Finding Housing by the International Students Association at Berkeley (ISAB)

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?