4 Santa Monica College Apartments with Laundry Facilities

Compare four Santa Monica College apartments with laundry facilities, plus tips for evaluating access, costs, commutes, and lease details.

Kenton Bui
Kenton BuiSep 18, 2026 · 9 min read
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Finding Santa Monica College apartments with laundry facilities can make an ordinary weekly chore much easier to manage around classes, work, and commuting. The four properties below all list shared or on-site laundry facilities, but that common feature does not make them interchangeable. Their layouts, surrounding neighborhoods, other amenities, and reported trips to SMC’s Main Campus differ, so the right choice depends on how you plan to live.

This guide compares 123 California Ave, 204 Washington Ave, &Pico, and 2643 Centinela. Treat rents, availability, commute estimates, and policies as a starting point rather than a promise: listings change, and students should confirm current details directly before applying. Most importantly, ask precise questions about the laundry setup. “Laundry facilities” may describe a shared room, and the day-to-day experience depends on the number of machines, payment method, hours, and upkeep.

How to choose an apartment with laundry facilities near SMC

Laundry is practical, but it should sit inside a broader housing checklist. Start by deciding which tradeoffs would matter every day and which amenities would merely be nice to have.

Verify what “laundry facilities” means

Before touring, ask whether the machines are inside your unit, in a shared room, or elsewhere on the property. These featured apartments are listed with laundry facilities, but you should verify the exact arrangement for the unit you are considering. Useful questions include:

  • How many washers and dryers serve the building?
  • Are machines app-operated, card-operated, or coin-operated?
  • What does each wash and dry cycle cost?
  • Are there posted operating hours?
  • Who handles repairs, and how are broken machines reported?
  • Is there a place to wait, fold clothes, or receive a notification when a cycle ends?

If you share with roommates, discuss a simple laundry schedule before move-in. A convenient laundry room can still become frustrating when everyone needs it on Sunday night.

Compare the complete monthly cost

Base rent is only one part of the budget. Ask about utilities, parking, laundry charges, deposits, application costs, internet, renter’s insurance, and any recurring service fees. A property with a lower advertised rent may not be the less expensive option after transportation and add-ons. Likewise, paying slightly more for a location that reduces driving could lower fuel and parking expenses.

Availability and prices can move quickly. Request a written fee sheet for the exact unit and lease term, then calculate a realistic monthly total. If cost is your first filter, browse the broader selection of Santa Monica College apartments and compare current options rather than relying on a single snapshot.

Test the commute at the right time

A distance that looks short on a map can feel very different during weekday traffic. Check the route to SMC’s Main Campus at the times you expect to travel. If you plan to drive, confirm whether your lease includes a space and research campus parking separately. If you will bike, inspect the route for comfort, lighting, and secure storage at both ends. Transit riders should check service frequency as well as the nearest stop.

Students prioritizing transportation can also use the existing guide to Santa Monica College apartments near public transportation. Drivers may want to compare the parking-friendly apartments near Santa Monica College.

Match the layout to your household

A one-bedroom can offer privacy and a simpler roommate decision, while a two-bedroom may make cost-sharing possible. Studios can reduce the amount of space you need to furnish and clean. Do not compare rent alone across different layouts. Compare your likely share, bathroom arrangement, storage, work or study space, and the lease responsibilities each roommate accepts.

For every property, confirm the exact available floor plan. Marketing descriptions may summarize multiple units, and photos may not show the apartment currently offered.

123 California Ave: a one-bedroom option in Santa Monica

123 California Ave is listed at 123 California Ave in Santa Monica and includes on-site laundry facilities. The property description highlights a one-bedroom, one-bath unit with natural light, a living area, and a functional kitchen. Secure entry is another listed amenity.

The listing reports an eight-minute drive to SMC’s Main Campus, though actual travel time will depend on traffic and departure time. This option may appeal to a student who wants a one-bedroom rather than a multi-bedroom roommate setup and values being in Santa Monica near cafes, restaurants, shops, and the beach. Those lifestyle advantages should be weighed against the full housing budget and the transportation plan.

During a tour, inspect the available unit rather than assuming it matches every detail in the property summary. Ask where the laundry room is relative to the unit, whether access is secured, and how busy it becomes. Also confirm the current lease term, all monthly charges, and whether parking is available if you expect to drive.

204 Washington Ave: flexible one- and two-bedroom living

204 Washington Ave is listed about 2.4 miles from Santa Monica College, with a reported nine-minute drive to Main Campus. Its property description references both a one-bedroom, one-bath layout and a two-bedroom, two-bath layout. That range makes it worth considering for either an individual renter or students exploring a shared apartment, subject to current availability.

The listed amenities include on-site laundry facilities and parking. The surrounding Santa Monica location is also described as close to shops, cafes, and the beach. For roommates, two bathrooms could reduce scheduling conflicts, but confirm the floor plan, bedroom sizes, and how rent would be divided before applying.

Ask whether a parking space is included with the specific unit or costs extra. For laundry, find out how many households use the machines and whether there is a reliable way to report maintenance issues. Because one- and two-bedroom options create very different monthly budgets, request current pricing for the precise layout and lease dates you need.

