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The 12 Best Overall Student Apartments Near Cal State Fullerton (September 2026)

California State University - Fullerton·Fullerton, CA·Updated Monthly

By the FMP Data Team · Reviewed September 1, 2026

17 properties reviewed
79+ reviews analyzed
updated September 2026
independent·no pay-to-rank
the short answer

GREENHOUSE leads our September 2026 ranking of the 12 Best Overall student apartments near Cal State Fullerton with a 5.0/5 FMP Score, followed by The Jackson and THE STREAMS. Across the 17 properties reviewed, students keep coming back to amenities & shared spaces and management & maintenance: the overall signals that move a property up this ranking. Browse all off-campus housing near California State University - Fullerton for every option.

  • winnerGREENHOUSE
  • FMP Score range3.6–5.0 / 5
  • avg walk48 min to campus
  • rent range$1595–$4054 /person
the ranking

The 12 Best Overall Student Apartments Near Cal State Fullerton

Sorted by FMP Score from verified Cal State Fullerton reviews, high to low. Scores reflect current Cal State Fullerton reviews only.

  1. GREENHOUSE
    5.0(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Greenhouse stands out as the overall best near Cal State Fullerton because it nails the complete package: a genuinely welcoming community backed by responsive staff and a vibrant resident culture. Students rave about the leasing team's patience during the application process, the on-site Apartment Life coordinator who hosts monthly events that actually get people excited, and a maintenance crew that shows up when you need them. As one resident put it, "The leasing office team is incredible they're quick to respond to any questions, always helpful, and super friendly." The combination of beautiful grounds, real community spirit, and staff who actually care makes this place feel like home from day one.

    15 min walk to Cal State Fullerton$2199/person/mo
  2. The Jackson
    5.0(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: The Jackson earns its rank as number two by delivering solid, reliable living with a management team that genuinely listens and acts fast. Residents consistently praise the quick maintenance response, the cleanliness of the complex, and leasing agents like Michael who go the extra mile during tours to show you all your options. The townhome units are particularly loved for their renovated interiors and direct garage access, and families appreciate the safe, well-kept grounds. As one resident noted, "Management was very helpful with move in, move out, and everything in between." It's the kind of place where things just work, and the staff treats you like they actually want you there.

    76 min walk to Cal State Fullerton$2250/person/mo
  3. THE STREAMS
    5.0(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: The Streams captures the number three spot by combining stunning natural beauty with genuinely caring management and a real sense of community. The landscaping and on-site streams create a peaceful retreat, while manager Angela and her team respond to maintenance requests within 24 hours and remember residents by name. The Apartment Life team (Josh and Katie) hosts monthly events with free food that actually get people mingling, and little touches like welcome cookies show they're thinking about you. As one resident shared, "The manager Angela is so incredibly kind, very approachable and always has a kind word to say, probably the best apartment manager I ever have come across." It's the rare place where you feel both taken care of and genuinely part of something.

    13 min walk to Cal State Fullerton$1997/person/mo
  4. Parkside La Palma Apartments
    5.0(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Parkside La Palma Apartments ranks fourth because manager Paola has created a community where tenants feel genuinely valued and problems get solved fast. Residents consistently highlight her responsiveness, her willingness to help even at night, and her ability to make the move-in process smooth and stress-free. The complex itself is quiet, clean, and family-friendly, with maintenance issues like stove replacements and garage door repairs handled within days. As one long-time resident put it, "Paola is the most gracious, understanding, and patient person, and if it wasn't for her this place would not run the way it does." It's clear that strong management and a commitment to tenant satisfaction make all the difference here.

    72 min walk to Cal State Fullerton$1595/person/mo
  5. Uptown Fullerton
    4.4(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Uptown Fullerton stands out as a solid overall choice near campus with genuinely welcoming leasing staff and well-maintained common spaces that residents actually enjoy. Students consistently praise the responsive management team Sami, Yadira, and Adrian all get called out by name for making the application process smooth and the tour experience feel homey. The pools, jacuzzis, gyms, and dog parks stay clean, and the maintenance crew keeps things in good shape. As one resident put it, "This was by far the most homey place we toured." That said, laundry coordination and occasional parking mix-ups are real friction points, so come in with realistic expectations.

