All You Need to Know about
Housing in Berkeley
Where to live, how to choose, how to
find, what to do
ISAB and BIO co-present:
FINDING APARTMENTS/HOUSES
Probably what you need right now
Where to Begin Search
• Know what you want
– Budget?
– Period?
– Roommates?
– Area?
• Search online
• Ask your friends
• Contact property companies
Searching Craigslist
• sfbay.craigslist.orgmost widely used
medium
• Search under ―housing‖
• Type: room, apartment, house, single, …
• Area: East Bay Berkeley
• Min or max price
• Google map
Cal Rentals
• calrentals.housing.berkeley.edu
• UC Berkeley community rental resource
• Information about the rental market,
advice for conducting a housing search,
rental listings
• Students pay only $20 for 3 months of
listing access. Faculty & Staff pay $25 for
1 month of listing access
COMMON ARRANGEMENTS
Just some suggestions
Common Room Arrangement
• Apartments
– 2 in 1 bedroom (~$1,200/mo)
– 4 in 2 bedroom (~$2500/mo)
– 3 in 2 bedroom, with one using the living room
• Houses
– Single starting from $600
– Double starting from $500
Common Pricing Options
• Generally anywhere between $450/mo (4
in 2 bedrm) and $800/mo (3 in 2 bedrm)
per person
• Maximum $1,000 (board not included)
unless living alone in an apartment
(~$1200 if living in a studio or a 1-bed)
WHERE TO LIVE
Know your neighborhood
Around the Campus
The South Side
Pros
• Often cheaper (though less clean)
• wide range of places to choose from
• closer to downtown Berkeley (BART, food, shops)
• closer to fraternities
• generally more accepting of house parties
• Close to Walgreen’s, Berkeley Bowl (further south)
Cons
• takes a while to find a
place that strikes the
perfect balance between
price and quality
• Less safe—Telegraph,
People’s Park
• can get really loud on
weekends
The North Side
Pros Cons
• Generally more
expensive
• housing selections
slightly more limited
• farther away from a lot of
the campus events, since
most happens near South
• Not too many buses
• safer, a richer and more attractive (scenery wise) environment,
• apartments/houses generally more modern and nice
• Closer to co-ops—meal plans
• quieter
• Close to Safeway and Andronico’s
The West Side
Pros
• Safer, brighter
• Close to BART
• All the buses come to
BART—you can go up
the campus on a bus
• Close to shops on
Shattuck as well as other
grocery stores (Trader
Joe’s, Safeway,
Andronico’s)
Cons
• Tends to cost more (nicer
apartments)
• Housing selections
slightly more limited
• farther away from a lot of
the campus events, since
most happen near South
Helpful to Consider
• Your major or job—which buildings will you
visit most often?
• Safe and convenient neighborhood
• Convenient laundry
• Light through the window
• No molds! (health hazard)
Other Options
• Family options:
– University Village, Albany
– Emeryville
• Oakland
• San Francisco
• Walnut Creek
Liked This Option? Now:
• Submit an application
• Pay for credit check. Note: If you don’t
have any credits because you are an int’l
students, you may print out and give your
bank statement to your manager or
landlord
• Pay deposit and/or sign the lease
reserve your space and the contract is on
FOR NEXT SEMESTER
It’s not too late
Dorms or On-Campus Apartments
• Main dorms reserved for freshmen and
sophomores
• Dorm apartments reserved for
upperclassmen: Wada, Channing &
Bowditch
• Grad-only apartments available
• Safe and well-maintained
• RAs and events available
Co-ops
• berkeleystudentcooperative.org
• Application needed
• Cheaper—students take care of themselves
• Themed housing available. Unique experiences
• Social and fun
• Leadership opportunities available
• More rooms available in Spring + priorities for EAP
Fraternity Houses
• Join one
• Live in one
• Brotherhood/sisterhood + fun events +
philanthropy
• Check with each
I-House
• Cosmopolitan
• Discount trips for residents & members
• Events:
– Speaker events
– Language tables in the dining hall
• Easy access to campus
• Meal points
For More Information…
ISAB: International Students Association at Berkeley
• isab.berkeley.edu: Resources and events available
• [email protected]: questions and comments
• Join our mailing list: receive updates on latest news or events!
• Find us on Facebook
QUESTIONS?
