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

• isab.officer@gmail.com: questions and comments

• Join our mailing list: receive updates on latest news or events!

• Find us on Facebook

QUESTIONS?