Those of you who will be moving to the Bay Area will have a lot of choices to make about where you want to live and what type of living arrangement is most suitable for you. Some students like to be close to the law school; others enjoy putting the day of classes behind them by taking BART home to San Francisco. Some like to live alone, others prefer roommates, and some prefer roommates who are (or are not) law students. Our only piece of advice is this: it is best to be moved and settled in as early as possible in the semester. While to some of you that may seem like a huge—even insurmountable— task, if you are conscientious and persistent, and a little bit lucky, you ought to be able to secure decent housing and get your bearings quickly. Many students experience anxiety over this task every year, but all students do manage to find a place to live and get settled. You will find a complete listing of housing options for graduate students at www.housing.berkeley.edu/livingatcal/graduatestudents.html.

University Housing

HOUSING FOR SINGLE STUDENTS

Although most graduate students live in off-campus rental housing, there are a few options in the category of university and alternative housing near campus. University apartment options for graduate/law students consist of the Manville Apartments, Ida Louise Jackson Graduate House, and apartments in University Family Student Housing

MANVILLE APARTMENTS

The Manville Apartments are reserved for law and graduate students, and assignment priority is given to law students. Manville, with its unique, award-winning architecture, is located just three blocks from the central campus at the corner of Shattuck Avenue and Channing Way. This location features a popular coffee cafe right downstairs, restaurants, a large video store, a bookstore, and a copy and desktop publishing shop across the street. Just down the block, in downtown Berkeley, are more restaurants, movie theaters and shops. This complex consists of 132 small, single-occupancy studio apartments. There is normally a waiting list, so the sooner you apply, the more likely you will get an offer of housing. The apartments range in size from 260 to 305 square feet, and some have decks, views or access to the central open-air courtyard. Each apartment is carpeted and features a built-in kitchenette, desk and bookcase. The complex has study rooms, a laundry room and a recreation room. Rents ranged from 951 to 983 per month in academic year 2007-2008, and include water and garbage. An increase is anticipated for the 2008-2009 academic year. Both 12-month (August-July with an option to sublet during the summer) and 10-month (August-May) leases are available.

IDA LOUISE JACKSON GRADUATE HOUSE

This nearby complex features shared apartments with single-occupancy bedrooms just one block from Boalt Hall. Furnished apartments range from two bedrooms up to six bedrooms, and the complex features study rooms, lounges, a private courtyard and coin laundry facilities. Each apartment features a kitchen, living room, dining area and one or two bathrooms, depending upon the number of bedrooms in the unit. Virtually the entire complex is reserved for graduate students. Contracts are either 10 months, for the academic year, or 12 months (August- July). Rates per bedroom ranged from $857 to $1008 in 2007-08. To apply online for either the Manville Apartments or Jackson House, go to www.housing.berkeley.edu/livingatcal/graduatestudents.html. For more information you may contact Cal Housing:

    Cal Housing
    UC Berkeley
    2610 Channing Way #2272
    Berkeley, CA 94720-2272
    Telephone: 510.642.4108
    Fax: 510.643.7126
    Email: reshall@berkeley.edu

HOUSING FOR MARRIED STUDENTS AND STUDENTS WITH CHILDREN

University apartments for married students or students with a domestic partner, with or without children, and single parents are available in Berkeley and in Albany, a small city approximately three miles northwest of campus. The Family Student Housing sites are named Smyth Fernwald in Berkeley and University Village in Albany. Over the years these sites have become active, supportive communities for students juggling family and educational responsibilities. 2007-2008 rental rates for Family Student Housing are very reasonable ($1360 and $1549 for 2 and 3 bedroom apartments in the new West Village, and $1465 to $1738 for 2 and 3 bedroom townhouses in the recent East Village) and include all utilities (except telephone service) and a parking space. A good supply of brand new 1 bedroom apartments for married or partnered students is scheduled to open in August 2008

To qualify as a student family and live in Family Student Housing, you must be:

• a registered student living with a spouse or family member, or
• a registered student living with a spouse and one or more minor children, or
• a registered student who is a single parent and has at least 50 percent custody of his or her ward, or
• a registered student living with a partner in a committed relationship (please see www.housing.berkeley.edu/livingatcal/stufam_elig.html for details on eligibility).

Eligible students should apply early, as assignments are made on a first-come, first-served basis, and there is a waiting list. Starting in Spring 2008 the Family Student Housing Application and Assignment process will be fully online. The length of time you will remain on the waiting list depends on the type of apartment you request, the demand and your move-in date. The greatest demand (and longest wait) for housing is in August, at the beginning of the fall semester. The shortest wait is usually mid-semester during October and March. You may begin the online application process at www.housing.berkeley.edu/livingatcal/studentsfamilies.html.

Note:  Students need not wait until notification of admission to apply for Family Student Housing as applications are accepted up to two years in advance.

For more information about Family Student Housing, contact:

    Cal Housing/Apartment Assignments
    Residential & Student Service Programs
    2610 Channing Way
    Berkeley, CA 94720-2272
    510-642-4109
    510-643-7126 (Fax)
    http://www.housing.berkeley.edu
    apts@berkeley.edu

Alternative Housing

BERKELEY STUDENT CO-OPS

The University Students' Cooperative Association is a student-owned and operated system of 17 rooming houses and three apartment complexes near campus. Students contribute a weekly work shift to keep the cost of the housing extremely low. Two facilities, Hillegass Parker House and the Convent, are set aside for graduate and reentry students. Rooming house rates for 2007-08 were $3,048 per semester for a standard single room and $3,585 for a large single, and include room, board and utilities. In addition to meal service in the houses, the house kitchens are available for students to use at all times. For more information contact:

