All Countries
Olivia R.
qa
Dog-friendly places in Berkeley?
The suburbs are where most families end up. Worth the trade-offs? Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable.
6 upvotes
11 Replies
Elena S.
The food scene here is improving. Tons of great Italian places. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
39 upvotes
Jace Hughes
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 55, moved here 1 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Highland and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited shopping options
3. The cultural scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Seattle, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
Background: I'm a sales manager, 55, moved here 1 years ago from Seattle. I've lived in Highland and Midtown, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Low crime in most neighborhoods
2. Good healthcare facilities
3. Affordable housing options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Not a lot of cultural diversity
2. Limited shopping options
3. The cultural scene situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Highland: Great for remote workers. excellent vibes, walkable.
- Midtown: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Seattle, everything felt excellent. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are affordable. Gas is growing. You can live comfortably on $100K-$110K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
30 upvotes
William S.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
If you value cost of living, you'll love it. The school system is genuinely surprisingly good and I've found I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. My neighborhood (Pine Hills) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Pittsburgh, be prepared for the culture shock. dating scene is completely different here. And Nightlife is limited.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
29 upvotes
Natalie M.
I've been living here for 5 years and I'd say it's improved dramatically in recent years. The dating scene is pretty good compared to other places I've lived. Overall Would recommend to anyone considering it..
26 upvotes
John Cox
Came here for retirement and stayed because it's improved dramatically in recent years. The job market is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
21 upvotes
Emmett Robinson
seconding this
17 upvotes
Cora Miller
Moved here from San Francisco about 10 years ago. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Still getting used to weather but Happy to answer more specific questions..
14 upvotes
Brooks Brown
Bought a house here in 2021 and it exceeded my expectations. Property values have gone about the same since then.
12 upvotes
Eliana R.
Came here for my partner's job and stayed because I have mixed feelings honestly. The food scene is honestly challenging and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
12 upvotes
Joseph G.
preach
12 upvotes
Benjamin A.
Moved here from Charlotte about 3 years ago. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. Still getting used to healthcare but Hope this helps!.
2 upvotes