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South Berkeley

South Berkeley

3.7
$1,280,273 Average Value
$828 Average Price per Sq Ft
16 Homes For Sale

A convenient and vibrant residential neighborhood

The established neighborhood of South Berkeley is the residential anchor of this diverse East Bay college town, featuring an eclectic mix of eateries, independent stores and plenty of opportunities for community engagement. The tree-lined streets here are populated by a dense collection of homes that serve a variety of residents, including Berkeley’s largest concentration of undergraduate students. Fitting, since downtown and the University of California Berkeley campus are nearby. “It’s a convenient, centrally located, vibrant neighborhood,” says Dan Fitzpatrick of the Fitzpatrick Real Estate Group, who has worked in the Bay Area for 15 years. “There are a lot of amenities, and it’s flat, so you can walk or bike pretty much anywhere.”

Craftsman homes anchor a collection of established housing

While South Berkeley continues to build apartments and condos, single-family houses are still its most popular option. Craftsman-inspired homes, including California bungalows, are most popular here, but homebuyers can find plenty of multi-level Victorian-styles and smaller Mission-styles, as well. Prices range from the mid-$800,000s to more than $1.5 million. Condominiums in this neighborhood start at $400,000. “There’s been quite a bit of development…,” Fitzpatrick says. “But you still have those really classic single-family homes. And Craftsman homes are what Berkeley is known for.”

Berkeley Bowl, ethnic eateries highlight retail and dining options

There are a wide selection of retail and dining options spread throughout the neighborhood and along several commercial corridors. Neighborhood landmark The Berkeley Bowl is a large organic supermarket known for its fresh produce and specialty foods. “It’s one of the best grocery stores in the area,” Fitzpatrick says. “You can get anything you want.” In fact, according to Fitzpatrick, celebrated food author Michael Pollan shops there. Just blocks away are Café Buenos Aires and Lemat Ethiopian Restaurant. Kiraku and Kirala are popular Japanese eateries, and the Durant Food Court offers more variety on the neighborhood’s north side. Moe’s Books, a neighborhood institution since 1959, hosts readings and other literary events. And The Starry Plough Irish pub has been a staple of East Bay nightlife for more than 50 years.

Community engagement comprises a diversity of events, gathering places

Community is an important theme in the neighborhood. Residents gather regularly at the South Berkeley Farmers Market and the Berkeley Flea Market, a popular weekend event that was originally organized by artists and activists more than 50 years ago. The flea market is held in the Ashby BART Station, which has become the focal point of a burgeoning arts district. It’s also the location of the Ed Roberts Campus, an event hub designed as an accessible gathering place for individuals with disabilities. The campus, named after the first student with significant disabilities to attend UC Berkeley, includes meeting rooms, offices, a child development center and vocational training facilities among its amenities.

Centrally located Ashby BART station a "big selling point"

Of course, the main role of the Ashby BART station is to provide easy commutes throughout Berkeley and the Bay Area. “From the Ashby stop, you can be to San Francisco in 25 minutes. Anywhere with a BART station these days, they’re really promoting transportation, so the neighborhood is a really up-and-coming area for development,” Fitzpatrick says. The Ashby station is also one stop from the downtown station, which places residents in the city’s commercial center and a block from the UC Berkeley campus. Additional public transportation is easily accessible throughout the neighborhood, with bus stops concentrated along Shattuck and Ashby avenues. Residents who work outside the city have relatively easy access to nearby metropolitan areas. Oakland borders the southern edge of the neighborhood, and San Francisco is a quick trip across the bay via Interstate 80. San Francisco International Airport is a 25-mile drive via I-80 and U.S. Route 101.

Students can attend a trio of top-rated public schools

Students can attend Malcolm X Elementary School, A-rated by Niche, and Longfellow Middle School, rated B-plus, in the neighborhood. Nearby Berkeley High is rated A-plus. The neighborhood’s American International Montessori School is a private option serving students through sixth grade.

Grove Park is the largest of four convenient green spaces

There are four green spaces in the neighborhood: Greg Brown Park, Grove Park, Halcyon Commons, and the Prince Street Mini Park. Halcyon Commons is a community-designed green space. The other three all feature playgrounds, and Grove Park is the center of athletic activity, offering amenities for softball, tennis and volleyball.

Matt Pallister
Written By
Matt Pallister
Michael Chen
Photography Contributed By
Michael Chen
Bob Yukich
Video By
Bob Yukich

Agents Specializing in South Berkeley, CA

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Metro Oakland International

22 min drive

Subway

Ashby Station

Bus

Shattuck Av & Woolsey St

Bus

Dana St & Haste St

Bus

Ashby Av & Telegraph Av

Bus

Adeline St & Oregon St

Bus

Residence Hall Unit 3 Channing & Telegraph

Bus

Martin Luther King Jr Way & Parker St

Bus

Shattuck Av & Derby St

Reviews

Niche Reviews
3.7 24 Reviews
4.0 Niche User
5/2/2015 Niche Review
In my complex people don't tend to interact very much. We are friendly with each other and greet each other, but not much more than that. The neighborhood surrounding it seems to be very friendly. When a fire happened last year, a bunch of neighbors came out to help out. A lot of the kids in the neighborhood tend to play outside in the front yard with each other on weekends.
3.0 Niche User
5/2/2015 Niche Review
I am not very active in local politics. I am near a police station, so that makes me safe sometimes. I have mixed feelings on our police force. Sometimes I think they do good but other times I feel like they take drastic measures. I appreciate the tax on soda.
4.0 Niche User
6/18/2014 Niche Review
Plenty of public transportation and extremely pedestrian and biker friendly area. The traffic sometimes gets bad but it is also somewhat avoidable.
3.0 Niche User
10/17/2015 Niche Review
Although there is a high rate of crime, this place has the feel of community to me. I feel like a know a majority of the people who live in the area.
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Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime South Berkeley US
Homicide 4 4
Sexual Assault 5 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 5 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 5 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
2,705
Number of Homes for Sale
16
Median Year Built
1912
Months of Supply
1.30
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,474
Significantly below the national average
1,934
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,370
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,048
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
704
Average Studio Size Sq Ft
650
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
4,356

Open Houses

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
26
Median Rent
$2,750
Median Single Family Home Rent
$2,875
Median 3 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$3,950
Median Townhouse Rent
$6,100
Median 2 Bedroom Townhouse Rent
$4,295
Median Condo Rent
$2,498
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$2,893

Demographics

Total Population
30,686
Median Age
28
Population Density
38 ppl/acre
Population under 18
21.7%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
9.2%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$72,275
Below the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$108,642

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
94.9%
College Graduates
65.1%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
30.4%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
56.7%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
26''
Average Winter Low Temperature
43°F
Average Summer High Temperature
75°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Moderately bikeable

Bikeability®

70 / 100

Very walkable

Walkability®

80 / 100

Strong public transit

Transit®

80 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
South Berkeley