Changing the World. Transforming Lives. Housing, Transportation, and Food Information for International Applicants. at John F. Kennedy University

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1 Transforming Lives Changing the World at John F. Kennedy University Housing, Transportation, and Food Information for International Applicants HOUSING Although JFK University does not provide student housing or dormitory facilities to any of its students, the following local areas of our Pleasant Hill, Berkeley, and San Jose campuses offer a variety of living accommodations including apartments, rooms for rent and single family dwellings. Pleasant Hill Campus Areas: Cities of Pleasant Hill, Concord, Martinez, Walnut Creek, San Ramon, Dublin, Lafayette, and Berkeley Berkeley Campus Areas: City of Berkeley and the Lake District in Oakland. (These are the recommended areas to live if you have safety concerns. Oakland does have some rough neighborhoods so it is crucial that you search by districts). San Jose Campus Areas: Cities of San Jose, Campbell, Cupertino, and Santa Clara Students are encouraged to arrange housing accommodations prior to their arrival in the U.S. The Office of Student Affairs can provide recommendations based on interests, lifestyle, budget, and location and offers continued support to new and current students to ensure a positive living experience. Please contact us at iss@jfku.edu or for additional assistance. You may need to check into the lease options as they may require a co-signer (a US citizen to vouch for you) to sign the lease, if you do not have a U.S. social security number and/or valid employment. Homestay Many students find living with an American family enhances the experience of living and studying in the U.S. In addition to providing a relaxed atmosphere to engage in language and cultural exchange, students are provided with a furnished bedroom, utilities, and meals all within a close proximity to campus at an affordable rate. The University also offers housing accommodations for the Pleasant Hill campus through Diablo Valley Homestay. To apply for housing and for more information visit their web site: For students attending the San Jose campus the University offers housing accommodations through San Jose Homestay Agency. To apply for housing or for more information please visit their website: sanjosehomestay.com/. JFK University does not offer any homestay accommodations in the immediate areas surrounding the Berkeley campus. Students may seek homestay arrangements on their own behalf.

2 Short-term Housing Options Hotels/motels If students do not make prior housing arrangements before arrival, they may decide to stay in a hotel or motel for a short time. Prices vary depending on the location. Examples of Pleasant Hill Area Hotels Extended Stay America: Address: 3220 Buskirk, Pleasant Hill, CA Tel: ; Toll free: On-line: This newly remodeled facility is within walking distance to BART (public transportation). Rates are based on either a daily, weekly-$625 or monthly-$2,500 schedule with no minimum stay required. Courtyard by Marriott: Address: 2250 Contra Costa Boulevard, Pleasant Hill, CA Tel: ; Toll free: On-line: Clarion Hotel: Address: 1050 Burnett Avenue, Concord, CA Tel: ; Toll free: On-line: This facility is 3.57 kilometers from campus. Examples of Berkeley Hotels Rodeway Inn: Address:1461 University Avenue, Berkeley, CA Tel: Online: Room rate: $70-90/night Hilton Garden Inn: Address:1800 Powell Street, Emeryville, CA Tel: Online: Rate: $99-120/night There are limited hotel options in the area immediately surrounding the Berkeley campus. Transportation should be arranged by the student to and from campus when needed. The closest BART station is the Ashby Station, located one mile from campus. Long-term rates are available. Examples of San Jose Hotels Moorpark Hotel: Address: 4241 Moorpark Avenue, San Jose, CA Tel: Online: Room rate: $ /night Valley Park Hotel: Address: 2404 Stevens Creek Boulevard, San Jose, CA Tel: Online: Room rate: $80-110/night Both hotels are conveniently located within walking distance of the San Jose campus. Long-term rates are available. Hostels Students may wish to temporarily stay in a dormitory-like apartment in San Francisco and have the option of either sharing a room with other students or staying in a private room. Hostelling International, HI-San Francisco: 1. Fort Mason, Bldg. 240, San Francisco, CA 94123, Tel: Downtown, 312 Mason Street, San Francisco, CA 94102, Tel: For a complete list of hostels located in San Francisco visit the web at Long-term Housing Options Apartments Students wishing to live in apartments need to consider the following: rental rates and location, leasing contracts (month-to-month, or fixed lease of 6, 9, or 12 months), security deposit, furnished and unfurnished, and utilities (power, water, cable, trash, etc.).

