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| What Berkeley is like for active adults |
Retirees will find a style of life in Berkeley, California, that is as fine as anywhere in the world. This university town (University of California, known as Cal) is set on the slopes of a mountain rolling away to the east from San Francisco Bay. On most days the Golden Gate and the City are a constant view below. City life, culture, and some of the best restaurants in the world in its “Gourmet Ghetto” (e.g.; Chez Panisse) are located here. Cal’s campus is set in a beautiful area that mixes old and new buildings amidst a redwood grove. Quiet streets with lush gardens of tropical plantings greet the eye and nose. Meanwhile the climate is close to perfect most of the year, rarely too hot, almost never too cool. The University of California, founded in 1868 and one of the world’s great universities, is a big draw for many retirees with its array of cultural and other activities.
The main drawback to living in Berkeley is the expensive housing. Starter homes tend to be in the $1 million range. Fortunately there are apartments that can be had for less, either as condos or as rentals. Surrounding areas, such as the nicer parts of Oakland, tend to be slightly less expensive. A quick search on the Internet failed to turn up any Berkeley condo listings for less than $400,000, although several were available in Oakland and Cerrito.
Berkeley is located in Alameda County. For a list of profiles of over 500 cities and towns go to retirement community reviews, - and here is more information on taxes and what it is like to retire in California. |
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| What is special about this retirement community |
| • Perfect Climate
• Intellectual atmosphere
• Views of San Francisco
• Beautiful homes and gardens
• Proximity to Bart
• The Campanile belltower (Sather Tower) on the UC Campus |
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| What is not special about this retirement community |
| • Aging hippies and homeless people on Telegraph St.
• Traffic near the campus
• Leftist atmosphere |
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| What kinds of people like retiring here |
| People live here who like being in a vibrant city with an active cultural scene. Berkeley could be the most liberal and cosmopolitan city in California, which says something! |
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| Local economy is driven by |
| Education, retail, Software, high tech, tourism, real estate, |
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| Climate and Physical Environment |
| Berkeley rises up from the San Francisco harbor, culminating in a very high ridge that runs north and south. It tends to be rainy in winter and has a Mediterranean climate (warm and dry summers and cool, wet winters). The Hayward Fault runs through the region, in fact in goes through the middle of Cal’s Memorial Stadium. |
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| Cultural environment |
| Berkeley is a cultural feast. The University is the engine, with many museums, theatres, performance spaces. Bookstores in the area are very good. The Berkeley Repertory Theatre and the Berkeley Community Theater, and the Hearst Greek Theatre are important cultural beacons for the community. |
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| Medical facilities |
| Alta Bates Medical Center. Oakland has many hospitals. |
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| Transportation |
| Oakland International Airport is 12 miles.
San Francisco International Airport is 19 miles.
BART has stations in Berkeley connecting to San Francisco
Amtrak |
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Facts about BERKELEY
- State: CA
- Environment: Suburban,College Town,Coastal,
- City Population: 100,001+
- Median age of Population: 25-44
- Avg Jan Temperature: 41-60
- Median HH Income: 41,001-60,000
- Average Home Price (MLS): $500,001+
- Annual Property Tax on a $200,000 house: 2000-4000
- Total Crime Index: 111-120 (high)
- Cost of Living Index: 121+ (very high)
- Culture Index: 121+ (very high)
- State Sales Tax: Yes
- State Income Tax: Yes
- Name of the Guide:
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Can you add to or correct these Facts? Or do you have a photo of this community we could use? If so, please click on Edit these facts |
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Vote on the Ratings for Berkeley |
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Update Your Ratings |
1. Overall Retirement Ratings
1. Rating: 4.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)
2. Expense:
Inexpensive to Luxury
2. Rating: 4.5/5 ( 2 votes cast)
3. Taxes:
Inexpensive to Expensive
3. Rating: 4.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)
4. Culture:
None to Cosmopolitan
4. Rating: 5.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)
5.Recreation:
None to Summer camp
5. Rating: 3.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)
6. Transportation:
Boondocks to World Hub
6. Rating: 5.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)
7. Security:
Dangerous to Ft. Knox
7. Rating: 3.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)
8. Medical Facilities:
None to Excellent
8. Rating: 5.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)
9. Political Situation:
Conservative to Liberal
9. Rating: 5.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)
10. Environmental:
Oblivious to Ultra-Green
10. Rating: 5.0/5 ( 1 vote cast)
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