    30 min walk to Cal State Fullerton$2415/person/mo
  6. Aspect
    4.2(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Aspect earns its ranking with a stellar reputation for cleanliness, security, and genuinely attentive leasing staff who make the move-in process feel personal. Residents rave about team members like Marlene, Jennifer, and Amina each one gets praised for patience, warmth, and going the extra mile to answer questions and guide people through the process. The location is a huge bonus, with easy access to transit, shops, and restaurants all within reach. As one resident noted, "She was incredibly helpful, supportive, and attentive to my needs." The complex feels like a private resort to those who've had smooth experiences here.

    69 min walk to Cal State Fullerton$2611/person/mo
  7. 770 South Harbor
    4.2(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: 770 South Harbor shines as an overall standout with brand-new units, thoughtful design, and a leasing and maintenance team that actually delivers on responsiveness. The open-concept floor plans flood with natural light, the pool and gym are genuinely nice, and the location next to Costco and downtown Fullerton is unbeatable for convenience. Brandon and Teaira in leasing have earned multiple shout-outs for making the move-in process smooth and stress-free, and the maintenance crew responds quickly when you need them. As one resident put it, "The assistant manager Brandon and manager Teaira has made the process super smooth and the maintenance staff is absolutely amazing." This is a newer property that lives up to the hype.

    67 min walk to Cal State Fullerton$2596/person/mo
  8. Las Palmas
    4.2(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Las Palmas wins overall recognition for its genuine sense of community, reliable long-term management, and staff who genuinely care about residents' experience. People who've stayed here for years and newcomers alike praise the quiet, tucked-away location that still keeps you close to downtown, plus the friendly maintenance team (Juan A. gets called out repeatedly for excellent work) and responsive management who handle requests promptly and efficiently. The pool, gym, and weekly food trucks add real quality-of-life value. As one resident reflected, "I've lived here for over 10 years and the management/maintenance staff have never disappointed." This is a place where people actually want to stay long-term.

    24 min walk to Cal State Fullerton$2730/person/mo
  9. Portico
    4.0(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Portico stands out near Cal State Fullerton for its thoughtful maintenance team and genuinely helpful staff who go the extra mile. Residents consistently praise the thorough work of maintenance especially standout team members like Francisco and highlight smooth leasing communication and fantastic amenities. As one resident put it, Francisco "had originally came to fix an issue for our sink, but I asked if he can check out an issue happening in the bathtub. He finished the job in less th" without hesitation. When you need something fixed, these folks deliver.

    71 min walk to Cal State Fullerton$2100/person/mo
  10. Colony Frontera Apartments
    4.0(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Colony Frontera Apartments earns its place as an overall favorite near Cal State Fullerton through genuine staff care and a community that keeps people rooted for years. Long-term residents some here for 8 years consistently praise the friendly, responsive staff, immaculate grounds, and spacious units that make this feel like home. As one multi-year resident shared, "The staff has always been incredibly kind, responsive, and accommodating, and they genuinely care about the residents." That kind of loyalty speaks volumes.

    76 min walk to Cal State Fullerton$2175/person/mo
  11. Villa Santa Fe
    3.8(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Villa Santa Fe delivers an affordable, well-maintained living experience near Cal State Fullerton with a peaceful community vibe and genuinely caring management. Residents love the quiet neighbors, beautiful grounds, and the office manager Bianca's attentiveness to tenant needs and quick maintenance response times. One satisfied resident captured the appeal perfectly: "It is a great place to live. Bianca the office manager is great. She is always on top of everything and truly cares for all her tenants." It's the kind of place where you actually feel looked after.

    27 min walk to Cal State Fullerton$2100/person/mo
  12. Jefferson Cenza
    3.6(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Jefferson Cenza stands out near Cal State Fullerton for its beautiful, well-maintained property and genuinely caring staff who create a real sense of community. Residents consistently praise the quiet, clean environment, responsive management (especially Charlene and Marlene), and the kind of place where staff goes above and beyond for events and resident needs. As one long-term resident reflected, "I had an amazing experience living here. If I could stay here forever I would," highlighting the genuine connection residents feel to both the space and the people running it.

