With two rear cargo doors, your epic morning views are only limited by where you park.
Finding affordable rental situations in the Bay Area for students, techies, and Californians is increasingly harder as the number of new renters coming in does not match the pace of properties opening up. But, according to a post by Rental properties manager Ethan Dang on UC Berkeley’s Off-Campus Housing Facebook page, he has a unique solution for students or anyone really, a renovated 2012 Ford Transit Connect van ready to move into for just $1,000 a month with an optional to buy the van outright.
Since I cannot embed the Facebook post here, here’s a screenshot of his post including photos shared with permission from Ethan himself.
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Scrolling through dozens of listings on that FB group, $1,000 a month is on the lower side of monthly rent in the Berkeley area. For that amount you typically get one room, a shared bathroom, and probably still have to divvy up Wifi expenses and utilities. You’re also tethered to one location and, if your room faces a brick wall, you’re stuck with that view, month after month.
This van isn’t your typical van-van. Ford Transit Connects are a European style delivery vehicles built on Ford’s C170 compact car platform (think Ford Focus.) While the rear cargo area has plenty of space to store your stuff and stretch your legs, the driving experience is car-like.
As mentioned in his post, this Ford Transit has a deep cycle battery and inverter to power lights, ceiling fans when it gets hot, and whatever you plug in within reason. The large bed transforms into three benches when not in use.
Although there’s no septic system or running water, Ethan offers a $95/month option to use kitchen and bathroom facilities somewhere in North Berkeley.
Ethan obviously hired a photog to get the best views of this Ford Transit but the photos are compelling and speak for themselves.
Say you’re a student, you can take advantage of UC Berkeley’s workout facilities and maybe shower on-campus somewhere, study to your heart’s content at the library, and, when it’s time to turn in, head to your Ford Transit Connect just for sleeping. Then, on the weekends, you can travel wherever you want, no need for hotel rooms since you’re practically driving one.
The biggest concerns with this kind of rental life are safety and where to park.
If you’re not used to van life, the prospect of living month after month in a van might be overwhelming and not worth the added risk since your priority, if you’re a student, is to get a degree.
There’s also the issue with the city. Berkeley currently bans RVs from parking in the city from the hours of 2-5 AM. These Ford Transit Connects might slide under the radar. If you Google around, Berkeley does have plans to open safe-parking spots to accommodate the dozens of RVs already in the city.
But, for a small percentage of students, this kind of rental might be very appealing. If you don’t have a car, this hits two birds with one stone. If you’re the outdoorsy type and want to take advantage of the Bay Area’s plethora of parks and trails, this might be your ticket, too. Or if you’re just someone who values their privacy, probably won’t party, and enjoys the company of a handful of your closest friends, this is the ultimate rental situation.
This is college! Is there not a better time to explor different ways to live?
Since Ethan’s ad went up, more than 80 students already left comments. Here’s a selection of what they said.
“Let’s abandon the apartment and buy this instead.”
“Let’s rent this and gooo.”
Let’s rent for our SoCal trip!”
Personally, I’d like my room not on wheels, but for someone out there, this Ford Transit Connect is perfect.
