<p>So I am planning to go to UC Berkeley next fall and on-campus living is not an option for me. I lived in a dormitory for half of high school and was pretty miserable. I am a social person, but I need my space as well. Also, I'm vegan and prefer raw food to cooked. </p>
<p>So my question is how can I pay for off-campus living? I got the NROTC scholarship so school fees are completely covered, but the scholarship will not cover living expenses. I'm planning to get a few window blind solar panels installed with the permission of the apartment renter, so that should cover quite a bit of electricity. Also, I am not going to have cable, only internet expenses (hulu works just great for me! :D) </p>
<p>Because NROTC requires me to meet with the rest of the scholarship recipients at least three times a week, because I will have other extracurricular, and because I will be participating in intense yoga and martial arts classes, I will be very busy and cannot worry about a job. </p>
<p>I need to know how to release myself from financial worries and any positive feedback would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!</p>
<p>Give up some extracurriculars and get a job. Welcome to the real world. I’m busy too. I’m in two clubs (treasurer of one) and I’m taking 13 classes next semester. I also work. You just have to give up something, either extracurricular, social, or live within your means.</p>
<p>I live off-campus in my own non-university apt. I agree with fluteloop, a job is most reasonable at this point. Did you qualify for work-study? I like living off-campus, as it gives me my freedom and space.</p>
<p>I’m not sure what you really expect people to tell you… you seem to be looking at this very unrealistically. It’s not like anyone of cc can magically tell you how to “release you” from “financial worries.”</p>
<p>Your rent alone is going to run upwards of $1000 a month most likely. Either take out loans or get a job.</p>
<p>Also, the cost of the window blind solar panels is probably going to be more expensive than what you’d save on your PG&E bill. Honestly, I wouldn’t even bother with that.</p>
<p>Edit: Just looked at padmapper. The cheapest currently listed near Cal is $950 for a studio, and it says the average for the area (one bedroom or studio) is $1500.</p>
<p>That being said, that’s probably still cheaper than the cost of dorming, so you’ll probably be better off with an apartment either way. Man is dorming expensive there…</p>
<p>Request a single, live in the dorm, and take our a loan to cover the fee. Then save all your money that year for housing the next. That’s the most reasonable in my opinion. Living in an apartment on your own will be extremely expensive, almost ridiculously so, it makes more sense to at least have roommates. However, as a first year dorm living is strongly encouraged even if you’ve done it before and I’m surprised it’s not required at yoru school.</p>
<p>
That’s actually probably not true for Cal. See the below rates. It’s painful.
[Living</a> at Cal 2012-2013, UC Berkeley Housing](<a href=“http://www.housing.berkeley.edu/livingatcal/rates.html]Living”>http://www.housing.berkeley.edu/livingatcal/rates.html)</p>
<p>If the OP were to get an apartment off campus there’s a good chance it would be cheaper than the dorms. Even more so with a roommate or two.</p>
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Also not true. You have to consider the school the OP is talking about. Most of my friends who went to UC schools either got an apartment or lived at home (if possible) - a lot of UC dorms are packed and not a guarantee to get in.</p>