    32 min walk to Cal State Fullerton$2395/person/mo

The Full Ranking, One Table

Click any column to sort. The rank stays with the property.
The full ranking of every listed apartment, sortable by any column.
1GREENHOUSE5.0/5515 min$2199/mo
2The Jackson5.0/5576 min$2250/mo
3THE STREAMS5.0/5513 min$1997/mo
4Parkside La Palma Apartments5.0/5572 min$1595/mo
5Uptown Fullerton4.4/5530 min$2415/mo
6Aspect4.2/5569 min$2611/mo
7770 South Harbor4.2/5567 min$2596/mo
8Las Palmas4.2/5524 min$2730/mo
9Portico4.0/5571 min$2100/mo
10Colony Frontera Apartments4.0/5576 min$2175/mo
11Villa Santa Fe3.8/5527 min$2100/mo
12Jefferson Cenza3.6/5532 min$2395/mo

Walk times are door-to-door to Cal State Fullerton campus. Rent is per person, per month.

FMP award criteria

How We Ranked These Apartments

1

Ranked by the FMP Score

FMP Score, high to low. That’s the whole ranking. It’s our overall measure of a property, combining verified review scores with signals reviews miss, like how current the listing is kept and how responsive management is. Ties go to the property with more verified reviews.

2

Who Makes the List

Every property near Cal State Fullerton can appear, but it takes a minimum number of verified reviews before we score and rank it. Properties under that bar sit below every ranked property and move up automatically as reviews come in.

3

How We Calculate the FMP Score

The FMP Score blends the social, management, and quality scores from verified reviews with signals that a place is actively and well run, like how up to date its listing is kept and how consistently management responds to residents. It’s built to surface genuinely well-run properties, not just the highest raw review average.

by the numbers

What Makes an Apartment ‘well-rounded’ Near Cal State Fullerton

We ran every verified overall review for Cal State Fullerton-area apartments through theme analysis. These are the themes students bring up most when a place feels well-rounded, by share of the reviews that mention them.

friendly helpful staff
44%
parking shortage
15%
responsive maintenance staff
15%

Based on AI analysis of verified Cal State Fullerton overall reviews, refreshed monthly. Percentages show the share of reviews that mention each theme; most reviews mention more than one. See our complete Cal State Fullerton review data →

faqs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best overall student apartment near Cal State Fullerton?

GREENHOUSE leads our September 2026 ranking of the 12 Best Overall student apartments near Cal State Fullerton with a 5.0/5 FMP Score, followed by The Jackson and THE STREAMS.

How is this ranking calculated?

This list is ranked by one number: each property's overall score from verified reviews. Students rate a property's overall 1 to 5, and we average those scores, counting recent reviews more heavily than older ones. No self-reported data from landlords.

What makes an apartment the best overall?

The best overall apartments score highly across everything students rate (social scene, management, and unit quality), not just one. This ranking uses each property's overall rating from verified reviews.

How often is this ranking updated?

Monthly. We re-pull verified reviews and re-score every property at the start of each month, so the order reflects the most recent 24 months of student feedback. The “updated” date at the top of the page shows the latest refresh.

How many reviews does a property need to be included?

There's a minimum number of verified reviews to rank by score, and we don't publish the exact bar so it can't be gamed. Properties under it still appear, below every qualified property and ordered by review count, so a 5.0 from one review never outranks a 4.5 from thirty. Once a property collects enough reviews, it moves into the scored ranking automatically.

Is this ranking independent, or can properties pay to rank higher?

It's fully independent. There's no pay-to-rank. Position is set by verified reviews alone. Property managers can't buy placement, remove reviews, or influence the score.

for property managers

Made the List? Get Your FMP Award Badge.

If your property is on this ranking, you've earned an FMP Award. Reach out and we'll set you up with the official badge for your website, social, and print, free. It's how renters know your ranking is real.

Find My Place Award2026
11st place

Best Overall

student apartments near Cal State Fullerton

Verified & independentCalifornia State University - Fullerton · Fullerton, CA
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