Maxwell Park, named after the small park in the center of the neighborhood, is situated south of High street and west of 580. It continues south to Seminary and west to Bancroft. The area nearest to 580 enjoys a hill with some views of the bay. The streets here are tree lined with well kept Spanish Mediterranean, craftsman, and bungalow style homes. There is no real business district to this neighborhood but the Laurel business area is just on the other side of 580. This neighborhood showed a large increase in home prices from 2001 to 2005. In 2006 the prices began to come down with homes taking longer to sell on the market. With the large price adjustment this neighborhood has taken, it is now a good opportunity for first time home buyers to get a great starter home in a reasonably safe area in the mid 400 to mid 500 thousand range.

Even better deals can be had now in Millsmont. This area is located south of Seminary around Mils College and to the south past Edwards Avenue. This area was just starting a major gentrification process in 2004 and 2005 with many young home buyers getting properties and fixing them up. The change in the market has brought an increase in foreclosure and short sales in this neighborhood due to individuals buying homes with little or no down payment and then taking out equity lines on their properties . The property adjustment in this neighborhood has hit some individuals hard. The neighborhood could very well prove to be a good investment long term however, when we start another cycle of rising home prices in the bay area. The appeal of this neighborhood is the woodsy rural feeling it has. Many lot sizes are large. The area used to be a resort place people had summer homes away from the hustle and bustle of downtown Oakland.