<p>For those of you who lived on campus at UCLA for your first two or three years, where do you guys live now? I'm just curious what my options will be when I'll probably need to move off campus after the first two or three years.</p>
<p>I live in an apartment now just off campus on Gayley and Landfair right across from DeNeve Plaza and the Saxon suites after 2 years of dorm life. It is walking distance from campus and actually a shorter walk to class than I had my first year in the dorms (in Hedrick, last year I lived in Evergreen in DeNeve which was about 2 minutes closer to class). Most folks who live off campus live in apartments on this side of campus next to the dorms (biggest number I'd say), on apartments on the other side of campus on Hilgard, or south of Wilshire (cheaper but not walking distance). Some people live even further off campus in places like the Palms, Brentwood, or even Santa Monica and make the short commute to school everyday.</p>
<p>Wow, that's nice that there are places to live so close to campus. How much does it cost you to live there compared to the cost of living in the dorms on campus?</p>
<p>It's slightly cheaper than the dorms when you work it all out. I pay $550 a month with another $50-60 a month on utilities and another $200 or so for food, which works out to about $800 or so a month. Living in the dorms will cost you more than $1000 a month since you need to include a meal plan with it. I believe living in the res halls comes out to something like $1000 a month and living in the suites or plazas comes out closer to $1200-1300 a month. Keep in mind we had to spend some extra cash in the beginning to get furniture and stuff, but it is a much roomier place than the dorms and it comes with parking spots too.</p>
<p>apartment sounds nice</p>
<p>Apartment life is great, but I wouldn't recommend it to any 18 year old first year coming in. You make most of your friends by living near them on campus or joining clubs and things like that, and by the time most people have apartments they already have a circle of friends.</p>
<p>Have you thought of or do you know of anyone who has got a place with one or more people in order to share expenses and thus make it cheaper to live there? Is this a good idea? Is it commonly done?</p>
<p>mercinator,</p>
<p>It's very commonly done. Everyone I knew shared a place. Rent in Westwood is far too high to even consider getting your own place.</p>
<p>Everyone shares a place. I have 5 other people in my apartment (3 bedrooms). You're pretty much rollin if you have a room for yourself.</p>
<p>If I'm a transfer student, do you suggest I live off-campus? University apartments? Or should I try Hilgard first?</p>
<p>bfired,</p>
<p>You can live on-campus, you know. My girlfriend is currently on-campus and loves it. Her whole floor is transfers. Otherwise, if you can get yourself into the university apartment at 456 Landfair (Westwood Chateau), go for it. I loved that place...</p>
<p>UCLAri, I was considering living on campus until I saw the prices. Unbelievable! Anyways, a more feasible option would be either Hilgard or an off campus apt, such as Westwood Chateau. Isn't that one of the nicer univ apts?</p>
<p>bfired,</p>
<p>Living on campus is pricey, but if you get fin aid they will increase your amount to account for it.</p>
<p>If not, then I also suggest you avoid univ. apartments. If saving money is your goal, then go for a private apartment. Although I have to say, Westwood Chateau was luxurious and fully furnished...</p>
<p>I've heard some horror stories about Hilgard, by the way...</p>
<p>Yeah Hilgard is way too Berkeley commune-style for my taste. </p>
<p>I'm a transfer and live in a private apartment. It's still expensive, but manageable with roommates. We each have our own rooms, too, so we kinda lucked out. </p>
<p>I definitely haven't met as many people living off campus, but I'm just really not a dorm person and that's the trade off I made. There are pros and cons to both, but its really a personal decision. If you think you'd be happier in the dorms, then it's probably worth the extra money (which may not even be that much, since rents are continuing to rise and rise and rise).</p>
<p>Well, I'm guessing I won't get much fin aid with a 25,000 EFC for an in-stater. I was considering a private apt, but I wouldn't know where to start. I mean I'm sure it's difficult to find one if you're a current student at UCLA, would I have to go on campus and use the Housing Office's resources? Plus, I don't really know anyone at UCLA so finding roommates might be hard.</p>
<p>UCLAri, what are some things you've heard about Hilgard? Is it too cramped? Smelly? Hilgard appeals to me because I'd get to meet and live with other transfers, my own kind so to speak. </p>
<p>I was looking at the pricing list for univ apts </p>
<p>and I was considering the 4 ppl 2 bdm for $5300...or if Westwood Chateau is that much better, than perhaps triple for that same price...I want to stay below $6000 for housing, although I'm not sure how realistic that is. Thanks for all the advice!</p>
<p>i live in a plaza right now with 14 preimer and i pay 1300 a month. an apt is definitely cheaper.</p>