&Pico: broader layout choices in West Los Angeles

&Pico is located at 11916 W Pico Blvd in West Los Angeles. It lists on-site laundry facilities and offers a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments. The property description also notes contemporary finishes, natural light, kitchens, secure parking, and a communal area.

The listing reports a seven-minute drive to SMC’s Main Campus, the shortest reported driving estimate among these four choices. That does not guarantee a seven-minute trip during peak traffic, so test the route around your class times. Pico Boulevard can place dining, shopping, and everyday services nearby, which may help students combine errands with a commute.

The variety of layouts is the main comparison point here. A studio may suit someone prioritizing privacy and compact living, while a two-bedroom may work for roommates who want to split costs. Ask which layouts are actually available, what each costs after fees, and whether parking is assigned. Confirm the location, payment system, hours, and machine count for the laundry facilities as part of the tour.

2643 Centinela: a bike-oriented Sunset Park possibility

2643 Centinela is in Santa Monica’s Sunset Park area and lists a laundry room. Its other listed amenities include controlled access, gated parking, a pool, and a garden area. The property description also notes a non-smoking building and says small pets may be considered with an additional deposit; applicants should verify all current policies.

Unlike the drive estimates attached to the other featured properties, this listing reports an 11-minute bike trip to Main Campus. That makes it a useful option to investigate for a student who would prefer cycling, but ride the route yourself before signing. Check intersection comfort, nighttime visibility, terrain, and where a bicycle can be secured at home. Keep a backup plan for rain, repairs, or days when carrying a heavy load.

The surrounding description mentions shops, cafes, parks, the Expo line, grocery options, and access to I-10. These connections can be helpful, but their value depends on your routine. At the showing, verify that photos and amenities correspond to the available unit, ask about laundry-room demand, and obtain current rent, deposit, pet, parking, and lease information in writing.

Neighborhood and commute considerations

These properties span Santa Monica and West Los Angeles, so choosing among them is partly a neighborhood decision. 123 California Ave and 204 Washington Ave place renters in Santa Monica north of the college, while 2643 Centinela is associated with Sunset Park. &Pico sits farther east on Pico Boulevard in West Los Angeles. Each location changes the balance among campus access, beach access, shopping, nightlife, and travel to a job or internship.

Build a weekly-route test rather than evaluating the campus trip alone. Put your likely grocery store, workplace, gym, library, and frequent errands on the map. Then estimate the time and cost of all those trips. An apartment that is not the closest to campus may still produce the easiest week if it is better connected to everything else you do.

Before applying, make the commute once during a realistic morning or afternoon period. Drivers should verify both residential and campus parking. Cyclists should locate secure storage and identify a backup transit route. Transit riders should check the final walk, evening frequency, and weekend service. Add buffer time during the first weeks of a semester while traffic and your class routine settle.

Finally, review the lease with the same care you give the route. Confirm move-in date, lease length, renewal rules, guest and roommate policies, maintenance procedures, and the process for returning the deposit. If multiple students will live together, decide how rent, utilities, laundry costs, chores, and shared purchases will be handled before anyone signs.

FAQ

Do these Santa Monica College apartments have in-unit washers and dryers?

They are listed with laundry facilities or an on-site laundry room, which does not necessarily mean an in-unit washer and dryer. Ask the property contact to describe the exact setup for the available unit and verify it during a tour.

How much should students budget for shared laundry?

Costs vary by building and payment system. Ask for the current price of both a wash and dry cycle, then estimate how many loads your household runs each month. Include detergent and occasional larger loads in the budget.

&Pico has the shortest reported driving estimate at seven minutes to Main Campus. 123 California Ave reports eight minutes by car, and 204 Washington Ave reports nine. 2643 Centinela reports an 11-minute bike trip. These are listing estimates, not guaranteed travel times, so test your route during typical traffic.

What should roommates agree on before leasing?

Roommates should put their rent shares, utility responsibilities, payment dates, guest expectations, cleaning plan, parking arrangement, and laundry routine in writing. They should also understand whether each person is jointly responsible for the full lease.

Is secure entry the same at every property?

No. Terms such as secure entry, controlled access, and gated parking can describe different systems. Ask what controls each entrance, whether common areas are locked, how guests enter, and what happens if a key, code, or access device is lost.

When should I start contacting apartments near SMC?

Start early enough to compare several live options, but remember that many managers cannot hold a unit far in advance. Prepare proof of income or guarantor information, identification, roommate details, and a realistic budget so you can evaluate an available unit without skipping due diligence.

Find the right laundry setup for your routine

Laundry facilities can save time, but the best apartment is the one that also fits your budget, household, and commute. Compare the four live listings, tour the exact units available, test your route to SMC, and get every fee and policy in writing before committing.

Apartments mentioned

Live listings featured in this guide near smc.

Kenton Bui

About the author

Kenton Bui

Kenton Bui is UniShack’s Marketing Director and writes about student housing with an eye toward what students actually need to know before they sign. He’s focused on clear guides that help more students discover safer, better-fit apartments near campus.