Nice places to live for a new grad at UCLA

jjjoy, LPN · Nov 24, 2008

It IS confusing and there are lots of apartments so it's not easy to just give the name of a particular building. First off, are you looking to get your own place or to share? Have you checked out average pricing in the area?

Will you be working 12-hr shifts? That might influence your choice of how much you want to rely on walking/taking the bus to get to and from work and/or how far you're considering living from UCLA. Walking/taking a bus is otherwise a great idea since you have to pay for parking (and it's next to impossible to find street parking nearby) and even then it still might be a half mile walk from the lot to the hospital. There's been lots of construction there lately, so maybe there's more nearby parking now.

To be really close to campus, you could look for apartments to the west of campus between Veteran and Gayley. Be aware that many UCLA undergrads rent in that area so that may mean 4 students crammed into a 2 bedroom apartment next door or a frat party down the street.

You may prefer to look just south of Wilshire where the neighbors are more likely to be professionals and it's still just a 15-25 minute walk to the medical center. I also think Santa Monica is a fun place to live and has a great city bus system unlike much of LA.

On the downside, Westwood and Santa Monica are expensive areas to live. It's definitely more affordable to share an apartment. I've gotten decent roommates from Craigslist, but of course, you have to be careful. The UCLA campus newspaper might have roommate wanted ads. Trying to arrange housing prior to arrival, though, can be difficult. If you've got any friends you could crash with for awhile after moving out there, that could help.

Are you going to have a car? If not, that will quickly reduce your options as public transit can be incredibly inconvenient in LA and you'd probably want to research bus routes & times before settling on a place farther out. If you will have a car, make sure you either have your own dedicated parking space or that you really can find street parking near your place. Some blocks, it's not problem, but in many areas, finding parking can be really difficult.

Good luck!

I love my cat! · Nov 25, 2008

Will you have a car? Like the above poster stated, that will make a HUGE difference.

If you do have a car, I would recommend Santa Monica or Marina Del Rey. Marina Del Rey has some great apartment complexes with a lot of amenities within the complex (like tennis courts, gyms, pools, reserved parking and you are a 10 minute walk to the beach).

There are also a ton of brand new complexes by Lincoln and Jefferson. Some of these bigger complexes not only have the amenities listed above, but they also have cafes, dry cleaners, a min-mart, etc. on the grounds.

Good luck and feel free to PM me if you have any specific questions that I might be able to help you with!!

Also, in CA, landlords are not required to provide you with a fridge. Ask about a fridge when looking at places. I remember I was surprised when I heard that because I have lived in other states and have never encountered that before. :bugeyes:

nurseALEB · Nov 25, 2008

hey there,

I was just curious as to where you are moving from? I am from L.A but went to school in N.Y and just moved back here in May. I am working on the pediatrics unit at cedar-sinai medical center in beverly hills.

It seems like we have a lot in common, new grad working with the kiddos. I just wanted to say hello!! I live close by to ucla in marina del rey. I love that area. It is not as congested as it is in westwood and it is a close bike ride down to the beach.

Let me know if you have any questions about anything!!! I just got off orientation last week and it is very exciting stuff. Good luck with the move

Allie

hillarypeace2006 · Nov 25, 2008

Santa Monica is expensive, but well worth it.

RN Colleen · Nov 25, 2008

Hey Nurse ALEB-

Good to know that we are in the same boat! I am moving from Chicago and am very excited for the new position, but of course nervous. Congrats on the Cedars-Sinai Position and for being off orientation how exciting!! :) I will definitely look at Marina Del Rey when I went to visit/interview at UCLA I went to dinner in Marina Del Rey and it seemed really nice I will add it to my list to check out - and it is always nice to be by the beach! :) THanks for the info and if I have any questions I will for sure let you know since we have a lot in common! :)

RN Colleen · Nov 25, 2008

Thank you all so much for all the great info! I did not know about them not having to give you a fridge - I will make sure to ask about that at the places I look at. I will for sure have a car because I heard not having a car in LA is pretty difficult. I will be working 12 hour shifts and to start off will be rotating between nights/days. I have looked at various places online in santa monica, westwood, west hollywood etc. seems like the average price is about 2,000 for an apt. I am definitely going to look into Marina Del Rey as well. Thank you all so much again I appreciate it!! :)

mgp6 · Jun 2, 2012

Hi, I got into the UCLA new grad program for August and I'm starting to look for housing. Does anyone have a good apt complex near UCLA to suggest or knows someone who's looking to share a 2-bedroom apartment? Thanks!