Berkeley fellowship

[AmyG]

Brag-plaint ahead.

Youngest son is recipient of Berkeley Physics fellowship!
He will be able to finish his research there instead of at wsu towards his PhD even faster.
Plus make good connections.

Just got approved for his wsu research assistant grant money a few days ago
so he can actually go to berkley and not have to teach labs at wsu and miss this opportunity.

now he has a heck of a lot to do in july.
he has to break his lease at his appt for new lease starting 1st week of August.
Or find a sublet.
That's not working!!! 

Find a new place to live
Pack up all his stuff and what gets left behind (to join the pile of communal apt kitchen gear)
Thanks if you read all the word vomit. I will likely delete details

but tldr anyone know anything about Berkeley?
Where to rent or not?

Where to eat or not eat?
What's the best grocery store?
Dh will be taking the bus up to drive down with him so he will likely need a 1 nite hotel. Anywhere cheap but not a dive?
Yes I have questions but mostly they are what son is stressing about today
and I ask if my friends online know anything cause you guys know a lot.

[joy]

Jun 25, 2024 11:40:38 GMT -6 AmyG said:

where the new computer system doesn't actually work with the monochrometer machine cause it runs on windows 8 and nobody knows how to upgrade the software.

Congrats to him!

I just wanted to laugh at this situation with him. Oh, academia. We had equipment that ran only on XP at one point in 2010…

[ponyhairs]

Congrats to him! For housing I would have him start here. I think once he has a good handle on housing, he will have a better idea of what he needs or doesn't need from his current location. I would have him turn in his leased car, rent a small UHaul and drive the rest of his stuff down. I'm stressed out just thinking about it.

[jaygee]

He can easily get by with no car there. And I would recommend trying it for a bit. Because that cuts a big expense and he won’t have to worry about parking.

Housing is the hardest part. Housing has been difficult there since I was an undergrad.

But congrats to him and your family. That’s amazing!

[AmyG]

Jun 25, 2024 11:49:00 GMT -6 joy said:

Jun 25, 2024 11:40:38 GMT -6 AmyG said:

where the new computer system doesn't actually work with the monochrometer machine cause it runs on windows 8 and nobody knows how to upgrade the software.

Congrats to him!

I just wanted to laugh at this situation with him. Oh, academia. We had equipment that ran only on XP at one point in 2010…

Right now the best answer from his computer expert with most experience (dh) is to either plug back in the old computer so the equipment can work or make a virtual computer on the new computer that runs windows 8 and runs just that software/program.
There is no documentation for the program that runs it and I don't think he has time to write a new program at this point

[AmyG]

Jun 25, 2024 12:21:32 GMT -6 jaygee said:

He can easily get by with no car there. And I would recommend trying it for a bit. Because that cuts a big expense and he won’t have to worry about parking.

Housing is the hardest part. Housing has been difficult there since I was an undergrad.

But congrats to him and your family. That’s amazing!

I know that's what he should do. But he was burned at last 2 univ not having a car. Last situation meant from where he was dropped off from bus walking several miles up hill in the snow dragging his suitcases lol.

So he's a little bit worried about no car.
He also has to maintain residency in Washington state for his free tuition and staying a grad student even though he's not taking any classes. So registering his car there is one way to show it. Lol

[AmyG]

Jun 25, 2024 11:58:16 GMT -6 ponyhairs said:

Congrats to him! For housing I would have him start here. I think once he has a good handle on housing, he will have a better idea of what he needs or doesn't need from his current location. I would have him turn in his leased car, rent a small UHaul and drive the rest of his stuff down. I'm stressed out just thinking about it.

That's what I suggested but we shall see
He's in a spot where he won't be a student at berkeley so he won't be able to get any student housing or perks.

[ponyhairs]

Jun 25, 2024 12:45:40 GMT -6 AmyG said:

Jun 25, 2024 11:58:16 GMT -6 ponyhairs said:

Congrats to him! For housing I would have him start here. I think once he has a good handle on housing, he will have a better idea of what he needs or doesn't need from his current location. I would have him turn in his leased car, rent a small UHaul and drive the rest of his stuff down. I'm stressed out just thinking about it.

That's what I suggested but we shall see
He's in a spot where he won't be a student at berkley so he won't be able to get any student housing or perks.

Oh.  I bet if he reaches out they will have some resources or suggestions.

[STP]

AmyG, that is such an accomplishment, congratulations to him.

All I can contribute is that three of my favorite scientists I have worked with over the past 15 years have been from Berkley. I think they cultivate a really nice culture with their postdocs and fellows.

