The process of choosing the right college or university comes with many important decisions that you must take after thorough research and homework. You naturally want to get into a reputable college or university, study from the best teachers and professors, end up with great working opportunities, find an ideal job, and whatnot.
Many students here in the US tend to look for student-friendly college communities that also offer reasonable rentals and apartments, other than quality education and experience. The main reason is they want to be near the university and maintain their independence at the same time. This particularly applies to all those who choose a college or a university in another city of the country.
Los Angeles is a wonderful option here for sophomores, juniors and seniors. Being the largest city in the State of California, it has a variety of options to offer to you. It is easily among the best student-friendly cities, and if you happen to be looking for reasonable living options, you will find quite a few.
Los Angeles – Home to 230 Colleges and Universities
Within Los Angeles, there are as many as 230 colleges and universities that are scattered all across the city. From the University of Southern California to the California Institute of Technology, you will find many options, each with its unique offerings.
To top it all off, Los Angeles is also home to great weather, fantastic nightlife, and eclectic neighborhoods, all of which will add to your overall college-university experience!
Student-Renter Friendly College Communities in Los Angeles
Whether you are a sophomore or a senior-level student, we’ve listed some of the best renter-friendly and student-friendly college communities in Los Angeles that you can consider applying in.
1. University Park
This is a popular neighborhood in South LA is home to the University of Southern California (USC). USC is a highly-rated, private university in LA with an enrollment of 19,194 undergraduate students.
University Park is easily one of LA’s most diverse neighborhoods and a wonderful option for students looking for more affordable housing options.
2. Koreatown
Also referred to as K-town, this neighborhood is best known for reasonably priced rentals and homes, vibrant nightlife, and a growing number of facilities.
Driving from Koreatown to the University of Southern California would take you about 20 minutes on an average day in traffic.
Apart from being renter-friendly, Koreatown is best for its all-you-can-eat Korean barbecue as well as the overall accessibility of the area.
3. Huntington Park
This is another great neighborhood that is about six miles south of USC. Huntington Park is often called a ‘melting pot of residents.’ Driving from Huntington Park to the university would take you approximately 25 minutes, and you can also take the Metro local bus route to get to campus.
This area is best known for its affordable living options, lush parks, comfort levels, and peace.
4. Westwood
Westwood is said to be one of the best places to live in LA, California and is an excellent commercial and residential neighborhood in the city.
The famous UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles) is situated here, a great university that offers hundreds of degree programs.
The university offers excellent housing plans to students, both undergraduate and graduate. Undergraduate students can choose to live in university apartments, suites, or plazas. All three options vary in terms of privacy and pricing. On the other hand, graduate students are given options of five apartment complexes.
Sophomores, juniors and seniors can easily find rooms to rent in Westwood, particularly on Hilgard Avenue. If you wish to explore beyond Westwood, consider the following student-renter friendly neighborhoods.
5. Brentwood
Best known as a quiet, upscale region, Brentwood is located on the west side of LA, approximately 2 miles west of the university campus.
You will find many apartments in this student-friendly community that you can rent and share with other students. This is more of an affluent neighborhood in Los Angeles and is perhaps ideal for students considering co-living.
You can easily bike from Brentwood to campus, take the Metro line or the Big Blue Bus.
6. West Los Angeles
This neighborhood extends south of Westwood and is located near several schools. For many, it is easy to bike or walk to college.
Students will find many rentals towards the east side of the 405 Freeway; however, the West side is more popular among university students because it’s less expensive than Westwood. You will also find a number of small apartments here with affordable rentals.
The best part about West Los Angeles is that it provides quite a decent bus access to the campus.
7. Key Takeaway
A great feature of many colleges and universities in Los Angeles is that many of them offer incredible on-campus housing. But if you prefer living off-campus and enjoy your freedom, you will find many student-friendly college communities nearby.
The key to finding a good place to rent and live in is to do thorough research. From online research to asking other students for recommendations, you need to have a few options to chose from.
The closer it is to campus, the more convenient it will be for you.
At the end of the day, you want to spend the least possible amount on rent and transport. Save money and get access to quality education, all at the same time!
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