The best things in life are free, but in Fremont’s case these days frequently comes with a million-dollar mortgage.
By Panashe Matemba-Mutasa
Staff note: This is a continuation of last week’s article, where Matemba-Mutasa explores both the stats and the resident experiences of Fremont.
Building Community
Riding out the heat wave on his bicycle near the Fremont BART station, former Oakland resident William Davenport says he moved to Fremont to escape the crime. In 2020, a report found Fremont’s crime per 100,000 residents was 168.7, lagging significantly behind Oakland’s rates of 691.6. The same report from City Data found Fremont to have one of the lowest crime rates for cities its size in the Bay Area.
“It feels safe, like home away from home,” Davenport says.
But moving south has presented challenges. Despite a sense of community being one of the factors that helped Fremont top the list, Davenport says that’s the one aspect he feels is lacking. As an African American man, he says he struggles to find the community he found in Oakland. City Data reports Oakland’s Black population is 20%, while Fremont’s is just 2.3%. So while he says he is generally happy, he still still wants more from the city.
“It’s a tight-knit community but hard to find people who look like me,” Davenport says.
Uber driver Sayed Zaida has been in Fremont for six years and says he is happy there. Originally from Lahore, Pakistan, he enjoys the shift to a less-polluted city. He also appreciates the large South Asian community and the businesses that come from it. The Asian population in Fremont is 63%, according to City Data.
“As a South Asian person I have a lot of food options here, a good place for our community,” Zaida says.
Like Davenport, Zaida mentions his gripes with the city. He is concerned about the ever-growing homeless population, a phenomenon that’s rippled through the Bay Area. According to the city’s administration, Fremont’s homeless population increased by 69% from 2019 to 2022. In response, the city launched a Homeless Response Plan that includes strategies to prevent homelessness, connect people to shelter and mitigate the impact of homelessness on the community.
Those who crave a bustling big-city feel may also not feel as happy in Fremont. In a post on the city’s subreddit, a now-deleted user claims they are leaving Fremont, calling it “boring, lame, and pointless.” With a population of 225,000, it’s no dwarf city, but “lack of things to do” has been a common sentiment, especially among younger residents.
Report Card
In tandem with the “Happiest City” ranking this year is another Wallethub honorable mention for the city. In March, Fremont topped Wallethub’s list of “Best Places to Raise a Family.” One of the city’s strengths that continues to attract people is its highly ranked school system. 2023 Niche rankings show that Fremont Unified School District (FUSD) scored 2nd out of 17 for “Districts with the Best Teachers in Alameda County,” 18th out of 98 for “Districts with the Best Teachers in the San Francisco Bay Area,” 78th out of 680 for “Districts with the Best Teachers in California,” and 729th out of 11,466 for “Districts with the Best Teachers in America.” Some other notable rankings included “Best School Districts in America” and “Best School Districts in California,” both earning the school slots in the 85th percentile.
With rankings like these, it’s unsurprising that the youth are thriving. Reading and math proficiency rates soar at 77% and 69% respectively, and the average ACT composite score is 32. For comparison, the state average ACT score is 26.5, and English and math proficiency rates are respectively 47% and 33%. FUSD also boasts a 92% graduation rate, compared to the state’s rate of 84.7%.
FUSD outgoing superintendent CJ Cammack attributes this success to the city’s sense of community, saying parents, teachers and staff all work together to ensure academic success of their students. The district provides resources like family engagement workshops and multicultural events to support students and families as they navigate their children’s educational journey.
“The Fremont community has a strong tradition of supporting our schools and students, and our district’s consistent record of fostering student success and academic achievement is part of the reason families choose to live in Fremont,” Cammack says.
Recipe for Success
Over on Washington Boulevard, Patty Salas-Maciel brings a slice of Mexico to the city. Cantaritos Restaurant and Bar is a popular Mexican cuisine restaurant Maciel started with her husband nine years ago. The pair took over the space when the previous owner developed Lyme’s Disease, refinancing their home to be able to afford the cost. They still face some of the hefty financial costs of doing business in Fremont, but to them, it’s worth it.
“I love the community, we have a large clientele of people who say this space feels like home,” Maciel says.
According to USA.com data, Fremont’s Hispanic population is around 14%, with 78% of them Mexican. Maciel said one of the joys she gets to experience is people from diverse backgrounds enjoying her food. To her, it’s a reminder of the city’s diversity and intercultural appreciation.
“I think of Fremont as a melting pot,” Maciel says. “I remember when we first started, I got surprised when other races were coming in and I was like ‘wow they like Mexican food.’”
Just like the community has poured into her business, Maciel says she values making customers feel welcome and at home. Food at Cantaritos is made fresh and from scratch; tomatoes and chilis are roasted in-house, and nothing comes frozen.
“People tell me it reminds them of their grandma’s,” Maciel says.
Fridays and Saturdays are their busiest days, and people often have to call in for reservations to get their Mexican culinary fix. Sometimes, she is still in awe of the continuous support she’s received from the community and the fandom she has built. She’s glad she can be a part of Fremont’s happiness by contributing authentic, hearty Mexican dinners.
“Sometimes me and my kids look around, like, ‘Is this our place?’” Maciel says. “It’s shocking, we have so much support and it feels good.”
One of the most evident displays of happiness in the city can be found in its parks. The largest park, 450 plus-acre Central Park, offers expansive views of Lake Elizabeth, along with facilities for picnics, parties and recreational activities.
Summer days can bring oppressive heat, but evenings are much cooler as the sun sets behind the Mission Peak Hills. By 6pm, the park is bustling, with cyclists and rollerbladers cruising down the winding pathways. Whether in a stroller or using a walking cane, everyone seems to find joy as they bask in all the park has to offer.
Ohlone College student Elizabeth Prewitt sits on a bench overlooking Lake Elizabeth as she embraces her dog seated beside her. Prewitt acknowledges some of the city’s challenges, namely the homelessness crisis that many residents say is getting worse.
“Maybe it’s the happiest for the people who can afford it,” Prewitt says.
Still, Prewitt appreciates where Fremont has excelled. According to a city report, homelessness is now down 21% from 2022, numbers that show the city is ahead of others in Alameda County. As a young person she admits that the suburban atmosphere can feel “sleepy” at times. But it’s days by the lake with her dog that remind her of what the city has to offer: a melting pot of people and cultures enjoying life in a very happy city.
