University of California - Irvine
- Off-Campus Housing

Good Housing Options, but a Bit Quiet

Rent is too expensive if you are going to live with 2 or 3 people. I would suggest a minimum of 3 (for the cheapest apartment option) and at least 4 for your typical apartment. The plus side is that the apartments are usually located very near campus (sometimes right across the street, like Berkley Court or Cornell). Parking can be a headache at these units, especially on Thursdays when guests steal your parking spot when you leave at night. Apartment buildings are very new (must have been built at least 10 years ago) and are clean when given to you, but sometimes the cabinets are not well built. Also, be sure to ask if everything is in good condition (fridge, dish washer) as they can cause leaks, leaving you to pay for it- even if it is not your fault (if it is not your fault and this type of thing happens as a few days after you move in, make sure to write a note to the apartment manager, as he/she might not charge you for damages). Finally, the social life is dull, unlike on-campus housing. Students hardly interact with each other and often times will not even acknowledge a fellow neighbor.

Parking

Irvine has set up a system where free parking is only on a in known basis. It's hard to find any and there are only a few options. Parking can also get tough, because we are a commuter based school. Plus people here are rich and do have their own cars to drive around and thus park. Parking is mostly tight, packed and ridiculously expensive. School parking for a complete full year is close to $900 and accrues in price every year. That's almost a grand just for parking..ridiculous.

UCI Housing

There are many available housing locations on and near UCI. Though many of the housing locations are far from campus and require a 10-20 minute walk. The on campus dorms are really nice except for a certain few dorms. Parking at UCI is abundant, but that is because of the high parking permit prices that is being charged to its residents.