    USCA
    2424 Ridge Road
    Berkeley, CA 94709
    housing@usca.org
    510-848-1936
    510-848-2114 (Fax)
    http://www.usca.org

INTERNATIONAL HOUSE

Located just steps from Boalt, International House (I House) houses approximately 600 graduate and upper division students. Half of the residents are foreign and half are U.S. citizens. This beautiful facility was designed by renowned architect Julia Morgan and overlooks the bay from the top of Bancroft Way. Rates for academic year 2007-08 were $10,986 to $13,014 and include a meal plan. (A rate increase for 2007-08 is anticipated.) For more information contact:

    International House
    2299 Piedmont Avenue
    Berkeley, CA 94720-2320
    ihres@berkeley.edu
    510-642-9470
    510-642-5220 (Fax)
    ihouse.berkeley.edu

Off-Campus Rental Housing

CAL RENTALS

The majority of law students live in apartments in the Berkeley or Oakland area. Most students spend at least a week looking for an apartment. Most landlords will expect the first month's rent and a security deposit (usually equal to a month's rent) in advance.

The best place to start looking for an apartment is at Cal Rentals, part of the Cal Housing "family" in Residential & Student Service Programs. You can take advantage of Cal Rentals resources on the web, by phone or in person to help guide you  in the steps you need to take to have a successful house-hunting experience. The rental market is like that of many busy, competitive urban areas. During times of peak house hunting, rentals that are well priced and in popular areas close to campus may be rented within a day or two. Luckily, you will have an edge in that grad students are most often viewed as desirable tenants!

Al Cal Rentals listings have a consistent format for comparison, are linked to online maps and are reviewed by an area expert before posting online.

The listings, consultations and house-hunting resources are included in a modest fee of $20 for 3 months of online access. Any student with a CalNet ID can initiate a rental listings account directly on the Cal Rentals website, http://calrentals.berkeley.edu, and pay the fee online. First select "Find Rental Housing" and then click on "CalNet Authentication" under "Students".

If you wish to start your search before your CalNet ID is activated, you may use this alternate method to gain access to the Cal Rentals listings:

1. Fax a copy of your letter of admission to Cal Rentals at 510.642.4026.
2. Send an email to homeinfo@berkeley.edu to alert the Cal Rentals staff that you will be requesting an account.
3. Request a new student rental listings account on the Cal Rentals website:

• Click on “Find Rental Housing” at http://calrentals.berkeley.edu/
• Click on “Newcomer/Affiliate Student” and then on “Register Online”.
• Complete the form and submit.
• Cal Rentals will sent you an email with a link to the online payment system once your admission letter is matched with your online request.

Although you may begin browsing rental listings whenever you like, there is actually such a thing as starting your search too early. New rentals, available for immediate occupancy, are advertised daily. Begin looking in earnest at the point at which you can both afford to start paying rent and spend time to view places. Although it may be tempting to secure a rental on the basis of e-photos, this can be a mistake without touring the entire unit, looking at the surrounding neighborhood, and seeing how you will commute to campus. If you are seeking a room in a shared household, of course it will be necessary to interview the other household members to determine if you are compatible. To sum it up, househunting will almost certainly require your presence in Berkeley. For more information contact:

    Cal Rentals
    Residential & Student Services Programs
    2610 Channing Way
    Berkeley, CA 94720-2272
    510-642-3642
    510-642-4026 (Fax)
    http://calrentals..berkeley.edu
    homeinfo@berkeley.edu

The Search for Housing

Typical Rent Ranges

The following are typical monthly rent ranges for apartments and houses in Berkeley and the surrounding areas:

• $500 - $800 - Room in shared apartment or house
• $750 - $1,100 - Studio apartment
• $950 - $1,500 - One-bedroom apartment
• $1,300 - $2,200 - Two-bedroom apartment or house (Berkeley)
• $1,800 - $3,000 and up - Three-bedroom or larger house (three-bedroom apartments are rare)

Please note that market rates may change and rents are sometimes negotiable.

Work Exchanges

Sometimes a lister will seek a student to perform a job, such as baby-sitting, gardening or property management, in exchange for a room or small apartment at no rent or reduced rent. Expect to work approximately 12 to 15 hours per week for a rentfree situation.

Rental Listings: Other Sources

The following information provides overviews of some of the many resources you can use in your housing search.

Craiglist

Craigslist is a popular, free e-bulletin board of community information, job listings and rental listings. To access this information, go online to http://www.craigslist.org.

NEWSPAPERS

Local newspapers also have rental listings and are easily found near campus at many bookstores and cafes. Some of the most helpful, such as the Daily Californian, Berkeley Daily Planet and East Bay Express, are free.

Housing During Your Search

If you do not have a place to stay during your housing search over the summer, you might consider staying in university-operated Summer Visitor Housing, located in a residence hall near campus. Until mid-August, you can rent a single room for one or two people for approximately $55 per night, with a discounted weekly rate. (Please check the website below for summer 2008 rates.) You should make your reservations as soon as you know your arrival date. Credit card, cash and U.S. currency traveler's checks are accepted, and a full payment for the length of your stay is required upon arrival. Additional information is available online at www.housing.berkeley.edu/conference/summervis.

If you prefer not to stay in a residence hall, there are many hotels and motels in the Berkeley area, particularly on University Avenue. You will find a list of hotels and motels on the Cal Rentals website and in the Visiting Boalt Hall section of this guide.

If you expect an assignment to university-operated housing, you may need to rent a place until your assignment is ready. Cal Rentals recommends that your off-campus rental be a month-to-month agreement, which allows you to move out with 30 days written notice to the landlord. Approximately half the rentals listed with Cal Rentals are month-to-month or offer negotiable tenancies.