Berkeley

Center of Berkeley
Due to its location close to the University of California, Berkeley, there is a big market for students and housing here. The drive to campus from Central Berkeley is about five minutes, thus making Central Berkeley and ideal spot to live for many commuting students. Just outside of town is the Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center Park, a popular place to visit for the residents that live in Central Berkeley. Locals love to hang out and socialize there, especially when the weather is nice. If some grocery shopping needs to be done, the residents recommend the local Trader Joe’s right in town.

University Avenue is the best place for food in Central Berkeley. Along this street is a wide variety of restaurants to choose from when hungry. These include Three Stone Hearth, North Beach Pizza, Himalayan Flavors, West Coast Pizza, Long Life Vegi House, and Nation's Giant Hamburgers. Bars that reside in Central Berkeley include Pacific Standard Tap Room, Tupper & Reed, Albatross Pub, and Missouri Lounge. Central Berkeley is great for students who want a classic Berkeley experience while also being close to their classes.

What Berkeley Residents
Think About Their Apartments
overall
8.0
value
8.0
amenities
6.7
social
7.5
management
8.0
Median rents in Berkeley
Studio
$
2,000
1 Bedroom
$
2,200
2 Bedroom
$
3,000

Living in
Berkeley

Students
Good location
Restaurants
Easy Commute
Berkeley — 8.2/10 Rating (based on 34 neighborhood reviews)
Living on the side of North Berkeley closer to downtown has been great because you get the best of both worlds - quietness of North Berkeley with accessibility and transit options of downtown. The neighborhood is a bit lacking in bars, shops, and restaurants, but it's a popular area for Haas students. The commute up the hill gets old after a while, but the bus options are very helpful.
Keep reading
Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
The Lodge
Quiet and residential. There are less undergraduates living in this area and most folks are families/graduate students/professionals. Everything is super walkable (loved being able to walk to the Ashby BART station in 10 minutes). I never really drove anywhere because I could walk there in 30 mins. or less. Huge perk was living a stone's throw away from Berkeley Bowl.

