3.1 Housing Finding a place to live in Berkeley can be a big problem; it is in high demand and expensive. Below is some information that will give you some ideas. 3.1.1 On-Campus Housing 1. The University Dormitories: If you are new to the US and want to meet lots of new people, consider applying for the university housing. You may apply any time; check the housing department website (www.housing.berkeley.edu) for more information. Keep in mind that most of the students living in these dorms are freshmen. 2. The International House: This is a dormitory more suitable for graduate students. As the name suggests, the dorm welcomes students from all parts of the world, including US students. If you want to sharpen your English skills, this may not be the place; from my experience, some residents can barely speak the language. Nonetheless, if you want to have a good time, meet interesting people and go out often, this might just be the place. Go to www-ihouse.berkeley.edu for more information. I would strongly suggest that one applies early. The demand for housing at the International House, just like any other places in this city, far exceeds the supply. 3.1.2 Off-Campus Housing Before looking for a housing off-campus, first you have to ask yourself how you are going to commute. If you do not want to commute by car, you are restricted to housings close to campus, within walking or biking distance. However, in some areas, it is still possible to take the bus or the BART or both to campus, but it naturally takes more time. But if you plan to live further away from campus, and hence are willing to drive or bike or use the public transportation, you basically have more housing choices. Here are the areas that are reasonable in terms of cost and safety:
Another thing that you have to decide is whether you want to have a roommate. In some apartment complexes, a two-bedroom apartment costs only a few hundred dollars more than a one-bedroom apartment. But be sure to choose your roommate carefully.
If you want to live off-campus and do not know anyone you can stay with during your first weeks in Berkeley, try relatively inexpensive places like the Berkeley YMCA, which is very close to campus. It is also convenient if you are hunting for more permanent housing because buses pass there and there is a train station nearby. The daily rates are $33 for a single room and $40 for a doubles room. Getting a room at the YMCA during August is very difficult unless you reserve early; school starts late August. For more information check http://www.berkeley-ymca.org. Finding good housing in the bay area is not easy. Please start looking as soon as possible. We understand that it is not easy to look for an apartment if you are not in the bay area yet. So please do email us and let us know what kind of apartment (one, two or ten bedrooms) and area (off or on campus) that you are looking for and we will try to help you out. Trust us that we do know the areas and list of apartments better than you do. The cost of an off-campus housing may or may not be less than an on-campus one. It depends on the area and the quality and also the number of residents sharing the room. In general, it should be in the range of $400-$1000.
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Thai Student Association at the University of California, Berkeley
