Berkeley, CA

[papillon_pourpre]

Hey all! This is kind of last minute, but I'm coming to visit Berkeley this weekend and I was wondering: what are the best/your favorite things to see or do in the Bay Area, especially for someone who's never been there before?

Thanks!

[Sigaba]

For Berkeley itself, my favorite places are Moe's Books and Top Dog. If you go nutso crazy at Moe's, you might be able to make arrangements for them to ship you your purchases.

But however you spend the weekend, check the weather forecast, and bring enough layers as the low will colder than advertised and the high will be warmer than you expect.

Have a great time!

[wheninhell]

Does anyone know if the https://calrentals.housing.berkeley.edu/ website is worth the money, or is it just as well to scour Craigslist?

[ujs]

hi ..

I will be going to UC Berkeley this fall as a grad student... My husband will be joining me as a defendant on a F-2...We both are cyclists and plan to buy bikes to commute... Are there affordable accommodation options (< $1000 for both of us combined)? we are willing to live anywhere in a 10-12 miles radius range... The area should be safe...any suggestions are most welcome..

thanks a tonne!

[GodelEscherBach]

hi ..

I will be going to UC Berkeley this fall as a grad student... My husband will be joining me as a defendant on a F-2...We both are cyclists and plan to buy bikes to commute... Are there affordable accommodation options (< $1000 for both of us combined)? we are willing to live anywhere in a 10-12 miles radius range... The area should be safe...any suggestions are most welcome..

thanks a tonne!

I think you'll be OK finding a 1 bedroom apartment for 1000 if you're willing to bike a few miles. Lake Merritt/Adam's Point is an area that I think would make a lot of sense. It's bikeable to campus, much more affordable than the area near UC Berkeley, and it seems like a nice place to live.

[carlisle]

Does anyone know if the https://calrentals.h...g.berkeley.edu/ website is worth the money, or is it just as well to scour Craigslist?

anyone able to comment on this?

also, anyone have any comments on the jackson grad dorms?

apologies in advance if this is asking for too much, but does anyone have any recommendations for someone coming in halfway across the world?! i'd like a somewhat social living environment to meet new people and not have my circle limited to my program. how are the co-op living environments? is there a particular area of campus to avoid-- beit for crime rates or undergrad flooding? or maybe just a pretty inconvenient location?

[IRFuture]

Hello,

As someone who went to Berkeley I think I have a little bit of insight on living accommodations.

UJS- you can also look into North Oakland. I lived on the Berkeley/Oakland border (telegraph and Alcatraz) and found it very convenient and safe. Since Telegraph is a direct link to campus and has many bus routes you can take if you don't feel like biking it was always a favorite for me. It is only about 5 miles away and you can easily find a place within your budget (you'd be surprised how little difference there is between oakland and Berkeley as far as lifestyles, but how big a difference the price is).

Carlisle- don't waste your money on cal rental. Scouring Craigslist will get you similar results. I don't know much about grad dorms, but like I said to UJS North Oakland has always been a favorite of mine. You aren't too far from the Temescal Area, Jack London Square, or downtown Berkeley which will def satisfy your social needs without being too loud. I was never a fan of co-ops since they never seemed clean enough to me, but that's just an opinion. If you live in Berkeley you will be flooded with undergrads, especially during football season, but that isn't always a bad thing. Berkeley isn't the safest of campuses since its so open, but being smart and aware of your surroundings you should be fine ( many of times I spent late nights getting home by myself and rarely felt threatened)

Hope this helps a little

[splitends]

@Carlisle: BSC co-ops are a fabulous place to live, especially if your main concern is meeting new people and having easy access to an active social life outside your department. I lived in the co-ops as an undergrad and am about to move into a grad student only co-op as a PhD student. We've had a few graduate students and older undergrads (24-27ish) living in my house over the years, but I wouldn't really recommend living in the not specifically grad student houses (Hillegas Parker or Convent) if you're older and don't want to risk living with a bunch of 19-20 year olds (though I've known many people who have done it and loved it-- it really depends on what you're looking for.) The BSC apartments are also a great price for living so close to campus, and offer a bit more community than the average apartment, but no where near as much as the houses.

It's actually a bit late in the game to get on the waitlist for co-ops this fall, though you would have an advantage as an international student. If you are seriously considering this option, please PM me and I will gladly dish on all the specific houses and other pros and cons of cooperative living in Berkeley. Good luck!

P.S. IRFuture: There are 17 different houses and 3 different apartment complexes in the BSC-- while the average co-op is probably more than deserving of the cleanliness remark, there is a ton of diversity in house size, culture, etc and I guarantee there are exceptions to that general rule!

[ka_tizz]

I am looking to attend UC-Berkeley next fall to start my Ph.D in Psychology and I am wondering if any of you attend Berkeley/are in any of the psych programs/fellowships currently that could give me a bit of a rundown of how you like it and how it is going for you?

Also, what is the city like? Where are the best places to live/work? How is the nightlife/campus life? etc.

Any insight is helpful

[scofield24]

I am going there in the Fall. Should I start looking at apartments now? Or in the summer? When do most leases start in Berkeley Area?

