Apartments Near Santa Monica College with Public Transportation

Finding apartments near Santa Monica College with public transportation can make a packed class schedule far easier to manage. A transit-accessible home gives you another way to reach Main Campus when you do not want to drive, pay for parking, or depend on a roommate for a ride. It can also help with everyday trips to groceries, work, restaurants, and the rest of Santa Monica and West Los Angeles.

The six properties below all list easy access to public transportation as an amenity. They cover Santa Monica bike-range options, West LA drive-and-transit mixes, different layouts, and a wide range of price points. Use this guide as a shortlist rather than a substitute for checking the trip yourself: transit frequency, walking distance to a stop, transfers, and late-evening service can matter as much as the apartment’s straight-line distance from campus.

If you still expect to drive on some days, pair this shortlist with parking-friendly apartments near Santa Monica College. For a broader inventory view, start with the full Santa Monica College apartments directory or the near-campus apartment guide.

How to choose a transit-accessible apartment near SMC

Start by testing the commute at the times you will actually travel. A route that looks convenient in the middle of the day may involve a longer wait before an early class or after an evening lab. Put Santa Monica College Main Campus into your preferred trip planner, choose a typical weekday arrival time, and compare the complete door-to-door journey. Include the walk from the apartment, the expected wait, any transfer, and the walk from your final stop to the building where most of your classes meet.

Next, decide how much flexibility you need. An apartment with transit access plus a practical bike trip gives you two car-free options. That is useful when service is delayed or your schedule changes unexpectedly. Several listings below show estimated bike trips of eight to ten minutes to Main Campus, while others are better framed as short drives with transit as a backup. Check the route, hills, lighting, traffic comfort, bike storage, and where you can securely lock up on campus. The bike-friendly Santa Monica College apartment guide is a helpful companion when cycling is part of your plan.

Budget for the whole housing arrangement, not just advertised rent. Ask which utilities are included, whether parking costs extra, how deposits and application fees work, and whether a quoted rate applies to a whole unit or an individual bedroom. If you plan to share, verify occupancy rules and compare the per-person total after utilities. Current availability and pricing can change, so confirm details directly on each listing before applying. Students comparing price tiers can also review the near-campus vs affordable comparison and the budget vs luxury comparison.

Finally, weigh the features you will use every week. On-site laundry can reduce errands—see apartments near Santa Monica College with laundry if that is a must-have. A fitness center may replace a separate membership. Secure entry, a courtyard, furnished rooms, or parking may matter more than extra square footage depending on your routine. Map a normal week before you decide whether transit alone is enough or whether you still need a car spot.

Quick comparison of featured transit-ready apartments

Property
Est. commute to Main Campus
Listed rent
Standout fit




Bungalow in Santa Monica
8-minute bike
$2,995
Independent 1-bedroom close to campus


1550 Lincoln
10-minute bike
$3,600–$6,120
Loft / 2-bedroom with fitness + secure entry


Residences at West Edge
9-minute drive
$3,797–$5,534
Amenity-heavy 1- and 2-bedroom on Olympic


Comma Barrington
12-minute drive
$1,350–$1,650 per bedroom
Furnished shared living with transit access


Keystone
12-minute drive
$2,750
Renovated 2-bedroom / 1-bath in Palms


Bixby
8-minute bike
$3,495–$3,565
1-bedroom with laundry + parking near Broadway

Rents and commute estimates come from the current listing payload. Always verify availability, exact floor plans, and stop-level transit details before applying.

Featured Santa Monica College apartments with public transportation access

Each featured property below appeared in the themed inventory for easy access to public transportation. The commute descriptions and rents are based on the current listing payload, so verify exact availability, rates, stops, and schedules before making a decision.

Bungalow in Santa Monica: a one-bedroom close to campus

Bungalow in Santa Monica is at 2434 Oak Street in Santa Monica. Its listing describes a one-bedroom, one-bath home about one mile from Santa Monica College, with abundant natural light, classic architecture, and modern conveniences. The property specifically lists easy access to public transportation, making it worth considering for a student who wants an independent layout rather than a large apartment community.

The current listing shows rent of $2,995 and an estimated eight-minute bike trip to Main Campus. That combination may appeal to someone who wants both transit and cycling as alternatives to driving. A one-bedroom can also simplify roommate decisions, but one person bears the full monthly cost. Before touring, confirm the lease term, utility responsibilities, laundry setup, bicycle storage, and the walking path to the transit stop you expect to use.

The location also puts everyday Santa Monica destinations within the broader neighborhood described by the listing, including dining, shopping, and coastal recreation. Think about whether those conveniences reduce other trips during your week. A home that lets you combine a grocery stop or errand with the journey from campus may save more time than a slightly shorter ride that requires separate outings.

