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Off-campus housing near UCLA is expensive and moves fast — you're operating in the Los Angeles rental market, one of the priciest in the country. Most students pay $1,300–$2,000/month for a shared room in Westwood or the immediately surrounding blocks. Westwood Village is the primary student neighborhood, built around UCLA's presence with walkable access to restaurants, grocery stores, and the campus perimeter. Students who want more space or lower prices typically look to Palms, Culver City, or Mar Vista, accepting a 15–30 minute bus or car commute in exchange. The market moves quickly — good units near campus are gone within 24–72 hours of listing, and most renewing tenants sign 6–12 months early.
UCLA requires all incoming freshmen to live on campus for their first year. Campus housing has a large residential system including the Hill (the main residential area) and various themed and community living options. Freshmen should apply for campus housing early through the UCLA Housing portal, as it fills based on application date.
After the freshman year, students are free to rent anywhere in Los Angeles. There is no contracted or approved off-campus housing system. The UCLA Off-Campus Housing office maintains a listings board and resources for apartment searching. Many students start their off-campus search in winter quarter of freshman year to be ready for sophomore-year move-out.
Most apartments near UCLA turn over in June, with leases starting June 1 or July 1. The landlord community around Westwood is well-aware of the UCLA cycle and listings often go up as early as January. By March or April, the best near-campus units are typically signed.
Housing policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with Los Angeles before signing a lease.
Starting in January or February for June/September move-in is strongly recommended. Near-campus Westwood inventory is limited and high-demand — landlords near the campus perimeter know students will pay a premium and often move quickly when units open. Early movers get to choose between options rather than accepting whatever's left.
March is the peak competition month for Westwood housing. Most current UCLA tenants are either renewing or listing by then, and incoming students and returning sophomores flood the search simultaneously. Good 2-bedroom apartments in walking distance of campus are frequently gone within a day of listing.
Los Angeles is large enough that options always exist, but proximity to campus degrades significantly if you're searching in May or June. Palms and Mar Vista will have more availability than Westwood at that stage. For students who need something quickly, furnished corporate or short-term rentals in Culver City or Century City can bridge a gap.
The core UCLA student neighborhood — directly adjacent to the southern edge of campus. Dense with apartments, dining, and grocery stores. Most walkable option for daily campus life. Most expensive per square foot. Competition for units here is relentless, especially the blocks along Gayley Ave and Veteran Ave.
About 2–3 miles south of campus, Palms and Mar Vista have more spacious apartments at noticeably lower prices. Popular with upperclassmen and students with cars or a tolerance for the bus commute. The 1 Rapid on Westwood Blvd connects these neighborhoods to campus in 15–25 minutes.
East of campus, Brentwood has quieter residential streets with larger units and a more upscale feel. Similar distance to campus as Palms but in a different direction. Popular with grad students and law students who want less of the undergraduate apartment-complex environment.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Westwood apartments near UCLA are expensive — shared rooms typically run $1,300–$2,000/month. Solo studios start around $1,800–$2,300/month. Students who move further to Palms or Mar Vista can find shared rooms in the $1,000–$1,400 range, accepting a bus or car commute.
Other universities in Los Angeles share a similar off-campus housing market.
Off-campus housing near UCLA is expensive and moves fast — you're operating in the Los Angeles rental market, one of the priciest in the country. Most students pay $1,300–$2,000/month for a shared room in Westwood or the immediately surrounding blocks. Westwood Village is the primary student neighborhood, built around…
View housing near UCLAUSC's off-campus market is expensive and competitive, situated in South Los Angeles with LA rental market dynamics. The University Village area directly adjacent to campus has been developed by USC into a commercial and residential complex, and the streets surrounding it have become a dense student housing zone. Most…
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