Berkeley - public schools and other info (Aguilar: crime, motel)

[drmoneytails]

Hello everyone

On my quest to finding the perfect house in a cool neighborhood..
I found this home on Berkeley that other than having a high price tag, has everything I want in a house (I guess if it was cheaper, it would be lacking a few characteristics..)

But at least by looking on the schools assigned to this home on redfin, they don't seem to be any good ( ranked a 4, 5 and a 6). Where do people that live in Berkeley send their kids to? Any public school option?

And what else can you guys tell me about Berkeley? Good area? Liberal? Safe?

[MissTerri]

It's a great area but the school situation could be a challenge. You're about six years out from having school aged kids so you never really know what could change in that period of time. It could stay the same, it could get better, it could get worse. I know people who live in that area who were able to choice into Edison but I don't know how easy of an option that is anymore.

[SkyDog77]

Great area. Lots of restaurants, bars, shops. Safe, liberal, but I would probably be going the private school route.

[84rabbit]

Edison may be harder to choice into now... they are part of a new DPS program that prioritizes low-income students in the school choice process. Boundary kids still get top priority. Here is a link with more info:

Enrollment Pilot | Choice

[Monacles]

Are there areas of Berkeley to avoid?

Are the homes along federal boulevard near I-70 safe?

[Count David]

Originally Posted by Monacles

Are there areas of Berkeley to avoid?

Are the homes along federal boulevard near I-70 safe?

If you mean safe from things that aren't cars, I would think so.

Berkeley is 100% fine now, and the definition of enlightened/liberal.

Beware of realtors who refer to the Regis neighborhood (north of I-70) as Berkeley though. They are lying.

[Monacles]

Originally Posted by David Aguilar

If you mean safe from things that aren't cars, I would think so.

Berkeley is 100% fine now, and the definition of enlightened/liberal.

Beware of realtors who refer to the Regis neighborhood (north of I-70) as Berkeley though. They are lying.

Looking at crime reports for that part of Berkeley it looks like there are a lot of meth/heroin busts and some small theft. Not sure if this is the sketchy corner of Berkeley or if these are crimes reported because Federal is a major street and people are getting pulled over there. If it's a little sketchy I'd rather pay another $25k to move more central to Berkeley to a less meth-y area.

[Count David]

Originally Posted by Monacles

Looking at crime reports for that part of Berkeley it looks like there are a lot of meth/heroin busts and some small theft. Not sure if this is the sketchy corner of Berkeley or if these are crimes reported because Federal is a major street and people are getting pulled over there. If it's a little sketchy I'd rather pay another $25k to move more central to Berkeley to a less meth-y area.

There are a few businesses along Federal (you will see spikes in crime at major intersections/shopping), and there is what is probably a very shady motel right at I-70/Federal, which I presume could be the source of the busts.