Finding the Perfect Apartment Near UCLA: A Comprehensive Guide
The University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) is located in the coveted Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. Finding suitable housing near UCLA is a crucial task for students and faculty alike. This article provides a detailed overview of apartment options near UCLA, encompassing various neighborhoods, amenities, and cost considerations.
West Los Angeles: A Prime Location for UCLA Students
West Los Angeles, often called West LA, stands out as one of the premier neighborhoods on the west side of Los Angeles. Situated between Santa Monica, Brentwood, and Culver City, West LA offers an attractive living option for students, young professionals, and anyone needing quick access to beaches and major employment centers.
Renters often select West LA as the perfect balance of lifestyle and location, offering access to everyday essentials like grocery stores, cafes, gyms, and local restaurants while still being minutes from the coast. Getting around easily without a car is possible thanks to public transportation. Metro bus routes and Expo Line stops nearby are just two examples. Drivers can take advantage of the quick access to the 405 or 10 freeways to get to UCLA, Santa Monica College, and Silicon Beach offices.
West LA apartments span an array of styles and price points, from classic courtyard buildings to contemporary furnished apartments with roommate accommodations that cater specifically to roommate arrangements. Many rentals also cater to students by offering flexible leases and coliving options that make shared living more accommodating.
This neighborhood is a popular and practical choice for those looking for West LA Apartments or West LA Homes for Rent. It's also a great option for students who are searching for housing close to major campuses.
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UCLA Off-Campus Housing Options: Rooms and Apartments
Several housing options are available to University of California, Los Angeles students, some of which are in some of the most popular neighborhoods in West Los Angeles. Not only are these apartment complexes near UCLA, but they are also near the beach, and many of them have a park located nearby.
It's also important to note that there are different UCLA housing options and property types for undergraduate students and graduate students. Some of these complexes allow you to find bedrooms that only provide one bed, while other listings are designed for a group of students. These larger listings, which are still situated near some of the most exclusive neighborhoods in West Los Angeles, give students the option to rent a studio, 1 bed, 2 bed, or 3 beds/baths units while looking for UCLA University housing.
There are a host of options for students who are looking for housing close to UCLA in LA, in the surrounding zip codes. First of all, some options are owned by the University of California, Los Angeles. For single undergraduate students, there are many rooms for rent near UCLA to choose from, most of the houses or apartments located west or southwest of the campus. All of these complexes are within walking distance of the university, removing the need for students to obtain transportation to get to and from campus.
These apartments in Los Angeles near UCLA range in size between studios and homes with three bedrooms, which are meant to be shared by multiple students who want to experience a bit more independence by living away from campus. Students who choose to live off-campus are encouraged to share housing near UCLA with friends who have also enrolled at UCLA. If they do not have existing contacts at the university, a resident can find one or two individuals who are looking for housing close to ucla.
Amenities, such as television, high-speed internet, and basic utilities, are all included at no additional cost. It is important to note that not all of the UCLA off campus housing offers parking, and the ones that do have limited spaces available. In addition to the restaurants in the neighborhood, residents of these apartments near UCLA can also take advantage of the dining options on the UCLA campus.
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UCLA also offers more than 1100 off campus housing options for families. These UCLA university housing units are designed for married students, students who are in same-sex domestic partnerships, and students who are single parents. All of these housing UCLA are rented unfurnished but do come with a complete kitchen, swimming pools for adults and children, access to a childcare center, and a deluxe playground.
As is the case with most apartments near the UCLA campus in West Los Angeles, parking is not guaranteed. In order to secure parking, students must submit proof of valid vehicle registration. Once a person has submitted a valid registration, they will be assigned a garage space or a parking spot.
If you need a UCLA family housing through UCLA, you should submit your application early, as the limited number of available spaces combined with the high demand for them makes these spaces some of the most sought-after in West LA.
Cost Considerations for UCLA Off-Campus Housing
Apartments in Los Angeles, CA is generally considered some of the most expensive, thanks to the prestige associated with living in the area. While it's easy to give up on your search for an affordable unit in Los Angeles too soon, it's important that UCLA offers affordable housing options for students who want to live in a nearby unit that provides them with easy access to the campus, as well as Long Beach. To get a better understanding of the cost associated with renting in Los Angeles, we will break them down by the available properties.
If you're a graduate student in the middle of a search for an apartment for rent near UCLA, you can find a unit in the following areas. Obviously, pricing may vary based on the community that you choose in West Los Angeles and the size of the space that you select.
Read also: Apartment Hunting in State College
Exploring Neighborhoods Near UCLA
Westwood
Those who are on the search for furnished apartments in Westwood, CA, are thrilled when they find out about how many cultural events they can attend when they aren't in class. There are several theatres in this portion of Los Angeles, making it a cultural center that still provides a short transit between your complex and the university. The amount varies wildly depending on the size and the location of the space that you choose.
Culver City
Since the 1920s, Culver City has been a hub for TV and movie production, which means you never know who you may see around town when you leave your West Los Angeles abode. Most options here are around 8 miles from the university, so you will want to have access to a vehicle, or you can use public transportation. If your search for a place to live while you're in school includes the desire to be around TV and film studios, Culver City is a great option.
Santa Monica
Santa Monica is only 7 miles away from UCLA. If you choose to live here, you can quickly access the university while still enjoying the breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. There is also plenty to do in your free time, including amusement parks and an outdoor gym that opened in the 1930s.
Venice
If you're in the middle of a search for a place in Los Angeles, CA that allows you to enjoy the beaches and scenery, Venice is a wonderful choice for housing or apartments. Housing in this area can be a little costly because of the demand, but you will be able to enjoy the outdoor gym, the skating rink, and all the other attractions of the area.
