Berkeley area (Sacramento, Alameda: apartments, to rent, houses)

[ECHOES2]

I am single and planning to move to the area next year. I won't be looking for a house because I like apartment living (although I do like to have an outdoor area and a bit of ground to garden). What I want is a walkable community and to be close to parks and water. Parks and water seem to be readily available in the Berkeley area and the area looks to be pedestrian friendly too.

Any recommendations or suggestions as far as places to live, apartments to rent, things to look for or avoid, ways to make my move a good one?

[tanglenet]

Originally Posted by ECHOES2

I am single and planning to move to the area next year. I won't be looking for a house because I like apartment living (although I do like to have an outdoor area and a bit of ground to garden). What I want is a walkable community and to be close to parks and water. Parks and water seem to be readily available in the Berkeley area and the area looks to be pedestrian friendly too.

Any recommendations or suggestions as far as places to live, apartments to rent, things to look for or avoid, ways to make my move a good one?

My general recommendation is North of University. Generally the further East (going up the hill) the better the area. You ought to remember that the closer the proximity to campus, the more that you will be competing with students for housing. There are also a lot of houses in Berkeley that have legal and non-legal units / cottages in the back yards. Some one these can be quite charming.

For specific areas, look around Cedar + Shattuck or in the Elmwood area near Ashby + College. These are vibrant, walkable areas where you don't need a car and a short walk to BART.

[Mr. Fantastic]

As a grad student I lived South of Campus (Dwight and Telegraph to be exact) and paid $500 a month for a studio. Berkeley is a pretty safe city overall until you start getting closer to the freeway. Near campus, it's pretty much safe as can be. I used to walk around with a laptop bag, my books, at 1am at night and never worried about getting mugged. On the way home I used to see night patrols a few times before I even got to my street.

North side is nicer, and generally more "suburb-esque" but you will pay a premium.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by tanglenet

Generally the further East (going up the hill) the better the area.

Water's a bit scarce up there though.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by Mr. Fantastic

I used to walk around with a laptop bag, my books, at 1am at night and never worried about getting mugged.

Geez, if we'd only known.

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

Water's a bit scarce up there though.

True but being near the water in Berkeley means living in the more shady areas of town. The view of the bay is nice from the more eastern parts of the city. As for staying north of University, I think one can perhaps broaden there scope a bit. You can go as far south as Dwight Way and maybe to Ashby Ave. but I would stay north of Ashby for sure. Staying east of Sacramento st. is also a good idea.

[bellalunatic]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

Geez, if we'd only known.

hahahaahaahaahaa!

+1 for Cava, C-D won't let me rep you currently.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by Gentoo

True but being near the water in Berkeley means living in the more shady areas of town. The view of the bay is nice from the more eastern parts of the city. As for staying north of University, I think one can perhaps broaden there scope a bit. You can go as far south as Dwight Way and maybe to Ashby Ave. but I would stay north of Ashby for sure. Staying east of Sacramento st. is also a good idea.

You're right about that. I had an upper level apartment on College Ave. that had an awesome view of the bay and the Golden Gate. Was fortunate the athletic field was across the street so no blockage. Before that I lived on Russell and Telegraph one block up from Ashby. That was edgy.

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

You're right about that. I had an upper level apartment on College Ave. that had an awesome view of the bay and the Golden Gate. Was fortunate the athletic field was across the street so no blockage. Before that I lived on Russell and Telegraph one block up from Ashby. That was edgy.

I don't know what it is with Russell St. that attracts borderline type people. There not bad but just make you look over a shoulder a bit more. That's like most of that street.

I have a great aunt and uncle who live on Oregon St. near Le Conte school and it's a pretty nice area and has been for a long as I can remember. Half my family once lived on Oregon St.

Also try the thousand oaks area around Arlington St. and Oxford. The area around The Alameda (that's what MLK Jr. way turns into) is also really nice.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by ECHOES2

close to parks

The University campus would pretty much fulfill that role for me. Living around it was like being near a big park with some buildings scattered about.