5 Reasons To Move To Berkeley

If you're deciding which city in California is right for you, it’s worth considering Berkeley. 

A combination of a small-town atmosphere and access to the luxuries of a metropolitan city makes for a charming life in Berkeley. 

No matter if you're relocating to Berkeley for your education or career, the city's delightful year-round weather, thriving downtown, and natural beauty are bound to make you stay. 

Below are just a few reasons Berkeley is an excellent place to call home. 

Top Reasons to Move to Berkeley

• The University of California, Berkeley 
• Grow in your career
• Easy access to the entire Bay Area
• Natural beauty on every side
• A thriving arts scene

The University of California, Berkeley

In 1866, the College of California was founded on an empty plot of land. The site was named after the Irish philosopher George Berkeley, and the street plan created for the campus still serves as the basic design for Berkeley. In 1868, the college joined forces with the state, becoming the University of California, Berkeley. 

When you live in Berkeley, you'll benefit from the university's many public museums and collections. Some noteworthy places to visit are the Lawrence Hall of Science and the Berkeley Natural History, and the UC Museum of Paleontology. 

Likewise, the UC Botanical Garden at Berkeley draws plant enthusiasts from around the world to this modest college town. Established in 1890, the 34-acre garden is home to over 10,000 types of plants from every continent, many of which are rare or endangered. 

Sports fans will appreciate UC Berkeley's football program. Boasting famous alumni Aaron Rodgers and Marshawn Lynch, it's no surprise that UC Berkeley's team is a marvel. Watching the California Golden Bears live in the California Memorial Stadium is an exhilarating experience you could take advantage of as a resident of Berkeley. 

Grow in your career

Whether you're looking to open your own business, find a career in tech, or work in medicine, Berkeley is abundant with opportunity. 

UC Berkeley's progressive atmosphere has driven the city to become a place of innovation in its own right. Programs like Berkeley Skydeck, a start-up incubator, and other venture capitalists, invest millions in the city's tech and start-up scene each year. Krisp, Eyelevel.ai, and Pengram are all companies on the cutting edge of technological creativity. 

With the University campus in the center of town, UC Berkeley employs over 22,000 people, a significant portion of the city's population. Whether you're working with students or behind the scenes, there's a good chance UC Berkeley has a career for you. 

Other major employers in Berkeley include the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Alta Bates Summit Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente, and Bayer AG. 

The city of Berkeley’s unemployment rate is below 3%, and the median household income is around $28,000 higher than the national average, annually. Thus, even new Berkeley residents are poised for success and should be able to accommodate for the cost of living. 

Easy access to the entire Bay Area

An undeniable advantage of living in Berkeley, CA, is the proximity to San Francisco and the surrounding Bay Area. 

Interstate 580 hugs the western border of Berkeley and merges with Interstate 80 as it crosses the Bay. Depending on location, the drive to San Francisco is about 30 minutes, making the trip feasible for laid-back visits or daily commutes. 

If you prefer to read a book or watch a movie as you travel, Berkeley boasts three Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) stations. Traveling along the red line from the Downtown Berkeley Station to San Francisco only takes about 25 minutes, where you can easily transfer to other train lines or buses. 

Similarly, Oakland's 12th Street Station is a 15-minute BART ride from Downtown Berkeley Station for folks who want to check out Oakland's highly rated food and nightlife scene along Broadway or Telegraph Avenue. 

Oakland International Airport is only 20 minutes away from Berkeley on Interstate 880. Residents can also reach the airport using the BART to avoid the hassle of parking. While San Francisco International is a bit further, it's still convenient to have access to two international airports. 

Natural beauty on every side

While you may be coming to Berkeley for education or work, you'll be impressed by its range of outdoor recreation. 

Tilden Regional Park makes up Berkeley's eastern border, providing residents easy access to 2,000 acres and 40 miles of multi-use trails in the Berkeley Hills. Residents partake in leisurely hiking, overnight camping, horseback riding, and mountain biking in the park. From the center of Berkeley, the park is a mere 10-minute drive on local roads, so you won't encounter traffic. 

To the west, Berkeley Marina is a 100-acre bayfront park with seven miles of trails, ideal for bird-watching, hiking, and bicycling. Caesar E. Chavez park lies within the Berkeley Marina, providing dog owners 17 acres of off-leash recreation area for their furry companions. On a clear day, visitors can spot the San Francisco Bay Bridges, Angel Island, and Alcatraz from the shore. 

The University of California Botanical Garden, Established in 1890, the garden features over 10,000 types of plants from around the world, many of which are rare or endangered. 

A thriving arts scene

Most of downtown Berkeley’s theaters and music venues are concentrated between Martin Luther King Jr. Way and Oxford Street. Locals can partake in the city’s art and culture within a few blocks. 

Fans of live theater won't have to go far to visit three different theaters. The Aurora Theatre Company and Berkeley Playhouse both offer unique shows in intimate settings. Berkeley's most popular showhouse is The Berkeley Repertory Theater on Addison Street which has even seen some of its productions go to Broadway. 

Berkeley's music scene is equally impressive. On the other side of UC Berkeley's campus, The Greek Theatre has featured renowned artists like John Legend, Adele, and Radiohead. The Greek's upcoming lineup is always impressive, no matter what time of year. 

Freight & Salvage provides a stage for upcoming local talent and folk artists in downtown Berkeley. The Hertz Hall on campus often offers free concerts for folks who appreciate classical music. 

For those who appreciate visual arts, the Berkeley Art Museum and Film Archive hosts rare and independent films as well as world-class art exhibits. 

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