Silverlake
If your UCLA University housing search includes the desire to enjoy locally owned artisan coffee shops and other regional attractions that are specific to this area of Los Angeles, Silver Lake is the ideal spot for you. The distance between Silverlake and UCLA is a little long (41 miles), so you'll need to make preparations to drive yourself or take advantage of public transit.
Downtown Los Angeles
Finally, Downtown Los Angeles is a diverse area of more than 85,000 people. This is the part of LA that most tourists want to visit when they come to town, but you can find residential options here while you're enrolled at UCLA. Be sure to take full advantage of all the neighborhoods, shopping, restaurants, and attractions that make Downtown LA one of the most sought-after areas in the world.
On-Campus vs. Off-Campus Living: A Cost-Benefit Analysis
When you begin your search for homes for rent near the University of California, Los Angeles, one of the first things that you will want to consider is the amount. It's important to note that the cost of a dorm room on the UCLA campus may vary based on what building you get assigned to, any scholarships that you've earned, and other factors.
However, since most homes for rent are positioned pretty close to the UCLA campus, you probably get more bang for your buck by choosing to live off campus. The listing prices differ and are often negligible, and you have more access to the community that surrounds the campus. The community aspect of living in Los Angeles is often the biggest draw for new students who want to be able to spend a day at some of the beaches, if they don't have class, or ride around Santa Monica.
The ability to share your space and the rent with a group of friends or other students is also a reason to choose to live in the University of California, Los Angeles off campus housing.
Featured Apartment Complexes Near UCLA
- El Greco Lofts: Bordering Westwood Village, El Greco Lofts offer modern studio apartments within walking distance of shops, restaurants, entertainment venues, and the Westwood weekly farmerâs market. The fitness center was recently renovated into a state-of-the-art facility.
- Wilshire Margot: These upscale apartments near UCLA, Beverly Hills, and Westwood Village feature studios, one, two, and three-bedroom apartments with large layouts and modern finishes. Several parks, cultural landmarks, and museums are nearby.
- Eight70 Apartments: Located in the heart of Westwood Village, Eight70 Apartments offer studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments with open layouts. Key highlights include lounge areas, a resort-style pool, and a brand new fitness center.
- Gayley and Lindbrook Apartments: Recently built in 2015, this luxury lifestyle community is a half-mile from UCLA and right next to Westwood Village. These apartments offer studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments with floor plans that include a den. Highlights include a rooftop pool, secured underground parking, and resident social areas.
- The Jeremy Apartments: Situated between Santa Monica and Century City, The Jeremy Apartments feature four different floor plans: one-bedroom apartments, one-bedroom lofts, two-bedroom apartments, and two-bedroom lofts. Located in the Sawtelle neighborhood, many Asian restaurants are within walking distance.
UCLA Contract Housing Options
UCLA offers contract housing in several locations, including:
- Gayley Court (GC)
- Gayley Heights (GH)
- Glenrock (GR)
- Glenrock West (GW)
- Landfair (LF)
- Laurel Apartments (LA)
- Landfair Vista (LV)
- Palo Verde (PV)
- Tipuana (TN)
- Westwood Chateau (WC)
- Westwood Palm (WP)
Contract rates are per person for the full academic year. Here's a breakdown of the costs:
| Unit Type | Room Portion | Social Fee | Total Contract | Parking (Additional) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2/3 unit - 2 bd/3 person (shared bedroom) | $12,578.76 | $29.64 | $12,608.40 | $1,218.02 |
| 2/3S unit - 2 bd/3 person (single bedroom) | $13,125.96 | $29.64 | $13,155.60 | $1,218.02 |
| 2/4 unit - 2 bd/4 person | $10,941.72 | $29.64 | $10,971.36 | $1,218.02 |
These rates apply to specific locations:
- Shared bedroom (GR, GW, WP)
- Single bedroom (GR, GW, WP)
- 2/4 unit (GC, GR, GW, LA, LF, LV, TN, WC, WP)
All students are on the quarterly payment plan. Depending on students' financial aid, an initial installment of $500 may be due when accepting the offer. The initial installment will be deducted from the September installment.
Living Near Santa Monica College
Santa Monica College attracts students from throughout Los Angeles and beyond, and many choose to live off campus to take advantage of more space, flexibility, and neighborhood options. Particularly popular for SMC off-campus housing are areas like West LA and Santa Monica with short commute times and student-friendly environments.
Living near Santa Monica College means enjoying some of the Westside's greatest amenities. Students often look for housing near major bus lines that run directly to campus for ease of travel without relying on cars for accessing classes. West LA apartments near Santa Monica College tend to provide better value compared to rentals nearer the beach, while still having manageable commute times.
SMC student housing options off campus range from shared apartments, private bedrooms, and full units for those seeking greater independence. Many SMC students opt to share an apartment to make rent more affordable while enjoying a more social living experience. Neighborhoods near campus offer numerous part-time job opportunities, as well as convenient access to grocery stores, coffee shops, and study spots, all within walking or biking distance.
West LA offers convenient, flexible living environments that accommodate both academic life and everyday living.
Maximizing Your College Experience at UCLA
There is plenty to do in Los Angeles, and deciding to pursue your higher education at UCLA is a great reason to move to the area. Los Angeles offers beaches, shopping, and world-class dining experiences. Since so many of those things to do are situated close to UCLA, it is one of the most popular schools among students.
When you're considering colleges, it's important that you focus on more than just the price, as the experience offered by different universities is often incomparable. Making the decision to live in off-campus housing at UCLA enables you to maximize your college experience.
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