8/11/24

The Unofficial, Super-Helpful Guide to Pomona College Off-Campus Housing

So, you're thinking about moving off-campus at Pomona. Welcome to a whole new world of freedom, responsibility, & figuring out where to put your recycling bin. Living on campus is a core part of the Pomona experience, for sure. That tight-knit community feel is something special. But let's be honest, by the time junior or senior year rolls around, the idea of having your own kitchen, maybe a little more space, & a life outside the immediate bubble of the Claremont Colleges can be REALLY appealing.
This is your extensive, no-nonsense guide to making that leap. We're going to cover everything from convincing the powers-that-be to let you move, to finding a place that doesn't have questionable plumbing, to figuring out life with roommates. I've been there, done that, & learned a few things along the way.

First Things First: Can You Even Move Off-Campus?

Here’s the thing about Pomona: they really value that residential community vibe. Because of that, they don't just let everyone flock off-campus whenever they want. It’s a process.

The Official Lowdown from Pomona

Before you even start dreaming of your perfect apartment, you need to get the green light from the college. According to Pomona's Office of Housing & Residence Life (HRL), only rising juniors & seniors are eligible to even apply for off-campus status. There are a limited number of spots available each year, so it's not a guarantee.
You’ll need to fill out the off-campus housing application, which is typically part of the general Housing Selection process. This means you have to be on top of those deadlines, which usually pop up in the spring semester for the following academic year. If you're planning to study away in the fall & want to live off-campus in the spring, you have to apply during that same spring selection period a full year ahead. So, planning is KEY.
A super important heads-up: moving off-campus can, & likely will, affect your financial aid package. The college calculates your aid based on a number of factors, including room & board costs. When you move off-campus, that calculation changes. It is HIGHLY recommended that you have a chat with the Office of Financial Aid before you even apply. They have to sign off on your application anyway, confirming you understand the financial implications. Don't skip this step!
Once you're approved, you'll need to provide your new address & contact info to the college. Remember, even if you're living down the street, you're still expected to abide by the Pomona College Student Conduct Code.

Where to Live: A Tour of the Local Neighborhoods

Okay, so you got approval. Congrats! Now the real fun begins: the apartment hunt. The area around Claremont offers a pretty diverse range of options, from spots right next to campus to places a short drive away.

Claremont: The Epicenter

Living in Claremont means you're still super close to the action. You can easily walk or bike to campus, which is a huge plus. The "Claremont Village" area is charming, with lots of shops, cafes, & a great Sunday farmer's market. It’s the most convenient, but often the priciest, option.
  • College Park: This is probably the most popular off-campus spot for Claremont Colleges students, & for good reason. It's an apartment community right next to the south side of campus. We're talking a 5-to-10-minute walk to Pomona. The apartments often come furnished with essentials like kitchen appliances, a washer & dryer, AC, & even a private balcony & garage. They also have community perks like pools & a gym. It's built for student life.
  • Claremont Collegiate Apartments: Another spot specifically geared towards students & faculty of the 5Cs. It's about a fifteen-minute walk from campus, but some units come with shuttle service, which is a game-changer. The prices here can be a bit more budget-friendly, & they sometimes offer different setups like double units to split costs.
  • Oasis KGI Commons: Located right in the Claremont Village near the Packing House, this is another modern option. Pomona has actually leased rooms here in the past when on-campus housing was tight, so it's very much on the college's radar. It's a great location for balancing school & a social life.

Montclair: The Budget-Friendly Neighbor

Just east of Claremont, Montclair offers more affordable rental options. You'll definitely need a car or be prepared to use public transit, but the trade-off in rent can be significant. The area around the Montclair Place mall has seen a lot of new development.
  • The Paseos Apartment Homes: This complex is about a mile & a half from campus, so it’s a longer walk (around 25 minutes), but it's a quick bike ride. The HUGE advantage is being a 5-minute walk from Target & the mall. That convenience is hard to beat when you need to make a quick run for snacks or supplies. The apartments usually have good amenities like in-unit laundry & a gym.

Upland, Pomona, & La Verne: Expanding Your Horizons

These nearby cities are also popular choices for students. They offer a wider variety of housing types, from apartment complexes to renting rooms in houses.
  • Upland: North of Claremont, Upland has a nice downtown area of its own & offers a mix of apartment buildings & single-family homes. You’ll find more variety here, & it can be a bit quieter than living right next to the colleges.
  • Pomona: Yes, the city Pomona College is named after! While the college is in Claremont, the city of Pomona is a large, diverse area with a ton of housing options. You can find everything from historic lofts in the Arts Colony to more suburban-style apartments. Rent here is generally lower than in Claremont.
  • La Verne: Another charming town just to the west, La Verne is home to the University of La Verne. It has a similar small-town feel to Claremont but can be a bit more affordable.
When you're looking for a place, finding parking can be a real headache, especially in more crowded complexes or neighborhoods. This is where thinking outside the box helps. You might find the perfect apartment, but it only comes with one parking spot for you & your two roommates. Instead of giving up on it, you could use a service like Prked. It lets you rent a private driveway or garage space from a homeowner nearby. It's a pretty cool way to find a secure, affordable spot for your car without having to fight for street parking every night.

