The Ultimate UCLA Roommate Finder Guide: From Dorms to Westwood Apartments
Hey everyone! So you got into UCLA. First off, HUGE congrats! That’s a massive accomplishment & you should be incredibly proud. Now comes the next big adventure: figuring out where you’re going to live & who you’re going to live with. Honestly, finding a roommate can feel just as stressful as applying to college in the first place, especially in a place like Los Angeles.
Whether you’re a freshman gearing up for the dorms or a transfer student trying to crack the off-campus housing market, this guide is for you. I’ve been through it, I’ve seen my friends go through it, & I’ve gathered all the insider info to help you navigate the process. We’re going to cover everything from the best roommate finder apps to the unwritten rules of living in Westwood.
Part 1: The On-Campus Experience - More Than Just a Place to Sleep
For many of you, the journey starts with on-campus housing. UCLA has a pretty robust system, & for good reason. Living on "The Hill" (the area with all the dorms) is a quintessential Bruin experience. It’s where you’ll make your first friends, get plugged into campus life, & be just a short walk from your classes (a lifesaver for those 8 a.m. lectures).
The Official UCLA Housing Portal: Your First Stop
Once you’ve been accepted & decided to attend, you'll get access to the UCLA Housing portal. This is where you'll fill out your housing application & a lifestyle questionnaire. Be HONEST on this thing. I can't stress this enough. If you’re a night owl who thrives in a bit of creative chaos, don’t pretend to be an early-rising neat freak. It might seem like a good idea to present yourself as the "perfect" roommate, but it’ll only lead to problems down the road.
The questionnaire will ask about your study habits, sleep schedule, cleanliness preferences, & social habits. The university uses this information to match you with a compatible roommate. While the system isn't foolproof, it’s a pretty good starting point. You’ll also have the option to request a specific roommate if you’ve already found someone.
Finding Your Own Roommate for the Dorms
While you can leave it up to the housing gods, a lot of students prefer to find their own roommates beforehand. This gives you a sense of control & allows you to get to know the person you’ll be sharing a small space with for the next year. Here’s how to do it:
- Social Media is Your Best Friend: This is where the real roommate search happens. Join the UCLA Class of 202X Facebook groups, follow the Instagram accounts, & even check out the UCLA subreddit. You’ll find tons of fellow incoming students posting bios about themselves. These posts usually include their major, interests, living habits, & what they’re looking for in a roommate.
- Don't Be Shy, Slide into Those DMs: If you see someone who seems like a good match, send them a message! Start a conversation, ask questions, & be yourself. This is your chance to see if your personalities click. Remember, you’re not just looking for someone who has the same sleep schedule; you’re looking for someone you can get along with.
- Virtual Events & Meetups: UCLA often hosts virtual events for incoming students. These are great opportunities to meet people in a more organic way. You might just find your future roommate in a breakout session about your shared major.
Introducing "Roomble": A Student-Made Solution
A few years ago, a group of UCLA students who were frustrated with the "cold messaging" approach on social media created a website called Roomble. It's a platform specifically for UCLA students to find roommates. You sign up with your UCLA email (which adds a layer of security) & fill out a detailed survey about your lifestyle preferences. The site’s algorithm then shows you profiles of students who are most compatible with you. It’s a pretty cool tool that can help take some of the guesswork out of the process.
Part 2: The Off-Campus Adventure - Welcome to Westwood
Once you move beyond the dorms, you’ll likely be looking for an apartment in the surrounding area. Westwood, the neighborhood where UCLA is located, is a fantastic place to live. It’s vibrant, full of students, & has everything you need within walking distance. However, it’s also one of the most expensive rental markets in the country. This is where having roommates becomes less of a choice & more of a necessity.
The Challenges of the Westwood Housing Market
Let's get the tough stuff out of the way first. Finding an apartment near UCLA is competitive & expensive. We're talking about one-bedroom apartments that can run for thousands of dollars a month. This means that most students live with multiple roommates to split the cost.
Parking is another HUGE issue. Most apartments in Westwood have limited parking, & street parking is a nightmare of permits & street cleaning restrictions. If you’re bringing a car to campus, this is something you need to plan for. It’s not uncommon for students to rent a private parking spot, which can add a significant amount to your monthly expenses.
This is where a service like Prked can be a lifesaver. Prked connects people who have unused parking spaces in their driveways or garages with drivers who need a place to park. You can often find a spot that’s cheaper & more convenient than the options offered by your apartment building. It’s a great way to solve the Westwood parking puzzle without breaking the bank.
