USC Apartments with Pools: 5 Options for Study Breaks and Weekends

Finding USC apartments with pools can make Los Angeles heat easier to handle and give roommates a convenient place to relax after class. A pool should not outrank rent, lease terms, or a workable trip to campus, but it can be a useful tie-breaker when two apartments meet the essentials. The five options below all list a pool among their amenities, while their locations, price ranges, and broader amenity packages serve different kinds of USC renters.

Treat the advertised rents and travel estimates in this guide as a starting point, not a promise. Availability, pricing, fees, and traffic can change. Confirm the exact unit, total monthly cost, pool rules, and your real commute before signing. If proximity is your first filter, compare these choices with UniShack's guide to walkable apartments near USC before scheduling tours.

How to choose a USC apartment with a pool

Start by separating the feature you want from the home you need. Write down your maximum all-in housing budget, preferred bedroom arrangement, move-in date, and acceptable commute. Only then compare pools. This prevents a photogenic amenity from distracting you from a lease or location that does not fit your week.

Ask the leasing team what “pool” means at that property. Is it outdoors, heated, open year-round, and available during the hours you would actually use it? Find out whether guests are allowed, whether reservations are required, and whether management schedules seasonal closures. On a tour, look at seating, shade, cleanliness, noise, and the distance between the pool and the unit under consideration. A courtyard pool can be social and convenient, but a pool-facing bedroom may also hear activity.

Next, calculate the complete monthly cost. Add base rent, required utilities, parking, renter's insurance, internet, and any recurring amenity or service fees. Divide shared costs according to the roommate plan you will actually use. The ranges below are advertised starting points from the listings and may cover different unit types, so compare written quotes for equivalent bedrooms and lease lengths.

Commute testing matters just as much. Check a normal weekday trip to your USC building at the time you expect to leave, then plan a backup for late classes or bad weather. A listing's estimate to Tommy Trojan is useful for comparison, but your route may differ. Students deciding between exercise features can also read about USC apartments with fitness centers; a pool and gym may support different routines.

Finally, tour the apartment itself with the same care as the amenity deck. Check water pressure, storage, natural light, laundry access, noise, phone reception, and maintenance procedures. Ask to see the exact unit when possible, and get every concession or included service in writing.

Featured USC apartments with pools

The Lorenzo: a student-focused amenity package close to campus

The Lorenzo is the strongest fit in this group for students who want a broad, campus-oriented community rather than a pool alone. The listing describes resort-style pools and spas, outdoor lounges, a 24-hour fitness center, study spaces, sports facilities, resident events, and a complimentary private shuttle to USC. Its listed travel estimate is a 7-minute bike ride to Tommy Trojan.

Advertised rents run from $1,015 to $2,030, but confirm whether a quoted amount is for a bed, room, or full unit and what lease structure applies. The long amenity list can be valuable if you will genuinely use study areas, fitness spaces, and the shuttle. During a tour, ask how frequently the shuttle runs, where it stops, what pool hours apply, and whether any recurring fees sit outside base rent. Also visit when shared spaces are busy so you can judge whether the social atmosphere matches your study habits.

951 S. Oxford: a Koreatown option with a courtyard setting

951 S. Oxford lists a swimming pool, a large courtyard, two gas barbecues, and laundry rooms on each floor. The property is in Koreatown, where the listing emphasizes nearby shopping, dining, cafes, banking, and entertainment. Advertised rents range from $1,498 to $2,198, and the listing estimates a 17-minute drive to Tommy Trojan.

This option may appeal to a renter who wants neighborhood activity and a straightforward pool-and-laundry combination. The tradeoff is that a driving estimate can vary substantially with Los Angeles traffic, so test the route during your actual class window and price parking at both ends if you plan to drive. On the property tour, inspect how the courtyard and pool affect sound, ask whether the laundry rooms use an app or cards, and verify which remodeled layout corresponds to the quote. If you do not want to depend on a car every day, map transit alternatives before applying.

Kingsley Diplomat Apartments: pool, parking, and multiple layout types

Kingsley Diplomat Apartments combines a swimming pool with parking and on-site laundry. The listing describes choices that include studios and two-bedroom, two-bath lofts, which gives solo renters and roommate pairs different starting points. Advertised rents range from $1,998 to $2,997, while the listed trip is a 17-minute drive to Tommy Trojan.

The practical value here is the combination of leisure and everyday logistics. Parking and laundry may influence your routine more often than the pool, so verify whether the quoted unit includes a parking space, what additional parking costs, and how laundry is billed. For a shared loft, discuss bedroom privacy, bathroom allocation, and how the common-area rent will be split before touring. At the pool, check the amount of shade and seating and ask about guest limits. Around the property, test evening noise and identify the groceries or services you would use regularly rather than relying only on a daytime visit.

