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Housing Tips
Last updated: 8/7/2004
One of your first tasks upon arrival will be finding somewhere to live. In Berkeley, that
can be a little difficult, though it is better now than it used to be
(see a Daily Californian article
about it). Here are a few suggestions:
- Start early, preferably in July if you can. CalRentals
is a service that is run through the university that has listings geared towards students.
It contains also information about the various neighborhoods around Berkeley, house hunting tips, etc.
Many students also peruse CraigsList for housing openings.
- Landlords in Berkeley are famous for being nosey. They may want to run a credit
check on you. It's a good idea to bring along names of previous landlords. You
will probably also be expected to pay the first and last months' rent plus a security
deposit.
- A few good deals can be found on the eecs grad student housing email list. You are automatically
subscribed to this list when your email account is activated (after August 1st when you have
chosen your password in person). Ask La Shana if
you want another email address to be added to the list prior to your arrival.
- If you don't have any furniture, you may also consider the option
of looking for sublets on Craigslist.
Most sublets are fully furnished, and this can give you more time to
find a decent permanent place with decent roomates at a decent price...
Competition for sublets is also usually less fierce than for normal rental.
Other Resources
Housing Info by SISS
Very complete info about housing given by the Services for International Students and Scholars (SISS).
EECS Survival Notes [in PDF format]
The first section of this guide is about housing. The prices in the guide are totally outdated, but it contains
a useful description of Berkeley neighborhoods and a few house hunting tips.
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