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Off Campus Housing
At UCI, we understand that where you live is very important and that you want a special place that is pleasant to live in, safe, and affordable. While UCI houses over 40% of our graduate students in on-campus housing, this is not an option for everybody. Consequently, we have developed some helpful resources to this common challenge for students to minimize the amount of time and effort expended on this process. We believe that you will find these resources to be a good starting point in your efforts of finding a comfortable and affordable living space that will serve you well while pursuing your studies at UCI.
As you begin your search for housing, there are a couple things that you need to take into consideration. You will need to evaluate your lifestyle and decide what type of living situation is best for you (i.e. living alone, having roommates, or living in a family home). You will also need to decide what you can afford and stick to a budget. As you prepare your budget, remember to budget for telephone and utilities (gas/electric, TV, etc), meals, furniture, household items, entertainment, and personal items, in addition to rent.
To assist students in locating living accommodations in the surrounding communities, UCI's Off-Campus Housing Office maintains a good number of good resources related to available rentals, services, tips, and search vehicles to help you navigate the process of securing off-campus housing. Additional resources are available online to help you find an off-campus housing community that best suits your needs. Each community site allows you to search by geographic area and any specific needs you may have (i.e. children, pets, amenities, covered parking, etc). The results of your search typically include all contact information for the communities, as well as current pricing, floor plans, and maps. Most communities have an email address to contact them with any questions you may have. Some of the sites also contain information on looking for a roommate, furniture rentals, budgeting, and more.
Contact some of the communities you are interested in and ask them specifically if they have any UCI student discounts or move-in specials. Also ask them what types of units they have available, when they may become available, and if there is a waiting list. Some communities may also charge a fee to be on their waiting list so be sure to ask. Once you’ve identified some off-campus developments you are interested in, then schedule an appointment to visit the community. When visiting the community, look at the condition of the complex, the amenities, and the surrounding area. Take note of the location of supermarkets, other services, and public transportation in relation to the community and the UCI Campus.
Once you find a community that suits your budget and your needs, you are ready to sign a rental agreement. In order to complete your application, you will need to provide information on your sources of income, your employment history, your rental history, bank accounts, and credit cards. Make sure to read the entire agreement before signing anything. Ask any questions that you may have. Also, it is customary to pay a "cleaning" deposit and the first month’s rent at the time of signing your rental agreement. Helpful tips on this subject are available through UCI’s Off-Campus Housing Office.
In addition to the above resources and links, you might also glean some helpful information by visiting some of the available commercial guides to apartment living and rentals as follows:
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