1550 Lincoln: modern layouts near downtown activity

1550 Lincoln is at 1550 Lincoln Boulevard. The listing highlights loft and two-bedroom options, contemporary interiors, stainless steel appliances, natural light, a courtyard, a fitness center, and secure entry. It also identifies easy access to public transportation and bike paths, which gives students multiple ways to connect with SMC and other destinations.

Current listed rents range from $3,600 to $6,120, and the property shows an estimated ten-minute bike trip to Main Campus. Because the available layouts and price range vary, compare the total for a specific unit rather than assuming the lowest advertised figure applies to the floor plan you want. For a two-bedroom, ask whether both occupants must apply, how income qualification works, and how the deposit is handled among roommates. Students weighing one- versus two-bedroom tradeoffs can also check the 1-bedroom vs 2-bedroom comparison.

This location may suit students who value access to the dining, shopping, and entertainment around central Santa Monica as well as the campus commute. Those advantages can also mean a busier setting, so visit during both daytime and evening hours. Listen for traffic from Lincoln Boulevard, check the walk from the nearest useful stop, and make sure the return trip still works after your latest regular class. If the on-site gym is a major part of the value, compare it with other SMC apartments with fitness centers.

Residences at West Edge: amenity-rich living on Olympic

Residences at West Edge is at 12121 West Olympic Boulevard in Los Angeles, about 1.9 miles from Santa Monica College according to the listing. It offers one- and two-bedroom layouts with contemporary finishes, plus a fitness center, lounge areas, on-site laundry, parking, and easy access to public transportation.

Current listed rents run from $3,797 to $5,534, with an estimated nine-minute drive to Main Campus. This is a strong match for students who want more building amenities while still keeping transit as a daily or backup option. Ask which utilities are included, whether parking is assigned or separately priced, and how laundry access is billed. Then test a transit trip at your real class times—Olympic Boulevard corridors can feel very different at 8 a.m. versus 9 p.m.

Because the property sits on the West LA side of the SMC commute, it can also be convenient for students who work, intern, or meet friends east of campus. Build a sample week that includes at least one non-campus destination so you know whether the location still feels efficient when your schedule is not purely school-centered.

Comma Barrington: furnished shared living with transit access

Comma Barrington is at 1503 South Barrington Avenue in Los Angeles. The listing describes flexible move-ins and furnished shared homes with four to five private bedrooms, shared common areas, in-unit laundry, parking, a clubhouse, rooftop access, EV charging, gated entry, and easy access to public transportation. Current rates start at $1,350 to $1,650 per bedroom, with an estimated twelve-minute drive to Main Campus.

This option is especially useful if you want a lower per-person cost and prefer not to furnish a full apartment yourself. Compare the private-bedroom model carefully against a conventional lease: ask what is included in the quoted rate, how roommate matching works, what house rules apply, and whether utilities, internet, or cleaning fees are separate. For related move-in context, see furnished apartments near Santa Monica College and the apartment vs private room comparison.

Because Comma Barrington is a West LA address rather than a Santa Monica bike-range property, transit reliability matters more. Walk the path from the building entrance to the stop you would actually use, check evening return service, and decide whether you still want a parking space for weekends or late labs.

Keystone: renovated two-bedroom value in Palms

Keystone is at 3741 Keystone Avenue in Los Angeles. The listing describes a renovated two-bedroom, one-bathroom upper unit in a five-unit building, with updated kitchen and bathroom finishes, hardwood-style flooring, one parking space, and easy access to public transportation. Current listed rent is $2,750, with an estimated twelve-minute drive to Main Campus.

Keystone can be a practical roommate setup when two people want to split a full apartment rather than rent private bedrooms in a larger co-living home. Confirm credit requirements, lease length, pet policy, and which utilities the owner covers—water is listed as owner-paid, with other utilities typically on the renter. Note that the listing states there is no laundry on the premises and no in-unit A/C, so factor nearby laundry and summer heat into your weekly plan.

Tour with your potential roommate and test the transit connection together. A shared unit only works if both people can reach campus and work on schedules that fit the same location. If one person needs a car every day while the other relies on buses, make sure parking terms and transit walk times both feel acceptable.

Bixby: laundry and parking near Broadway

Bixby is at 1502 Broadway in Santa Monica. The listing describes modern one-bedroom, one-bath homes with natural light, on-site laundry facilities, parking options, easy public transportation access, and nearby bike paths. For students trying to reduce weekly errands, having laundry at the property can be a practical complement to a transit-friendly location.

