2013 Housing for USC Transfers

<p>Hey guys, </p>

<p>I was recently admitted to USC and will, hopefully, be a transferring sophomore. I say hopefully because I'm still waiting for my financial aid letter. I wanted to start this board anyways though because USC housing fills up quickly apparently, and as transfers aren't guaranteed housing, I'm a little worried. I'm not sure if I should sign up asap or if I can wait a little longer (~2-3 weeks?) and still have good options available. Anyone have any insight on this?</p>

<p>Basically this thread is just for transfers to discuss housing options with each other. Save for a few things I've read on past threads, I'm not too familiar with apartment and residence hall reputations. It would be nice to have anyone familiar with them to share as much information as possible :) Where are other transfers planning to live? Are you guys looking at residence halls or apartments? Here are some of the conditions I'm hoping to meet:</p>

<ul>
<li>Within walking distance to campus (~3-10 minutes)</li>
<li>Preferably a good number of other transfers (or at least not mainly freshman)</li>
<li>Balanced between a social and study atmosphere (I want to meet people without noise and partying 24/7)</li>
<li>Affordably priced/cheap without being run-down (~$500-650 per month, $2000-$3500 per semester)</li>
<li>Open to any number of roomates</li>
</ul>

<p>So far Troy East sounds pretty good? Anyone know much about it? Also if you guys hear of any open housing offers (like on facebook or anything) and want to share, please do :)</p>

<p>I’m totally clueless as to the USC housing situation both on and off campus… What do most people at USC do? Live on or off?</p>

<p>Most freshmen and sophomores live on campus, in either a dorm or a dorm-style suite. As for transfers who will enter as Juniors, but also sophomores, they can decide to live in the on campus apartments or off campus apartments. In my opinion, I think it’s a good mixture of students who live on campus, as well as off campus. If my financial aid award is generous to my liking, I’d prefer to live off campus at the Lorenzo, a new upscale apartment complex that was just built.</p>

<p>@bubbletea94 It’s going to be very difficult to find housing for around $500-$650 per month. At least that’s what I’m guessing.</p>

<p>@alaintran thanks man</p>

<p>You can find housing for that price in a shared house/apartment, but agree it is a challenge and it won’t be so nice. You cannot find it at Lorenzo, that is on the high end, but appears to have a lot of amenities like some of the other big apartment plazas that charge those amounts.</p>

<p>I don’t understand the rates for Lorenzo … I’m guessing its designed for students and roomates ? 1370 for a 1 room 2bed ? or is it 1370 for 1 bed and 2740 for 2 people ? and it gets cheaper per person as the more beds get involved? lol so confused …</p>

<p>@alaintran9 thanks for the info alain, I guess i’ll say $500-750 then? (really don’t know a lot about housing costs haha). </p>

<p>as much as I’d like a nice place like Lorenzo, just going to USC will be expensive enough so I’m willing to make do with “not so nice” for the time being. thanks for your input @CADREAMIN</p>

<p>@bubbletea Like SilverRex stated on the transfer Facebook page, apartment buildings such as Gateway will cover your rent if you are willing to work 20 hours a week. Pretty good deal if you ask me.</p>

<p>Transfer20I3, the rates you see are PER person. So if it says $1,370 for a 1 room w/ 2 beds, then EACH of the students pays $1,370/month for a total of $2,740 for the room.</p>

<p>Hey everyone, I don’t mean to hijack the thread, but I’m an incoming sophomore transfer. How likely is it that I will get housing? I was given guaranteed sophomore admission my senior year of high school contingent on receiving at least a 3.3 at another institution for a year, and currently have a 3.9 and good grades this semester, so know that I’ll be entering; however, I was told that I’m not “officially accepted” until my final grades are in-in, which will not be until at least June. Because of that, I’m really not sure how housing is going to go for me because housing says that can’t assign me until I’m officially accepted although I did already fill out the paperwork.
And if I do not get housed in a dorm or apartment I like, does anyone know of any higher-end apartments within a 5-10 minute walk of USC that also house many other USC transfers and upperclassmen?</p>

