2510 Bancroft Way

I’ve been living in this complex since May now, and I really love it. I’ve never had any serious issues. Obviously the building is old, so if things like weak toilet flushes and occasionally-​whispery steam heaters bother you, then look elsewhere, I guess.
Hardwood floors, nicely-​sized living spaces (for the price and the location), and fireplaces/​claw foot bathtubs make this a really scenic building to live in. It’s also located on possibly the world’s coolest street if you’re between the ages of 20 and 40. Lots of shopping, college students, city life, et cetera. There are cute cafes and hole-​in-​the-​wall restaurants within a 30 foot walk, not to mention a jamba juice and yogurtland directly underneath the complex.
The only problem I can really complain about is the maintenance. I had a toilet that was completely horribly clogged up the day I moved in — called maintenance twice, no response. I think the issue may have been a larger sewage issue though, since it suddenly fixed itself inexplicably.
Additionally, we just had apartment inspections for some reason or another (i think a routine checkup). I was going on vacation the friday the check was supposed to happen, and we were requested not to be in the room, so I left my apartment locked up and ready to be checked. When I came home sunday, I noticed that my door was NOT locked, half of the windows were open for anyone to see, and it was freezing in the room. I at first thought there’d been a break in before I realized that it was probably the maintenance check. (Nothing was missing, and no one had tried the knob, I guess.)
Overall, I definitely recommend this place, and I am looking into renting here again after I graduate!

I’ve recently moved in here, and so far I am pleased with everything but the high rent (I understand though, this is a VERY prime location, literally across the street from Berkeley and atop the famous Telegraph district).
The apartment manager is a Berkeley grad student herself, so I don’t feel as if I’m dealing with icky slumlords. I’ve been e-​mailing her back and forth since June to work out the details and kinks of the move-​in process and she is wonderful, polite, and honest.
Things to note —
This building was built in the early 1900s, so the décor is very old. There are bear claw bathtubs and an iron cast radiator. However, they’ve remodeled in recent years, and they repaint after every move-​out, so what you’re getting is clean and refurbished old architecture.
It is VERY safe. The door at the bottom ONLY opens if you have a key card, or you can use the callbox and it will send a call to your phone (which you then push 9 to accept) so you can have visitors! There are cameras in the hallways and overall, as a girl living by herself, I don’t have any qualms over security.
The website is also VERY informative! Check it out :).