<p>So I've started rethinking my living arrangements while at UCLA. I'm not sure I want to live on campus anymore.</p>
<p>When I initially considered living on campus it was for a simple reason, to have more of a social life. But now that I look at it I don't really see myself having a lot of time to hang out with friends, even if I'm living in Delta or what ever housing option I get thrown into. I figure that I am going to spend anywhere from 12-15hr/wk in class, 40hr/wk studying, 15-20hr/wk doing research, ~10hr/wk volunteering, 5-8hr/wk attending (insert student organization name) meetings, ~5hr/wk playing intramural sports, and hopefully I'll get some sleep in there too! It's going to be a very short and fast-paced stay for me at UCLA and I really want to make the best of it academically and professionally. While finding some good friends is at the bottom of my list, I'm not too worried about not making new friends because I haven't penciled in a time slot to do so. After all that involvement I just mentioned I'm bound to end up with a handful of good buddies, right? (Maybe I'm being naive and a little too optimistic) That being said, I feel like after a full day of running around and "doing stuff" I don't know that I want to have to graze among the herd at one of the mess halls and go back to a noisy tuna can packed with two other people. For some reason having my own place where I can just sit down, cook a good meal, and enjoy a little peace and quiet is looking waaaaaay better. </p>
<p>So, to the point of my rambling. Does anyone know if it is really difficult to get a "single/studio" at the University Apartments? If my chances of getting a single studio are really slim can anyone give me some advice on where I can find an abode that will be more suited to my lifestyle? Any suggests for alternative housing options would be great. Thanks! =)</p>
<p>I’d love to see some input on this topic as well! I’m stuck b/w university apartments or suites/plazas.</p>
<p>University Apartments is pretty hard for single/studio mainly because they don’t have that many.</p>
<p>Other options depend on your budget. The closer you are to campus, the more expensive.
That said, you can look into surrounding communities such as Culver City, Mar Vista, Playa Del Rey(car would be ideal for this part) where you can get affordable housing and you’ll have easy access to public transportation, namely Big Blue Bus or Culver City Bus (both have lines that run to UCLA).</p>
<p>okay, here comes the tip of the century…</p>
<p>find a fraternity/sorority with low-actives, and rent a room out. the bigger ones will even have a chef. ALSO, most get you parking as well, which is not available to most of us transfers. I just signed up for a double w/private bath AND parking for $600/mo. I can even bring in my own roommate. if you want quiet, get a room away from the main street and board yourself up. also, it’s a block from campus. best thing ever!!</p>
<p>^ Um, easy for you to say? Ahah…</p>
<p>@UCcasualty - Getting a university apartment is tough, let alone a studio for yourself. If you’re interested in spending more time at school (intramural sports, volunteering, etc etc), finding a place in Westwood is probably most convenient, since wherever you are, it’ll only take a few minutes to walk to campus. What is your budget?</p>
<p>^Why is getting a university apartment tough?</p>
<p>It’s unlikely for transfers to be placed in university apartments. Granted a handful do, but priority is given to those already attending.</p>
<p>I asked about university apartments at admit day, and he told me everyone has an equal chance.</p>
<p>@edelynly</p>
<p>UCLA put together a great financial aid package for me to live on campus. I’m actually getting enough money to cover my tuition and housing costs plus an extra $3,500 per year for living expenses. However, I don’t know how much my financial aid will change if I tell them that I’m going to live off campus. Does anyone know how much your fin. aid is reduced when you change your housing status to off-campus?</p>
<p>I’d like find a place that will allow me to bring my car, but I would also like to be within biking distance from the campus because traffic and parking sucks. I know biking distance is rather vague, but I just want to be close enough so that I’m not covered in sweat by the time I get to class or where ever I need to be. Is it possible for me to submit two housing applications, one for on-campus and one for the university apartments? I just don’t want to apply for the apartments, not get one, and then not have my living situation taken care of because I did not apply for on-campus housing.</p>
<p>I want to get in the uni apartments because they seem to be the cheapest and laziest option. </p>
<p>@Uccasualty
I thought university apartments are considered on-campus housing?</p>
<p>@shawnabehrens</p>
<p>I see.
They’re cheaper than the residence halls anyways so I suppose off-campus housing budget should cover it.</p>
<p>yes… I am curious to see what everyone’s thoughts are… My first year I want to live as close as possible to campus and I like the idea that the on campus housing and University apartments are furnished. It seems easiest… Of course I am saying that going from my own place… I’ve never shared a room before. Right now living as close as possible to campus sounds ideal but not sure… :P)</p>
<p>As of right now my first 3 choices are in the University Apts then the next 3 are Plaza… I may change it before Monday!! I have no idea. </p>
<p>What are everyone else’s thoughts! I’d like to hear pros / cons etc.</p>
<p>@shawna</p>
<p>That link you posted just tells you the estimated yearly cost for a student based on whether he/she is living on- or off-campus. Just because the estimated annual cost is $2k less for off-campus does that necessarily mean that they will reduce your fin. aid package by $2k if you initially indicated that you were going to live on-campus? Could the reduction possibly be less or even more than $2k? Are you guys just guessing that the reduction is $2k because it is $2k less to live off-campus or do you know this for certain?</p>
<p>Well in reality I know nothing for certain unless I have it in writing… :P) HOWEVER, 2 people at the financial aid office confirmed that the budget is “reduced 2k if we live off campus…” If your rent is higher you can “petition” to have your budget increased “with loans…” Again, this is relayed from financial aid… If you are on some type of scholarship your situation may be different…</p>
<p>I also received 2 different answers regarding whether or not the 2k reduction would be taken out of loans or grants… I dunno I guess I’ll have to wait & see where I am housed anyway!</p>
<p>@predict - Really? I was told otherwise (asked about it when rep called). Judging from last year, it doesn’t seem that many transfers get into the apartments, but we’ll see.</p>
<p>@UC - I don’t think it is lowered too significantly? Like someone else said, I also heard it was only $2000.</p>
<p>The cheaper university apartments are only around $550 a month, which even after cost of food, should be $2k less than dorms.</p>
<p>Hey everyone. I got a single apartment in Glenrock. Does anybody want to switch with me? I’m reading that its hard to get one of those and saw that some of you wanted an apartment…</p>
<p>I would love to switch to an apartment! but is that possible?? i thought we had to wait until after the accept deadline to request a change?</p>