ssrrxx

I was admitted to both with no funding and as a non-resident. It looks like UW would be the better financial decision if I can find a TA-ship (full tuition waiver vs. half-waiver at UCSD with a TA-ship), but I'm also getting the sense that UCSD tends to make the MS-to-PhD transition easier and that it might be easier to find a TA position at UCSD. Does anyone have any information about whether it's really difficult to find a TA position at UW (the admissions site suggests so) and if I'm correct in thinking a UCSD MS may give me a better shot at getting into the UCSD PhD program down the line? Also, does anyone know how coursework compares between the two programs?

The above answer has the best recommendation, which is University Village. Here's some more information about options that definitely aren't scams, but may not have online applications/leasing processes. Some well-known realty companies include Premium Properties, K&S, and North Berkeley Properties. I personally know Premium's application process can technically be done online/over email, but I'm not sure if they want to meet you in person (since I signed my lease in person.) Some major apartment buildings near campus, which are run by reputable but greedy companies that jack rent up a bit above even Berkeley market rates, include: - New Californian Apartments - Gaia - The Berk (not sure if this available to grad students) - Hillside Village - Berkeleyan - El Granada (relatively cheap studios available sometimes) There are a ton more of these "luxury apartment buildings"; you can probably find them on Zillow or Google Maps. I also agree you should try to add yourself to the Berkeley Housing Facebook group, if you haven't already. Also consider finding a temporary sublet when you first move here (there's usually an oversupply over the summer), while looking for a more permanent place in person. Take a look at this too, if you haven't: https://och.berkeley.edu/