Berkeley Furnished Apartments, Rooms & Sublets for Rent
Home to the University of California, the city to the east of the San Francisco Bay has a lot more to offer than just a quality higher education. Berkeley is considered one of America’s most socially liberal cities, and rentals in Berkeley can vary dramatically in price depending on area, size and property type. Initially favoured by first-generation immigrants and African Americans, for cheap rent and low cost of living in comparison to San Francisco. Apartments in Berkeley’s Downtown and Southside neighbourhoods have risen in popularity, demand, and thus price in recent years. The city is popular due to a number of reasons; its historical significance in the civil rights movements of the 1960’s, the liberal and social political scene, the great Universities on offer and it’s location in the San Francisco Bay.
Dominated by the massive student population that descends on Berkeley every year, the city itself is not a metropolis and is struggling to supply the demand in the housing market, WHICH means Berkeley apartments for rent are sought after by many.
Student Accommodation in Berkeley
Furnished Rentals in Berkeley, CA
Recent Rental Properties in Berkeley,CA
Berkeley Furnished Apartments
This style of apartment cater for people with more money to spend per month, thus expect to find furnished and serviced apartments in Berkeley city centre areas such as Downtown. Furnished apartments in Berkeley take away the effort of finding furniture and homeware, thus they are advisable for people on a tight schedule or those looking for temporary accommodation. If this sounds like something that would interest you, be prepared to pay more as these facilities come at an extra cost to the property and be aware the owner will expect you to take care of the furniture and leave it as you found it.
A viable option for those with more of a disposable income are serviced apartments in Berkeley, these are modern, luxurious and have some similarities with hotel facilities such as daily housekeeping and some will include a gym, pool and sauna in the higher end properties. 24 hour reception and underground parking is also common with many of these types of buildings, so for people who value their security this could be the best option.
To find a cheap Berkeley furnished apartment, look for rentals on the outskirts of the city in places like Northside,as quiet areas like these usually come with more space and less competition.
Rooms for Rent in Berkeley
Rooms & Sublets for Rent in Berkeley, CA
Rooms for rent in Berkeley are cheap in comparison to apartments, and this means areas such as Downtown become available that would have previously been unattainable to those on a lower income. We’ve all watched unrealistic Hollywood movies in which a small-town kid moving to a big city, lives in a huge one bedroom apartment alone in a fantastic area and somehow affords it whilst working a bar job. Back here on planet earth, the most affordable way to move to a new city is to move into the spare room of someone else’s place. Rooms to rent in Berkeley are a great and viable alternative to paying for an entire apartment alone, they allow bills to be split equally and the chance to meet new people also living and working in the city. Okay, so rooms are still expensive in Downtown, but they are a lot cheaper than an entire property, am I right?
Berkeley Sublets
Subletting has become a lot easier for both landlords and potential renters in recent year thanks to websites like ours. Sublets in Berkeley are a viable option for people looking for both short and long term accommodation in and around the city. The great thing about sublets is the variety of properties and contract lengths that are constantly being advertised. Those looking are just as likely to find a modern built apartment available in Downtown as an old period style house in Northside. A popular time for people to sublet their property is over the summer months, so a berkeley summer sublet may be achievable if you are diligent in your search.
Persistence is the key to finding a good sublet, the high turnover of properties means that lists are updated daily so there will always be something new coming up. Be aware that these properties are usually short-term, temporary lets as it is often people who are away for an extended period of time sublet them and have plans to return to the property eventually.
Attractive Areas for Apartments in Berkeley, CA
Downtown Berkeley
The commercial center of Berkeley lies Downtown, a neighbourhood seen as the beating heart of the city. Entrepreneurial tech start-ups next door to activist headquarters across the street from world-class theatres, the area is a hub of activity showcasing the best of Berkeley. Seeing as it is the financial and proverbial centre of the city, Downtown Berkeley apartments for rent are the most expensive and desired on this list.
Like any Downtown area in any major city, it is prefered by city workers wanting to live close to the office, thus the area is dominated by lawmakers, tech entrepreneurs and business moguls. Downtown Berkeley apartments consist of residential blocks with furnished and serviced options line many of the boulevards. Young professionals seem to enjoy the fast pace of life that Downtown offers, along with the multiple options to eat, drink and party in the area. The busiest BART terminal can be found here, providing transport to the rest of the city and beyond for locals and tourists (San-Fran downtown is 20 minutes from here).
Northside Berkeley
As the city is so dominated by the University, the name Northside originates from the fact the neighbourhood is on the northern side of the University campus. Northside apartments in Berkeley can be anything from modern apartment blocks to four bedroom houses. Probably the quietest area in this guide, Northside has the reputation of the calm, peaceful neighbour next to Downtown and Southside. Beautiful stand alone properties line wide streets with spacious front lawns and ample space for parking, so for those looking for a Northside Berkeley apartment to rent, be aware that many of these properties are family sized.
Due to the small size of Berkeley, Northside is still relatively close to the centre yet feels very far away, it has one of three stations in the BART subway system for the Berkeley are and it oozes a slower pace of life here, hence it is prefered by families, university staff and retirees.
Southside Berkeley
If Berkeley in general is dominated by students, then Southside is completely overrun with them. A lively, vibrant and attractive area that has Telegraph Avenue running right through it. It’s location (situated south of the university campus) means this area is heavily populated by those studying. Easily the most densely populated area in Berkeley, Southside apartments are a hot commodity for both students and professionals. With so many young people in one neighbourhood, it is no surprise to find a good selection of hipster cafes and eateries along with a good range of wine and sports bars to accommodate the students.
UC Berkeley Apartments
UC Berkeley apartments are a good option for those coming to the University of California in their first year of study. Living on campus ensures the ideal start to University life through social activities, community feeling and general College camaraderie. A well respected College like UC has every type of facility on campus that students could possibly want, so UC Berkeley student housing is not cheap, yet is a necessary and integral step in the path of College life. The university provides shuttles to and around the campus, giving students easy access to the city outside the walls of the College.
Berkeley Student Housing
For those leaving their first year and looking to explore the city of Berkeley a little more, then private landlords offer a great alternative to on campus living. Berkeley student accommodation is centered around the campus and in nearby southside which is dominated by students.
Berkeley student apartments are a great way of living in the city a little outside of campus life to contribute to the buzz of berkeley outside the college boundaries
Student housing Berkeley is in short supply as there is so much competition for apartments located close to the campus.
Berkeley Public Transportation
The main BART( Bay Area Rapid Transport ) Terminal can be found in Downtown Berkeley, providing transport to San Francisco Downtown (20 minutes) and all over the Bay Area. The city itself is compact enough to ensure that public transportation is efficient and modern. The BART system has three subway stations in berkeley, Ashby, Downtown Berkeley and North Berkeley which allow for easy access to the whole of the city. AC Transit is the primary bus operator in the Berkeley area with the majority of routes coming through Downtown, and the fare to San Francisco is only $4.00. The University also provides transport in the form of a shuttle bus to and from the campus to the Downtown BART station.