The Safest and Most Student-Friendly Neighborhoods With Apartments Near UCLA (and Realistic Commute Times)

If you're looking for apartments near UCLA, you're probably trying to answer three big questions:

• Is the area safe?
• Will it feel like a good place for students?
• How long will it really take me to get to campus?

Westwood is the center of UCLA life, but it's not the only place you can live. Many students live in nearby neighborhoods with lower prices, quieter streets, or newer homes, and they don't have to deal with a long commute.

When you pick a place to live near UCLA, this is what you should really expect.

First, What Does "Near UCLA" Mean?

Brentwood, West Los Angeles, and Century City are all close to UCLA in Westwood. In Los Angeles, where cars are the main mode of transportation and traffic is heavy, distance alone doesn't determine how long it takes to get to work.

UCLA Transportation says that students often use:

• Walking (Westwood)
• Metro and Big Blue Bus routes
• Riding a bike
• Driving (there isn't much parking on campus)

So when you look at apartments near UCLA, you're really looking at how people get to work, not just how far away they are.

Safest and Most Student-Friendly Neighborhoods near UCLA

People have different ideas about safety, but data can help put things in perspective.

Crime maps and statistics are available on the websites crimemapping.com and lapdonline.org from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Westwood and the West LA neighborhoods around it always have lower rates of violent crime than many areas in central LA. However, property crime, such as car break-ins, does occur, as in most densely populated urban neighborhoods.

Let's look at the best places for students one by one.

1. Westwood (You can walk to campus)

Commute: Walking to work takes 5-15 minutes.

Best for: college students and first-year graduate students

Vibe: Full of energy, focused on students, and busy

For apartments close to UCLA, Westwood is the best choice. You can walk to class, the library, or study late at night.

Pros:

• No need for a car
• With other students around
• There are restaurants, coffee shops, and Target nearby.

Cons:

• Rent is higher
• Most of the inventory consists of older buildings.
• Noise from students on the weekends

Westwood is safer because there are many students there, and UCLA security patrols the area. UCLA also has CSO Programs that provide evening escorts year-round and a campus shuttle service during academic quarters.

Westwood wins if convenience is the most important thing.

2. West LA (West Los Angeles)

Commute: 10-20 minutes by bus, bike, or car.

Best for: Upperclassmen, grad students, and people who want a quieter life

Vibe: More space, calmer, and like a home

West LA, just south of UCLA, is a good place to live because it is quiet and close to school.

LA Times Mapping L.A. says that West LA has a lower population density than Koreatown or Downtown. This means that living there is quieter.

Students who live here usually:

• Bike for 10 to 15 minutes
• Take the Metro bus along Wilshire or Santa Monica Blvd
• Depending on traffic, the drive will take 10 to 20 minutes

West LA is less busy than Westwood, but it's still a great place for students. A lot of grad students like it.

This is where most of Tripalink's West LA UCLA student housing is located. That makes sense because it's easier to park, the buildings are a little newer, and the streets are quieter than in central Westwood.

3. Brentwood

Commute: 10–15 minutes by car, more than 20 by bus

Best for: Graduate students and professionals

Vibe: Quiet, upscale, and suburban

Brentwood is next to UCLA on the west side and is known for:

• Streets with trees
• Housing with fewer people
• Evenings that are quiet

Compared to the city's average, crime rates here are usually low.

What do you get in return? Rent is usually higher. Brentwood is a good choice if you have the money and would rather live in a quiet area than have access to nightlife.

4. Sawtelle (Japantown Area)

Commute: 15 to 25 minutes

Best for: Students who want food, culture, and a little less rent

Vibe: lively but not too many students

There are many restaurants and coffee shops on Sawtelle Boulevard, but it's not as college-centered as Westwood.

Students travel by:

• Bus lines that go to UCLA
• Biking (for people who are sure of themselves)
• Driving (traffic can make the commute longer)

It's a good place for students who want the energy of the city without living right in Westwood.

How Long Is the Commute, Really?

The thing that makes everything else change in Los Angeles is traffic.

The Texas A&M Transportation Institute's Urban Mobility Report (mobility.tamu.edu) says Los Angeles is among the most congested metro areas in the U.S. But this is the most important part:

But here’s the key:

Most students who live within 3 miles of UCLA say their commutes take less than 25 minutes.

Typical ranges for commutes:

The busiest times for traffic are in the morning (8–10 AM) and late afternoon (4–6 PM).

What Makes a Neighborhood Good for Students?

Safety and the commute are important, but so are lifestyle factors.

Neighborhoods that are good for students usually have:

• Grocery stores close by
• Eating out for less
• Dependable transportation
• Other students nearby
• There are enough parking spots

Westwood wins on proximity.

West LA wins on balance.

Brentwood wins on quiet.

Sawtelle wins on food and culture.

There is no one "best" thing; it all depends on your personality and school schedule.

Choices for UCLA student housing in West LA

Tripalink is all about helping UCLA students find housing in West LA. They have professionally managed apartments close to campus.

Maxwell

These apartments in West LA feature modern layouts for students. It's only a short bike ride or drive to UCLA. You can live in this building with others, helping you save on rent while staying close to campus.

1539 Beloit Ave

This property is in a residential area of West LA, which is quieter than Westwood. It's perfect for students who want to be close to UCLA but don't want to live in a crowded student area.

1751 Malcolm Ave

Another West LA property close to major public transportation routes, which makes getting to work easy. The residential area is quieter but still close enough to campus to be convenient.

These kinds of buildings are close to campus and have a more homey feel, which is why upperclassmen and graduate students like them.

You can look at the current listings here:

https://tripalink.com/west-la-ucla-student-housing/homes-for-rent

So, Where Should You Live?

If you put first:

• Zero commute → Westwood
• Quiet + reasonable commute → West LA
• Upscale calm → Brentwood
• Food + culture + mid-range commute → Sawtelle

Most UCLA students end up choosing West LA or Westwood because they are the safest, most convenient, and most community-oriented places to live.

Choosing a neighborhood isn't the smartest move. It's a tour at the time of day when you will actually travel.

Last Thoughts

It's not about finding the closest address on a map when looking for the right apartments near UCLA. It's about finding the right balance:

• Realistic times for getting to work
• Data on safety
• Preferences for lifestyle
• Limited budget

Westwood is full of energy and easy to walk around.

West LA is peaceful and easy to get to.

Brentwood is a quiet place.

Sawtelle brings culture.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but there is one that is right for you.

FAQs

1. What is the safest area near UCLA?

According to LAPD public crime data, Westwood and Brentwood generally have lower rates of violent crime than other parts of LA that are more crowded. There are still property crimes, so building security is important.

2. How long does it take to get from West LA to UCLA?

Usually, it takes 10 to 20 minutes to get there by bus, bike, or car, depending on the time of day and traffic.

3. Is it worth it to live farther away to save money?

It can be, but most students don't think it's worth it when the commute takes more than 30 to 40 minutes each way.