UCLA Apartments With Balconies: 3 Off-Campus Options

Finding UCLA apartments with balconies can add a useful patch of outdoor space to off-campus life. A balcony may give you somewhere to take a study break, get fresh air between classes, or keep a small chair and a few permitted plants. In a dense neighborhood such as Westwood, that extra separation from your desk and living room can feel especially valuable.

The balcony itself should not be the only factor in your decision, though. Students also need to compare the exact unit, total monthly cost, roommate plan, lease terms, and trip to campus. This guide looks at three live off-campus options that list a balcony amenity and explains the tradeoffs worth checking before you apply. Rents and availability can change, so treat the listed ranges as a starting point and confirm current details with the property.

How to choose a UCLA apartment with a balcony

Start by asking what you actually want the balcony to do. If you mainly want a quiet place for coffee or reading, usable depth and seating rules matter more than square footage on paper. If you hope to share it with roommates, ask how many people can comfortably use the space and whether the lease or building rules limit furniture, plants, decorations, or noise. A listing may mark “balcony” as an amenity even when only certain floor plans or units include one, so verify that the specific unit offered to you has the feature.

Orientation matters too. Ask which direction the balcony faces, what it overlooks, and whether nearby buildings block light. Visit at the time of day when you expect to use it. A balcony facing a busy street may work well for brief breaks but not for quiet studying. Check the door lock, railing condition, drainage, exterior lighting, and whether management—not the tenant—is responsible for repairs. Never assume outdoor space can be used for storage, cooking, parties, or pets without written confirmation.

Next, compare the full housing package. Calculate base rent plus utilities, internet, parking, renter’s insurance, deposits, and recurring fees. When living with roommates, decide how a balcony affects bedroom selection and rent splitting. Review the lease dates against UCLA’s academic calendar, and ask about subletting, renewal, guest, and move-out policies. If you are still building a broader shortlist, the Westwood apartment guide for UCLA students provides more neighborhood context.

Finally, test the commute rather than relying on distance alone. Walk or bike the route, note hills and major crossings, and identify a backup transit option. A slightly farther apartment with a predictable ride may fit better than a closer one with an uncomfortable route. Students comparing more inventory can also browse the UCLA apartment hub, but the three properties below all share the balcony theme.

The Plaza: broad rent range and a bike-oriented commute

The Plaza is at 10983 Wellworth Avenue and lists balconies among its apartment features. Its current listing data shows a broad rent range of $1,050 to $3,800. Because that span can reflect different unit or room arrangements, ask exactly what is included at each price, whether the rate applies per person or per unit, and which available floor plans have balconies.

The property is listed as a 10-minute bike trip to the Bruin Bear. That makes it worth considering for students who are comfortable biking to campus and want outdoor space without limiting the search to the blocks immediately beside UCLA. Before signing, try the ride during a normal class period. Look for bike parking at both ends, determine whether you need lights or a stronger lock, and plan for days when heat, rain, an injury, or a late return makes biking less appealing.

The Plaza’s listed amenities extend beyond its balcony. They include bike storage, parking, garage parking, EV charging, package lockers, a fitness center, laundry, a rooftop, air conditioning, and gated or controlled entry features. Those extras can be helpful, but they may not all be available in every unit or included in base rent. Ask management to identify which amenities are attached to your lease, whether parking or storage costs extra, and how residents access shared areas.

When touring, spend a few minutes on the exact balcony rather than viewing it from indoors. Check its usable dimensions, sightlines, shade, street noise, and proximity to neighboring balconies. Also inspect the door seal and screen, since a pleasant outdoor area is less useful if the door is difficult to secure or lets in drafts. The Plaza could suit a student who values a bikeable commute and a wider amenity package, provided the selected unit, rent structure, and balcony are confirmed in writing.

Rochester Luxury Apartments: Westwood amenities and multiple commute choices

Rochester Luxury Apartments is located at 10959 Rochester Avenue. The listing includes a balcony amenity and currently shows rents from $3,050 to $4,664. Students considering this range should compare unit size, occupancy, included services, and any roommate split rather than judging the property from the headline rent alone.

The stated commute options include a 10-minute bike trip to the Bruin Bear, while the property description estimates about a 25-minute walk or an 8-minute drive to campus. Having several workable modes can be useful when schedules change. A morning walk may be manageable when you have one class, while a bike can save time between commitments. Driving may look quick in an estimate, but parking availability, traffic, and the walk from a campus parking location can change the door-to-door total.

Listed community features include a pool, rooftop, barbecue areas, laundry facilities, package lockers, bike storage, garage parking, EV charging, elevators, and several access-control features. Inside the amenity list are air conditioning, high ceilings, walk-in closets, a dishwasher, and stainless steel appliances. As with any apartment search, verify which details apply to the exact available unit and which shared facilities require reservations, added fees, or limited hours.

For the balcony, ask whether its size and exposure vary by floor plan. A photo from another unit cannot guarantee the same outlook, sunlight, or privacy. Check whether the balcony adjoins a bedroom or common area, especially if roommates will have different access. It is also sensible to ask how exterior maintenance is handled and whether furniture must meet building rules. Rochester Luxury Apartments may appeal to students who want a balcony plus a substantial set of shared amenities and the flexibility to walk or bike, as long as the complete cost fits the household budget.