<p>I’ve heard of the Lorenzo (though I’m really worried by its one star reviews on Yelp?), Garrett Gardens, and Corsica. My price range is probably $1000-$1600 a month, and I plan to find a roommate. I feel like I probably will not get to be in the dorms due to this odd time issue, so was hoping someone could point me towards apartment complexes with lots of USC students so I can at least mildly approximate the dorming experience. Any way to suss out reviews of places would also be helpful.</p>

<p>Also, here’s a great resource for the housing search:
<a href=“http://livenearusc.com/[/url]”>http://livenearusc.com/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>@alaintran9 haha yeah I saw, guess you figured out who I am on fb? lol. that does sound like a really good deal. almost too good tbh haha. i’ll have to look into that. the only thing is I read people “do their own thing” there so I feel it’s more for upperclassmen who aren’t really looking to meet new people/socialize, or at least as much as new students and transfers would have to. but if I can get work <em>and</em> get my rent paid for through that, i’ll take it.</p>

<p>@bubbletea I actually have not figured out lol</p>

<p>@alaintran9 oh LOL I thought that’s why you brought it up, my bad. I was the one who most recently asked Rex those questions about housing. btw do you know where you’re planning to live yet?</p>

<p>@bubbletea I have no idea yet. I’m ultimately waiting on my financial aid award and going from there.</p>

<p>Hi guys, thought I’d share this offer for a lease at University Gateway:</p>

<p>Looking for Housing Next Year???</p>

<p>Looking for someone to take over my University Gateway school year lease from 2013-2014. I’ll throw in a flight and hotel for 2 to Vegas, expires in June so hurry! </p>

<p>-Adjacent to campus
-Utilities included
-Free Wifi
-Free Printing
-Access to gym
-Tanning Room
-Parking available if you want
-Near many places to eat!
-On top of Freebirds, Fresh n’ Easy, Yogurtland, Margarita Pizza, etc!</p>

<p>Please message me if interested!!!</p>

<p>I can’t afford it myself, but I talked to the girl who posted it and she’s really nice. She said it would be 1139 for a 10 month lease and 999 for a 12 month lease. Her name is Amy Muramoto on facebook if you’re interested.</p>

<p>^ is it just me or does that seem unbelievably cheap…? what’s the catch? lol</p>

<p>Yes, it is just you. That is the same cost as if you leased from Gateway yourself. The quoted rates are for a 2 bedroom w/two students in each room. Each of the 4 students pays $1,139 for a total of $4,556/month for the apartment.</p>

<p>Parking is an additional fee. The last time I checked it was $150 additional per car per month.</p>

<p>On the other hand, it is a very nice building. There are many not-nearly-as-nice buildings/apartments available for less.</p>

<p>@uscgirlclassof15 not cheap to me lol, maybe you’re thinking $1139 for the whole 10 months? :\ if you are it’s actually $1139 a month. but if you still think that’s cheap, go for it! lol</p>

<p>If you’re a transfer and you’re worried about housing (and you should be), then there’s no substitute for pounding the shoe leather in the neighborhood. You’ve got to work multiple angles to make sure that you find something. If you’re from SoCal or have friends from your high school or CC who are going to USC, that’s the best start. Beyond that, other companies to talk to are Nupac (North University Park Apartment Company) and Conquest, both of which own numerous properties in the area.</p>

<p>I also look at where on campus the majority of your classes are going to be and find something close to that side of campus. The other thing to look for, if you’re further away, is to be next to a tram stop. But I would place a premium on finding something closer as you’ll want to be in the mix of things.</p>

<p>Another place to look would be USC’s office of Transfer and Veteran Programs (?). I think that’s what they’re called. I’m a bit annoyed that they put transfers and veterans together but from a logistical standpoint they have a lot of the same issues.</p>