It is everyone’s dream to live in on-campus housing, which is convenient and super cool, but very hard to get into. The other option is to live off-campus.
As an International student, you might be in constant battle where to live and what is more convenient. We, peer mentors, are here to help. It is not that hard to find for off-campus housing and roommates. The maximum occupancy for a 1 bed/1 bath is maximum 3 persons, 2 bed/2 bath is 5 persons, and for a 3 bed/3 bath the maximum is 7 persons. So, you can find roommates and share the expenses. There are many options within 2 Miles from the University. Also, each apartment has connectivity by OCTA bus or Anteater Express.
Most of the apartment communities here are run by The Irvine Company and they offer a lot of diverse options. The University Town Center (UTC) is just across UCI. UTC has different housing courts such as Harvard court, Stanford court, etc. The rent for a 2bed/bath is around $2900/month due to proximity to the university.
The other option is Parkwest where most students live due to the easy commute to university and proximity to Wholesome Choice grocery store, where you can get most subcontinental groceries. The rent for a 2 bed/bath is around $2500/month. The next option is Toscana Apartments, 1.6 miles from campus, where you get a 2bed/2bath for around $2500/month. This community is near Jamboree Promenade, a shopping complex, and Mother’s Market (a grocery store). The 3 options listed are the most popular off-campus apartments but there are other options such as Villa Siena and Parkplace Apartments. The anteater express W – line runs through all these apartment communities.
Almost all of the apartments have a pool, club house, gym, study spaces etc. The prices listed here are approximate and you can check their websites for the current year rates. Utilities cost extra. All these communities are safe and you can get your queries answered by contacting students living there or checking reviews online. To book your apartment, first you have to fill the form and they will put you on a waitlist and will place you based on your needs. You can contact the apartment sites and get more information. Also, you can search facebook groups for UCI off campus housing where you can find roommates or vacant spots.
Also look at the Off-Campus Housing Website; it will be helpful. I hope this helps you get a head start on your housing related issues. Remember it is not a hard task to find an apartment and roommates. Peer mentors and UCI graduate division are here to help with your transition.
Darby Vickers says
July 20, 2017 at 5:16 pmRajesh did a nice job laying out the options. As an addition, another place to check for off-campus housing and roommates is the UCI section of Uloop.
Incidentally, if you do have on-campus housing at UCI and you would like to sublet it if you’re go to do research elsewhere for the summer or for a quarter, you can advertise to sublet your apartment on Uloop as well (before you advertise, make sure fill out the appropriate forms to gain permission from your housing community).