3 NOTE: Rates listed for the following apartments are approximate and are subject to change. For more detailed information on rates/cost please contact the apartment complexes directly. Examples of Pleasant Hill Apartments APARTMENT ADDRESS PHONE NO. OF ROOMS RATE/MONTH Gate Apartments Sun Valley Apartments 100 Ellinwood Drive Pleasant Hill, CA Contra Costa Blvd., #1 Pleasant Hill, CA Studio 1 Bedroom 2 Bedrooms Studio 1 Bedroom 2 Bedrooms $1,100 $1,325 $1,480 (4 only) $1,295/$1,445 $1,495/$1,645 Examples of Berkeley Apartments APARTMENT ADDRESS CONTACT RATE/MONTH Raj Properties Campanile Court Stadium Place 2076 University Ave., Ste. A Berkeley, CA University Ave. Berkeley, CA Fulton Street, Suite C Berkeley, CA stadiumplace.info office@rajproperties.com leasing@campanilecourt. com stadium@peakcampus. com $1,200-2,500 $1,075-1,775 $1,999-2,950 Example of Oakland Apartments APARTMENT ADDRESS CONTACT RATE/MONTH Grand Lake Terrace 520 Van Buren Ave. Oakland, CA info@rajproperties.com $1,200-2,500 Example of San Jose Apartments APARTMENT ADDRESS PHONE RATE/MONTH The Monterey Spring Creek Apartments 3510 Moorpark Ave. San Jose, CA Buckingham Dr. Santa Clara, CA $1,300-1,575 for studio/one bedroom bed/2 bath $2,395 pay electric only Apartment Listing Websites Rexidence.com Apartments.com Furnished apartments, student accommodations and affordable rental solutions Search rental listings by location, price and number of rooms at

4 Rent.com ForRent.com Provide an and create a password to search by city and price range at Search apartment communities and see floorplans, view property photos, take virtual tours and find a roommate at Local Rooms for Rent - Local homeowners occasionally contact the JFK University Office of Student Affairs to announce rooms for rent in their homes. This option generally includes a private bedroom, a bathroom and access to the main living area of the home and grounds. Please contact the International Student Services Specialist by phone at or at iss@jfku.edu to receive contact information on these types of properties. Local rooms are available on a limited basis. Please note: Any problems or disputes that arise based on rooming arrangements are the responsibility of the tenant (student) and the lessor (landlord). TRANSPORTATION John F. Kennedy University students commute to one or more of our three Bay Area campuses. Public transit is available to and from the Pleasant Hill campus in the form of a bus that connects the campus with the rail transit system BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit). If you wish to ride BART to the Pleasant Hill campus visit the web at bart.gov to gather the information to plan your trip, find the Rider Guide, and learn about tickets. The County Connection #9 Bus from the BART Station arrives at the Pleasant Hill campus approximately every 45 minutes between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. and departs from campus to the BART Station approximately every 45 minutes between the hours of 7:30 a.m. and 9:24 p.m. For maps and schedules, fares and how to ride the bus visit the web at There are also scheduled bus and BART transportation options for students commuting to the Berkeley and San Jose campuses. For comprehensive, accurate, and reliable San Francisco Bay Area travel information, visit FOOD The University currently provides food service at the JFK University Café at the Pleasant Hill campus between 11 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. The student lounge area provides sandwiches, snacks, and hot and cold beverage machines during hours outisde of café operation. Grocery Stores Safeway, Trader Joe s and Whole Foods are big stores that have multiple locations throughout the Bay Area, including Pleasant Hill, Concord, Walnut Creek, Oakland, Berkeley, and San Jose. Safeway is good for all basic food needs, personal care items (shampoo, toothpaste, etc.), and household cleaning supplies. If you apply for a club card you will get discounts on many of their products. Some stores also have a pharmacy. To find a location, go to

5 Trader Joe s has low priced foods that are healthier. The store has many ethnic options and a good variety of foods. To search for a store location, go to Whole Foods has a great variety of fresh produce and other products that are healthy and delicious. If you care about your health and have the money to spend this is the place for you. To find a store, go to There are also a number of smaller grocery stores throughout the Bay Area that specialize in organic/healthy foods and ethnic foods. Listings of area grocery stores are available on the following web pages: Pleasant Hill: Berkeley: San Jose: Farmers Markets The San Francisco Bay Area offers fresh produce and other local fresh foods at Farmers Markets. These are generally outdoor markets where producers sell directly to the consumers. Many of the foods are organic, local, seasonally grown, and the capital stays in the community. To find a Farmers Market close to your neighborhood visit the web at: August 2013