raygun1310 wrote:
So I'm in the EWMBA '19 intake, and am planning on moving there in July. My company has an office in Palo Alto, but I'd like to find a place close to campus because I can work 2-3 days a week from home. Anyone have recommendations on areas in Berkeley to avoid? I've heard People's Park is not a great area, but am wondering if that means theft/break-ins or something more serious. Looking at the crime maps, there's a lot of activity but I'm thinking that just may be the by-product of a lot of students/people around. Which places would you not feel safe walking around (as a male) at night? Thanks in advance.
People's Park is on Haste and Telegraph, which is two to three blocks away from the campus (Telegraph / Bancroft). It is very close to other main UC Berkeley undergrad dorms, such as Unit 1 and Unit 2. This is considered "Southside of Berkeley" and is closer to restaurants in the area called "Asian Ghetto," RSF (Berekley Gym), and college bars. You will be ok walking at night time - Berkeley also offers "BearWalk" (you might want to double check - they used to while i was in undergrad) for students and also UCPD regularly patrols around the campus & Berkeley PD patrols Telegraph / People's Park frequently. I used to walk by People's Park every day and I was fine (male). People have a perception of Oakland being very unsafe, but around the campus and proximity, you should feel safe and will be fine. I even walked around in Oakland with friends (50th-40th street all the way on Telegraph) on Friday / Saturday nights for dinner and drinks.
If you want to live close to Berkeley Haas - northside Berkeley would work. Northside is quieter than Southside. Just note that Berkeley Haas is also situated next to Frat row and Football Stadium, so you will see drunk college students and alumni on Saturdays in the AM and PM.
If you want to stay a bit away from Haas, a few options:
Downtown Berkeley (Shattuck / MLK) - lots of restaurants, bars, lively
Ashby (a station way from Berkeley) - don't know much but definitely close and can bike to campus
PM me if you need more information. Good luck with the move.