Berkeley International Study Program Housing Options

Revised on February 23, 2015 Page 1

Introduction and Disclaimers: The following housing options are not endorsed by the Berkeley International Study Program. The program has not checked out these options and does not endorse any particular housing option, or that any of the details provided are accurate.

The document serves as a starting point for locating housing, and it is up to each individual to check and verify the details. The agreement for housing is between the student and the housing provider, and not between the party and the University of California, Sociology Department or University Extension.

Housing selection depends on your interests, preferences, and budget. Choose from the bustling atmosphere of a dormitory, the independence of a private or shared apartment, or the personal attention of a homestay.

Avoid Scams & Frauds: Many international students will search for apartments online and might be tempted to send a deposit without actually seeing the place firsthand, especially if it seems to be an amazing deal.

Never send a deposit without actually seeing the place.

The best way to avoid this scam is also the easiest: never send a deposit for a home or apartment sight unseen. It is better to budget your funds to stay at a hotel for a week or so when you’ve arrived, and spend that time apartment hunting in person.

For international students, some landlords might reserve a place for you if you can provide your I-20 and financial statement to prove that you have sufficient funds to pay for rents.

Typical Rent in the Berkley Area: Extracted from the Cal Rentals website:

Type of Apartment: Average Cost:

Room in shared apartment or house 2014 Berkeley average: $905

Studio apartment 2014 Berkeley average: $1,337

One bedroom apartment 2014 Berkeley average: $1,737

Two bedroom apartment or house 2014 Berkeley average: $2,457

Three bedroom (Three bedroom apartments are rare)

2014 Berkeley average: $4,025

Attention Students: Please make sure, when signing a lease, that you are planning to stay for the length of the lease

(whether it’s 4 months, 8 months, or 1 year). Breaking a lease (leaving early) is a serious legal matter and should not be taken

lightly. BISP cannot give legal advice or help in this matter but will refer you to Renter’s Assistance on campus for help.

ASUC Renters’ Legal Assistance offers many resources for finding houses. Please check out the website and click on the

resources tab.

Berkeley International Study Program Housing Options

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Index:

Housing Searching Engines:

Temporary Housing:

Dormitory Style:

Apartment Style:

Property Management Companies:

Homestays:

International Visiting Students & Cal Students Facebook Group:

Tips:

1) Most of you will only stay here for one semester. If a landlord requires you to sign

a lease that is longer than your duration of stay, you should ALWAYS ask whether it

is possible to sublet the Premises to other people.

2) Do not expect your landlords to find subleasees for you. You should ALWAYS be

proactive in finding your own subleasees.

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Housing Searching Engines: We have listed some common housing search engines for you to locate housing.

CalRentals ($)

Craigslist

Housing Anywhere

Padmapper

Postlets

Sublet

Trulia

Zillow

Temporary Housing – Less Expensive: Airbnb

Berkeley Hostel

Couchsurfing

The YMCA

Temporary Housing – More Expensive: Booking

Expedia

Google Hotel Finder

HomeAway

HotelGuides

Hotels

Kayak

Orbitz

Tips:

1) Arrive early and stay in a temporary house while finding a permanent place to live

will allow you to avoid scams and place yourself into a better living condition for the

semester.

2) Staying in a hostel, Airbnb, or Couchsurfing may be a good way to get to know

Americans.

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Dormitory Style: Dormitories are recommended if you want a structured atmosphere, as there are opportunities to meet new people through planned activities. Meals are usually provided, and you may have a roommate who is not a UC Berkeley Extension international student.

International House (I-House): 2299 Piedmont Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94720-2320 USA

International House is the only on-campus dormitory that is available to the students of Berkeley

International Study Program. If you are interested in the I-House, application starts on the following date:

Academic Year – Applications are available online in mid-March for the Academic Year.

Spring Semester - We begin accepting applications in mid-October for the Spring Semester.

Summer Sessions – Applications are available online March 1st for all Summer

Sessions. Reservations for summer groups can be arranged year-round by contacting the

Admissions Office at ihres@berkeley.edu.

Spaces fill up quickly, so interested students should apply early.

Features:

5-minute bus ride or 20-minute walk to class.

Meal plans are available. Approximately 12 meals per week.

Kitchen available for individual use.

Central hall bathrooms.

Unique community of student residents from more than 60 countries, including the United States.

Multicultural and international activities, high-speed Internet access, in door and outdoor dining,café, easy access to the UC Berkeley campus, and common facilities and services.

Single and double rooms available.

Note: New residents must pay $35 nonrefundable application fee and $500 refundable security deposit View rates and apply directly at http://www.ihouse.berkeley.edu/applicants/rates.php

Telegraph Commons: 2490 Channing Way, Berkeley, California 94704 Telegraph Commons is a private dormitory that provides a safe, clean, and fun college experience to students attending the University of California, Berkeley and its affiliates. The residents are students who wish to experience life in a diverse and exciting dorm-setting at a more affordable price with comparable amenities to university housing. TC gives students the opportunity to focus on their schoolwork and meet new people instead of worrying about bills and other hassles of apartment life.

Features:

3-minute walk to campus.

Hi-speed internet/Wi-Fi in every room.

Cable TV Rooms / Study Lounges

Modern urban furnishings and refrigerators in every room.

Full kitchen with state-of-the-art appliances on each floor.

Card-operated laundry on each floor.

