<p>It's almost time to begin finding some housing for next year. I don't know where to start... Where do you guys live? How far from campus is it? How far is too far? Do you have any regrets/advice for people who are seeking off-campus housing next year?</p>
<p>I live in a one-bedroom sublet on College Ave., about half a mile from campus (<10 minute walk). I would recommend staying within the border created by Ashby/MLK/Cedar (check Google Maps around campus for an example of how far this is). If you go beyond that, it would be prudent to have a bicycle and/or you're going to have to rely on bikes.</p>
<p>Rent averages about $1000/mo for a one bedroom, $900 for a studio, $750 for a decent bedroom in a shared house, and $500 for a double in a shared house. Utilities don't tend to be included, but if they are it is usually water/sewage.</p>
<p>A great place to watch is Craigslist.org, particularly <a href="http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/%5B/url%5D">http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/</a> (the East Bay connection) where you can look for places available in Berkeley/North Berkeley. Be aware that EVERYTHING says it is "close to campus," but you might find that 2 miles is a little further than you wanted. Otherwise, sign up with CalRentals on the berkeley.edu website. You pay a $30 for some months of access, but the service is limited to those affiliated with the university, so they might have a better idea of what a student would want to live with (or else it's being offered by former students/those who frequently rent to students).</p>
<p>Of course... I've only been living here a month. :)</p>
<p>I live right across from the law school at Westminster House. It's pretty nice. Large rooms, not that expensive, quiet environment, food nearby, etc. I think the office is already leasing for Fall 07.</p>
<p>Another alternative is the co-ops (<a href="http://www.usca.org/%5B/url%5D">http://www.usca.org/</a>)
Rent is approx 3K for room and board per semester, which translates to about $750/month. You also work for 5 hours a week. Most rooms are shared by two people. My S currently lives in one, and this is his 2nd year doing so. There are co-ops on both north-side and south-side. If you are open to communal living and don't want to go greek, they are a good alternative. </p>
<p>You can also live elsewhere and board at the co-op.</p>
<p>dpbby, do you have a website link to westminster? I can't find it.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.westminsterhouse.net%5B/url%5D">http://www.westminsterhouse.net</a> </p>
<p>Website was here, but it's locked up and you can't access the old site. <a href="http://www.westminsterhouse.org%5B/url%5D">http://www.westminsterhouse.org</a> is the ministry website, but it doesn't detail much about the housing.</p>
<p>And "not that expensive?" Yeah, right.</p>
<p>It's generally about as expensive as the dorms, only much nicer. </p>
<p>There is a description of WHouse at <a href="http://www2.collegeparkweb.com/ws/html/default.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www2.collegeparkweb.com/ws/html/default.htm</a></p>
<p>Library Gardens, holla!</p>
<p>Library Gardens? Talk about expensive!</p>
<p>How is it, though?</p>
<p>Money aint a thang for a baller, son!</p>
<p>hahaha, its actually quite overrated, i dont recommend it. it has its positives and negatives, but...we've had some negative experiences with the management, so we won't be extending our lease</p>
<p>What kind of negative experiences? How much does it cost for a two bd. place there anyways? Are there any other comparable apt. complexes in the same area? Is it really time to start leasing for next fall? Any help is appreciated.</p>
<p>librarygardens.com</p>
<p>They're on the corner-ish of Kittredge and Shattuck. Check a map service for specifics, but it's only a couple blocks south (well, technically west) of campus, and it's on a busy/commercial street (which can be a good thing, since it means you're in the thick of it).</p>
<p>Last I recall from their postings on Craigslist, 2 bedrooms started at $2195/mo, with no utilities included.</p>
<p>It's pretty early for next fall, but it's always good to be looking. If you can stay over the summer, looking around late April is great -- you get the students leaving their leases once the semester is over (mid-May) and you pick it up in time for your year. </p>
<p>There are a couple other complexes on Shattuck, but almost all of them advertise on Craigslist anyway. The ones that are comparable (in that they are newer/more managed) all stick around the same price -- Panoramic Management (panoramicmanagement.com) hosts almost all of those, and they are EXPENSIVE but quite nice. There is one complex, actually where my boyfriend lives, that is one block south (or west, again) of campus. He has a small one bedroom for $1000/mo + utilities. It's managed by a nice normal guy, not a corporation/company, but there aren't really any of the "perqs" you'd get from living at the expensive places (state of the art security/amenities and fresh coordinated paint schemes and the like).</p>
<p>Thanks for the info and the links.</p>