From what I read and heard, the north side is safer and more graduate students live there right?

Anyone know the village thing on campus? How is that?

[BellJarred]

I am going there in the Fall. Should I start looking at apartments now? Or in the summer? When do most leases start in Berkeley Area?

From what I read and heard, the north side is safer and more graduate students live there right?

Anyone know the village thing on campus? How is that?

 

Yes, the Northside area is generally safer and more graduate students live there. All of the engineering and science buildings are on the north and northeast sides of campus, so you will also be very close to your civil engineering department. However, northside also has significantly less people walking around during both the daytime and nighttime (compared to the major hustle and bustle of Telegraph Ave and downtown Berkeley), so I would advise that you remain extra cautious when going through this area. Berkeley is home to a diverse mix of all types of people and, as IRFuture stated, the campus itself is kept very open and integrated with the city that surrounds it.

 

I don't know too much about the University Village, but I do know that there is a bus line (line 52) that will bring you directly to campus from there. You will be able to ride all AC Transit buses for free with a Class Pass sticker that you get from the student ID (Cal 1 Card) office.

 

A lot of undergraduate students (mostly freshmen who are coming out from the dorms) will look for apartments from the end of March to May, mainly because they want to secure a place before the semester officially ends in May and they'll have to head back home for summer vacation. Leases can usually start at whichever month you with, although most landlords will want you to commit to a full year of renting. My roomates and I saved some money on our apartment by avoiding the rush and contacting landlords towards the end of summer when they were getting worried about being left with remaining unrented apartments for an entire school year. We were able to negotiate $200 off by doing this. However, this plan is only plausible if you have a friend to stay with while you do the apartment hunting and if you are not too choosy with the options.

[NBM]

A lot of people have cautioned against living in Oakland, and some go as far as to suggest staying clear of the area... 

Is that advice legit?

[BellJarred]

A lot of people have cautioned against living in Oakland, and some go as far as to suggest staying clear of the area... 

Is that advice legit?

 

There are some parts of Oakland that you may want to avoid if you are new and unfamiliar to the area, but there are also really great and "safe" places to live in Oakland too! You may want to look into the following places:

North Oakland  - especially the lovely and vibrant Rockridge and Temescal districts

Oakland Hills - the air and the scenery in the secluded Oakland Hills is wonderful and they have a gorgeous park with an amphitheater (Joaquin Miller Park). The rent is quite a bit higher though.

Piedmont - this is technically it's own separate city but it's located right in the middle of Oakland and it is considered to be a very nice area.

 

Alameda  - this is a nearby island city that you can reach by simply crossing a tunnel or bridge from Oakland. Alameda is a great place to live, but it can be pricey and you may want to purchase a car. It is, of course, possible to take the bus for free (using your student ID) to the Berkeley campus, but our public transportation system is not the most efficient and most people tend to drive here in the Bay Area. The bus ride will take about an hour since you'll need to change buses once.

 

I also want to remind everyone that crime and robbery can happen anywhere in the world, even if you're in a place that is usually labeled "safe." When you're out at night, remember to always watch your surroundings, keep your iphone in your pocket, and walk purposely as if you have someone to meet and some place to be. 

 

If you are in the Berkeley area and you don't feel safe walking somewhere alone, you can call BearWALK for an escort to take you to where you need to go. After 2:00 AM, you can even catch a night shuttle that will drive you to your destiantion. More information can be found here: http://police.berkeley.edu/programsandservices/campus_safety/index.html

Edited March 5, 2013 by BellJarred

[BellJarred]

As for staying clear of the area completely, I personally don't think you have to exercise that much caution. Oakland is home to a variety of things to see and things to do. Here are is hastily put together list:

- Oakland Museum (admission is free on the first Sunday of every month)

- Oakland Zoo (for animal lovers)

- Oakland Chinatown (super cheap groceries, authentic Chinese restaurants, and bakeries with delicious pastries)

- Lake Chabot (it's huge and it's perfect for hiking)

- Lake Chabot Golf Course (they offer golf lessons)

- Lake Merrit (you can visit the boat house and rent a kayak for 2 people or a pedal boat for 3 people for some fun exercise on the lake)

- Oracle Arena & Oakland Coliseum (people come here to watch the Oakland A's, Golden State Warriors, and Oakland Raiders. Off the top of my head, I also remember that Rihanna performed here in 2011 and that Alicia Keys is coming here next week on March 10th.)

- There are also tons of really great and highly recommended restaurants in Oakland, but you'll have to check Yelp for that information.

 

Again, I want to say that you should always be careful and be smart, wherever you are. Go with a group, don't flaunt your wealth (leave valuables at home), and don't stumble around looking like you're a lost tourist (plan and search for directions before heading out).

[NBM]

BellJarred, thanks a lot for the detailed reply! That surely helped me (and probably others on the board, too) understand Oakland a little better!

