Living in Downtown Berkeley > Commuting to FinDistrict SF (Oakland: apartments, rentals)

[dothrakirider]

Hi All,

I know Berkeley is very liberal and I will be living in a university environment, but I would like opinions as to the thought of living in downtown Berkeley and commuting to the financial district/downtown SF.

I have not visited Berkeley yet, but the images appear to have the environment I like: clean(er), lower rent, green, open space and lots of great coffee shops/restaurants, etc. I don't mind the college environment.

How would the commute be by train or car? Most likely I'll take a train, but on occasion (1x per month) might have to drive in.

Thanks.

[Ruth4Truth]

It's easy on BART. There are several BART stations serving downtown, and north Berkeley. I'd suggest you live a few blocks north of downtown, as the downtown area has a lot of homelessness. Or east of downtown, toward the hills. There are also nice neighborhoods with coffee shops, restaurants, theater, etc. in south Berkeley, closer to Oakland, and there's a BART station there, too. Look around the Elmwood district, which is an easy bike or bus ride from the university, as well as downtown (-ish) and north Berkeley.

And, hopefully you realize that "lower rent" is very relative in the Bay Area. Yes, it's lower than SF. El Cerrito and Albany, bordering on N. Berkeley, are even lower. If I were you, I'd look for in-law apartments in people's homes in the hills around the university. You can find some "deals" there, sometimes, and those neighborhoods are beautiful. Again, "deal" is relative. Some students find rentals along Euclid Street, north of the university; beautiful area in the hills, yet close to the U (there's bus svce, too), views of the Bay, a rose garden park. There are lots of nice pockets within walking distance of the U, or an easy bike ride or short bus ride.

[04kL4nD]

I wouldn't call downtown Berkeley or anything on/near University Ave/Telegraph "clean". Lots of bums/panhandlers and homeless. I also wouldn't call Berkeley "lower rent"- it's a lot more expensive than Oakland and other East Bay cities and the housing stock is really dumpy and old. You should really visit yourself so you know what to expect. Now, with that said, there are plenty of nice areas in Berkeley like Solano Ave, Elmwood, 4th street, etc that are a lot nicer than downtown.

[dothrakirider]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

It's easy on BART. There are several BART stations serving downtown, and north Berkeley. I'd suggest you live a few blocks north of downtown, as the downtown area has a lot of homelessness. Or east of downtown, toward the hills. There are also nice neighborhoods with coffee shops, restaurants, theater, etc. in south Berkeley, closer to Oakland, and there's a BART station there, too. Look around the Elmwood district, which is an easy bike or bus ride from the university, as well as downtown (-ish) and north Berkeley.

And, hopefully you realize that "lower rent" is very relative in the Bay Area. Yes, it's lower than SF. El Cerrito and Albany, bordering on N. Berkeley, are even lower. If I were you, I'd look for in-law apartments in people's homes in the hills around the university. You can find some "deals" there, sometimes, and those neighborhoods are beautiful. Again, "deal" is relative. Some students find rentals along Euclid Street, north of the university; beautiful area in the hills, yet close to the U (there's bus svce, too), views of the Bay, a rose garden park. There are lots of nice pockets within walking distance of the U, or an easy bike ride or short bus ride.

As long as it's cleaner and has less homeless and junkies than SF, I'll be fine with that.

By 'lower rent', I mean lower than Marina and Noe Valley (lower than $3,400/month).

I've taken a look at Berkeley Hills, but I'd like to walk to BART and would like to have restaurants/shops right outside my doorsteps - as in next door or across the street.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by dothrakirider

I've taken a look at Berkeley Hills, but I'd like to walk to BART and would like to have restaurants/shops right outside my doorsteps - as in next door or across the street.

You'll be looking at student housing, then, unless you go a few blocks north of downtown (also good restaurants, etc., and some students, but no slumlord-type places--more post-student-age folks, families, in-law rentals, small apt. bldgs), or to the Solano Ave. area (great for restaurants, etc., BART nearby, across the county line in El Cerrito) or south to Elmwood. Also look in Rockridge (north Oakland, bordering on Elmwood/Berkeley). Similar to the other areas: restaurants, variety of grocers, from high-end to ordinary chains to neighborhood produce stalls, bookstores, etc. And BART right there.

