Where to Live Near CSULA: Verified Student Apartments

Finding where to live near CSULA is a commute-and-lifestyle decision, not a photo contest. California State University, Los Angeles sits where Eastside proximity, downtown access, and longer Westside hops all show up in the same search—and the “right” answer depends on how you actually spend a Tuesday: labs, group projects, internships, and grocery runs included.

This guide keeps the filter practical: lock schedule, true monthly cost, housing type, and lease rules, then compare the three live UniShack listings on the CSULA campus page—Daly Street proximity, a Carthay Square private room, and a furnished Brentwood condo with pool access. Inventory is tight, so treat these as verified tradeoffs, not lookalikes.

Want the broader campus inventory first? Browse the California State University, Los Angeles apartments hub, then come back here to match lifestyle. For a second editorial angle, pair this piece with our roundup of best off-campus apartments near CSULA for students.

How to choose housing near California State University, Los Angeles

The place that photographs well is not always the place that still works during midterms. Use this checklist before you tour.

1. Define “close enough” from your real week

CSULA students often mix campus days with Downtown LA, Pasadena, or Westside internships. A 12 minute drive to University Library can feel effortless if you drive or carpool. A 27–29 minute Westside drive can still work if classes cluster on certain days, you study remotely between sessions, or you value quieter streets and amenities more than door-to-door speed.

Map morning labs, late studios, library nights, and weekend plans. Then time the route at the hours you would actually travel—not at noon on a Saturday.

2. Separate listed rent from true monthly cost

Ask about utilities, internet, parking, laundry, furniture, deposits, and cleaning. A lower base rent can disappear if you furnish an empty unit from scratch. A higher rent that includes furnishings or utilities may be cheaper once you add everything up—especially for a first Los Angeles lease or a short academic year.

3. Match housing type to how you live

Near CSULA you will see full apartments, private rooms in shared homes, and furnished condos. Private rooms can be the easiest path for solo students who want privacy without leasing an entire unit. Full apartments work better if you want roommates or a longer-term household. Furnished places reduce move-in friction when you are flying in for the term.

4. Verify commute anchors, not just campus distance

“Near campus” should include University Library trips, grocery runs, late buses or freeways, and anywhere you work. Check parking rules, street lighting after dark, and how often you need Downtown or Westside access. If walk-or-bike adjacency matters more than a Westside lifestyle hop, also skim the walkable and bikeable apartments near California State University, Los Angeles guide while you shortlist.

5. Read lease terms like a syllabus

Month-to-month flexibility helps if plans change mid-year. Longer leases can stabilize rent and availability. Confirm occupant limits, pet rules, guest policies, and application requirements (income proof, deposits, references). If utilities are “included,” get that in writing and ask what is not covered.

With that filter in place, here are the three verified options currently live for students exploring where to live near CSULA.

Side-by-side: three live CSULA tradeoffs

Use this snapshot to decide which tours are worth your time. Always re-check each UniShack listing for current availability and pricing.

Priority
Best starting pick
Rent band (listing)
Drive to University Library
Housing type




Shortest commute
2532 Daly Street
about $1,150–$1,294
about 12 minutes
Apartment


Private room + quieter Westside feel
Peaceful duplex private room
about $1,450–$1,495
about 27 minutes
Large private room


Furnished + amenities
11670 W Sunset Blvd
about $3,300
about 29 minutes
Furnished condo

None of these is universally “best.” They answer different versions of where to live near CSULA.

Featured apartment: 2532 Daly Street (closest of the three)

If your priority is cutting travel time, start with 2532 Daly Street. This Eastside listing sits at 2532 Daly St, Los Angeles, CA 90031, and notes about a 12 minute drive to University Library—the shortest commute among the three homes in this guide.

Rent currently ranges from about $1,150 to $1,294, which puts it in a more approachable band for many student budgets compared with Westside furnished options. The listing frames the building as a practical off-campus choice near Cal State LA with access to local shopping, parks, and entertainment, plus a relatively quick path toward downtown Los Angeles. That mix matters if you want campus proximity without giving up city errands and weekend plans.

