<p>Can someone please post some advice on finding a non university owned apartment in Westwood? For example, how does one find a good building, and what is considered a good rate for rent?</p>
<p>If you search in google, you can see some of the apartments in the area and some reviews by people. A lot of the good apartments you hear from word of mouth. When its time to apartment hunt (start early for better places (January)), you’ll walk around and tour apartments. Don’t forget to ask residents how they like the landlord + apartment because obviously landlords are trying to make you sign the lease.</p>
<p>When it comes to apartments, there are basically two places: south of wilshire, and around the school. Apartments south of wilshire are a lot cheaper and generally bigger, but you can’t walk to school so you’ll need to take a shuttle/drive. Apartments around UCLA vary in quality considerably. Read reviews and ask residents. Cheaper places = USUALLY lower quality, but there are exceptions. </p>
<p>I know people who pay 500 in a 4 person 2 bed / 2 bath south of wilshire, while its around 600-700 around ucla. Anything 700+ is usually really nice (check out jefferson court). If you want to stay in a single bedroom with two people or a studio by yourself, expect to pay more than the 600-700.</p>
<p>A single room or studio in Westwood will by and large usually cost you 1100+ but there are a few $800 - 900 offerings around floating on Craigslist. Yes, this includes those walking distance from the school.</p>
<p>bruinwalk.com has some reviews of aparments that are close to UCLA</p>
<p>Any advice for someone looking for an apartment now, for this coming year? Also, are any apartments besides university apartments furnished?</p>
<p>Look south of Wilshire for good deals - shuttle is nearby at the Wilshire Center. </p>
<p>Craigslist is excellent.</p>
<p>i’m in the same boat trying to find an apartment. If you end up finding one and are looking for a room mate let me know and maybe we can meet up!</p>
<p>There are some furnished apartments but they usually charge a huge premium for it.</p>
<p>dang why did you all wait until the last minute? My friends and I started apartment hunting immediately after we returned from winter break.</p>
<p>I would strongly suggest being in Westwood to search. I walked the streets of south of Wilshire with a cell phone, a camera, and a notepad to document everything. This time last year, apartment managers were basically throwing huge rental discounts at me for units south of Wilshire. We’re talking $300-$400 off what the previous renter paid. <–and THAT’s why you wait.</p>