I will be attending OT School in the Bay Area (SMU) this fall, and so far I have been unsuccessful at finding reasonably priced housing close to my school. I was wondering if anyone else attending school in the Fall knows where they are living or has any suggestions.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
Housing in the Bay Area???
- Thread starter OTTXGirl
- Start date
There is a significant price range in rental housing in Oakland. There are very pricey newly constructed loft spaces intermingled with older mult-family dwellings and single family houses. The least expensive option will be west and south of SMU. If you want roomates, check craigslist shared housing. You can search CL by neighborhood. The school is located near the Uptown neighborhood as well as West Oakland and downtown. You can also search CL by price. Good luck!I will be attending OT School in the Bay Area (SMU) this fall, and so far I have been unsuccessful at finding reasonably priced housing close to my school. I was wondering if anyone else attending school in the Fall knows where they are living or has any suggestions.
I think Craigslist is a great way to go. For SMU, look for places in Pill Hill, Glenn Echo Creek, Adams Point, Temescal, Lake Merritt (but not too far on the east side), and Emeryville. While West Oakland is cheaper, I would be hesitant to recommend living there if you're not familiar with the area as safety can be more of a concern. Hope that helps. Good luck!
Thanks everyone for your help! I have checked Craigslist but I don't feel very comfortable about some of the pics I feel like they are a little misleading . I think I am going to have to fly down there to see the places in person just to be on the safe side..
- Joined
- Apr 17, 2013
- Messages
- 18
- Reaction score
- 0
how do you like AIC ? im deciding if im attending or taking another year off and reapplying. when i went to visit i didnt get a college vibe.
Craigslist is simply the single largest source of rentals in the SF Bay area. A sketchy ad, which you come across at times, and you move on. I have both rented and found renters on CL. No resource in the country can come near CL in both quality and quantity of available units. It sounds like you will come to town to rent, that is the best strategy. Let me encourage you to avoid the late August rush by renting August 1. Apartments go very quickly during the student arrival for the Fall term.Thanks everyone for your help! I have checked Craigslist but I don't feel very comfortable about some of the pics I feel like they are a little misleading . I think I am going to have to fly down there to see the places in person just to be on the safe side..
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2011
- Messages
- 110
- Reaction score
- 6
I live near El Cerrito but commute to SJSU's OT program. Consider Albany and El Cerrito, that is where the counties border but both are near BART stations which can take you to MacArthur BART, BART ride is less than 10 minutes. SMU is about a 0.6 mile walk from MacArthur BART, faster if you have a bike. Rent is less and both areas are not nearly as sketchy as East or West Oakland. Hope this helps.
I live near El Cerrito but commute to SJSU's OT program. Consider Albany and El Cerrito, that is where the counties border but both are near BART stations which can take you to MacArthur BART, BART ride is less than 10 minutes. SMU is about a 0.6 mile walk from MacArthur BART, faster if you have a bike. Rent is less and both areas are not nearly as sketchy as East or West Oakland. Hope this helps.
Awesome thanks for the head up I'm about to look up those areas!!
Time is a huge commodity when you are in grad school. The closer you can live to your program, the less time you will spend in transit. I ran the numbers on a daily commute from Oakland to SJSU and the time (1+hour each way) gas ($100 week at 28mpg) as well as the lost opportunity cost are huge.
If you are planning on going to SMU and want to save time and money AND live in a nice neighborhood, try Lake Merrit!, Adams Point, Piedmont, Temescal or lower Rockridge. Uptown is now very nice and West Oakland is getting better every day. Also, get a bike. Parking by SMU is expensive. A 2 mile bike commute is short and a nice way to get moving when you are going to be in class all day. Walking around BART stations alone, at night, is not to be recommended. That is where situations happen that are better off avoided. A bike is the best defense against situations on the street. The bike parking at SMU is terrible, but perhaps they will move into the 21st century soon in that regard.
To sum up.
As short a commute as possible, save time and money.
Bike everywhere you can, get panniers to carry stuff, take BART everywhere else and save money on car costs.
Rent a nice place that is quiet enough to study.
Best neighborhood, because of array of restaurants, cafes and other retail is Piedmont. Also has best little bike shop in Oakland and great access to a beautiful place to walk, the Mountain View Cemetery
Having lived in, walked and biked all all over the parts of Oakland I mentioned for more than a decade, I would advise against living outside of these neighborhoods.
If you are planning on going to SMU and want to save time and money AND live in a nice neighborhood, try Lake Merrit!, Adams Point, Piedmont, Temescal or lower Rockridge. Uptown is now very nice and West Oakland is getting better every day. Also, get a bike. Parking by SMU is expensive. A 2 mile bike commute is short and a nice way to get moving when you are going to be in class all day. Walking around BART stations alone, at night, is not to be recommended. That is where situations happen that are better off avoided. A bike is the best defense against situations on the street. The bike parking at SMU is terrible, but perhaps they will move into the 21st century soon in that regard.
To sum up.
As short a commute as possible, save time and money.
