Areas of Berkeley and/or Oakland (Orange, Alameda: apartment, rentals, neighborhoods)

[InternationalOrange]

We're moving to the Bay Area soon from the east coast and are a straight couple in our early 40s, no kids, and are looking for safe, quieter parts of Oakland/Berkeley that are near a BART station, near shops and restaurants, and walkable. We're looking to rent a 1- or 2-bedroom apartment. Before we rent a place, we're going to be staying with friends in the Castro, so we'll be able to see neighborhoods first hand before we choose. We've changed our tactics because it seems we can get a bit more for our money in the East Bay, and while we'd like to live in SF eventually, the rental market seems so intense right now that we're going to "sit it out" for a bit and still enjoy the Bay without the craziness of the SF housing market.

We'll both be working in downtown SF during the week, and I'm wondering which neighborhoods would be best for us in Oakland and Berkeley (as well as any other ideas you may have -- as long as they fit the criteria I mention above). Does North Berkeley sound like a possibility? How about Rockridge? If I could wave a magic wand, I would live in SF's Noe Valley or Cole Valley -- so we're looking for that kind of feel, but in the East Bay. Thanks!

[DocGoldstein]

I always have a soft spot for Rockridge in Oakland because I rented there as a young man. It's safe, close to public transit, but now days, very expensive.

Nicer parts of Berkeley are north of Hearst, and East of Piedmont into the hills, also very pricey.

A lot of people like Alameda, and Emeryville as well.

[ragnarkar]

Originally Posted by InternationalOrange

We're moving to the Bay Area soon from the east coast and are a straight couple in our early 40s, no kids, and are looking for safe, quieter parts of Oakland/Berkeley that are near a BART station, near shops and restaurants, and walkable. We're looking to rent a 1- or 2-bedroom apartment. Before we rent a place, we're going to be staying with friends in the Castro, so we'll be able to see neighborhoods first hand before we choose. We've changed our tactics because it seems we can get a bit more for our money in the East Bay, and while we'd like to live in SF eventually, the rental market seems so intense right now that we're going to "sit it out" for a bit and still enjoy the Bay without the craziness of the SF housing market.

We'll both be working in downtown SF during the week, and I'm wondering which neighborhoods would be best for us in Oakland and Berkeley (as well as any other ideas you may have -- as long as they fit the criteria I mention above). Does North Berkeley sound like a possibility? How about Rockridge? If I could wave a magic wand, I would live in SF's Noe Valley or Cole Valley -- so we're looking for that kind of feel, but in the East Bay. Thanks!

I think the area near the North Berkeley BART station might be perfect if you don't mind an area that's a bit more suburban (but very quiet.)

[jade408]

If you don't mind a slightly longer walk to BART, try Piedmont Ave area in Oakland. Or the southern end Temescal. (About 5 blocks to Macarthur BART, depending on where you choose to live.

I live on the far end of Piedmont Ave near the Rose Garden, so it is about 1 mile to either 19th or Macarthur BARTs (apx a 5-10 minute bus ride to either). You can of course take the transbay bus for an SF commute.

You can also look around Pleasant Valley and Broadway. There are generally quite a few rentals there, and you are at the "crossroads" of Rockridge and Piedmont Ave. Around 1/2 to BART, plenty of bus access.

Piedmont Ave is a steal compared to other areas, most units have secure parking, and a 1 bedroom is around $1100. Last time I saw an opening, a 2 bedroom on my street was about $1300.