*** Housing question about Westwood / West Los Angeles *** PLEASE HELP!! *** (Santa Monica: apartments, condos)

[legal bruin]

Q: What do you think about the area of LA just a few blocks south of Santa Monica Blvd. and just a few blocks east of Westwood Blvd?

* * * *

Hi Everyone,

I am about to start my first year at UCLA law school and am looking for a place to live. I'm 28 and female and am living alone so I would like a safe neighborhood. I love the Brentwood and Westwood areas; leaning towards Brentwood b/c it seems a little quieter, and I am more concerned with studying than partying!

I found a few apartments just south of Santa Monica Blvd and just east of Westwood Blvd that are much cheaper than Brentwood. The apartments and the buildings are very nice; the residential area seems nice, quiet safe. I am looking for some more info about this area (don't know if this is South Westwood or West LA or what...)
Any and all opinions and comments would be GREATLY appreciated!!

Thank You!!

[greggd]

Originally Posted by legal bruin

Q: What do you think about the area of LA just a few blocks south of Santa Monica Blvd. and just a few blocks east of Westwood Blvd?

* * * *

Hi Everyone,

I am about to start my first year at UCLA law school and am looking for a place to live. I'm 28 and female and am living alone so I would like a safe neighborhood. I love the Brentwood and Westwood areas; leaning towards Brentwood b/c it seems a little quieter, and I am more concerned with studying than partying!

I found a few apartments just south of Santa Monica Blvd and just east of Westwood Blvd that are much cheaper than Brentwood. The apartments and the buildings are very nice; the residential area seems nice, quiet safe. I am looking for some more info about this area (don't know if this is South Westwood or West LA or what...)
Any and all opinions and comments would be GREATLY appreciated!!

Thank You!!

That is a good and safe area. You will be close to a few coffee houses, frozen yogurt shops, restaurants etc. The area has a lot of persian oriented stores and restaurants to the north of santa monica.

Also, I think the blue bus will take you right on campus from westwood & santa monica blvd.

I would consider that a very good choice for UCLA commuting. North of SM blvd would be a bit easier.

What price range are you looking at So. of SM blvd? I know of some studios in condos that were from $1400-1700 per month and about 2 blocks so of wilshire and westwood blvd.

[legal bruin]

Thanks so much for your reply. I greatly prefer 1 bedroom apts. rather than studios. The 1 bedrooms I have seen in the area south of SM Blvd. are between $1400-$1600 while 1 bedrooms in Brentwood and Westwood (north of SM Blvd.) are between $1500-$1800. I would like to ideally stay at or below $1600.

Is the area just a block or two south of Santa Monica Blvd. and just east of Westwood Blvd. considered Westwood or West LA?

[dingo050]

Since I spent my college years in Westwood, I'd personally say Westwood is considered anything within walking distance of UCLA, for the most part. When I looked for apartments a couple years ago, I looked a couple in that neighborhood directly south of the temple, around Overland between Santa Monica and Olympic, and found quite a few 2 bed/2 bath for 1800 or less. If you're driving to campus, you might as well live a little further away in Palms and pay significantly less...I looked at a 3 bed/2 bath place for 1800, but as I didn't have a car, it wasn't ideal. However, you definitely lose something, as it's not exactly walking distance, and if you're relying on public transport, you'd be tied to bus schedules. Depending on how often you're on campus, I'd recommend sticking closer to the campus, or at least the shuttle stop south of Wilshire by the Wilshire Center. If you want to avoid the undergrads, there are a few complexes on Tiverton by Ralphs, and on Hilgard south of the sororities that cater to mostly grad/med/law/dental students.

[CESpeed]

If you had done a thread search of Santa Monica, Brentwood or Westwood, you have have discovered that the prevailing majority opinion is that you can't go wrong with these areas.

[BRinSM]

I agree with Dingo, you may also consider Palms, which is south of the 10 freeway. If you are up for it, there are many, many bus lines that run from Palms to UCLA, and for students, I believe the fare is only 25 or 50 cents. Since there are so many bus lines in that area, you never really have to wait long for a bus to come. I'm not sure what parking costs at UCLA, but I'm sure it is much more expensive than taking the bus, not to mention the gas you'll save from not sitting in traffic near Wilshire. Also, Palms rents are much more reasonably priced than Westwood. You should have no problem finding a nice 1br for closer to $1200/month.