[AlHal]

I'm also considering moving to Berkeley, and I'm curious about this safety thing everyone keeps talking about. I currently live in Central Sq in Cambridge, MA which has a gritty reputation, but I've never felt unsafe as a single woman walking alone at night. I would never expect someone to shoot at me or something like that. There are heroin addicts that might look at you funny or yell at you, but they're mostly harmless. I guess I'm curious what happens in "unsafe areas." And, also, in these areas, is there a problem of robberies, or breaking and entering? I hope to live alone, and save as much money as possible, but I guess I'd err on the side of caution if that's what is meant by unsafe.

 

In a similar vein, a lot of people have mentioned biking, I hope to do this all without a car. Is that completely insane? I'm also curious about the safety of cycling in the city. Are drivers accustomed to bicycles? Are there bike lanes? Is there a lot of bike theft (a major problem in Boston at the moment.)

[NBM]

I'm also considering moving to Berkeley, and I'm curious about this safety thing everyone keeps talking about. I currently live in Central Sq in Cambridge, MA which has a gritty reputation, but I've never felt unsafe as a single woman walking alone at night. I would never expect someone to shoot at me or something like that. There are heroin addicts that might look at you funny or yell at you, but they're mostly harmless. I guess I'm curious what happens in "unsafe areas." And, also, in these areas, is there a problem of robberies, or breaking and entering? I hope to live alone, and save as much money as possible, but I guess I'd err on the side of caution if that's what is meant by unsafe.

 

I just had the opportunity to pay a short visit Berkeley, and against the advice of others, I took an evening stroll OUTSIDE the People's Park. It scared the heck out of me. A case in point: I saw a weird-looking man literally chasing a pedestrian, while making horrid noises (echoing, unintentionally, the ones inside the park). Since I was halfway through the block, it wouldn't make much sense just to turn around. At last I decided that walking on the road (despite the traffic) was (/felt) safer than walking on the sidewalk next to the park. ** That said, I think that was just the experience of a very inexperienced visitor. **

 

As you asked about crime, here's some (mapped out) data: http://www.crimemapping.com/map.aspx?aid=3f1738a8-6160-4c68-998a-ae00f597613a

And, on general safety: http://police.berkeley.edu/

 

BellJarred, as her previous posts show, will be capable of giving FAR better answers.

[GodelEscherBach]

I'm also considering moving to Berkeley, and I'm curious about this safety thing everyone keeps talking about. I currently live in Central Sq in Cambridge, MA which has a gritty reputation, but I've never felt unsafe as a single woman walking alone at night. I would never expect someone to shoot at me or something like that. There are heroin addicts that might look at you funny or yell at you, but they're mostly harmless. I guess I'm curious what happens in "unsafe areas." And, also, in these areas, is there a problem of robberies, or breaking and entering? I hope to live alone, and save as much money as possible, but I guess I'd err on the side of caution if that's what is meant by unsafe.

[alf10087]

Hi there. I'm currently polishing my budget to study at Berkeley. 

 

Does anyone know approximately up to how much could the living expenses amount for a single guy? Excluding rent and utilities. Just regular expenses like food and having a drink every once in a while?

 

Thank you for your help.

[goose2345]

Im also interested for the answer in the post above. Also, I was admitted to the MS/PhD in Mechanical Engineering, what does the schooling cost? Some sources say $15,000 and others $25,000. I am from out of state.

[kaputzing]

So what would it look like to live in Berkeley off a $21,000 stipend?

[knitterjenn]

I currently live in one of the two grad/re-entry co-ops, and am happy to answer questions about specifics!

 

I'm a re-entry student, in the decision process for grad school, so will be leaving at the end of May, but have been at Berkeley, and in the co-op for two years.

[AlHal]

Hi there. I'm currently polishing my budget to study at Berkeley. 

 

Does anyone know approximately up to how much could the living expenses amount for a single guy? Excluding rent and utilities. Just regular expenses like food and having a drink every once in a while?

 

Thank you for your help.

 

The financial aid office has a breakdown of general costs of living, which might be helpful: http://students.berkeley.edu/finaid/graduates/cost.htm

[ssk2]

Another question as a cyclist commuter - how feasible is it to cycle year round? Are there ever many days where it rains heavily enough to make cycle commuting a bad idea?

 

Secondly - how bad is bike theft? I lock my bike around central London often and I've never had any problem (although I'm pretty sensible about locking up the frame and looping a cable through both wheels).

[lothloriensage]

Another question as a cyclist commuter - how feasible is it to cycle year round? Are there ever many days where it rains heavily enough to make cycle commuting a bad idea?

 

Secondly - how bad is bike theft? I lock my bike around central London often and I've never had any problem (although I'm pretty sensible about locking up the frame and looping a cable through both wheels).

So I bike year-round in San Francisco and it is really not too bad. There are a few days a year when it is down pouring and I don't like to bike. But people still do. HOWEVER the weather is really unpredictable in the Bay Area and can vary greatly from year to year. This year, for example, there has not been much rain. But two years ago it felt like the rain never stopped!

 

Bike theft exists but you just need to be smart enough to lock your bike with a u-lock. People steal wheels if they look nice but otherwise aren't super interested. I only have one friend who has had his bike stolen and it's because he didn't lock it. It seems like you would be just fine.