Housing around UCLA

[icf]

I'm thinking about attending UCLA this fall, and I'm looking for advice on housing.
I'm from NJ and my first time vising LA will be during the Welcome Reception 4/9, so right now I have no idea what i'm getting myself into. 

Is it difficult to get on-campus housing?  What towns do most students live in, and what are the best ways to find apartments? 

About how much should I expect to spend on rent (assuming I'm going to get my own place and would like to live in a relatively safe area)?  Also, I want to bring a car -- is it hard to find apartments that come with parking?

How do most people get to classes?  Bus?  Is public transportation reliable in the area?

Thanks in advance for any info you can give.

[postal007]

I don't know that much about UCLA housing either.  I do know that the newish Weyburn Terrace is a popular option for graduate students.  There's a bus to the law school, I believe.  As for the affordability, I'm not sure how it compares.  I'm sure its at least no more than market rate.  Parking is extra $$$.

If I went down to UCLA, I'd probably live in Weyburn at least a year to scout out the surrounding housing and see what's good.  Otherwise, get help on this board from current and former UCLA students who know.  I've heard a lot about living farther away and commutting, but who wants to do that with LA's traffic =).

[icf]

thanks postal -- i actually posted this in the UCLA specific section in Students & Graduates, but there's like no activity down there   

[asalie]

I grew up in Westwood so I can attempt to give you some insight. Most UCLA students I know live within walking distance of campus (granted, UCLA is in a very pricey part of town). Public transportation isn't the greatest, but if you get housing on one of the Big Blue Bus lines, you'll be fine (the 1, 2, 12, etc). There are also some UCLA shuttles that I believe pick up and drop off around west LA, but I'm not too sure about the specifics on that.

As for apartments with cars...this is LA so you are pretty much expected to have a car, and therefore most apartments have parking (in fact, I think now all new apartment buildings are required to have subterranean parking).

I think a 1br within walking distance would put you around 1200ish.

[shae]

UCLA assigns on campus housing by lottery, with the admissions office holding some units to give out based on merit, distance from UCLA, etc.

The on campus housing is relatively cheap and convinient.

if you live on campus you wont need a car, but i can't imagine being in LA without one; i'd feel trapped