Neighborhood around Longfellow Middle - good for smaller kids?
Hi all! My husband and I are thinking of putting an offer on a house in the neighborhood around Longfellow Middle school. We have a 15 month old and will want to have a second soon.
I know the schools in this area are good, but can anyone tell me about the safety of this neighborhood for smaller kids? Also, are there good parks and activities for toddlers?
Thanks in advance!
Jan 29, 2022
Parent Replies
My 5 year old and I live near Longfellow, and I love the neighborhood. As long as you're not right near Sacramento, where things can get interesting on weekend nights, it's quiet and relatively safe. Lots of families, plus retirees who have been here for decades. There are three playgrounds within walking distance. Grove Park is the closest (and small). San Pablo park, on the other side of Sacramento, with its huge new playground, basketball courts, new tennis courts, and lots of grassy field. And the playground at Malcolm X elementary (on the other side of Ashby) is nice too, open on weekends to the public, though it's not a tot park obviously. Berkeley has so many playgrounds.
I live a few blocks away from Longfellow (with my toddler) and it's great! We are super close to San Pablo Park and Becky Temko Tot Parks. San Pablo Park is host to a few toddler music classes. Easy access to Totland, a park specifically designed for the 1.5 - 2.5 (ish) age range. It's pretty safe, Bob's Liquors is sketchy though and there has been some gun violence at that corner.
We live a few blocks away from Longfellow and have lived in our house for 8 years. We currently have a 3-year-old and an 8-year-old. This is one of the BEST neighborhoods with small children. There are probably 5 parks within walking distance (i.e., Grove, Becky Temko tot park, San Pablo, etc.) and the South Branch library is within walking distance too. When I was on maternity leave with my second child I would walk everywhere with him. Berkeley Bowl, Trader Joe's, farmer's market, a slew of restaurants/cafes, and downtown Berkeley are a 10-20 minutes walk. Also prior to the pandemic, I would walk to Ashby BART to SF. There are so many children in this area. On the street we live on the neighbors have several email groups and the moms have done happy hours. We look after each other and borrow sugar, spices and drop off cookies. There is also an active Buy Nothing Group where I have donated toys and clothes and also received toys and clothes in return. Halloween is really active around here. I think your family will be pleasantly surprised and welcomed :-)