Why this one fits many CSULA students:

• Commute first. A shorter drive leaves more energy for classes, labs, and study groups.
• Budget clarity. Mid-range rent makes it easier to keep housing under control while you also pay for food, transit, and books.
• Everyday convenience. Nearby shopping and parks help the apartment feel like a real neighborhood base, not just a place to sleep between lectures.

When you tour or message about Daly Street, ask about current specials (the listing mentions leasing promotions on select units, including half-off the second month’s rent on some units), parking, laundry access, and which utilities you will pay. Confirm move-in timing against your academic calendar so you are not paying empty weeks—or scrambling after the best units fill.

Daly Street is the strongest “I want to stay closer to campus” pick in this set. If your search for where to live near CSULA starts with commute math, keep this listing at the top of your tour list.

Featured room: Peaceful duplex private room in Carthay Square

Not every student wants a full apartment or a hyper-local Eastside block. If you prefer a quieter Westside pocket with a private, nearly studio-size room, look at the Peaceful 23′ × 16′ (320 sf) Large Private Room in Duplex on Hi Point St in Los Angeles (90035).

This is a ground-floor retreat with private living space, a dining/office nook, and a full-size bed. The listing highlights a mini kitchen setup (fridge, freezer, microwave, rice cooker, kettle, coffee maker, toaster, and air fryer) for light cooking, plus access to a fuller kitchen with a vintage stove and in-home laundry with a high-capacity washer and dryer. Outside, there is an enclosed front yard with seating—useful when you want fresh air without leaving home.

Neighborhood context is a major part of the appeal. Carthay Square is described as tree-lined and quieter, with adjacency to Beverly Hills, Miracle Mile, Mid-Wilshire, West Hollywood, and Culver City. Transit and freeway access are practical: buses on Olympic, Pico, and Fairfax are a short walk, and the D Line plus I-10 and I-405 are nearby for broader Los Angeles trips. Groceries (Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, Ralphs) and cultural stops like LACMA are within easy reach.

Practical details from the listing:

• Rent around $1,450–$1,495
• About a 27 minute drive to University Library
• One occupant only; no pets
• Month-to-month after a minimum stay (3 months minimum, 6 preferred)
• Utilities included (internet and cleaning additional)
• Application needs typically include proof of income, a $550 security deposit, and references
• Amenities noted on UniShack include parking, hardwood floors, laundry, microwave, utilities included, and office/desk space

This option is ideal if you want privacy, a calmer residential feel, and Westside access more than the absolute shortest campus drive. It can also work well for graduate students, transfer students, or anyone who studies best in a quieter home environment. Be honest about commute tolerance: plan your CSULA days carefully, and use transit or carpooling when traffic spikes.

Featured condo: 11670 W Sunset Blvd in Brentwood Village

For students who want a more polished, furnished setup—and are ready for a higher rent band—11670 W Sunset Blvd is the lifestyle upgrade. The furnished condo is listed at 11670 Sunset Blvd APT 104, Los Angeles, CA 90049, in Brentwood Village, with rent around $3,300 and roughly a 29 minute drive to University Library.

What you are paying for here is move-in simplicity and amenities. The listing describes spacious living and dining areas, a bedroom with large closets, a private-feeling unit without shared walls, and a courtyard outlook. Building amenities include a gated pool and spa, plus a designated parking spot close to the front door. UniShack tags include furnished, parking, and pool. Outside, Brentwood Village offers coffee shops, boutiques, and restaurants within easy reach.

This listing makes the most sense when:

• You need furnishings already in place
• You value quiet, privacy, and building amenities
• Your budget can support a premium Westside rent
• You are comfortable with a longer campus drive in exchange for the neighborhood

If you are comparing total cost of ownership, remember that furnished living can offset furniture purchases, delivery fees, and the hassle of selling items when you leave Los Angeles. Still, run the monthly math carefully: rent, parking nuances, utilities, and how often you will drive to CSULA versus studying from home.

