>
Date: Tue, 01 May 2001 02:20:22 +0000
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Hi Benedikt
I just went through the house hunting in Berkeley and below are some tips
if you are new to the area.
Minimum market rents around the campus are $900 for studios and $1300 for
one bedroom. Most of the studios around the campus are between $900 to
$1100. Sharing a two bedroom apartment is usually not cheaper (minimum
market rent for 2 bedroom apartment is $1800), unless you can move in to
an old rent that has been issued before prices exploded. You can rent a
room in a house where you live with the landlord for usually about $500 to
$600. Such offers are usually easier to get than an own flat.
Most of the offers are posted on the web (such as
http://calrentals.housing.berkeley.edu/, http://www.ehousing.com/ ). There
is also a service that searches landlords for you and contact you if they
can issue a contract (http://www.rentalsolutions.com/), but you need
either of these conditions: (i) an income higher than about 3 times the
monthly rent, (ii) 12 times the amount of the monthly rent on a US bank
account (they don't accept having the money on a Swiss account, you need
to transfer it before you can subscribe to their service), or (iii) a
cosigner that has property in the US.
To get a contract, what you usually need is a deposit and first rent (all
together up to $3000) upon signing the contract, so make sure you have
enough money when you arrive. Usually, you also need a social security
number (get it right upon arrival, 2045 Allston Way, Berkeley) and you
need a US savings and checking account (you do need checks in this
country).
Also, be quick! Some places rent out within hours after they are posted on
the web. If you check out a place that has a general showing, it's good to
be 15 minutes early. Often, the first who hands in the application is
considered first to get a place, and there are often 20 to 50 other people
checking the place. You arrive in the best time of the year, so you have
good chances to get a place near the campus.
Good luck
Michael
Guldimann Benedikt wrote:
> I'm starting at Berkeley the 15th of May and i'm looking for a flat as
> close as
> possible to the campus, for a rent lower than 1000$ if possible. Thanks
> for any help!
>
> cheers,
> Ben
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Received on Mon Apr 30 2001 - 20:22:21 PDT