[AmyG]

Jun 25, 2024 14:47:48 GMT -6 STP said:

AmyG , that is such an accomplishment, congratulations to him.

All I can contribute is that three of my favorite scientists I have worked with over the past 15 years have been from Berkley. I think they cultivate a really nice culture with their postdocs and fellows.

Thanks! 
I really think this will serve him well in his career. Just being able to use the equipment in person instead of remotely in the middle of the night will speed up his ability to research and reach his phd. 
I am so amazed at him. 

[trueblue]

AmyG that’s so awesome, congratulations to your son and to you & SH for giving him the skills he needs to pursue his dreams.

As far as housing goes, can he find any Berkley housing Facebook groups or similar? Maybe there are rooms for rent he can take advantage of?

I hear you on maintaining residency. Would subletting to another grad student be a way to address both the residency and money concerns? If he can swing it I would keep the lease for a bit. I suspect if he’s low on mileage and the car is in good shape he can get the buy out price from the lease holder and then negotiate with dealerships around him to buy at that same price so he walks away clean with just a bit of effort on his part

[AmyG]

Jun 25, 2024 16:03:32 GMT -6 trueblue said:

AmyG that’s so awesome, congratulations to your son and to you & SH for giving him the skills he needs to pursue his dreams.

As far as housing goes, can he find any Berkley housing Facebook groups or similar? Maybe there are rooms for rent he can take advantage of?

I hear you on maintaining residency. Would subletting to another grad student be a way to address both the residency and money concerns? If he can swing it I would keep the lease for a bit. I suspect if he’s low on mileage and the car is in good shape he can get the buy out price from the lease holder and then negotiate with dealerships around him to buy at that same price so he walks away clean with just a bit of effort on his part

Have to go see about the car, he has to drive to Hyundai in spokane. It might work to buy it outright we shall see what the cost is.

Lease he signed in late fall for the next school year because leasing agents were saying apartment complex being sold and leases will go up. So he signed lease.
But apt complex sold and monthly price for leasing his apt has gone down. So he's stuck trying to sublet an apt that someone could potentially lease for $250 less per month directly from apt peoples.

So he's trying to get ahold of someone to talk lots of options.
transfer lease to almost same apartment but at their bldg in berkeley. Or will they let him out of lease because its a good reason even though there's no way in lease agreement to do so. Or can he renegotiate monthly cost so he could have better chance someone would want to sublet but also what are their rules to sublet since lease agreement only mentions it in passing. Or can he do a buy out of lease or or or

[AmyG]

I can't do these things for him. But I can look for ideas
And I can worry about it.
Cause it's a lot

[loony]

Housing will be the hardest part, but that area without a car is NOT a deal breaker and is honestly smarter.

Also, what a rockstar son you have there Amy! Congrats to him!

[cnf]

I have no input, I'm just here to say my congratulations! That is such an incredible accomplishment!

[GhoatMonket]

I have nothing additional that will be helpful, but this is awesome! What an amazing opportunity and I'm sure he'll crush it.

[angelashly]

Nothing else to add advice wise but congratulations to him!! I know by your posting that he is a hard worker.

[CurlieWhirlie]

Jun 25, 2024 12:21:32 GMT -6 jaygee said:

He can easily get by with no car there. And I would recommend trying it for a bit. Because that cuts a big expense and he won’t have to worry about parking.

I came here to say this. Having a car in Berkeley is likely to be more stress than getting around without one.

Congrats to him! 

[mrsweasley]

Congrats to him!

If the rental company also has rentals near Berkley, he should definitely see if they would they will let him "transfer" his lease. 🤞🤞🤞 it works out!

I know how stressful it can all be, MH just applied for "research in absentia" and will hopefully complete his PhD by the end of the upcoming school year. He had to decide last Dec on lease renewal. DS1 is an undergrad and around his campus they sign leases in Oct for the following school year, which is bonkers to me.

[AmyG]

Jun 26, 2024 9:27:42 GMT -6 mrsweasley said:

Congrats to him!

If the rental company also has rentals near Berkley, he should definitely see if they would they will let him "transfer" his lease. 🤞🤞🤞 it works out!

I know how stressful it can all be, MH just applied for "research in absentia" and will hopefully complete his PhD by the end of the upcoming school year. He had to decide last Dec on lease renewal. DS1 is an undergrad and around his campus they sign leases in Oct for the following school year, which is bonkers to me.

