- Public SchoolsA+
- Crime & SafetyC+
- HousingC+
- NightlifeA
- Good for FamiliesA+
- DiversityA+
- JobsB
- WeatherA+
- Cost of LivingD+
- Health & FitnessA+
- Outdoor ActivitiesA+
- CommuteA
Real Estate
Median Home Value
$741,900
National
$178,600Median Rent
$1,362
National
$928- Public Schools
- Private Schools
- Colleges
Crime & Safety
Residents
Diversity
A+
Based on ethnic and economic diversity.
Median Household Income
$66,237
National
$53,889Children
10%
Berkeley Reviews
49 reviews
All Categories
I moved here from Houston, Texas where you need a car to get everywhere. At first, the city does provide a bit of a culture shock because people are so eccentric, and almost too friendly! Over time though, this feeling wears off and you realize how invitng the people fo the city are. The city itself has wonders of food and entertainment for those keen on local treats. The amount of cultural food is absolutely insane and more diverse than any other city I have been to. Unfortunately, the only downside is that the cost of a house of apartment is extraordinarily high. Your best bet is t live near the outskirts of Berekley, away from campus. With this in mind, the bike safety rules are super strict and commutng via bike is safer than any oter city I have visited.
I loved living in Berkeley! I was commuting into San Francisco via Bart when I lived there and access to public transportation was easy and accessible. I lived close to downtown Berkeley which was nearby great grocery stores (Berkeley Bowl was my favorite! TJ's was also close by), parks, restaurants and coffee shops. I always felt very safe walking around and the vibes in the neighborhood were always calm and friendly. The only thing I will say is that because I lived so close to UC Berkeley, there were a lot of students in the area which sometimes meant late night parties and drunk students walking around at night. Other than that, I thought Berkeley was a great place to live!
Berkeley is a somewhat diverse, very educated and extremely expensive place to live. People from Berkeley can be described as being entitled and rich and also be described as intelligent and giving. There is a wide range of people that live here. The university means young, talented and innovative individuals, along with their professors, make up a large chunk of society. The other chunk is leaving on the outskirts of Berkeley. I live in a neighborhood on the border of Oakland where trees and manicured lawns are seldom seen. This part of Berkeley, South Berkeley, has a high concentration of gang violence. It is important for someone to know that aside from the techies and students of Berkeley, there are families struggling to get by while shootings are happening on their street. I love Berkeley more than I love my hometown. I can't really imagine leaving but at the same time, with ever-increasing cost of living it may not be possible for me to stay here forever.