Cost of Living: UC Berkeley

[Aulee]

I was recently admitted to a PhD program at UC Berkeley, which, don't get me wrong, was really exciting! Until I realized how expensive living in that area can be especially on a low graduate stipend (~20k for the academic year).

 

Is it possible to live within a reasonable distance of UC Berkeley on a stipend like that and still eat once in awhile? Any current grad students living there have any advice on where to search for affordable apartments?

 

Thank you!

[RP15]

What program did you get accepted to? I know that in ECE, the summers pay much more, and the yearly salary ends up to be around 30K

[Aulee]

Information Management & Systems in the iSchool.

 

That's encouraging if true for this program as well. I'm going to be sure to ask about this at the visit day.

Edited February 18, 2015 by Aulee

[iphi]

My SO is at Cal and makes that salary. There are ways to raise it (external grants like NSF, being a reader). But lots of people live on it, you just have to be smart about it. I know people who take out loans so they can pay $1000 in rent to live by themselves, and I know people who work as RAs in graduate housing so that their rent is free. I know people who decide not to have a car, or who live with roommates. Anyway, it's definitely possible.

 

The apartment search is the worst. It's very, very competitive. Start early, and if you're not from the area plan to take a trip out to visit. Contact people in your program or other incoming grads to room with.

[AltArcIs]

I talked to a lot of grad students when I was there during Visit Day in Jan.  Everyone I talked to lives with roommates, paying $700-$1200 for rent (based on location and number of roommates). They all said a ~$2000 monthly stipend being a teaching assistant is enough to live by while still having fun.