Moving to Berkeley from Orange County with small children
We are moving from suburb of orange county to east bay and really like Berkeley area. I pretty much read all (almost all) reviews related below two things but still have some concerns. Hope Berkeley locals can provide some insights.
- Safety - What neighborhood is consider "safe" in Berkeley so I dont need to worry about 1. burglary, theft or even assault since my husband travels for work 2.my kids and I can go for a walk after dinner 3.when my kids get older they can play outside or walk/bike to schools by themselves. We heard Berkeley hills is the safest but we prefer flat area where we can walk to parks, shops and markets.
- Public Middle and High School - Our plan is to keep our kids at Berkeley public school from K to 12. I read many good reviews about Berkeley elementary schools but did not see any "recent" reviews about middle schools and Berkeley high school. Is King the only one good middle school in Berkeley? Is safety still an issue in Berkeley High School?
Thank you
Feb 28, 2017
Parent Replies
I grew up in Orange County, and most of my family still lives there.... and I have lived in Berkeley for 17 years now. I'm sure you know this, but Orange County suburbs and Berkeley are vastly different in so many ways. The safety that you might feel in Orange County is just not going to compare really to Berkeley. It's just so different geographically, sociologically, so much more urban.
I appreciate so much about Berkeley and have loved raising my kids here. I am struck by the difference between the two places every time we visit Orange County. Now that my kids are older (10 and 13), they are too. They much prefer Berkeley and value the diversity they see here.
That said, the feeling of safety is very different here. In terms of break-ins, that happens all over Berkeley. Don't think it matters that much whether you choose hills or flats. Take precautions. Get a dog or an alarm system. Lock your side gates when you leave for the day. Upside of the flats is that you are going to know your neighbors and there are more "eyes" on things.
I don't think I would enjoy living in the hills that much with kids. No sidewalks, nowhere to ride your bike, no cafes or restaurants or parks to just walk to quickly. But that's a lot like the Orange County suburbs! We love being able to walk and bike everywhere, from breakfast cafe to our favorite Thai restaurant, many parks, BART station.....
You might enjoy neighborhoods between the hills and the flats where you can still walk to a lot but not quite as urban.
Real estate in Berkeley is insane right now. I'm sure you know that, but just take a close look. I'm blown away by the prices lately.
I have a kid at King. It's definitely not the only good middle school in Berkeley. It's the prettiest and gets the most accolades, but the other two are just as good. And smaller and your kid will be "known" more. As for Berkeley High, its a very large urban public high school in the middle of a downtown area. Safety is a concern, but I don't think any more so than ever before.
My nieces in Orange County are used to a very different educational approach than we have here in Berkeley, so be ready for that as well.
We are OC transplants also, if possible I'd suggest a trip up here first to explore all neighboring areas. A LOT of areas here are hilly w/out sidewalks and I find it offputting with kids. Depending on what part of OC you are from you may like the Lamorinda area as well. I know this doesn't directly answer your questions but for us, when we moved down here we knew immediately which areas were or were not for us.
The flats are probably safer from the perspective of better sidewalks for walking, and being closer to destinations. My impression is that most children walk to middle school themselves, and a parent walks them to elementary school or they take the bus. Where we live in the Northwest flats, middle-school was also the age for walking other places like the stores or friend's house in the daytime. The big problem is traffic. From Willard going west there are a number of busy streets (Telegraph, Shattuck, MLK) to cross, and from King going west there is Sacramento Street which could use another light or two. You would have to work with your children on using routes with lights and paying attention at intersections.
At night, it doesn't seem like a great idea for a middle-schooler to be walking around alone. For a high-schooler on a bike it is fine, though most parents pick up students from their friends' houses.
Berkeley High is safe assuming your student doesn't go looking for trouble.
Middle school is also a good time to start organizing walk-to-schools groups in your immediate neighborhood, perhaps with a parent or two to start, and then the kids on their own. Grade 6 can be intimidating, and walking in a small group gives young ones a chance to feel secure and make some new friends.
Did you also consider El Cerrito and/or Albany; Richmond Annex, Point, Marina Bay or View? These are also relatively safe, walkable and schools are fine. Most of these Richmond locations are zoned for El Cerrito middle and high schools.
Check out Albany! It's safe, walkable, BARTable, and it has good schools. Albany is north of Berkeley and is very family oriented.