Berkeley: Free-Spirited City Shares Bay City's Hot Market, High Prices by Courtney Ronan
Perhaps no other city in the United States can rival San Francisco for its free-wheeling nature and its fascinating tapestry of people -- from artists to musicians to educators. No other city except Berkeley, that is, which sits within full view of the City by the Bay, close enough to share its infectious spirit. Berkeley exudes a spirit that is staunchly Californian, and yet international at the same time. Situated on rolling hills overlooking the San Francisco Bay and connected to the city by a scenic bridge, Berkeley is home to the one of the most revered sectors of the University of California system. Here, at UC-Berkeley, the "Free Speech Movement" took the campus by storm during the turbulent 1960s. There was no place more exciting. From that point on, both the university and the surrounding city became internationally known for their easy acceptance of all backgrounds and cultures and for their fierce devotion to various causes. Thanks to UC-Berkeley, the surrounding city benefits from a wealth of jobs, cultural and sporting events and access to top-caliber educational resources, including its libraries. Much like neighboring San Francisco (which now commands the nation's highest asking prices and rental rates), Berkeley's housing market is white hot. In addition to its proximity to the Bay Area, Berkeley has breathtaking scenery in its own right -- most notably a spectacular chain of lush, green parklands. To sit among these heavily treed preserves is an escape from the hum of the surrounding city. Communing with nature is one of the locals' favorite pastimes, mainly because Berkeley's location in the middle of Northern California keeps temperatures mild year-round. To fully appreciate the natural wonders within Berkeley's city limits, you'll want to visit Berkeley Municipal Rose Garden, ranked among Northern California's best. Some 250 varieties bloom on approximately 3,000 rose bushes, situated within view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Photography addicts will want to pay a visit to Berkeley Marina, which commands some of the most breathtaking views of the San Francisco skyline and the Golden Gate Bridge, as well as the gorgeous terrain of Berkeley. Tilden Regional Park contains more than 2,000 acres of meadowlands and forests, all of which offer memorable views of the San Francisco Bay area. And the University of California Botanical Garden, known throughout the world for its diversity of plant life, is a must-see. You'll have the unprecedented opportunity to view a Chinese medicinal herb garden as well as historic redwood forests. Not all of Berkeley's attractions are outdoors, however. The existence of a vibrant local artist population has given rise to numerous art galleries, which present a broad range of works. Berkeley also is home to a proliferation of local theater companies as well as a local symphony and opera. Retail shops in Berkeley shun the sterile suburban mall environment, and instead line streets where pedestrians stop and mingle amidst outdoor displays. And due to the international atmosphere of Berkeley, its restaurants offer visitors a gastronomic United Nations, including every cuisine from Spanish and Thai to African and Indian. So what will it cost you for a piece of Berkeley real estate? A pretty penny. It's quite difficult to locate a single-family home for less than $200,000. Many three- and four-bedroom homes soar in the mid-$500,000s on up to $850,000 and more, depending upon their amenities and views. Perhaps the city's saving grace is that it's a college town, so you will find smaller and more modest accommodations, although the price tags are still comparatively much higher than other regions of the United States. The local architecture is perhaps one of the biggest selling points of Berkeley's housing stock; because approximately 50 percent of the city's inventory was built before World War II, homes are architecturally unique. Some of the nation's leading architects -- including John Hudson Thomas and Julia Morgan -- built homes here well before World War II. Although a home in one of America's most culturally fascinating cities comes at a high price, it's one that many -- both native Californians and newcomers -- are quite willing to pay. The resale potential of homes in Berkeley is tremendous, and the real estate market continues to be among the state's most active. From its stunning views and dedication to nature preservation to its superior educational system and "live and let live" attitude, Berkeley is indeed the quintessential California experience. |
