Questions about Emeryville/Berkeley--Need help fast!! (Oakland, Richmond: apartments, rentals, houses)

[joemerrick]

My girlfriend is currently in Emeryville looking for apartments; she was recently hired on at UC Berkeley. Unfortunately, I will not be moving down there--we're from Puyallup/Tacoma WA--with her right away, so I am concerned about the area she will live in, alone, for the next six months. I'd spend anywhere from $1500-1700 month for a studio apartment if I knew she would be safe.

I would really appreciate some good descriptions of the surrounding areas, especially how safe a neighborhood would be for a "single" woman. She will have a car, but the commute to UC Berkeley should be no more than 30 minutes.

Right now she is thinking of just getting a place in Emeryville on Shellmound St. called Archstone. I have heard that anything near Christie, above the 6400 block, is okay, but I've also heard that at night it can be a little sketchy.

Your help is greatly appreciated. I can't wait to get down there myself.

[bigdave01]

I think that is a decent area. There is a lot of newer construction and retail around there. Is there a reason she didn't want to live in Berkeley near the campus?

[joemerrick]

I'm not sure. I think she doesn't want to live amongst the students, but to me, that seems like it would be safe and comforting to have that around. Thanks bigdave01 for your quick response. Any ideas on other neighborhoods?

[bigdave01]

It depends, does she have a car(if not than it would be best to be near a BART station), and would she prefer a more urban or suburban area?

I know Albany, just north of Berkeley is a very nice area. Alameda is also a great town. There are also some nice parts of Oakland such as Rockridge, Temescal, Piedmont Grand Lakeshore. These would all be very easy commutes. If she wants more suburban and upscale there is Orinda, Moraga, and Lafayette. Walnut Creek is very nice but further away.

It just depends on what she's looking for, but I think that location in Emeryville would be alright. It is close to some bad areas, but I think it is fairly safe.

[joemerrick]

I think any area would be fine. She will have a car, so as long as the commute isn't over 20-30 minutes it shouldn't be a problem. Yeah, I saw Albany and thought that looked about right. When you say close to bad areas, how close? I appreciate the help.

[bigdave01]

Well, Emeryville has always had sort of an industrial reputation. Not too many people live there, although the newer areas are nice.

West Oakland is pretty bad, and so are many parts of north Oakland. I think the area around San Pablo and Adeline has a bad reputation. She would be fine in Emeryville.

Good Luck on your search.

[MrPointy]

I'm not sure Emeryville has anything special to offer if she is working at UCB.
If she is OK with a suburban area, El Cerrito/Richmond hills (around arlington road) is
an AWESOME area. Very nice environment, and above arlington there is the wildcat canyon park;
I used to live there, and used to see deer wandering about. Also ultra safe and no pollution.
I loved it when I was there. Great for nature lovers.

Quick commute to Berkeley ~10-15 mins.

Very nice houses, and decent rent too.

Piedmont is another option if she wants to be closer to shops.

Also, its not like there are students everywhere in Berkeley. Typically students live in downtown or close to the
university. If she goes to Berkeley hills, there will not be that many students around.

On a scale of 1-10 for safety I'd say El Cerrito Richmond hills rates as a 10, piedmont an 8,
Berkeley Hills 8.5, Albany 6.5, Emeryville 5, Oakland around adeline street 3

There is also Oakalnd hills (hills are generally safer as they have a suburban environment)

[joemerrick]

Thanks for the tips. I will look into those areas and see if there are any apartments for rent.

[MrPointy]

She should use
https://calrentals.housing.berkeley.edu/
Good listings there.

[joemerrick]

Yeah, she had Berkeley set her up with that site. I'm not sure if she is using it or not. I had suggested the same thing to her after I had done a little research.