Choosing a place to live depends on your interests, preferences and budget.

With options available in both Berkeley and San Francisco, you can live in the bustling atmosphere of a dormitory, enjoy the independence of a private or shared apartment, or get the personal attention of a homestay.

We encourage you to research options by reading our blog posts below, attending our housing webinar, and directly contacting any of the housing providers below to confirm your housing before arrival. We do not endorse any of the following housing providers, but offer them for informational purposes only. Make sure you read and analyze all details and contracts for your off-campus housing before making any legal commitments.

To get started, read our blog posts to learn more about the following topics:

• What Should I Pay for Housing?
• Types of Housing in the San Francisco Bay Area
• Understanding Your Lease
• Need Furniture and Household Supplies?
• What Is a Housing Security Deposit and How Do I Get It Back?

You can also check out the UC Berkeley Graduate Assembly (GA)'s housing guide, Best Practices for Finding Housing, for additional resources.

Once you are accepted into a Berkeley Global program, you will also be granted access to a private Berkeley housing Facebook group. This group is a great resource as members often share new housing resources, tips and posts about housing or room openings.

For additional assistance or information, please email any questions to extension-intl@berkeley.edu.

Housing Scams Targeting International Students

When looking for housing, especially from abroad, it is important to know that not all advertisements may be legitimate. Some warning signs that the listing may be a scam are:

• It seems "too good to be true"
• It asks for personal information such as a passport ID, credit/debit card numbers, or Social Security numbers
• It requires immediate action
• It insists you send money even though you have not seen the property
• They refuse to show you the place or to meet you (whether it is via Skype or other video chat)

Consider this advice to avoid being the victim of a scam:

• Research rental rates in the Bay Area before you commit to renting
• Use Google Maps to verify that the property exists
• Ask about all the terms and conditions before signing anything or giving money
• Avoid paying for a money transfer
• Be suspicious of anything involving large sums of money
• Do a reverse image search to see if the pictures of the property were taken from another site
• Read about other common scam types

If you think you have been the victim of a scam or are unsure if a listing is legitimate, please contact us immediately for assistance at extension-intl@berkeley.edu.