Sounds like you have a realistic picture of rents.

[likealady]

Originally Posted by 04kL4nD

I wouldn't call downtown Berkeley or anything on/near University Ave/Telegraph "clean". Lots of bums/panhandlers and homeless.

I tend to agree with this. Last time I was in Berkeley a few months ago there were a bunch of homeless sleeping on the sidewalks. Commuting is relatively easy, but you might have to make a transfer on weekends. Just remember, while you might be fine with a college town, you might not appreciate loud parties when you have to wake up at 7 the next morning.

[dothrakirider]

Originally Posted by likealady

I tend to agree with this. Last time I was in Berkeley a few months ago there were a bunch of homeless sleeping on the sidewalks. Commuting is relatively easy, but you might have to make a transfer on weekends. Just remember, while you might be fine with a college town, you might not appreciate loud parties when you have to wake up at 7 the next morning.

True, hoping that Berkeley students are not as party-hardy as ASU students, per se.

Nevertheless, if I can get a very nice 1BD (nice neighborhood, clean with doorstep access to nice restaurants, lounges, etc.) for $3,000 then I'll be happy.

I really don't want to live in SF, so figuring out other areas. Sausalito for sometime but the commute seems to be a real hassle.

So now it's essentially Berkeley or back to looking at Marina/Noe, etc.

[jade408]

I think Berkeley is a poor value compared to Oakland. Generally sucky apartments and more stuff to do. Definitely skip the areas around Ashby BART, not very walkable.

But if you want a shiny new place, and are willing to pay for it, downtown Berkeley is slightly better than downtown Oakland since the student crowd gives you all day businesses on the weekend. If you don't want something new, than places like Adams Point in Oakland or Grand Lake or Temescal or Piedmont Ave are better neighborhoods with more selection of stuff to do and entertainment oriented to older crowds.

Downtown Berkeley gets old quick.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by dothrakirider

True, hoping that Berkeley students are not as party-hardy as ASU students, per se.

Nevertheless, if I can get a very nice 1BD (nice neighborhood, clean with doorstep access to nice restaurants, lounges, etc.) for $3,000 then I'll be happy.

I really don't want to live in SF, so figuring out other areas. Sausalito for sometime but the commute seems to be a real hassle.

So now it's essentially Berkeley or back to looking at Marina/Noe, etc.

With that budget, you'll have a lot of choices, OP. Elmwood is more expensive, because it's a nicer neighborhood and has the kind of amenities you're looking for. You'll be able to afford it. There are new, high-end apt. bldgs right in downtown, but you wouldn't want to live there, due to the dirt/homeless factors. But I'm sure you'll find something you'll be happy with. Do us a favor, and post back here with a photo or location, when you've found your dream place.

Are you sure the commute to downtown SF from Sausalito is a hassle? The ferry makes it pretty easy.

[dothrakirider]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

With that budget, you'll have a lot of choices, OP. Elmwood is more expensive, because it's a nicer neighborhood and has the kind of amenities you're looking for. You'll be able to afford it. There are new, high-end apt. bldgs right in downtown, but you wouldn't want to live there, due to the dirt/homeless factors. But I'm sure you'll find something you'll be happy with. Do us a favor, and post back here with a photo or location, when you've found your dream place.

Are you sure the commute to downtown SF from Sausalito is a hassle? The ferry makes it pretty easy.

Problem with Ferry is that I need to find a place close to the Ferry terminal (I wouldn't want to drive car to terminal every morning and back) and then be at the mercy of the Ferry schedule. As I might be working irregular hours, the thought of Uber'ing often across the bridge seems like a hassle.

But, if anyone can change my mind - please do so, Sausalito has most of what I want (unsure of the nightlife though, I'm 30s).

As for Oakland, something I'll have to look into. Never been but the word conjures up crime, homeless and general despair. I've only heard about Oakland in the same vein as East L.A. or Detroit (w/o the bankruptcy).

I also don't want to live in a too 'quiet' area, hence the restaurants, shops, lounges at my doorstep. If only Marina was $500 cheaper... ahhh.