Housing Options
Your housing choice depends on your interests, preferences, and budget. Living in a dormitory will allow you to meet a wider variety of students. Some IDP students choose to rent a private apartment or a private room in a home. With one of these options, you will have your independence but will need to cook your own meals, so your living expenses may be lower.
Whichever option you choose, our International Student Services office is happy to help.
Reserve your housing by completing the housing application.
Short-Term Stays
YMCA
Dormitories
International House
Tau House
Hillside Residence
Hillside Durant
Private or Shared Apartments
Details
Home Stay
Details
Housing Option Details
Short-Term Stays
YMCA:
RESIDENCE HOTEL AND FITNESS FACILITY
The YMCA is most suitable for short-term stays while you search for long-term housing. It is recommended for those who are on a limited budget, as accommodations are basic. The Y has the convenience of a downtown location and a diverse mix of residents, including non-IDP students. The sports and fitness facility is free for residents.
- 5-minute walk to class
- No meals provided
- Light use of kitchen permitted
- Central hall bathrooms
- TV lounge, DSL high-speed Internet in rooms, refrigerators in rooms, swimming pools, fitness facility, sports classes, bed linens, and coin-operated laundry
- $800 per person per month—single room
(no double rooms currently available) - No deposit required; payment for at least the first month is made on arrival; rate requires at least a 21-day stay; stays of fewer than 21 days will be charged the posted hotel rate plus local hotel tax
- Visa, MasterCard, and American Express accepted
Price per person (January 2008—April 2009)
YMCA Website
Map
Housing Application
Dormitories
INTERNATIONAL HOUSE
- 10-minute bus ride or 20-minute walk to class
- 15 meals per week
- No kitchen
- Central hall bathrooms
- Unique community of student residents from more than 60 countries, including the United States.
- Features include multicultural/international activities, high-speed Internet, indoor/outdoor dining, café,easy access to main campus, and common facilities and services
- $3,815—double room
- $4,872—regular single room
- $5,353—Bay view single room
- Price includes $800 pre-payment for reservation, $300 refundable security deposit and $60 membership fee
- For new residents, there is a $35 non-refundable application fee
Approximate price per person
International House Website
Map
Housing Application
- 10-minute bus ride or 20-minute walk to class
- 18 meals per week included, with bag lunches and late dinner plates available
- No kitchen—common refrigerator and microwave available
- Central hall bathrooms
- Diverse group of residents, including UC Berkeley students as well as international students
- Features include TV lounge, high-speed wireless and cable Internet, outdoor areas and roof decks, living room, dining room, table tennis, billiards, basketball, computers, study room, linens, and coin-operated laundry
- $4,475 per person per term—triple room
- $4,775 per person per term—double room
- $7,850 per person per term—single room
- $200 refundable deposit required; Visa and MasterCard accepted
- Check-in two days before term begins; check-out usually one day after term ends
Price per person
Tau House Website
Map
Housing Application
- 15-minute bus ride or 30-minute walk to class
- 19 meals per week
- Common refrigerator and microwave available
- Central hall bathrooms
- Diverse group of residents including UC Berkeley students as well as international students
- Features include on-site, 24-hour resident assistants, organized activities, high-speed wireless Internet, indoor/outdoor dining, TV lounge, table tennis, billiards, coin-operated laundry, study room with computers
- $3,937 per person per term—triple room
- $4,500 per person per term—double room
- $200 refundable deposit required
- Credit cards, check, or cash accepted
Price per person
Hillside Residence Hall Website
Map
Housing Application
- 10-minute bus ride or 20-minute walk to class
- Two, fully-equipped kitchen/dining areas available for all residents, including all appliances and dishware
- No meals provided, off-site meal option available
- Central hall bathrooms
- Maximum 24 student residents including UC Berkeley students as well as international students
- Features include an on-site resident assistant, wireless Internet, sink, TV, and mini-fridge in rooms, backyard with barbecue, study lounge, coin-operated laundry
- $3,150 per person per term—double room
- $200 refundable deposit required
- Credit cards, check, or cash accepted
Price per person
Hillside Durant Website
Map
Housing Application
Private or Shared Apartments
FURNISHED APARTMENTS IN THE BERKELEY AREA
- 15-minute walk or bus ride to class
- No meals provided
- Individual apartment features vary, as do the types of bathrooms
- Single room in a shared apartment averages $850 per month
- Private apartment averages $1,500 per month
- Deposits are generally required by the landlords, and no credit cards are accepted
- In addition, we have a list of apartment providers who offer short term leases and furnished apartments for international students
Approximate price per person
Housing Application
Home Stay
PRIVATE ROOM IN FAMILY HOME
- 10 to 30 minutes to class by public transit
- Berkeley and nearby areas available
- Meal options available
- Shared kitchen
- Shared bathrooms
- Features may include TV, high-speed Internet, laundry, use of family areas, and English spoken in homes
- $4,045 per person per term—single room with meals
- $3,520 per person per term—single room without meals
- $275 advance payment is required, and will be applied to the total
- Check-in two days before term begins; check-out one day after term ends
Price per person
Housing Application
All housing rates are current as of November 2007. Fees and availability are subject to change without notice.