Looking for Affordable Housing for Berkeley student (El Cerrito: rentals, credit rating)

[pjoa328]

I live out of state and my daughter will be attending Berkeley. She is gainfully employed and has been so since moving to CA 3 years ago. She has worked very hard to get where she is and has done it on her own financially as I am disabled and support myself on SSDI income. Her current living situation will no longer be available beginning in May. I am trying to help her in her search for affordable housing options. I live in NC and am shocked at rental costs in the Berkeley area. Does anyone have any suggestions for safe, affordable rentals? My daughter is quiet, personable, respectful, clean, hardworking and determined to fulfill her dream of obtaining her degree in Environmental Sciences and pursue a career in a field that will have a positive impact in this world. She would be happy in a private home room where she could help with kids, pets, etc. or as a room mate for another responsible person. She is not party girl and has never been in any trouble with the law. She is just a good kid trying to make it on her own.

[jade408]

Tell her to reach out to the campus housing department. Also the Berkeley Parents Network website. But unfortunately unless you find a benevolent soul, those housing prices are realistic. The Bay Area did not earn its reputation for expensive housing by accident. And Berkeley is becoming more popular with non students. El Cerrito is generally cheaper than Berkeley and close to campus.

[2sleepy]

As already suggested, try the College first, but they can't help try Craigslist. The problem is that decent room shares rent quickly. I'm assuming she's getting a pell grant? In order to supplement her income, she might try to get a job on campus, they are usually great about arranging hours around your schedule.

$684 - Rommate wanted

$750 Great room in large Berkeley Hills House (berkeley north / hills)

Room Available at the Blue Castle!

Free Utilities!

Great room available close to campus!

[MountainHi]

Will she be an undergraduate or a graduate student? What is her hourly wage currently? Did she apply for a full financial aid package when she applied to the school? She would qualify for a work-study job, and those sometimes pay better than off-campus work, and they accommodate to the student's schedule. She can apply to campus housing after looking at the cost of the various options, and she'll also have to search Craigslist online rental listings to see if she can do better than what campus housing offers.

This isn't something you can do for her. She's right there; she's in a better position to call on new listings and offer her documents promptly (there's a lot of competition for the more affordable spaces): credit rating, letter of recommendation from previous landlord, proof of employment and other income (her grants, etc.) If she's been living there for 3 years, she knows the drill.

[MountainHi]

Originally Posted by 2sleepy

As already suggested, try the College first, but they can't help try Craigslist. The problem is that decent room shares rent quickly. I'm assuming she's getting a pell grant? In order to supplement her income, she might try to get a job on campus, they are usually great about arranging hours around your schedule.

$684 - Rommate wanted

$750 Great room in large Berkeley Hills House (berkeley north / hills)

Room Available at the Blue Castle!

Free Utilities!

Great room available close to campus!

These are some amazing deals! $625 for her own room (the last listing) is a steal, believe it or not. And it's within walking distance of the university. But she won't be ready to move until the end of April, you say. Here's hoping something like that will be available when she's ready.

[pjoa328]

Thank you all for your help. I realize it's probably easier for her to look since she is there, but I'm a mom. If you are too or you have a mom of your very own you know we just want so much to help! She may technically be an adult, but she is still my "baby" (literally, she is my youngest so she is the baby). I have forwarded her the links and will talk to her about options available through campus. My nest may be empty but this mama wants to do what I can to make sure that she has a safe nest to feather while she pursues her dream of a Berkeley education.

[BicoastalAnn]

Originally Posted by pjoa328

Thank you all for your help. I realize it's probably easier for her to look since she is there, but I'm a mom. If you are too or you have a mom of your very own you know we just want so much to help! She may technically be an adult, but she is still my "baby" (literally, she is my youngest so she is the baby). I have forwarded her the links and will talk to her about options available through campus. My nest may be empty but this mama wants to do what I can to make sure that she has a safe nest to feather while she pursues her dream of a Berkeley education.

So sweet. I'm a Berkeley grad too and I know that housing market alllll too well. She better be prepared to devote time to checking craigslist often, scheduling meetings ("interviews" really...) quickly, being on her best behavior, etc. People can be pretty darn picky and get things finalized quickly.

[Mini_Mom]

Originally Posted by BicoastalAnn

So sweet. I'm a Berkeley grad too and I know that housing market alllll too well. She better be prepared to devote time to checking craigslist often, scheduling meetings ("interviews" really...) quickly, being on her best behavior, etc. People can be pretty darn picky and get things finalized quickly.

One of my kids just finished there, and said that finding a good place to rent is like a part-time job in itself, and you really need to be on your toes, especially when competing for the lower rents and more convenient locations.