Where to Look for Off-Campus Housing & Roommates
Finding both a place to live & people to live with can feel like a full-time job. Here are the best resources to help you out:
- UCLA-Specific Roommate Finders: Websites like Roomsurf, Uloop, & MeetYourClass have sections specifically for UCLA students. You can create a profile, browse other students’ profiles, & filter by things like major, class year, & living habits.
- Facebook Groups: Just like with the dorms, Facebook is a goldmine for off-campus housing. Search for groups like "UCLA Housing, Rooms, Apartments, and Sublets" or "UCLA Off-Campus Housing." You'll find posts from students looking for roommates to fill a spot in their existing apartment, as well as people looking to team up to find a new place.
- The UCLA Transfer Student Center: If you’re a transfer student, be sure to check out the resources offered by the Transfer Student Center. They have lists of apartment and roommate search sites, and they understand the unique challenges that transfer students face when it comes to housing.
- Bruinwalk: You probably know Bruinwalk as the place to check professor reviews, but it also has a housing section where you can find reviews of apartment buildings in Westwood. This is a great way to get honest feedback from other students about landlords, building management, & the overall living experience.
The University Cooperative Housing Association (UCHA)
Another option to consider is the UCHA, or the "Co-op." This is a non-profit organization that provides affordable housing to students in a cooperative living environment. Residents share responsibilities like cooking & cleaning, which helps to keep costs down. It’s a great option if you’re on a tight budget & looking for a strong sense of community.
Part 3: The Roommate Compatibility Checklist - Asking the Right Questions
Okay, so you’ve found a few potential roommates. Now what? It’s time to have “the talk.” And no, I’m not talking about your love lives. I’m talking about your living habits. Being on the same page about these things is CRUCIAL for a happy living situation. Here’s a checklist of things to discuss before you sign a lease together:
The Big Three: Cleanliness, Sleep, & Social Life
These are the three areas where most roommate conflicts arise. Don’t just ask, “Are you clean?” Get specific.
Cleanliness:
- What’s your definition of “clean”? Is it “everything has a place” or “as long as there’s no visible mold, we’re good”?
- How often do you expect the common areas (kitchen, living room, bathroom) to be cleaned?
- Are you okay with leaving dishes in the sink for a day or two, or does that drive you crazy?
- Are you willing to pitch in for a cleaning service?
Sleep Schedule:
- Are you a night owl or an early bird?
- How do you feel about noise in the apartment when you’re trying to sleep?
- Do you need complete silence to study, or are you okay with some background noise?
Social Life:
- How often do you plan on having people over?
- Are you looking for a roommate who will also be your best friend, or do you prefer to keep your social lives separate?
- How do you feel about overnight guests? Is there a limit to how often they can stay over?
- Are you planning on hosting parties in the apartment?
The Nitty-Gritty: Finances & Shared Spaces
Money is another major source of conflict, so it’s important to be upfront about finances from the very beginning.
The Personal Stuff: Habits & Communication
These questions will help you get a better sense of who they are as a person & how you’ll handle conflicts when they arise.
Part 4: A Note on Storage & Moving
Moving, whether it's into a dorm or an off-campus apartment, often comes with the realization that you have WAY too much stuff. This is especially true if you're sharing a small space with other people. If you find yourself in a situation where you just can't fit everything into your new place, don't panic.
This is another area where a service like Prked can be incredibly helpful. In addition to parking, Prked also connects people who need storage space with homeowners who have extra room in their garages, attics, or basements. It can be a much more affordable & convenient option than a traditional storage unit. So, if you’ve got a surfboard, a bike, or just a few extra boxes of winter clothes that won’t fit in your closet, you can find a safe & local place to keep them.
The Takeaway
Finding a roommate at UCLA is a journey, but it’s one that everyone goes through. It can be stressful, but it can also be a lot of fun. The key is to be proactive, honest, & open-minded. Start your search early, use the resources available to you, & don’t be afraid to ask the tough questions.
Remember, your living situation can have a big impact on your college experience. Taking the time to find a compatible roommate is an investment in your own happiness & success. So, get out there, start connecting with your fellow Bruins, & get ready for an amazing year.
Hope this was helpful! Let me know if you have any other questions or if you have any of your own tips to share. Good luck with the search