Yes sign lease in Oct to run August to August and no doesn't matter if you graduate in May or June you ain't getting out of that lease

[DGM]

Congratulations to him! I know travel nurses who rent through Furnished Finder. My understanding is there's a small soft credit check on his end to pay (like $30), but otherwise only the landlords pay to be on the site.

[AmyG]

So far leasing company is sticking to company line
No transfer to another location
No buy out fee
Sublet but basically they just apply at apt complex and say they want his room instead of a room for $$$ less
And if he "abandons" the apt moving out all 12 mos of apt lease fee 8k worth is due and payable.

He's thinking of leaving dishes, the bed made a toothbrush and a shirt to day he's not abandoned the bldg
So he can pay monthly as he searches foe a subleaser

Oh and since he's not working actively for wsu while he's away on berkeley fellowship he will have to pay tuition to wsu for a nominal number of classes. I told him to triple check that with advisor cause that's 6k more

Total 14k due Aug Sept the way it looks.

Sure he can totally take huge chunk more unsubsidized student loans

Arg arg arg arg

[AmyG]

Where to rent?

[jaygee]

Jul 1, 2024 14:57:04 GMT -6 AmyG said:

Where to rent?

I wish I could help but I just don’t know that part of the bay at all. I’ve never lived over there. My impression is that Berkeley is pretty safe. My cousin lived there for awhile and I think had some rowdy neighbors but that was about it.

I highly recommend he post that question on Reddit. r/bayarea is very active and I’m sure there is also a Berkeley specific subreddit that is equally active.

[trueblue]

Jul 1, 2024 14:57:04 GMT -6 AmyG said:

Where to rent?

There is no one in the new program or at the university that can help with these questions? I don’t know academia and fellowships at all but it seems like the programs and universities would have something to assist with all of this. Even if it’s just a contact in the housing department or something.

[GhoatMonket]

Jul 2, 2024 5:15:55 GMT -6 trueblue said:

Jul 1, 2024 14:57:04 GMT -6 AmyG said:

Where to rent?

There is no one in the new program or at the university that can help with these questions? I don’t know academia and fellowships at all but it seems like the programs and universities would have something to assist with all of this. Even if it’s just a contact in the housing department or something.

Or maybe he is and mom needs to calm down and take a step back and let the adult child handle his own business.

[mapleme]

I'm originally from Berkeley and I would say that pretty much any area is safe, especially in the area surrounding UCB. There is a lot of theft type crime in Berkeley, but that is true regardless of what neighborhood you live in (and I'm saying this from my Vermont perspective - where folks lock their cars to prevent neighbors from leaving zucchinis in them). The hills (to the north of UCB) have fewer public transportation options than the flats, but are also generally closer to UCB (and more expensive). Also, it could be worthwhile to look outside of Berkeley (Berkeley is $$$), because BART can make for a short commute.

[angelashly]

Jul 2, 2024 5:15:55 GMT -6 trueblue said:

Jul 1, 2024 14:57:04 GMT -6 AmyG said:

Where to rent?

There is no one in the new program or at the university that can help with these questions? I don’t know academia and fellowships at all but it seems like the programs and universities would have something to assist with all of this. Even if it’s just a contact in the housing department or something.

I agree. There has to be people who have done this and can help or maybe want a roommate etc.

[AmyG]

Jul 2, 2024 5:15:55 GMT -6 trueblue said:

Jul 1, 2024 14:57:04 GMT -6 AmyG said:

Where to rent?

There is no one in the new program or at the university that can help with these questions? I don’t know academia and fellowships at all but it seems like the programs and universities would have something to assist with all of this. Even if it’s just a contact in the housing department or something.

Housing dept mostly sends him to the online housing places to look at. He's got a short list of area to look at they are mostly across the bay or whatever. And so many places have bunk beds which he's like I haven't done that since preteens with my brother and hated that then. Lol

[AmyG]

Jul 2, 2024 5:27:19 GMT -6 GhoatMonket said:

Jul 2, 2024 5:15:55 GMT -6 trueblue said:

There is no one in the new program or at the university that can help with these questions? I don’t know academia and fellowships at all but it seems like the programs and universities would have something to assist with all of this. Even if it’s just a contact in the housing department or something.

Or maybe he is and mom needs to calm down and take a step back and let the adult child handle his own business.

Yes I have questions but mostly they are what son is stressing about today. He's an on the spectrum young man who really likes everything organized ahead of time so this is a struggle to jump and run in 1 month to another state.

and I ask if my friends online know anything cause you guys know a lot.

Where to eat or not eat?
What's the best grocery store?
Dh will be taking the bus up to drive down with him so he will likely need a 1 nite hotel. Anywhere cheap but not a dive?