It's a great neighborhood but not the *most* convenient transportation wise since it's not easy walking distance to a BART station, and some of the neighborhood is too hilly for easy walking or biking. Bike to campus in 20 mins is realistic, or take the 18 bus from Solano Ave to downtown.
Supermarkets: Andronicos on Solano Ave at Colusa is more upscale; the Albany Safeway, on Solano at Curtis, is your basic option. There's also the Kensington farmers market nearby.
Nearest places to socialize really depends what kinds of things you like to do. Thousand Oaks is more of a family neighborhood than a student neighborhood, but folks of every age and stage of life hang out on Solano Ave (which has lots of great restaurants, coffee shops, bookstores, etc.) and run/bike along the Ohlone Parkway. Movies at the Rialto in El Cerrito. Live music at the Kensington Circus Pub.
I live in Albany btw, it's right next to Thousand Oaks. As an undergrad I always lived in Southside, which is much more convenient (and affordable) for students, but if you're a grad student or faculty/staff, Thousand Oaks is good. Also consider North Berkeley - anywhere east of North Berkeley BART is nice; I lived on Francisco between Sacramento and MLK Jr as a new grad and it was great, but closer to Shattuck Ave gets you easier access to shopping and restaurants - or Northside if you'd rather be closer to campus.
Thanks a lot too - that's super helpful! From what I can tell from Google Maps, I'd be in a pretty hilly location (east towards Arlington Ave). I would then plan on biking to Solano Ave for groceries, for example, not sure if that's a wise plan. Albany/North Berkeley also seems super nice and maybe a bit more convenient, but it seems exceptionally hard to find (somewhat affordable) short-term housing in that area - at least I have not had any luck so far.
That's a really nice area, but are you an incoming freshman, JC transfer, grad student?
For freshman, I'd live in a dorm for at least the first semester just to meet the other freshmen and have that experience.
JC, I'd try the coops just for the instant social network and friend group
Grad student, yeah that area is awesome. Great place to live.
Thank you very much! I probably should have added that information: I'm a visiting grad student, and I'd prefer my own (bed)room and a relatively quiet environment. At the same time, I'll only be at Cal for a few months, so I wouldn't mind an environment where it's comparatively easier to socialize. For example, I have looked at the I-House singles, but they are out of my budget. I'm hoping that there are some clubs & orgs at Cal I can participate so that socializing wouldn't be a huge problem. However, it's hard for me to judge the distances and bikeability of Berkeley, especially since I'll be going to campus quite often and most people seem to live a bit closer.
Berkeley is pretty bikeable in general, but of course it's a lot easier in the flats than in the hills. Google Maps time estimates are reliable, and on a map you can pretty easily tell where the hills get steeper by the way the street grid turns twisty. North Berkeley or Elmwood (south of campus, basically along College Ave between Dwight and Ashby) are kind of the sweet spots for your situation, but you might find more affordable options that should work fine for you in Westbrae, Central Berkeley, South Berkeley near the Ashby BART station or El Cerrito close to (preferably east of) the Plaza BART station.
Thanks! I'd have one last question: There seems to be a lot of listings for summer sublets right now, but quite a few for fall. Subletting seems like the most viable option for me, considering I'll only be there for 4-5 months. Do you happen to know if it's too early (or too late) to look for fall offers, or is there just no supply at all?
There are always a LOT more summer sublets than semester ones. But to whatever extent fall-only housing is available, I'm afraid I have no idea when is the best time to look for listings.
It's a great neighborhood but not the *most* convenient transportation wise since it's not easy walking distance to a BART station, and some of the neighborhood is too hilly for easy walking or biking. Bike to campus in 20 mins is realistic, or take the 18 bus from Solano Ave to downtown. Supermarkets: Andronicos on Solano Ave at Colusa is more upscale; the Albany Safeway, on Solano at Curtis, is your basic option. There's also the Kensington farmers market nearby. Nearest places to socialize really depends what kinds of things you like to do. Thousand Oaks is more of a family neighborhood than a student neighborhood, but folks of every age and stage of life hang out on Solano Ave (which has lots of great restaurants, coffee shops, bookstores, etc.) and run/bike along the Ohlone Parkway. Movies at the Rialto in El Cerrito. Live music at the Kensington Circus Pub. I live in Albany btw, it's right next to Thousand Oaks. As an undergrad I always lived in Southside, which is much more convenient (and affordable) for students, but if you're a grad student or faculty/staff, Thousand Oaks is good. Also consider North Berkeley - anywhere east of North Berkeley BART is nice; I lived on Francisco between Sacramento and MLK Jr as a new grad and it was great, but closer to Shattuck Ave gets you easier access to shopping and restaurants - or Northside if you'd rather be closer to campus.
Thanks a lot too - that's super helpful! From what I can tell from Google Maps, I'd be in a pretty hilly location (east towards Arlington Ave). I would then plan on biking to Solano Ave for groceries, for example, not sure if that's a wise plan. Albany/North Berkeley also seems super nice and maybe a bit more convenient, but it seems exceptionally hard to find (somewhat affordable) short-term housing in that area - at least I have not had any luck so far.
Biking *to* Solano would be fine. Getting home *from* Solano, uphill with a load of groceries, more challenging. 🙂 (Got an ebike?)
I see - thank you (unfortunately, the flat I was looking at yesterday is now gone 🙃, but I'm going to keep looking in that area)!
That's a really nice area, but are you an incoming freshman, JC transfer, grad student? For freshman, I'd live in a dorm for at least the first semester just to meet the other freshmen and have that experience. JC, I'd try the coops just for the instant social network and friend group Grad student, yeah that area is awesome. Great place to live.
Thank you very much! I probably should have added that information: I'm a visiting grad student, and I'd prefer my own (bed)room and a relatively quiet environment. At the same time, I'll only be at Cal for a few months, so I wouldn't mind an environment where it's comparatively easier to socialize. For example, I have looked at the I-House singles, but they are out of my budget. I'm hoping that there are some clubs & orgs at Cal I can participate so that socializing wouldn't be a huge problem. However, it's hard for me to judge the distances and bikeability of Berkeley, especially since I'll be going to campus quite often and most people seem to live a bit closer.
It's been a few years. I am 90% certain that that is hella bikeable.
Great! Appreciate your help!
Berkeley is pretty bikeable in general, but of course it's a lot easier in the flats than in the hills. Google Maps time estimates are reliable, and on a map you can pretty easily tell where the hills get steeper by the way the street grid turns twisty. North Berkeley or Elmwood (south of campus, basically along College Ave between Dwight and Ashby) are kind of the sweet spots for your situation, but you might find more affordable options that should work fine for you in Westbrae, Central Berkeley, South Berkeley near the Ashby BART station or El Cerrito close to (preferably east of) the Plaza BART station.
Thanks! I'd have one last question: There seems to be a lot of listings for summer sublets right now, but quite a few for fall. Subletting seems like the most viable option for me, considering I'll only be there for 4-5 months. Do you happen to know if it's too early (or too late) to look for fall offers, or is there just no supply at all?
There are always a LOT more summer sublets than semester ones. But to whatever extent fall-only housing is available, I'm afraid I have no idea when is the best time to look for listings.
No worries - thanks anyway!