Levering Heights: a closer walk and balcony-or-patio layouts

Levering Heights is at 691 Levering Avenue and stands out for its stated 14-minute walk to the Bruin Bear. Its current listing data shows rents from $2,700 to $4,400. The property description says it is about half a mile from campus and offers loft-style, renovated layouts with outdoor patios or balconies. That wording makes unit-level confirmation particularly important: ask whether the available home has a balcony, a patio, or neither before paying an application fee or deposit.

A practical walking route can reduce dependence on a car and make short campus visits easier. Test the route to the UCLA building you use most, not only to a central landmark. Notice lighting, crossings, hills, and how the trip feels after dark. The listing also notes a short bike trip, so students can keep cycling as a faster option for distant classes while retaining walking as a reliable backup.

The listed amenities include reserved parking, laundry facilities, bike storage, a courtyard, controlled or gated entry, storage, a pool, elevators, and selected central air features. The description states that water and trash are included while tenants are responsible for electricity and gas, but you should verify current utility terms in the lease. Ask for typical utility ranges for the relevant unit size and occupancy so the household can compare estimated total costs consistently.

During a tour, compare the private outdoor area with the shared courtyard. A balcony may give your household direct access and separation, while a courtyard can offer more room but less privacy. Check whether the balcony connects to the living room or a particular bedroom, since that layout can affect everyday access and roommate expectations. Levering Heights is a strong option to investigate for students prioritizing a shorter walk, but the exact outdoor-space type, central air availability, utility arrangement, and parking terms should all match the specific unit offered.

Neighborhood and commute planning around Westwood

All three options are in the 90024 area, but the daily experience can differ block by block. Build your comparison around the places you visit repeatedly: your department, libraries, labs, dining, work, groceries, and late-night study locations. Map travel at realistic times and add a buffer for locking a bike, waiting at crossings, or walking from the campus edge. A quoted commute is useful for orientation, not a guarantee for every student or every UCLA destination.

Westwood’s proximity can make walking and biking realistic, but you should still prepare a backup. Check current transit routes and service hours directly before relying on them. If you bring a car, request the parking price, assigned-space rules, guest policy, garage dimensions, and any tandem-parking responsibilities in writing. The presence of “parking” in an amenity list does not mean a space is included or immediately available.

Balcony use also depends on the surrounding environment. Tour on a weekday if possible, listen for traffic and neighboring activity, and ask about quiet hours. Consider sun exposure and heat before choosing plants or furniture. Keep emergency access clear and follow all building rules. For a broader look at practical amenities that can accompany outdoor space, see UniShack’s guide to comfortable UCLA student apartments with everyday amenities.

Before committing, create one comparison sheet for all finalists. Record the verified balcony type, total monthly estimate, deposit, lease length, bedroom arrangement, utilities, parking, laundry, commute, and application deadlines. Use the same questions for every property. This keeps an attractive balcony from overshadowing a lease or cost detail that will affect you every day.

FAQ

Do all units at a property with a balcony amenity have balconies?

Not necessarily. Balcony availability can vary by building, floor plan, and exact unit. Levering Heights, for example, describes patios or balconies across its layouts. Ask management to identify the outdoor space for the specific unit number in writing, and inspect that unit before signing whenever possible.

How should roommates split rent when only one bedroom accesses the balcony?

Discuss access and value before choosing rooms. If the balcony is reached only through one bedroom, the household might assign a higher share to that room or agree on limited common access. Put the arrangement in a roommate agreement so expectations about guests, cleaning, furniture, and quiet hours are clear.

What balcony details should I check during a tour?

Check usable depth, railing and floor condition, drainage, privacy, noise, sunlight, door locks, screens, and outlets. Ask what furniture, plants, decorations, cooking equipment, and storage are permitted. Photograph existing damage with permission and ensure repair responsibilities are clear before move-in.

Are the rent ranges in this guide guaranteed?

No. They reflect the listing data available when this guide was prepared and may represent different unit types or occupancy arrangements. Confirm current rent, whether pricing is per person or per unit, deposits, concessions, utilities, parking, and recurring fees directly with the property before applying.

Which featured apartment has the shortest stated walk to UCLA?

Levering Heights lists a 14-minute walk to the Bruin Bear. Rochester Luxury Apartments describes an approximately 25-minute walk, while The Plaza emphasizes a 10-minute bike trip. Your actual time depends on your UCLA destination, pace, route, traffic signals, and parking or bike-locking time.

Is a balcony worth prioritizing in UCLA off-campus housing?

It can be if you will use it regularly and the feature does not force an uncomfortable compromise on cost, lease terms, safety, or commute. Rank the balcony alongside your nonnegotiables, then compare the exact unit and complete monthly expense. Outdoor space is most valuable when the rest of the housing arrangement works well too.

Make a balcony shortlist

Begin with the two or three properties that fit your budget and commute, then verify the exact balcony, unit, fees, and lease terms. The Plaza, Rochester Luxury Apartments, and Levering Heights each offer a different balance of location, amenities, and pricing. Tour carefully, compare like with like, and choose the UCLA off-campus home that supports your routine beyond the view from the balcony.