Among the three, Sunset Blvd is not the budget or closest-commute pick. Feature it in your shortlist only if the Brentwood package matches how you actually want to live.

Neighborhood and commute tips for CSULA students

Choosing among Eastside proximity, Carthay Square calm, and Brentwood comfort is really a neighborhood decision.

Build a commute score, not a vibes score

For each place, score:

1. Door-to-library time at your usual class hour
2. Parking or transit reliability
3. Nighttime comfort returning home
4. Access to groceries and a pharmacy
5. How the route feels during rain, game days, or heavy traffic

A beautiful unit that loses on three of those five will wear you down by midterms.

Treat Los Angeles distance as time, not miles

A listing that looks “far” on a map can still be workable if your schedule is flexible. Conversely, a shorter drive can feel long if parking near campus is unpredictable. Always check the UniShack distance notes—like the 12-, 27-, and 29-minute library drives in this roundup—then validate with your own timing.

Think about your second destination

Many CSULA students are not only campus-bound. Internships, clinical hours, creative gigs, and friend groups pull people toward Downtown, the Westside, or other neighborhoods. A Daly Street base may simplify Eastside and downtown trips. A Carthay or Brentwood base may simplify Westside life while still keeping CSULA reachable by car.

Plan move-in logistics early

Los Angeles move-ins compete with traffic, elevator schedules, and roommate timelines. Confirm what is already in the unit (especially for furnished Sunset Blvd or the equipped duplex room), what you must buy, and whether street parking or a designated spot is available on day one. Take photos during the walkthrough and document condition before you unpack.

Keep roommate and occupancy rules front and center

The duplex room is explicitly one-occupant and no-pets. Apartments may allow different household setups. Do not assume you can add a roommate later. If you need to split rent, filter for units that legally and practically support that plan from the start.

Frequently asked questions

What should I prioritize when deciding where to live near CSULA?

Start with your weekly schedule, then budget, then housing type. If most of your week is on campus, prioritize a shorter commute like Daly Street. If you want privacy and a quieter residential feel, the Carthay Square duplex room can be worth the longer drive. If you need furnishings and amenities and have the budget, Brentwood’s Sunset Blvd condo is the premium path.

Are these listings verified student housing options?

Yes—the apartments and rooms featured here are live UniShack listings tied to the CSULA campus page. Always open each canonical listing for current rent, availability, photos, and application details before you apply, because inventory and pricing can change. CSULA’s blog-eligible pool is small, so verify early.

How far are these homes from campus?

Based on the listing distance notes: 2532 Daly Street is about a 12-minute drive to the University Library, the peaceful duplex private room is about 27 minutes, and 11670 W Sunset Blvd is about 29 minutes. Your real time will vary with traffic and parking.

Is it better to rent closer for less space or farther for more lifestyle amenities?

Neither is automatically better. Closer housing usually saves time and transportation stress. Farther Westside options may offer more privacy, furnishings, or neighborhood amenities. Choose the tradeoff you will still accept during finals week, not only during move-in excitement.

What documents do I need to apply?

Requirements vary by listing. Expect proof of income or a guarantor, identification, references, and a security deposit. The duplex room listing, for example, notes proof of income, a $550 deposit, and references. Ask each landlord or manager for the full checklist and timeline so you can apply while the unit is still available.

Can first-time renters make this process easier?

Yes. Tour with a checklist, compare total monthly cost (not just rent), read lease length and utility language carefully, and keep digital copies of every message about what is included. Browse the CSULA apartments hub and our best off-campus apartments near CSULA for students guide, then shortlist only places that pass your commute and budget filters.

Next steps

Pick two priorities—usually commute + budget, or privacy + furnishings—and tour only listings that clear both. For most students hunting where to live near CSULA, that means starting with 2532 Daly Street for proximity, adding the peaceful duplex room if you want a quieter private setup, and considering 11670 W Sunset Blvd only if a furnished Brentwood lifestyle fits your budget.

Open each UniShack listing, confirm availability, and apply with complete documents so you can secure the place that actually matches your semester—not just the nicest photo in the feed.