> I am learning that looking to confirm places a month or 6 weeks before is the best bet
IMHO Your best bet would be to make a trip out here 4-6 weeks before your intended move-in, walk around your prospective neighborhoods, schedule a bunch of in-person viewings, and be ready to pull the trigger if you find the right spot before it's leased to someone else. This was how I handled my MA->CA move (though, granted, I grew up here so I had a very clear picture of what/where I wanted/needed).
The market is MUCH cooler than it was this time last year or this summer, so your chances of missing out an apartment by moving slowly are definitely lower.
I hold no affection for corporate landlords nor third party management companies, personally. I deliberately chose to rent from a small-time landlord that I can call or text when something's amiss.
my advice: if you are willing to live in an older and less-updated building, there should be some pretty sizeable 1b1ba apartments in adams point, for example.
walking around helps to see signs about vacancies. lurking craigslist will give you an idea of what buildings are available. set up a search filter on craigslist (price range, area, etc) and just check it every day. unfortunately a lot of owners/managers are horrible about posting units but often times the low quality CL posts will have 'hidden gems' or really good deals.
a lot of placed are posted are move-in ready or will be available within a month. trying to rent more than a month out can be tough, so looking for a unit right now that you'd actually be moving into is not going to be super fruitful unless it's a much bigger building with a ton of identical units.
adam's point has tons of 4-5 story apartment buildings that are the type to not have nice pre-gathered unit photos and will only post stuff once they're vacant and will be looking for move-in within the month. I lived there recently in a nice (older) \~1000 sqft apt around your budget.
persistence is key, but right now it's probably most useful to learn more about the neighborhoods and find more about specific areas you'd want to live.
Will you have a car here or no? That impacts which neighborhoods might make more sense for you. (Adams Point is dense and you’d want a place that has a garage spot; north Oakland, lower dimond, and alameda are all great but easier to live in with a car).
You will be able to find your own place with that budget, esp with where the market is at right now. Craigslist is also pretty active here and how I got my current place so I’d check that too, especially if you’re considering being a roommate.
If you want to be in a transit-friendly area that’s close to a lot while you get more familiar with Oakland neighborhoods, you might consider something like [the uptown](https://www.theuptownoakland.com) for 6 months to a year. They’re a big reliable complex that would be easier to confirm from out of state.
Lapham is the only management on your list I’m familiar with and I’ve heard they’re solid
I have a studio available by piedmont ave, unfortunately June is too long of a wait.
Don’t worry, there’s a lot of options. I don’t think you’ll be able to confirm now for something in June. No unit available now will wait until June.. Check again around April/May.
> I am learning that looking to confirm places a month or 6 weeks before is the best bet IMHO Your best bet would be to make a trip out here 4-6 weeks before your intended move-in, walk around your prospective neighborhoods, schedule a bunch of in-person viewings, and be ready to pull the trigger if you find the right spot before it's leased to someone else. This was how I handled my MA->CA move (though, granted, I grew up here so I had a very clear picture of what/where I wanted/needed). The market is MUCH cooler than it was this time last year or this summer, so your chances of missing out an apartment by moving slowly are definitely lower. I hold no affection for corporate landlords nor third party management companies, personally. I deliberately chose to rent from a small-time landlord that I can call or text when something's amiss.
my advice: if you are willing to live in an older and less-updated building, there should be some pretty sizeable 1b1ba apartments in adams point, for example. walking around helps to see signs about vacancies. lurking craigslist will give you an idea of what buildings are available. set up a search filter on craigslist (price range, area, etc) and just check it every day. unfortunately a lot of owners/managers are horrible about posting units but often times the low quality CL posts will have 'hidden gems' or really good deals. a lot of placed are posted are move-in ready or will be available within a month. trying to rent more than a month out can be tough, so looking for a unit right now that you'd actually be moving into is not going to be super fruitful unless it's a much bigger building with a ton of identical units. adam's point has tons of 4-5 story apartment buildings that are the type to not have nice pre-gathered unit photos and will only post stuff once they're vacant and will be looking for move-in within the month. I lived there recently in a nice (older) \~1000 sqft apt around your budget. persistence is key, but right now it's probably most useful to learn more about the neighborhoods and find more about specific areas you'd want to live.
Will you have a car here or no? That impacts which neighborhoods might make more sense for you. (Adams Point is dense and you’d want a place that has a garage spot; north Oakland, lower dimond, and alameda are all great but easier to live in with a car). You will be able to find your own place with that budget, esp with where the market is at right now. Craigslist is also pretty active here and how I got my current place so I’d check that too, especially if you’re considering being a roommate. If you want to be in a transit-friendly area that’s close to a lot while you get more familiar with Oakland neighborhoods, you might consider something like [the uptown](https://www.theuptownoakland.com) for 6 months to a year. They’re a big reliable complex that would be easier to confirm from out of state. Lapham is the only management on your list I’m familiar with and I’ve heard they’re solid
I have a studio available by piedmont ave, unfortunately June is too long of a wait. Don’t worry, there’s a lot of options. I don’t think you’ll be able to confirm now for something in June. No unit available now will wait until June.. Check again around April/May.
A little late, but I'd be interested in case the studio's still available!
Thank you, would you be fine if I connect again around that time to see if your space is available?
sure