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The Berk: 2315 College Ave, Berkeley, CA 94704 The University of California Berkeley, Telegraph, and many more local shops and restaurants are within walking distance of The Berk. And if you ever feel the need to get away, San Francisco and Oakland are quick BART trips away.

Features:

5-minute walk to campus.

Community Wide Wi-Fi

On-Site Library

Private Parking Available

Secure Bike Storage

Basketball Court

Wesley House: 2398 Bancroft Way, Suite 100, Berkeley, CA 94720 Wesley House has everything a University of California, Berkeley student needs - amazing location, rooftop terrace with bay views, a game room, and more social activities than you can fit in your smart phone. Since it turns out you'll be doing some studying too, you'll be happy to know we have a 24 hour quiet study and meeting areas to study with friends. Check out the total package that will make Wesley House your home away from home.

Features:

Community Kitchen, Controlled Building Access

Enclosed Bike Storage

Full Kitchen, Library, Multimedia Room

On-Site Laundry, On-Site Management

Outside Courtyards, Rooftop Terrace

Wireless Internet

Casa Cedar: 2135 Cedar St, Berkeley, CA 94709 Casa Cedar hosts students from all over the world. Our #1 priority is for everyone to have a great experience while living here!

Features:

All Rooms Feature hardwood floors, lots of natural sunlight, two or more huge windows, views oftrees, and lovely architecture

Furniture Provided for All Residents

Need bedding and towels? We provide sheets, blankets, pillows, and bath towels if you need them

About Roommates: Shared Rooms are usually arranged by gender

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Apartment Style: Apartments are recommended if you want to be more independent or prefer a quieter atmosphere for studying. Apartments can be less costly than some dormitory options. Please note that most apartments are not furnished—meaning that you need to buy or rent furniture when you arrive in Berkeley.

Berkeley Apartments: Berkeley Apartments are located within walking distance to UC Berkeley, BART, cafes and restaurants. Tasteful and well-designed, with rooftop gardens and terraces, each building features modern seismic reinforcement. Each community features 24-hour on-site building management and emergency repair, high-speed internet access, gas stoves, spacious closets, are energy efficient and include excellent soundproofing. Other safety features include full sprinklers and direct alarm link to Berkeley Fire Department, as well as 24-hour entry and video recording. Secure garage parking is available.

List of Apartments:

Acton Courtyard

Artech

Bachenheimer

Berkeleyan

Fine Arts

Gaia

Renaissance Villa

Tourial

Library Gardens: 2020 Kittredge Street, Suite D, Berkeley, CA 94704 Library Gardens is the premiere choice for convenient Berkeley apartments. The beautifully landscaped community is located one block from the University of California, Berkeley campus, steps from the Berkeley Central Library, and a block from BART, AC Transit, shopping, restaurants and entertainment. Whether you need a furnished or unfurnished apartment for one person or for roommates, our community is a great option for Cal rental student housing. At Library Gardens, you'll enjoy the best of urban living in a natural, green setting.

Features: 1. Close to UC Berkeley campus, BART, AC transit

2. High-speed internet access/wireless connection throughout the community

3. 24-hour laundry facilities on each floor

4. Verdant event lawn for social gatherings

5. Steps to shopping, cafes, restaurants, bookstores, movie theaters, and nightlife

6. Private courtyards and terraces

Hudson McDonald: Hudson McDonald acquires builds and manages apartments and other properties in Berkeley, California.

List of Apartments:

New Californian

The Metropolitan

Bancroft House

ABSW Apartments

University Park Apartments: 1709 Shattuck Ave Berkeley, CA 94709

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Property Management Companies: These property management companies run multiple apartment buildings in Berkeley and surrounds.

They often don’t have furnished apartments and leases could be a minimum of 6 months, but many of our

students still rent from them. These apartments can be especially suitable for students who are staying for

at least one year.

List: Raj Properties:

K & S Company:

Everest Properties:

North Berkeley Properties:

The Lapham Company

Homestays: Homestays are good ways to meet local people. As an international student, you get to share a meal with

your host family, improve your language skills, learn local cultures and customs, and have a real ‘home

away from home’

StudentLink International: From picking you up personally at the airport, to helping you become acquainted with the area, to

providing shopping activities and excursions, and linking you to a friendly and caring homestay family,

StudentLink will be with you every step of the way in your American experience!

Features:

Private, furnished bedroom (private bathrooms available by request)

Safe & Affordable

Rigorous host screening process ensures quality of homestays

Convenient access to school from your new home

Pricing starts $775 a month

Universal Student Housing (USH): The Homestay experience is one of the best the United States has to offer International Students who

want to better their lives by furthering their education. Homestays are ideal for students who are looking

for temporary or long-term housing with an American family.

Features:

Private, furnished bedroom (private bathrooms available by request)

Safe & Affordable

Rigorous host screening process ensures quality of homestays

Convenient access to school from your new home

Breakfast and dinner option

Pricing starts $800 a month

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International Visiting Students & Cal Students Facebook Group: This Facebook group is created to help international students to find potential roommates in Berkeley. We ask that you please communicate in English, so that all may understand. We also advertise this group to Berkeley students, so they may find potential roommates on this group.

Please note: The arrangements made are solely between students. The BISP does not have any responsibility in regards to these arrangements and does not necessarily endorse the participants on this site.

Tips:

1) If you are having trouble finding a place to live, you should contact BISP staff, and

we will try our best to help you.