Current listed rents run from $3,495 to $3,565, and the estimated bike trip to Main Campus is eight minutes. Since that range is relatively narrow in the current inventory, focus your questions on what changes between available units: floor, exposure, exact size, parking, and move-in date. Confirm whether laundry machines are shared, what payment method they use, and whether access hours fit your schedule.

Broadway places the property within Santa Monica’s mix of shops, cafes, and entertainment described in the listing. Walk the immediate blocks before signing, noting grocery choices and the stops that serve your likely destinations. If you can handle routine errands on foot and reach campus by transit or bike, you may drive far less often. Still, do not count on parking until the property confirms the availability, price, and terms for the exact unit under consideration.

Neighborhood and commute planning around Santa Monica College

A useful SMC commute plan starts with the Main Campus destination but accounts for your full semester. Save the locations of any classes, work shifts, internships, or recurring appointments and test each trip from the apartment. If most of your week centers on Main Campus, prioritize a simple campus route. If you travel across Santa Monica or into Los Angeles often, a location that offers more connections may be worth a slightly longer campus trip.

Build a backup plan before move-in. Several featured listings show short estimated bike trips, while others are short drives with transit listed as an amenity. You might walk part of the way, carpool on an exam day, or use parking occasionally. Confirm where bicycles can be stored at home and on campus, and calculate how much time you need to arrive without rushing. Students comparing walkable versus bikeable tradeoffs can use the walkable vs bikeable comparison.

Touring is the best time to verify claims that a listing page cannot fully answer. Walk from the property entrance to the stop. Check crossings, lighting, sidewalks, and whether the wait area feels practical. Open a live trip planner and compare weekday morning, afternoon, and evening service. Ask the leasing contact about move-in timing and current pricing, but use the transit operator or trip-planning source for schedule details. Service can change, and a property manager’s general estimate may not reflect your exact class time.

For neighborhood fit, look at daily needs within a manageable walk: groceries, a pharmacy, food, and a quiet place to study. Downtown-oriented Santa Monica living can put more activity close by, while a West LA or Palms address may trade some walkability for rent or layout flexibility. There is no universally best choice. The strongest option is the one that balances a repeatable commute, a realistic monthly budget, and the home features you will consistently use.

If you only need housing for part of the year, also browse Santa Monica College sublets. For more filter guides and comparisons, open the Santa Monica College housing guides index.

FAQ

Do these apartments guarantee a direct transit ride to Santa Monica College?

No. All six listings identify easy access to public transportation, but the payload does not establish a direct route or guarantee a particular travel time. Check your exact origin, Main Campus destination, class arrival time, walking segments, and transfers in a current trip planner before applying.

How early should I test the commute before signing a lease?

Test it as soon as you have a serious shortlist, ideally at the same time of day as a typical class. Compare at least a morning arrival and an evening return. If possible, make the trip in person so you can evaluate the walk, stop environment, wait, transfer, and final campus approach.

Should I choose the apartment with the shortest estimated bike time?

Not automatically. Several featured bike estimates are eight to ten minutes, but route comfort, bike storage, rent, layout, and transit convenience may matter more than a two-minute difference. Treat the estimate as one comparison point and inspect the route yourself.

Are the listed rents per apartment or per bedroom?

It depends on the property. Most featured rents describe whole-unit pricing, while Comma Barrington lists rates per bedroom in a furnished shared home. Ask the leasing contact whether the quoted amount covers the whole unit or an individual space, which floor plan it applies to, and what fees or utilities are additional. Availability and rates may change.

Is a car unnecessary if an apartment has public transportation access?

That depends on your schedule and destinations. A student whose week centers on SMC and nearby errands may be able to rely heavily on transit, walking, and biking. Work, late classes, or trips outside the area can change the calculation. Map a normal week and a backup trip before deciding whether to keep a car.

Which of these options is best for roommates?

Look first at 1550 Lincoln, Residences at West Edge, Keystone, and Comma Barrington. The first three offer conventional multi-bedroom or loft layouts, while Comma Barrington is built around private bedrooms in a furnished shared home. Compare total per-person cost, bathroom access, parking allocation, and lease structure before choosing.

Find the commute that fits your semester

Start with two properties that match your budget and layout needs, then compare their door-to-door trips at real class times. Verify current rent and availability, walk the transit connection, and check your backup option—bike, walk, or occasional parking. A little commute testing now can help you choose among these apartments near Santa Monica College with public transportation and settle into a routine that stays practical well beyond move-in day.

When you are ready to widen the search, return to the Santa Monica College apartments hub or skim more themed options in the housing guides index.