University of California - Merced
- Off-Campus Housing

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University of California - Merced - Off-Campus Housing - Off-Campus Housing - College ProwlerCollege Prowler4.62

Off-Campus Housing

Quick Stats

Undergrads Living Off Campus 63%
Freshmen Living Off Campus 24%
Average Off-Campus Room & Board $8,352

Best Time to Look for a Place

The time to look for a place is during early to mid-spring semester. Plenty of students start their search even during late fall semester. Incoming freshmen wishing to live off campus should try looking for a place as soon as they have confirmed they are coming to UCM (i.e., early summer).

Popular Areas
  • Bellevue, a housing complex less than five minutes from campus.
  • Village Apartments
Average Rents
  • Studio: $380
  • 1 BR: $475
  • 2 BR: $600
  • 4 BR: $1,000
  • House: $1,100

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

People who have a car find living off campus convenient. They enjoy the luxury of being able to cook their own food rather than having to rely on cafeteria food. It is also more cost-effective for many of the students, compared to living on campus. Houses and apartments are fairly easy to find, partly because of the poor housing market. In fact, Merced has the second highest number of foreclosures in the nation. The on-campus housing office also assists by providing resources to finding off-campus living arrangements. There are also ads posted around campus.

Students usually end up finding a four- or five-bedroom house with friends. They like the option of having their own room; it can be hard getting a single in the dorms on campus. Sharing a house also makes the cost much more affordable. In fact, many students pay no more than $400 a month for everything, including utilities. The closest housing complex is a couple miles away from campus, and some of the houses and apartments are farther away into town. The convenience of just being able to get out of bed and walk to class is something off-campus residents miss. Those who live off campus and do not have a car have to adjust even more by taking the school bus, CatTracks. While it is great that CatTracks stops by all the housing and apartment complexes, the schedule is such that students either have to take the bus an hour before their first class or take the bus that makes them at least 10 minutes late for class. All in all, there are great advantages to living off campus for those with a car or easy form of transportation.

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UC Merced Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Off-Campus Housing at University of California - Merced

luis1026

Environmental Engineering '15

3.8
B+

Nice Homes

Off campus housing is very nice at Merced. Most of the houses are new, and they are barely being built. The houses are extremely nice and convenient. They are a great buy.

May 17, 2012

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Off-Campus Housing at University of California - Merced

kcadiz

Medicine and Medical Studies '15

4.2
A-

UCM '12

Apartments and houses are a lot cheaper to live in rather to live on campus.

Apr 25, 2012

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Off-Campus Housing at University of California - Merced

agonzalez53

Psychology '13

2.3
C

Off Campus Housin at UCM

I know that apartments are very expensive around the Merced area. I think that houses are also very expensive to live in.

Apr 13, 2012

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User rating for University of California - Merced - Off-Campus Housing is 3.5 out of 5 based on 19 user reviews.

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate the off-campus housing on the following topics

What is the off-campus housing selection like near campus and is it worth it?

How helpful is the school in helping students find off-campus housing?

Become a Contributing Author Learn more »

Most Recent Student Author View all

Name
Harini Kompella
Hometown
Santa Clarita, California
Major
Human Biology

College Prowler is seeking talented student authors to assist with writing and updating the College Prowler guides to their schools. This is a great opportunity for a student to gain experience and tremendous exposure, utilize new media techniques, and share advice with high school students about what life is really like at your college.

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