The city of Berkley is located on the east shore of the San Francisco Bay in northern California. Although the region saw settlement as early as the mid-18th century, Berkeley didn’t take shape until 100 years later, when the private College of California saw the area as a potential site for its new campus. It is recorded that in 1866, a group of trustees from the college were standing upon Founder’s Rock dedicating their new land, when one Frederick Billings quoted the Irish poet Bishop Berkeley; “westward the course of empire takes its way.” Thus the new town and college site took its name. Though the College of California’s plans for the town ultimately fell through, the trustees collaborated with the State of California, and the public University of California was established soon after, in 1868. Throughout the next decade, Berkeley saw much residential and industrial development, and with the arrival of the Berkeley branch of the Central Pacific Railroad, the residents saw fit to incorporate themselves as the Town of Berkley.

The University of California, Berkeley is often credited with having greatly influenced the atmosphere that has enveloped the town over the years. With a population of just over 100,000 Berkeley is not a large city, and yet it is known globally as a place of innovation and intellect, a place that fosters human rights and diversity through the arts. Throughout the turbulent 60’s and 70’s, the citizens of Berkeley had a reputation for political activism which went radical at times. Although today the political climate is calmer, intense public concern is still evident in the community’s willingness to work together for positive change. Berkeley has a high rate of civic involvement, with city council meetings that often lead to a “standing room only” level of attendance. Members of Berkeley’s community get heavily involved in neighborhood concerns such as crime prevention, disaster readiness, and zoning laws.

It is this great sense of community and openness to diversity that makes Berkeley so welcoming to newcomers. From all points of the city, there is a neighborhood just right for everyone. For those wanting to relocate to Berkeley, the real estate market is full of great housing opportunities, including condominiums, lofts, town homes and single family homes, all in a wide range of prices. Berkeley can be divided up into four main areas; South Berkeley, North Berkeley and the Berkeley Hills, West Berkeley, and Claremont/Elmwood. South Berkeley is comprised of everything south of the U of C campus, and is home to many of the university’s students. The area’s housing is characterized by down-to-earth California bungalows and Craftsman-style homes that date back to the early 1900’s. The area of North Berkeley and Berkeley Hills contains homes that feature the architectural design of Bernard Maybeck and Julia Morgan sprinkled among Berkeley brown shingles, bungalows and early 20th century Mediterranean-style homes. West Berkeley, formerly an industrial area, is a neighborhood full of good starter homes, mostly small bungalows and converted lofts, while the neighborhoods of Claremont/Elmwood contain many stately homes and elegant estates that follow suit with the gorgeous Claremont Hotel. The median price for single family homes and condominiums in Berkeley is currently around $700,000, but many spacious 3 bedroom/2 bath homes are available for as low as $395,000. Multi-million dollar luxury homes in Berkeley feature impeccable, state-of-the-art design, and sometimes offer spectacular views of the city and Golden Gate. Whether you are looking for a modest starter bungalow or a grand California estate, the real estate market in Berkley has that perfect place you will love to call home.

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