What neighborhoods in the South Bay are like Berkeley?
We are considering a potential relocation to the South Bay and are seeking advice on areas within a 45-minute commute of downtown San Jose that are the most like Berkeley. Things that we love about Berkeley: diverse, well-regarded school district, progressive community, walkable (we have a car but appreciate being able to walk many places). Does any such a place exist near San Jose? Also, is there anything like Berkeley Parents Network that parents use in the South Bay? (Facebook groups, forums, etc)? Thank you!
Jul 28, 2022
Parent Replies
This does not exist in the South Bay.
Hello Niavara! We recently relocated to the East Bay (Castro Valley) from South San Jose, and I've lived all my 47 years of life all over the Bay - SF, Marin, South Bay, Peninsula, and East Bay. I can confidently say there is nowhere quite like Berkeley! As for forums, Las Madres is a wonderful parents' club of the South Bay/Peninsula that has a very active Facebook community. It's a fantastic resource.
Below are some areas/neighborhoods I think are worth checking out, with the caveat that none of them meet all your requirements for diverse, well-regarded school district, progressive community, AND walkable.
Where we lived in South San Jose felt lacking in community, our neighborhood school was not well-regarded, it was not diverse, and we had only a handful of progressive friends. When I say not diverse, yes there are pockets of Asian, South Asian, and Latino, but it doesn't feel integrated the way it does in the East Bay. We also didn't experience much diversity of thought, beliefs, livelihood, sexual or gender orientation. The diversity in the East Bay doesn't really exist elsewhere else in the bay. That said, we're still talking about the Bay Area, which on the whole is progressive and diverse, so it's all relative. :)
Best wishes in your search!
There aren't any, sorry. We moved to Berkeley from the South Bay (Mountain View) for these very reasons and things. Parts of Palo Alto are a bit like Berkeley and are walkable - but this comes at top dollar. Go for it if you can afford it. All the schools in the South Bay are mostly good, (way better than BUSD on literally all levels), it's all quite progressive (mostly), diverse as in a majority Asian and hispanic (not black). You pretty much will have to drive everywhere, and nextdoor is the closest thing to BPN. It is all quite different from the East Bay. All in all, it was worth it for the excellent schools, and if you are in tech, you will be with your people.