Finally after 8 years I am ready to come home to the place my hear purrs big love (East Bay, Sonoma Co, or Sacramento depending on the circumstances that present themselves).

If I move to the East Bay it will be to attend Cal State EB (why did they change the name from Cal State Hayward) and I will need to find a place to live in a decent yet affordable area. I have been told to stay away from Union City entirely which I will do. But other than that I dont know much about Hayward (I know far more about San Leandro, Berkeley, Oakland and even that is limited knowledge.

I would like the following:
Close to school
Close to Bart
Close to other active burners (I know most of the east bay :))
Close to or easy access to a belly dance studio that not only does tribal but also does tribal fusion
relatively close to a dog park where my cute little pup n stuff can run off leash

Any suggestions??