Bike everywhere you can, get panniers to carry stuff, take BART everywhere else and save money on car costs.
Rent a nice place that is quiet enough to study.
Best neighborhood, because of array of restaurants, cafes and other retail is Piedmont. Also has best little bike shop in Oakland and great access to a beautiful place to walk, the Mountain View Cemetery
Having lived in, walked and biked all all over the parts of Oakland I mentioned for more than a decade, I would advise against living outside of these neighborhoods.
Last edited:
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2011
- Messages
- 110
- Reaction score
- 6
Not that she was talking about commuting to SJSU, but commuting from El Cerrito, which is even further north of Oakland, using BART and bus, about 1.5 hours each way, costs less than 10 bucks a day total (VTA bus is free for SJSU students). 3 out of the 4 semesters I was on campus 3 or 4 days a week, so 40 bucks a week at most on transportation. The library is also amazing, 8 floors, 3 are silent floors which is great for studying, every floor has group study rooms which are great for group papers, open until midnight Sun-Thurs. My point is commuting a long way is very doable so commuting a very short way is a lot more doable if you want to save on rent. Driving isn't the only option, just saying.
While time is important, plenty of people hold jobs and commute from 70+ miles out and still do fine, and yes SJSU OT has a very demanding OT program. Time management is all a part of being a graduate student. You might find an affordable place in those neighborhoods mentioned above but almost all of the neighborhoods mentioned are not that affordable without having a cramped living situation unless you get lucky and find a rare super great deal, I'm sure those are the areas you looked at when you found out that prices are unreasonable because they are in high demand between the Cal students, SMU students, and the other young professionals who want to live in those great neighborhoods. If you cannot find a place, don't limit yourself to looking in just those neighborhoods is all I am recommending because you do have affordable alternatives available if you broaden your scope. The trade off is not significant regarding time, I'm talking an additional 5-10 minutes. Walking to and from MacArthur BART station at night should not be a problem as long as you just go there and get on, plenty of people like you use it as it is a hub to get to all areas on the BART line. Now hanging out at any BART station aimlessly for long periods of time might increase your chances of something bad happening. A bike would definitely be useful and would make your commute shorter, something like 20-30 minutes on the high end.
Just check out those cities I mentioned, plenty of Cal students and SMU students do it because they save a significant amount on rent. I am very familiar with the entire East Bay, not just Oakland, so I am aware of which areas are pricey and how to get around them without sacrificing much more in the way of time. You do not have to live in Oakland and be in the immediate area around SMU to do well, 5-10 more minutes of commute time on BART and you can save so much money on rent. Piedmont Ave is nice and the actual city of Piedmont is ritzy and so is the Rockridge neighborhood. I have lived in the El Cerrito/Berkeley/Oakland area since 1987 and still live here. If I can get through my OT program commuting to San Jose from El Cerrito without a bike or a car, then you certainly can commute from the same area to Oakland and get through your OT program, I just chose the in-state tuition over a more convenient commute.
Kudos on the Mountain View cemetery recommendation, it is one of my favorite places to unwind. Great views of the bay and plenty of historical figures buried there (I'm a bit of a history buff). Samuel Merritt's tomb is actually there on Millionaire's Row, check it out if you have a chance. So are Domenico Ghirardelli (chocolatier), Henry J. Kaiser, the Bechtel Family, Charles Crocker (one of the big four responsible for the first Transcontinental railroad), among others.
While time is important, plenty of people hold jobs and commute from 70+ miles out and still do fine, and yes SJSU OT has a very demanding OT program. Time management is all a part of being a graduate student. You might find an affordable place in those neighborhoods mentioned above but almost all of the neighborhoods mentioned are not that affordable without having a cramped living situation unless you get lucky and find a rare super great deal, I'm sure those are the areas you looked at when you found out that prices are unreasonable because they are in high demand between the Cal students, SMU students, and the other young professionals who want to live in those great neighborhoods. If you cannot find a place, don't limit yourself to looking in just those neighborhoods is all I am recommending because you do have affordable alternatives available if you broaden your scope. The trade off is not significant regarding time, I'm talking an additional 5-10 minutes. Walking to and from MacArthur BART station at night should not be a problem as long as you just go there and get on, plenty of people like you use it as it is a hub to get to all areas on the BART line. Now hanging out at any BART station aimlessly for long periods of time might increase your chances of something bad happening. A bike would definitely be useful and would make your commute shorter, something like 20-30 minutes on the high end.
Just check out those cities I mentioned, plenty of Cal students and SMU students do it because they save a significant amount on rent. I am very familiar with the entire East Bay, not just Oakland, so I am aware of which areas are pricey and how to get around them without sacrificing much more in the way of time. You do not have to live in Oakland and be in the immediate area around SMU to do well, 5-10 more minutes of commute time on BART and you can save so much money on rent. Piedmont Ave is nice and the actual city of Piedmont is ritzy and so is the Rockridge neighborhood. I have lived in the El Cerrito/Berkeley/Oakland area since 1987 and still live here. If I can get through my OT program commuting to San Jose from El Cerrito without a bike or a car, then you certainly can commute from the same area to Oakland and get through your OT program, I just chose the in-state tuition over a more convenient commute.
