I'm a remote worker and Crime rate is something to consider — Berkeley sits at 503.3 per 100K. Rent is about $2,127/month for a decent place. With a population of 120K, Berkeley is a mid-size city. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Any advice would be great. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The food scene here is surprisingly good. It's changing fast — some good, some not so much. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
15 upvotes
4 Replies
phoenix_asher
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Sunset for 13 years. Moved from Raleigh for a job opportunity. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is surprisingly good. We bought in 2016 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 4-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. healthcare is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is underrated - we have rivers within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Sunset schools are solid. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Limited public transit options. Chain restaurants dominate. And weather can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 9/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
39 upvotes
Logan T.
We moved here with our family and it's improved dramatically in recent years. Schools in West area are average. Kids love it here.
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