Newer housing clusters in Dublin, San Ramon, Brentwood, Oakley, Hercules, and parts of Fremont and Emeryville. You get modern plans and HOA questions. You often give up a historic main street, unless you are willing to drive to one.
Downtown infill in Oakland, Berkeley, Walnut Creek, and the station areas is the other kind of new: apartments and condos on top of a city that already has restaurants. That is usually the better trade if you want a life outside the unit.
Walk the neighborhood at night before you trust a model home. New does not mean finished streets, shops, or shade.
Towns
Tri-Valley
Dublin
Where the BART line ends and the new neighborhoods begin.
OpenSan Ramon Valley
San Ramon
Office parks, family neighborhoods, and a valley that keeps adding streets.
OpenDelta & East County
Brentwood
Orchards turning into neighborhoods, with downtown still in the middle.
OpenWest Contra Costa
Hercules
A planned waterfront city still growing into its shore.
OpenInner East Bay
Emeryville
A small bayfront city wedged between Oakland and the bridge.
OpenDelta & East County
Oakley
A Delta-side city between Antioch and Brentwood.
OpenSouthern Alameda
Fremont
A city of districts: Niles, Centerville, Warm Springs, and the hills.
Open