serenity in the hubbub
of the Bay Area" (Shh! Keep it a secret!)
mall
town, old-fashioned, friendly Moraga is located about 18 miles south
east of San Francisco. Moraga incorporated in 1974 to attempt to keep
Moraga a quiet, peaceful community with limited growth. So far,
they have been mostly
successful in achieving that goal. There are
currently (2008) plans proposing some growth in various parts of town
plus expansion of the Moraga shopping center. A Town survey (1999)
asking, “What are your favorite things about Moraga?” showed the
following results: (1) open space, country feeling, scenic beauty,
hills, cows; (2) safety, low crime rate, (3) small town atmosphere,
sense of community, friendliness, (4) good schools.
Don't
laugh at the "cow" comments. There are many open hillsides in
town where cattle graze and horses are pastured. There is a semi-rural
feeling yet surrounding the open spaces are fine residential areas.
McCormack's Guide
comments, "Secluded bedroom town...school rankings among very
highest in the state...Considered one of the most prestigious cities in
the county...." McCormack's Guide to Contra Costa &
Solano, '98. At incorporation in 1974, Moragans chose to be called the
“Town of Moraga” rather than a being called a City. They felt it was
more befitting the ambience there.
Moraga is 4+ miles from Orinda, Hiway 24 and Orinda
BART. Commute times to BART vary, but average 10 minutes during the day
and 15 to 20+/- during peak traffic hours. There is also bus service to
Orinda and Lafayette, including Lafayette BART. Moraga is 11 miles
southeast of Oakland and 18 miles southeast of San Francisco.
MORAGA MAKES TOP 10 FAMILY
TOWNS LIST in San
Francisco Magazine's, Oct. 2005 issue. Moraga was #8 on the list,
beating out Orinda at #19, Lafayette #37 and Walnut Creek #80.
There were 107 communities surveyed. The rankings were based on
the concentration of kids, the crime rates, schools test scores and
"educational bang for the buck"-student performance relative to the
median home value. Click
HERE
for the article in San Francisco magazine. Another related article is
JUST THE FACTS MOM, THE TOP TEN. This is an article detailing the top 10
cities. Click
HERE.
| 1. Piedmont |
| 2. Monte Sereno |
| 3. Cupertino |
| 4. San Ramon |
| 5. Danville |
| 6. Pleasanton |
| 7. Fairfax |
| 8. Moraga |
| 9. Windsor |
| 10. Petaluma |
This is what the article said about Moraga:
"...There's no reason to pass through this small town set in a
cul-de-sac just over the Oakland hills, and many of the locals like
it that way: it's the closest thing to a hideout within 45 minutes
of San Francisco. Two little shopping centers serve as the hangs;
the arrival last month of an OSH drew gawking hardware-hungry
crowds. The stimulation here comes from the low-stress living,
endless hiking trails, swim meets, and homegrown school
productions."
SOME LOCAL POINTS OF INTEREST
St. Mary’s College of Moraga
Beautiful,
picturesque liberal arts institution on 420 acres founded 1863 in San
Francisco and moved to Moraga by the Christian Brothers in 1927 is an
integral part of the Moraga community. The college now has an enrollment
of over 2,000 undergrads and 1,300 grad students and adult students.
About 1,400 students live on campus. In the winter, the white chapel
against the lush green hills is so beautiful! Moragans are often seen at
college sporting and cultural events. St. Mary's College is the
major employer in town. It's quite a beautiful campus and a real asset
to Moraga.
Moraga Commons
Park
Wonderful park with picnic areas, 20 acres, in the middle of
this small town. Fun for everyone. Community has a large 4th of July
picnic each year, including a pancake breakfast, pet parade, kids bike
parade, musical groups and fireworks in the evening. The park has two
"tot lots" for kids, basketball courts, sand volley ball
courts, frisbee golf course, horseshoe pits, and there is a proposed
skaters park in the works. Rancho Laguna is another large park in town.
It is 8.5 acres and includes a barbecue area, play fields, tot lot, play
structures, and adult exercise stations.
Moraga
Commons "Splash" located
at the Moraga Commons Park. A Splash is being installed and is
promised to be operational in June, 2008. Water spurts out of the ring
above at random times and directions. Should be squealing fun for kids. Adjoins the
Tot Lot area. Moms and Dads can
relax in the shade. Our summers are usually lovely. Temperatures average
in the 70’s and low 80’s. Humidity? You won’t find much of that here! Our
weather is wonderful.

Brand new Tot Lot, 2008
Bye bye splinters! The years of wear and new
safety standards were the genesis of this new play area for the little
ones.

There's a second
group of play structures and swings for kids who are a little bit older.
Fun
for All:
There are basketball courts, sand volley ball courts.


Checkers Anyone?

Moraga SKATE PARK
After years of planning the new skate park went in several years ago at
the Commons Park and is a real hit.

Frisbee Golf???
It's been popular here for years. Just get the frisbee in
the elevated "bucket" and you are on your way.
Bocci
Ball!
There's two courts and lots of players who love this
game at the Commons.
Moraga
Commons Amphitheater:
Band
concerts in the summer on Thursday evenings are very popular. Seating is
on the grass and adjoining hillside. Everyone brings a blanket or lawn
chairs, and snacks or a picnic dinner. Music ranges from local rock
groups to Sousa marches. Fun for all ages and interests.
Concerts start at 6:30 pm and end at 8:30 pm
On the 4th of July, many in town turn out for a pancake breakfast,
competitive run, dog parade, lots of music and a great place to watch
the yearly fireworks that originate over at Moraga Country Club.
2008 Schedule
June 5 Rossmoor Big Band - Swing
June 12 Stonesoup - Rock & Roll
June 19 Motor Dude Zydeco - Cajun
June 26 The HouseRockers - Rock & Roll
July 4 Larry Lynch & the Lynch Mob- Rock & Roll
July 10 Boothill - Country Western
July 17 Dave Crimmen Band- 50's Music
July 24 Layce Baker & the Black Diamond Band - R & B
July 31 Dave Russell Band - Country & Western
August 7 littledog2 - Rock & Roll
August 14 Madison Blues Band - Blues
August 21 La Ventana - Latin
September 27 littledog2 (Rock) and Culann's Hounds (Celtic)
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Additional Helpful Information:
Click
HERE for a 96 page report, Moraga Town Market Assessment done in
February, 2006.
HERE
for Moraga Town Newsletter, Winter/Spring 2008
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Don't miss two other pages on Moraga:
MORAGA PART
2 and MORAGA PART 3
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