Overview and Location
1080 Folsom Residences is a student and young professional housing property located at San Francisco, CA 94103, USA — in the SoMa (South of Market) district. Despite the city field in the data reading “Berkeley,” the physical address places it in San Francisco, roughly a 30–40 minute BART commute to the University of California, Berkeley campus. The residence is positioned between the Financial District and the Mission District, giving residents access to both the downtown job hub and a vibrant cultural corridor.
The building offers a mix of room types: private 1-bedroom apartments, larger shared units (greater than 8-bedroom configurations — likely suites or dorm-style flats), and standard apartments. Minimum lease term is 3 months. Availability begins 01 August 2026. The property is managed as a purpose-built accommodation, with tags including laundry facility, study room, and cleaning service.
Who This Residence Suits
1080 Folsom Residences works well for several types of occupants:
- UC Berkeley students who prefer an urban San Francisco lifestyle and are willing to commute by BART or bus. The residence is not in downtown Berkeley, but many students choose to live in San Francisco for its nightlife, job opportunities, and diversity.
- Young professionals working in the Financial District or SoMa tech offices. The address places you within walking distance of many workplaces.
- Short-term renters (minimum 3 months) looking for a furnished or semi-furnished setup with cleaning service and study amenities. The lease start in August aligns with the academic calendar.
- Those who value community and social spaces. The property’s rating dimensions show very high scores for social (4.9), community (4.9), staff (4.9), and management (4.9). If you want a building with regular events and supportive staff, this is a strong candidate.
What residents specifically appreciate: the manager and crew are described as “incredibly helpful” and “always ready to help and give advice.” The location is called “perfect half way between the financial district and Mission District.” The building is described as “spacious.” The property has a 4.5 overall Google rating from 21 reviews, which is solid for a student housing complex.
Who Might Want to Look Elsewhere
The residence may not suit everyone:
- Students who want to live a short walk from campus. UC Berkeley’s main campus is in Berkeley, not San Francisco. Commuting adds time and cost. If you prioritize being right next to lecture halls, look for properties in Downtown Berkeley or Southside.
- Those with a very tight budget. The price range is $595–$1,295 per month (indicative — confirm with the operator). At $595, that’s likely a bed in a shared unit. At $1,295, it’s a private apartment. The city’s from-price for Berkeley is also $595, so this property starts at the same baseline. However, San Francisco rent generally exceeds Berkeley averages, so $595 is on the low end for the city — confirm availability at that price point.
- Residents who expect pristine conditions. One Google review (1-star) describes the place as “barely livable,” “upsetting and disgusting,” suggesting some units may have maintenance or cleanliness issues. While the overall rating is 4.5, individual negative experiences exist. The rating dimension for cleaning is 3.6, property maintenance 3.9 — both above average but not top-tier.
- Anyone needing a very long lease. Minimum is 3 months; maximum is not specified, but typically monthly renewals are possible. The property may be better suited for semester-length stays than multi-year arrangements.
What Residents Say
Here are verbatim quotes from Google reviews, with ratings as given:
Larisa Golubeva (1 star): “This place is barely livable. If I have to pick two words for describing it, they will be upsetting and disgusting. But if you’re transitioning from a homeless shelter, it will be an upgrade. I think, the business owners have to pay people for living here and for what they put them through. Look at their website - ther”
Hari Krishna ps (5 stars): “Urbanest is an amazing place to live, especially for students and young professionals! The community is warm, friendly, and full of energy. The manager is incredibly helpful and always goes above and beyond to make sure everyone feels comfortable and supported. The shared spaces are clean and well-maintained, creating ”
Natalia Bielczyk (5 stars): “I stayed at Urbanests for two months and it was a great stay. Perfect location half way between the financial district and Mission District. The building is spacious and the crew is very helpful - particular thanks to Ben who is always ready to help and give advice. Every room has a fridge with a refrigerator which mak”
Note that the 1-star review is harsh and the 5-star reviews are very positive. The conflicting feedback suggests individual unit quality may vary or that management has improved since the negative review (undated). The positive reviews emphasize staff helpfulness and community atmosphere. The negative review focuses on living conditions. Prospective tenants should inspect the specific unit or ask for recent resident references.
Price Positioning
The price range of $595–$1,295 per month (indicative — confirm with the operator) places 1080 Folsom Residences at the lower end of San Francisco student housing. The city of Berkeley (the associated city in the data) has a from-price of $595, meaning this property matches the cheapest option in that market. With 13 properties listed in Berkeley, it is one of many choices.
In San Francisco itself, comparable student housing in SoMa often ranges from $800 for a shared room to over $2,000 for a private studio. The $595 figure likely corresponds to a shared unit (greater than 8-bed) where you rent a bed, utilities included. The $1,295 figure likely covers a 1-bedroom apartment or a private room in a larger suite.
Because the property includes cleaning service and a study room, the rent may include some utilities and services not always covered in private rentals. Factor that into value comparisons.
Room Types and Booking Guidance
Three unit types are available:
- 1-bedroom apartment (1b): Private living space, ideal for singles or couples. Price likely at the higher end (~$1,295).
- Greater than 8-bedroom units (greater_8b): Shared flats with many bedrooms, essentially dormitory-style living. Price likely at the lower end (~$595 per bed). Common areas and bathrooms are shared.
- Apartment (apartment): Could mean standard studio or multi-bedroom flats not in the extreme size category. Exact configuration unclear — confirm with operator.
Booking guidance: Availability starts 01 August 2026. Given the mixed reviews, it is advisable to request a virtual tour or video of the specific unit type you prefer. Ask about the condition of the kitchen and bathroom, as those are common pain points. The minimum lease of 3 months suits semester-based students. For fall 2026 move-in, booking earlier in 2026 is wise, especially for the cheapest beds which may sell out. If you are a UC Berkeley student arriving for fall, consider that August 1 move-in gives you time to settle before classes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the commute like to UC Berkeley campus?
The residence is in San Francisco, not Berkeley. You would take BART from a station near SoMa (e.g., Montgomery St or Civic Center) to Downtown Berkeley station. The trip takes roughly 30–40 minutes depending on wait times. Additional walking at either end adds 10–15 minutes. A monthly BART pass for students costs around $100–$150. If you have classes multiple times a week, factor that time and cost.
Are utilities and internet included in the rent?
The data does not specify inclusion. Tags include laundry facility (likely coin-operated or card-operated), study room, and cleaning service — the latter suggests common area cleaning is provided. Internet is rated 3.7 in the rating dimensions, so it exists but may have occasional issues. Confirm with the operator whether electricity, water, gas, and internet are part of the monthly price. Most purpose-built student housing in the U.S. bundles utilities.
What is the security deposit amount?
The data shows “deposit: null,” meaning no specific amount is recorded. Some student residences require a security deposit equal to one month’s rent, while others may charge a smaller holding fee or none. Contact the operator to confirm the deposit policy and any application fees.
Sources & data date
All figures in this article are based on data from the listing as of 2026-07. Prices are indicative — confirm with the operator. Ratings and reviews are from Google (21 reviews, 4.5 average) and from the rating dimensions provided by the platform (sourced from resident surveys). Reviews are reproduced verbatim without editing.
For live availability, current pricing, and to book a tour, use the on-site chat assistant on the property page.
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