<p>My daughter has found the perfect apartment, but the owner wants to rent it starting April 1st because his last tenant moved out unexpectedly and is obligated to pay through the end of his lease (don't know when that is...) and the owner has pledged to do his level best to get someone in before that. It's the right location, secure, private, beautiful, owner lives on the premises and the rent is only $25 more than we were aiming for. Her roommate plans to stay there in the summer, so the plan was to rent from June onward and try to sublet my daughter's half during the summer.</p>
<p>Is it pretty typical to rent through the summer? What's a good deal for a 1 BR about three blocks from campus? Should we snap it up or will plenty become available come June?</p>
<p>You’ll definitely get a better pick if you start renting early in the summer. Rents tend to raise as the school year approaches, so it’s sometimes in your best interest to rent early. </p>
<p>Think of it this way–you could end up paying more for an equally nice apartment if you start renting late summer. The money you save by renting early might make up for the extra months in the end.</p>
<p>$1200 for a 1 bedroom? That seems a little low, but I guess it’s possible.</p>
<p>I pay $1425 for mine (which is 1+, but ~550 sq ft) and I’m on Shattuck x Center.</p>
<p>Plenty will not be available in June. Most people, unless they’re renting a room, will want to secure an apartment before the end of the semester – May and June leases are pretty common near campus, and 12 months is de rigeur unless you’re in one of the for-student buildings. </p>
<p>If you found a place you love that’s only $25/mo more, take it! That’s an amazing coincidence of preferences and you’re not likely to find it again even if there are apartments available later in the game. Just be sure that the landlord allows subletting (or your daughter’s willing to deal with what the subletter does under her name).</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses! Kara, you make a good point. Undecided, the rent at the proposed location is $1650 for a one bedroom, but it’s about 700 sq. feet, includes laundry, water and trash, and internet (“can be worked out”–probably means installing wireless router). I’m PM’ing you a couple questions.</p>
<p>$1650 seems a little high, but less so because it’s in the Telegraph area near campus. That laundry is included is a huge thing – most people have to deal with coin-operated laundry machines or going to a local laundromat, both of which are a pain. Internet is also one of the biggest “utility” expenses, so that’s good to have included too.</p>
<p>The unit also seems pretty sizable. Sounds pretty good to me! I’m sure you could find somewhere cheaper, but not much so and, as I said before, the coincidence of as many factors as people have when choosing housing seems way too good to pass up.</p>
<p>My son rents an apartment on Telegraph within walking distance of everything. The rents on one bedrooms there run from 825.00 to 1250.00. I think 1000-1500.00 is what you will be likely to find in June or September, more for newer buildings depending on location.</p>
<p>Since you’re looking for an idea of what people are paying–I’m paying $1325 for a pretty spacious one bedroom on Northside. Beautiful view, no lease, great landlord, three blocks from campus, water & gas included. </p>
<p>However, I started renting early summer and had to pay for several extra months since I spent the summer abroad. </p>
<p>I was very lucky to secure such a nice apartment. My friends who started renting late summer are paying the same or more, but their quality of living is much much worse. </p>
<p>I would recommend everyone rent as early as they are able. Landlords take advantage of desperate students looking to rent at the last minute. Often it’s more a question of quality than price. You’ll find plenty of seedy slumlords around Berkeley, and you might end up stuck with one if you wait until the last minute.</p>
<p>The quality issue is huge. That’s a good point.</p>
<p>I pay $1425 for a 1+ that is in questionable quality. Single-pane windows with gapping because the building is from the 30’s, a radiator that doesn’t always turn on when it’s cold, stained carpets, tilted floors (the + room has a noticeable dip in the middle of it), a kitchenette, and thin, thin walls.</p>
<p>It’s 'cause I live right downtown and right across the street from campus.</p>
<p>Renting on Northside is a little different from renting in Telegraph or Shattuck; it’s usually fairly far from most non-science classes and there are a LOT more residential buildings. I suspect it’s the latter that makes it easier to find cheaper-than-average housing.</p>
<p>The OP’s apartment price <em>is</em> a little high. But for Telegraph a few blocks from campus, secure, internet + laundry included, and well-kept? Damn good deal and worth a little extra if you have it, I think.</p>
<p>you guys are crazy, walk a couple extra minutes and you wont have to pay nearly that much. there are two bedrooms (with really small living rooms, decent bedroom sizes) for 1400 around dana/dwight or dana/parker area</p>
<p>This is where the other part of the apartment renting game picks up: finding a place sucks.</p>
<p>Last summer, because I hate this building, I tried to find other places. There were quite a few, it’s just there were also 20 people trying for the same thing. Without any income and needing a cosigner, there just wasn’t a chance to get to the top of the line.</p>
<p><em>shrug</em></p>
<p>Being somewhat close to campus is important to me because I walk everywhere. Even where I am now it’s a 10-15 minute walk to the parts of campus I need to be. My first apartment on College took 25. Walking to and from class is not my idea of a fun way to spend my time.</p>
<p>My 2BA apartment is $2500/month. Expensive, but spacious (~1000 sqft) and also super close to school on the northside. I am not staying in summer but was able to find a subletor pretty easily since my room is quite nice I guess. I don’t think it’s all that hard to find someone to sublet the room if the room is actually nice and furnished.</p>
<p>1650 is expensive and should be getting you a 2br easily. Don’t let the landlord pressure you into an early-starting lease. It’s not like anyone else is going to take him up on the offer.</p>