The real estate in Berkeley has always remained immune to price shocks and market crashes. According to the 'Daily Californian', in September 2009, home prices in Berkeley were down 12% from the prices in September 2008. But that decline was insignificant compared to those seen in other areas of California. Reports showed that prices in southern Berkeley had, in fact, gone up by 31%.
According to the 'California Association of Realtors' the median price for homes for sale in Berkeley was $621,500 in October 2009, down from $675,000 in October 2008. They say that single digit decline was not even half of other cities in California had.
What makes Berkeley real estate immune to market crashes? Experts say its notably well-educated and affluent residents, and its world-famous higher education institutions. Berkeley is home to the University of California, the oldest of the University of California system. The city's residents are also among the most reliably liberal in the U.S., with one study placing it as the third most liberal city in the nation.
The University of California-Berkeley dominates economic life in the city. A full 7 percent of male and 5 percent of female Berkeley residents are employed as postsecondary teachers, while many other residents are employed as staff in other capacities by the university. Others commute to jobs in other cities within the Bay Area, including Oakland and San Francisco, both home to the headquarters of many multinational corporations.
Berkeley is served by Amtrak (Capitol Corridor), AC Transit, BART (Downtown Berkeley Station, North Berkeley, and Ashby Station) and bus shuttles operated by major employers. AC Transit has proposed a new transit project for the Berkeley-Oakland-San Leandro corridor: Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). Berkeley is the safest city of its size in California for pedestrians and cyclists, considering the number of injuries per pedestrian and cyclist, rather than per capita.
With expertise in commercial real estate, financing, economic data, green business, and marketing, Berkeley's Office of Economic Development offers assistance to new and growing Berkeley businesses.
Berkeley is one of the most environmentally aware cities in the country. Recycling is the name of the game, which explains the abundance of second hand stores. Whether it's books, records, clothing, appliances, or furniture, there's at least one store in town that specializes in it.
Berkeley has a Mediterranean climate. The summers are cooler than a typical Mediterranean climate thanks to upwelling ocean currents along the California coast.
According to the data (2009) from the 'Money's list of America's Best Small Towns' median home price is $600,000 and median family income (per year) is $91,514. Job growth percentage (2000-2008) is -1.77.
As the city's official website says "Berkeley is a city with a small population and a big reputation", and "Berkeley is a constantly changing mix of long-time residents and new neighbors, and whether you just arrived from Albany or Azerbaijan, you are welcome."
According to the 'California Association of Realtors' the median price for homes for sale in Berkeley was $621,500 in October 2009, down from $675,000 in October 2008. They say that single digit decline was not even half of other cities in California had.
What makes Berkeley real estate immune to market crashes? Experts say its notably well-educated and affluent residents, and its world-famous higher education institutions. Berkeley is home to the University of California, the oldest of the University of California system. The city's residents are also among the most reliably liberal in the U.S., with one study placing it as the third most liberal city in the nation.
The University of California-Berkeley dominates economic life in the city. A full 7 percent of male and 5 percent of female Berkeley residents are employed as postsecondary teachers, while many other residents are employed as staff in other capacities by the university. Others commute to jobs in other cities within the Bay Area, including Oakland and San Francisco, both home to the headquarters of many multinational corporations.
Berkeley is served by Amtrak (Capitol Corridor), AC Transit, BART (Downtown Berkeley Station, North Berkeley, and Ashby Station) and bus shuttles operated by major employers. AC Transit has proposed a new transit project for the Berkeley-Oakland-San Leandro corridor: Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). Berkeley is the safest city of its size in California for pedestrians and cyclists, considering the number of injuries per pedestrian and cyclist, rather than per capita.
With expertise in commercial real estate, financing, economic data, green business, and marketing, Berkeley's Office of Economic Development offers assistance to new and growing Berkeley businesses.
Berkeley is one of the most environmentally aware cities in the country. Recycling is the name of the game, which explains the abundance of second hand stores. Whether it's books, records, clothing, appliances, or furniture, there's at least one store in town that specializes in it.
Berkeley has a Mediterranean climate. The summers are cooler than a typical Mediterranean climate thanks to upwelling ocean currents along the California coast.
According to the data (2009) from the 'Money's list of America's Best Small Towns' median home price is $600,000 and median family income (per year) is $91,514. Job growth percentage (2000-2008) is -1.77.
As the city's official website says "Berkeley is a city with a small population and a big reputation", and "Berkeley is a constantly changing mix of long-time residents and new neighbors, and whether you just arrived from Albany or Azerbaijan, you are welcome."
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