East Bay safety - south Berkeley vs parts of Oakland? (San Francisco: transplants, to rent)

[artemis78]

I know both areas well. The Oakland location is going to feel more comfortable generally and is closer to the types of things it sounds like you're interested in. (San Pablo/Dwight is a growing shopping/eating area but nothing like Uptown/Piedmont Ave/Temescal, which are walkable from 28th/B'way--and Lake Merritt is also an easy walk.) I think they're actually pretty comparable in terms of safety/crime and they both have the issue of most area businesses shutting down at night, but I am personally more comfortable walking Broadway at night than that stretch of SP. (Granted, I live nearby so also do this more, which I'm sure contributes to the comfort level.) The foot traffic along Broadway has picked up considerably over the last decade as Uptown has grown, and with the new grocery store and the development going in nearby, this seems likely to continue. The free Broadway shuttle runs till 1 am to 27th and Broadway on the weekends, so you have a free ride home if you go out (and there is a study underway to extend it on weekdays, too).

The one thing to consider is your commute--the bus (51A) that runs on Broadway doesn't go all the way to campus; it splits in Rockridge so you have to transfer to the 51B, which is a PITA. In theory they are timed but in practice I have been stranded in Rockridge for as long as an hour waiting. The better option is to walk a few blocks west to Telegraph and get the 1 Rapid, which really is rapid and is one of the fastest ways to UC--but it will still take half an hour. It's about the same time to bike (and an easy bike ride that is mostly flat and mostly along bike boulevards). If your job is on the side of campus near BART, you can also take BART, which is quick provided you don't have to wait for the train (in which case it's a wash with the bus). SP is likely a better commute.

North Berkeley is great, but if SP/Ashby and 28th/Broadway are your price points, North Berkeley is likely well out of reach, sadly. It's one of the most expensive neighborhoods in Berkeley.

[athleticsfan72737489]

Originally Posted by jade408

It's OK, but not that pedestrian friendly! It is very very car oriented pretty much the whole way. I think the most pedestrian friendly zone is roughly Dwight to Gilman, but it is still pretty crappy. Cars go way too fast and there are so many driveways. It also has no foot traffic.

On the other hand, the 72 bus is not that great in any part of the route!

I agree with this. San Pablo Avenue is SUPER car oriented.

I take my car for service at the Subaru specialist on San Pablo and Allston. I usually leave my car there for a few hours and attempt to kill time in the area. The last time, I walked down San Pablo to Cafe Trieste (corner of SP and Dwight).

The walk down was terrible. Cars were whizzing by and there were no other pedestrians (other than maybe one or two unsavory characters). From University to Dwight, San Pablo is mainly oil change places, independent mechanics, tire shops, smog check places, furniture shops, empty lots, etc.

In hindsight I should have walked down 10th Street instead. It runs parallel to San Pablo and is tree-lined and residential.

[ketch89]

I live near 27th and Harrison - the Oakland location is much better than the Berkeley location. You'd be a 5-minute walk from First Fridays. Heed Jade408's advice, she's spot on.

[dandylion84]

I also say north Berkeley or Albany. Solano is a great area with stuff going on, you're close to campus, you'll feel very safe walking around, and you have BART nearby for trips to SF. One big advantage of Berkeley is that the Berkeley police are good. Oakland police are an absolute joke, might as well have no police force at all. I think you're crazy if you're going to be walking around 28th and Broadway at night alone as a single young female.

[JohnS_15]

I lived in N. Berkeley/Albany/El Cerrito area for a few years and it is very nice and safe, but it is quieter and more family oriented -- maybe even boring to some.


Jade408 and artemis78 had great posts. Sounds like the Broadway location would suit you very well.
Congratulations on your job and good luck on your move. Berkeley/Oakland are amazing - you'll love it.


As for the "Frisco debate"...I'm not sure anyone really cares that much. But if you are white and new to the area you'll peg yourself as a new transplant if you refer to it as such. "Cali" is the other one people get uppity about... I've lived here in California most of my life and I sometimes refer to it as Cali and don't really care if people don't like it.

[rbehs]

While the Oakland location has advantages, I don't think you need to rule out Berkeley. It's not as desolate as some are making it sound. I've worked in the neighborhood for ten years, and it has changed quite a bit. The stretch of San Pablo used to be pretty notorious for prostitution, but that's not as evident now. One of the best grocery stores in the Bay area is right there (Berkeley Bowl West), there is former dive bar turned hipster bar (Missouri Lounge), a good selection of restaurants (Spoon, 900 Grayson, Paisan, Anchalee, Standard Fare, Smoke), a whiskey bar that's expensive but has a great selection (Longbranch), a brewery with regular tastings (Rare Barrel), etc. Definitely not as much as what's going on in Oakland, but enough to provide a neighborhood feel. If you have a car, it could be a workable option. It's also a good neighborhood for jogging/dog walking, because the path along the Bay leads right to Cesar Chavez park. The local bookstore, Black Oak, is closing, however, because there was not enough foot traffic on San Pablo to support it.

[sav858]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

#1. Don't call it "Frisco". Just....don't.

You can call it Frisco this Friday FYI.

Call it Frisco

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by sav858

You can call it Frisco this Friday FYI.

Call it Frisco

"Bagdad By The Bay"? Um....maybe not.

[jade408]

Originally Posted by rbehs

While the Oakland location has advantages, I don't think you need to rule out Berkeley. It's not as desolate as some are making it sound. I've worked in the neighborhood for ten years, and it has changed quite a bit. The stretch of San Pablo used to be pretty notorious for prostitution, but that's not as evident now. One of the best grocery stores in the Bay area is right there (Berkeley Bowl West), there is former dive bar turned hipster bar (Missouri Lounge), a good selection of restaurants (Spoon, 900 Grayson, Paisan, Anchalee, Standard Fare, Smoke), a whiskey bar that's expensive but has a great selection (Longbranch), a brewery with regular tastings (Rare Barrel), etc. Definitely not as much as what's going on in Oakland, but enough to provide a neighborhood feel. If you have a car, it could be a workable option. It's also a good neighborhood for jogging/dog walking, because the path along the Bay leads right to Cesar Chavez park. The local bookstore, Black Oak, is closing, however, because there was not enough foot traffic on San Pablo to support it.

I'd say it isn't a great location to not be in a car. Berkeley Bowl is great, but not that easy to access without a car. It isn't very easy to get out of the neighborhood without a car. Downtown Berkeley is trek, there is no easy way to navigate the east to west direction in south Berkeley via transit!

[Bisaro TMF]

Originally Posted by eureka1

DON'T listen to this guy.

Ok guy from Eureka.