Kudos on the Mountain View cemetery recommendation, it is one of my favorite places to unwind. Great views of the bay and plenty of historical figures buried there (I'm a bit of a history buff). Samuel Merritt's tomb is actually there on Millionaire's Row, check it out if you have a chance. So are Domenico Ghirardelli (chocolatier), Henry J. Kaiser, the Bechtel Family, Charles Crocker (one of the big four responsible for the first Transcontinental railroad), among others.
Last edited:
Hey PM me I'm looking too and in you same situation! Are you in the 13' cohort?
Yes I am a part of the 2013 Cohort. I am actually planning on flying down there in June to try and find housing, its so freaking expensive to live there ugh! I PM you though.
Hello and Congrats! I live in the City (SF) and as everyone else who lives in the Bay Area, have had lots of experience with finding housing here. I think FutureOT2013's advice is right on. Great ways to save money include not having a car, living near public transportation (especially BART), and knowing the most affordable neighborhoods. Sometimes you get what you pay for (though there are a few really cheap gems you come across every once in awhile), so I would expect to spend on average $600-$800/ month rent for a room or $1200+ for studios/etc.
Some other things to know about finding housing in the Bay Area:
CRAIGSLIST: Many people live with roommates they find on Craigslist. In fact, most housing is in fact found through craigslist here. While there are the obvious sketchy posters (asking for money, personal id or financial information), most are not sketchy. I find it helpful to have a paragraph handy with a brief description of yourself, living situation you are looking for, and type of roommate you are. Respond to ads quickly and write as many postings as you are drawn to (cast a wide net). I actually found it easiest to secure a sublet first, which are pretty numerous, especially in summer. Also, you often find housing within the last week of the month (not always, but very often) or even a few days after the 1st of the month, so don't be discouraged if you can't secure things a month or more ahead of time. Also, use your network of friends and family to see if anyone knows of someone looking for roommates in the Bay. That's often the best way to secure housing from out of town.
As for securing an apartment of your own, plan to have 2.5 times the rent to move-in with (not always necessary, but safe.) I made a 'housing resume' that included a list of the most recent places I had lived in, my previous landlord's contact info, print out of credit report, and copies of my pay stubs. I also carried first month's rent in cash. This may be overkill in some parts of the Bay Area, but I found it helpful. And of course, do not give anyone any money without getting a receipt and signing a lease first. I think I had a little harder time, because I had a dog too.
Finally, there is also the option of being a live-in roommate for someone. I work with people with disabilities in their homes and have had a couple people I work with have live-ins that are in grad school. In many of these situations, you receive rent free and a stipend in exchange for living and supporting a person with a disability in their homes 4-5 nights a week. For the people I have worked with, these are not awake shifts, but necessary just in case they may need assistance during the night.
I'm sure you will find something, though it is somewhat stressful to find housing in the Bay Area. Best of luck!
Some other things to know about finding housing in the Bay Area:
CRAIGSLIST: Many people live with roommates they find on Craigslist. In fact, most housing is in fact found through craigslist here. While there are the obvious sketchy posters (asking for money, personal id or financial information), most are not sketchy. I find it helpful to have a paragraph handy with a brief description of yourself, living situation you are looking for, and type of roommate you are. Respond to ads quickly and write as many postings as you are drawn to (cast a wide net). I actually found it easiest to secure a sublet first, which are pretty numerous, especially in summer. Also, you often find housing within the last week of the month (not always, but very often) or even a few days after the 1st of the month, so don't be discouraged if you can't secure things a month or more ahead of time. Also, use your network of friends and family to see if anyone knows of someone looking for roommates in the Bay. That's often the best way to secure housing from out of town.
As for securing an apartment of your own, plan to have 2.5 times the rent to move-in with (not always necessary, but safe.) I made a 'housing resume' that included a list of the most recent places I had lived in, my previous landlord's contact info, print out of credit report, and copies of my pay stubs. I also carried first month's rent in cash. This may be overkill in some parts of the Bay Area, but I found it helpful. And of course, do not give anyone any money without getting a receipt and signing a lease first. I think I had a little harder time, because I had a dog too.
Finally, there is also the option of being a live-in roommate for someone. I work with people with disabilities in their homes and have had a couple people I work with have live-ins that are in grad school. In many of these situations, you receive rent free and a stipend in exchange for living and supporting a person with a disability in their homes 4-5 nights a week. For the people I have worked with, these are not awake shifts, but necessary just in case they may need assistance during the night.
I'm sure you will find something, though it is somewhat stressful to find housing in the Bay Area. Best of luck!
Last edited:
Similar threads
B
- Replies
- 0
- Views
- 2K
B
- Replies
- 3
- Views
- 1K
- Replies
- 4
- Views
- 2K
- Replies
- 3
- Views
- 1K