The Nitty-Gritty: Rent & Other Costs

Alright, let's talk money. This is often the deciding factor for many students. Living off-campus can be cheaper than living in the dorms, but it depends heavily on your lifestyle & the choices you make.

What to Expect for Rent

Rent prices fluctuate, but here's a general idea based on recent data from around August 2025. Keep in mind that Claremont will be on the higher end of these ranges, while Pomona & Montclair will be more toward the lower end.
  • Studios: Expect to pay around $1,586 per month.
  • One-Bedroom Apartments: The average is about $1,779 per month.
  • Two-Bedroom Apartments: These average around $2,163 per month. This is where splitting with a roommate makes a HUGE difference. That could be around $1,080 per person.
  • Three-Bedroom Apartments: The average here is about $2,515 per month. With two other roommates, you're looking at a little over $800 each, which can be a really great deal.
A 2019 Reddit guide mentioned that at popular spots like College Park, a one-bedroom started around $1,795, & a two-bedroom at The Paseos was about $2,225. Given inflation, the 2025 averages seem pretty on-point. RentCafe shows that in Claremont specifically, the average rent is higher, around $2,079.

Don't Forget the "Other" Costs

Rent is just the beginning. When you live off-campus, you're responsible for a bunch of other bills that were just part of your on-campus fees before.
  • Utilities: This includes electricity, gas, & sometimes water & trash. Budget at least $100-200 per month, depending on your usage (that AC in August can be a killer).
  • Internet/Cable: A necessity for any student. This can be anywhere from $50 to $100 a month.
  • Groceries: No more unlimited meal plans! The cost of buying your own food adds up quickly. This is highly variable based on your eating habits.
  • Renter's Insurance: Many landlords require this. It's usually not too expensive, maybe $10-20 a month, & it protects your stuff in case of theft or damage.
  • Furnishings: Unless you luck into a fully furnished place, you'll need a bed, desk, chair, couch, etc. This can be a big upfront cost.
  • Security Deposit: Almost every place will require a security deposit, usually equal to one month's rent. You get it back at the end of your lease if you leave the place in good condition.

The Hunt: How to Find Your Perfect Pad & Roommates

Now you know where to look & what it'll cost. How do you actually find an apartment & people to live with?

Finding a Place

This takes time & effort. Don't expect to find the perfect place in one afternoon.
  • Online Listing Sites: This is where most people start. Websites like Apartments.com, ForRentUniversity.com, and Uloop are great resources. You can filter by price, number of bedrooms, location, & amenities. These sites often have the most up-to-date listings & contact information for leasing offices.
  • Drive Around: Seriously, just drive or walk through the neighborhoods you're interested in. You'll see "For Rent" signs on buildings that might not be listed online. This gives you a real feel for the area, too.
  • Ask Around: Talk to upperclassmen who are already living off-campus. They can give you the real scoop on different apartment buildings, landlords, & management companies. They might even know of a spot opening up in their building.

The Roommate Quest

Finding good roommates is just as important as finding a good apartment. A bad roommate situation can ruin an otherwise awesome living experience.
  • Friends: The easiest route is to room with people you already know & trust. Just make sure you have an honest conversation about living habits before you sign a lease together.
  • Roommate Finders: If you're looking for new people, there are websites specifically for this. Roomsurf and MeetYourClass have sections for Pomona students. They often let you create a profile about your living habits (cleanliness, noise level, sleep schedule) to find a good match.
  • Social Media: Look for Pomona College class groups or off-campus housing groups on Facebook. Students often post about looking for roommates or needing to fill a room.
  • The "Tinder for Roommates" Approach: A Reddit user from a few years back recommended an app called RentHoop, which lets you swipe through potential roommates & filter for "deal-breakers." It's a pretty modern way to find someone compatible.
Once you have a potential roommate, have an open conversation. Talk about expectations for cleanliness, guests, noise, & how you'll split bills. It might feel a little awkward, but it's SO much better than having conflicts later. Pomona's Residential Life team can also provide support for roommate conflicts if they arise, even if you're off-campus.

Making the Move & Settling In

You found a place, signed the lease, & have your roommates. Now you just have to move!
Moving can be chaotic, especially if you're trying to do it during the summer. You might have furniture from home, stuff from your dorm room, & things you've bought for the new place. It's a LOT of stuff. And if your apartment is on the smaller side, you might not have room for everything, especially seasonal items like ski gear or all your winter clothes.
This is another area where a little creative thinking helps. Instead of cramming everything into your closets, consider a simple storage solution. Lots of homeowners have extra space in their garage, attic, or basement that they aren't using. Services like Prked connect you with these homeowners, so you can rent that extra space for a fraction of the cost of a traditional storage unit. It's super convenient for storing things you don't need every day, keeping your new apartment from feeling cluttered.

The Verdict: Is It Worth It?

Living off-campus is a big step. It comes with more freedom, but also a lot more responsibility. You'll have to cook, clean, pay bills on time, & deal with landlords. It’s a real taste of adulting.
But the rewards can be amazing. You get to create your own space, learn how to be more independent, & experience life in the broader community beyond the campus gates. It can be an incredibly rewarding part of your college journey.
So do your research, talk to your family & the financial aid office, & start looking early. It's a lot of work, but finding that perfect off-campus home can make your last couple of years at Pomona truly unforgettable.
Hope this was helpful & good luck with the hunt! Let me know what you think.
;