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.org  most 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 ProsCons 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.berkeley.edu questions and comments Join our mailing list: receive updates on latest news or events! Find us on Facebook

QUESTIONS?