There is a question at the bottom of this page asking if this neighborhood is affordable. I guess that's a relative question. In general, rent was a little over half my paycheck. The crazy thing is that I considered our apartment a great deal because for a graduate student, that's not so bad. Really, nowhere in Berkeley is affordable for graduate students who want their own bedroom. But relative to how bad it could've been, I think it was doable.
Keep reading
Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
2910 Wheeler St
Love living in Elmwood! Was definitely worth sacrificing on the size of our apartment within our budget in order to be here. Feels safe, quaint, and has good access to restaurants, grocery stores, public transit, campus, etc.
Keep reading
Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Hillegass Court Apartments
Lots of restaurants and bustle, and conveniently located near public transit, the university campus, restaurants, stores, etc. Make sure you're aware of your surroundings (the same as any other urban environment).
Keep reading
Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
2070 University Ave
West Berkeley is great if you want easy access to the rest of the Bay (I.e if you have a partner who might commute to SF/South Bay). The area has 4th st shops and restaurants along San Pablo and University that are walkable. I love being near Aquatic Park for runs and walks. It’s nice if you want some separation between your Haas life and your home life.
Keep reading
Reviewed by
4
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Fourth and U
Beautiful neighborhood, great food, feels safe. Not much to say here.
Keep reading
Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
New Californian Apartments
It's relatively quiet and feels safer than Southside. The area I'm in is slightly busier and louder since it's close to downtown but it's still nice to be close to restaurants and a little bit of night life.
Keep reading
Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
2087 Delaware St
Very safe neighborhood, haven't heard of a break-in or assault. The temperature is a few degrees warmer than on UC campus. The neighborhood has lovely restaurants and boutique stores. It's lovely.
Keep reading
Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
College Walk Apartments
Perfect distance from school so there are still students but not many undergrads, and there is a nice family neighborhood across the street. Safer than the rest of downtown Berkeley.
Keep reading
Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
The Stranda
Overall great location since it is close to school and close to restaurants on telegraph. However, the homeless population has been on the rise so sometimes I do feel unsafe.
Keep reading
Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
2390 Parker St
Located near freshmen dorms and Frat Row so it can get loud at night. Neighborhood is well-lit and close to campus/
Keep reading
Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Ida Louise Jackson Graduate House
Frat row, lots of people out so it feels pretty safe, a lot of car and people traffic.
Keep reading
Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Howard Hall Apartments
Several grocery stores nearby, family-friendly neighborhood. No complaints.
Keep reading
Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
2208 McGee Ave
Its a relatively safe neighbourhood with easy access to bus stops.
Keep reading
Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Allston + Stadium
Walkable distance to UCB campus, restaurants, BART and more.
Keep reading
Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Channing-Bowditch Apartments
Like that there are lots of transit and restaurant options.
Keep reading
Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
The Stranda
Can feel unsafe, but that's all around Berkeley
Keep reading
Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Hillegass Parker House BSC Co-op
South Berkeley is where most Berkeley students live. Most of the dorms for first year undergraduates on South Side so it can get busy. Because it's busy, it's generally more safer to walk around South Side. There are a lot of nearby restaurants and stores that you can go to and everything is within walking distance - no car generally needed on South Side. In terms of prices, the closer you are to campus, the more expensive it is. Having a roommate is a requirement for affordable rent.
Keep reading
Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Ida Louise Jackson Graduate House
PROS
+ Feels safe walking around late at night on weekends because there are always students out and about
+ Free street parking on weekends (good for guests)
CONS - Very very loud from Thursday through Sunday due to parties - No street parking on football game days (will be towed)
Keep reading
Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Howard Hall Apartments
At the foothills of the Berkeley hills, two blocks away from cheeseboard. Incredibly beautiful scenery both east & west, and a great place for walking around. Great food, walkable to campus, ideal location for me
Keep reading
Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
1322 Shattuck Ave
Not the cleanest and may not feel the safest given the neighborhood residents. But it is convenient to UC Berkeley campus and the wealth of retail and food options.
Keep reading
Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Berkeley Central
I have not felt that I was in danger in this neighborhood, but we did have someone break into our lobby and steal packages one time. There are sometimes people who will catcall you, but no one who is a serious threat. There are several bus stops within a quarter mile of the building, and multiple good restaurants within walking distance. There are also several grocery stores within a few blocks as well.
Keep reading
Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Parc at 1300
So far my experiences in our neighborhood have been well! A lot of residents in our building at Berkeley students. The area is not too loud (one of the reasons why I wanted to live in Northside) and I feel very safe walking home from school!
Keep reading
Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
1817 Oxford Street
Claremont is gorgeous albeit a bit bougie. There are cute shops and restaurants and it is a relatively quick walk to school. There are regular buses that pass through and easily accessible grocery stores.
Keep reading
Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
2912 Claremont Ave.
South Berkeley is solid, provided you are far enough south to be away from large undergrad populations. I wish there were a few more food options but generally only have good things to say.
Keep reading
Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Carleton Apartments
Excellent neighborhood. Good restaurants close by on College Ave. Access to several grocery stores nearby. Quiet, more residential than Southside close to campus and downtown.
Keep reading
Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Telegraph Gardens
Close to transit and places to eat, and UC, but safety is not great, and the atmosphere is a little depressing at times
Keep reading
Reviewed by
6
/10
Neighborhood Rating
K Street Flats
Frat row - lots of students - can be loud but safe because there's always people walking around!
Keep reading
Reviewed by
9
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Howard Hall Apartments
Elmwood is a great area. safe, cute restaurants, not too far from Haas campus
Keep reading
Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
2708 College Ave
Not the safest but pretty good restaurants and boba shops. Near transit.
Keep reading
Reviewed by
7
/10
Neighborhood Rating
2225 Channing Way
Very busy and loud, but super close to university and transit
Keep reading
Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
2409 College Ave
Suburban neighborhood, facing crowded street (San Pablo Ave)
Keep reading
Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
The Higby
Surrounded by lots of frats, can be loud on Weekends
Keep reading
Reviewed by
10
/10
Neighborhood Rating
Ida Louise Jackson Graduate House
No issues or comment on neighborhood
Keep reading
Reviewed by
8
/10
Neighborhood Rating
The Berk on Arch


Getting to Know
Berkeley

Neighborhood Boundaries

Best Apartments
in Berkeley

1817 Oxford Street

Check availability
Allston + Stadium

Check availability
1660 Oxford St

Check availability
College Walk Apartments

Check availability
2617 Hillegass Ave
3 Beds $3,720

Check availability
2125 6th St
2 Beds $3,000

Check availability