<p>Can anyone tell me anything about the surrounding area? What is there to do, does the town completely shut down at night, etc.? </p>
<p>I'm currently debating between Cal and UCLA. I pretty much love Cal, but the area just doesn't seem too exciting. On the other hand, I love Westwood. . .
Thank you so much =)</p>
<p>westwood >>> city of berkeley. everything here is dirty and grimy and it always smell of urine in certain areas downtown. that being said, berk and the surrounding areas (like oakland) have grown on me over my years here. i used to hate it though.</p>
<p>there’s so many hobos around. and since the city of berkeley righteously (stupidly) decides to block corporation from building stores, and if you know anything about economics, this allows inefficient small stores to come up and make everything overpriced.</p>
<p>It mostly depends on what you are in to. Being from LA, I do love Westwood but I much prefer to culture and vibe of Berkeley. There is a very noticeable difference between the attitudes of people in SoCal and NorCal. The LA vibe is a lot more superficial in my opinion, but apart from that Westwood is a very nice college town. Yes, there are parts of Berkeley that are a bit run down and dirty but for the most part Berkeley is a beautiful town. There is usually always something to do and everything is easy to get to (public transportation is very good). Berkeley has awesome restaurants, close-by movie theaters, many guest speakers, concerts either on-campus (usually free!) or nearby, and hiking just minutes away. Plus San Francisco is so easy to get to by the Bart and is so fun to go for shopping or a day trip. A lot of it depends on what you are looking to get out of college/the town. If you are more into a bohemian/earthy vibe go with Berkeley. If you are into a more modern/chic vibe go with Westwood.</p>
<p>Okay, berkeley is not as bad as everyone makes it sound. as long as you don’t walk on telegraph on your way to school, it’s pretty clean. there are other ways to get to school if you don’t like the “dirtiness” but this is never really a problem except for when you are breathing only smoke/pollution on telegraph but there’s definitely ways to avoid it. Choose a school because you like the atmosphere, academics, weather, clubs, options, internships, opportunities, etc.</p>
<p>It is ugly, expensive, and liberal (even for someone like me, who doesn’t give a damn about politics, it can get annoying).</p>
<p>This is why I’ve commuted, although this will be changing next semester.</p>
<p>I think it’s a cool city. There are all sorts of things to do and places to go. And it’s so walkable! And the food is great!</p>
<p>(Perhaps my perspective differs from others’ because I live on the northwest side, and not the south side?)</p>
<p>Please don’t decide on UCLA vs. Cal based on Westwood vs. city of Berkeley…They’re both amazing places. I’m sure you can find a better reason to choose one over the other.</p>
<p>The city of Berkeley sucks. It’s poor, dirty, smelly, and homelessness is ubiquitous. Having that said, I’d chose Berkeley over LA any day. Cal itself has a generally clean and pretty campus, and it’s poli sci program blasts LA’s any day.</p>
<p>people venting online because they cant handle berkeley ****es me off. please dont listen to all the haters ^ above.</p>
<p>here’s the truth:
the areas surrounding berkeley is VASTLY different on the different sides of the college. Claremont: mansions, hills, trees, Palos Verdes status
college/shattuck: small college shops, NOT TOO EXPENSIVE trust me too many asians here to let that slide
Northside: like a normal suburb, nice, clean
Gormet Ghetto: rich, quaint
frat row: brooo
the only area where i find hobos is around telegraph area, so easily avoidable</p>
<p>personally i live around claremont area and i love it, its a break from craziness of school but close enough to get anything i need</p>
<p>Well if you ever decide to live in the units, which are located in quite literally the worst, poorest, and most run down area of Berkeley, then that will shape your perception of the city.</p>
<p>Seriously, don’t let the city decide which school you chose. The education that you would receive should take precedence.</p>
<p>@caics…you have never been to southwest Berkeley obviously. I’m talking next to Oakland in the flats (Cal - Shattuck is a hill). THAT is the poorest area of Berkeley. The units are loads nicer than houses there. </p>
<p>@eminem: lol. frat row: brooo</p>
<p>Berkeley is so diverse that you can find/do anything you really need to do except get good Mexican food. But I agree with what everyone has said, the city/surroundings of campus definitely should not determine the school you go to. The campus is nice, so you can spend all your time there if you feel like it. Or if you like the area you live, you can spend all your time there. It all depends on where you find yourself most comfortable. Same goes with Westwood.</p>