Park Wilshire: a pool plus fitness and laundry amenities

Park Wilshire lists an outdoor pool, fitness center, and on-site laundry. The property advertises studios and one-bedroom apartments, including classic and renovated spaces. Current advertised rents range from $1,580 to $2,020, and the listing gives a 15-minute drive estimate to Tommy Trojan.

This mix suits a student who wants a private layout and both water- and land-based exercise options. Compare classic and renovated units carefully because finishes and prices may differ. Ask whether every resident has the same access to the pool and fitness center, when each space opens, and whether equipment or pool maintenance causes regular closures. The description also notes access to public transportation, but confirm the specific stops and service you would use. Run a door-to-door route to campus and include the walk at each end; a travel plan should work after an evening class as well as in the morning.

Co/Relate West Adams: co-living with pool and shared work space

Co/Relate West Adams offers a different format: the listing describes a co-living community with a pool, high-end fitness center, co-working lounge, and rooftop deck. Advertised rents range from $1,400 to $1,550, and the listed commute is a 16-minute drive to Tommy Trojan.

Co-living can reduce some of the work of assembling a household, but the details matter. Ask what portion of the home is private, which spaces are shared, how roommates are matched, and which furnishings, utilities, or services are included. Review policies for guests, quiet hours, cleaning, and early termination. The pool may be part of a wider social package, so tour the shared areas at a realistic time and decide whether they feel energizing or distracting. Because the property is in West Adams and mentions access toward the Culver City Arts District, compare the neighborhood lifestyle with the daily USC trip rather than assuming one benefit offsets the other.

Neighborhood and commute tradeoffs

These five properties show why “near USC” is not one uniform lifestyle. The Lorenzo has the shortest listed trip in this set and a USC-oriented shuttle, making it the clearest option for students who prioritize campus access alongside extensive amenities. The Koreatown choices place neighborhood dining and services at the center of the decision. Park Wilshire sits along Wilshire Boulevard, while Co/Relate West Adams pairs co-living with access to a different part of Los Angeles.

Do not compare drive times as fixed guarantees. Traffic, event days, construction, and parking searches can change the result. Test at least two routes, identify the nearest useful transit stop, and estimate the full cost of commuting. Cyclists should inspect bike storage, nighttime lighting, and the route's busiest crossings. Transit riders should check late-evening frequency. Drivers should confirm on-site parking availability and campus parking costs.

A neighborhood tour should include an ordinary grocery run, the walk from your likely transit stop, and a visit after dark. Look for lighting, pedestrian activity, and the services you would actually use. If none of these five balances pool access with your budget and route, browse the broader USC apartment directory and keep the same checklist.

FAQ

Are pools at USC apartments open year-round?

Not necessarily. Los Angeles weather can make an outdoor pool useful for much of the year, but each property sets its own hours, maintenance schedule, and seasonal policies. Ask management for current written rules and whether heating, closures, or reservations affect access. If the pool is a deciding factor, tour it rather than relying only on photos.

How much should a pool influence my apartment choice?

Use it as a secondary filter after total cost, lease terms, layout, and commute. A pool can improve downtime if you use it regularly, but it does not compensate for an unaffordable lease or unreliable route to class. Compare how often you expect to swim with how often you will use laundry, parking, study space, or transit.

What pool questions should I ask during a tour?

Ask about hours, guest rules, capacity, heating, accessibility, cleaning, planned closures, and whether extra fees apply. Check seating, shade, noise, and the pool's location relative to the exact unit. If you plan to swim for exercise, ask about pool dimensions and whether recreational activity makes lap swimming practical.

Are the advertised rents the full monthly cost?

Usually, an advertised rent is only the starting point. Request an itemized quote for the exact unit and lease term, including utilities, parking, internet, insurance requirements, deposits, and mandatory service or amenity charges. For shared housing or co-living, confirm whether the price covers a bed, private room, or entire apartment.

Which apartment has the easiest listed USC commute?

Among these listings, The Lorenzo shows the shortest estimate at a 7-minute bike ride to Tommy Trojan and also advertises a private shuttle. That does not guarantee the shortest trip to your specific building or at every hour. Test the route yourself and confirm the current shuttle schedule before treating it as part of your plan.

Make the pool one part of a sound housing decision

The best USC apartment with a pool is the one that still works when you ignore the pool photos: the rent fits, the lease is clear, the route is repeatable, and the layout supports your daily life. Use these five listings to build a shortlist, request current itemized quotes, and tour the exact spaces before committing.