Off Campus Housing Near Loyola Marymount University

Loyola Marymount University sits on a bluff above Playa del Rey, offering views of Santa Monica Bay and some of the best sunsets in Los Angeles. Finding off campus housing near Loyola Marymount means navigating a mix of established residential neighborhoods, newer coastal developments, and well-priced options farther inland. This guide covers what to know before you sign a lease. Find off-campus housing near Loyola Marymount University to see current listings.

Westchester: The Closest Neighborhood to LMU

Westchester is the neighborhood that directly surrounds Loyola Marymount University. Single-family homes, duplexes, and small apartment buildings line the residential streets north and east of campus. Off campus housing near Loyola Marymount in Westchester puts you within walking distance of the LMU gate.

Rent in Westchester is high relative to other LA neighborhoods of comparable character. A room in a shared house runs $1,200–$1,600/month, and one-bedroom apartments go for $1,700–$2,200/month. But the walkability and the sense of neighborhood community make it worth the premium for many students.

Playa Vista and Playa del Rey

Just west of campus, Playa Vista is a newer, planned community with modern apartment complexes and tech company offices. It's popular with graduate students and professional students who want a contemporary living environment. Playa Vista apartments run $2,000–$2,800/month for a one-bedroom — pricier, but the amenities and building quality are excellent.

Playa del Rey, directly on the coast, offers apartments within a short walk of the beach. One-bedrooms here run $1,800–$2,400. The LMU campus is about a 10-minute drive or 25-minute bike ride, making it more practical for students with cars.

More Affordable Options: Inglewood and Ladera Heights

Students looking for more affordable off campus housing near Loyola Marymount often look southeast toward Inglewood (especially post-SoFi Stadium development, which has spurred significant new housing) or south toward Ladera Heights. These neighborhoods offer 1-bedroom apartments for $1,400–$1,800/month and larger houses for student groups.

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Getting Around from Off Campus

The LMU Shuttle connects campus to nearby neighborhoods and the Metro Green Line's Aviation/LAX station. From there, the Green Line connects to the broader LA Metro system. Driving is common in this part of LA — most students near Loyola Marymount have cars, and parking is generally easier than in denser LA neighborhoods.

Cycling between Westchester and campus is easy on relatively flat streets. Playa Vista and Playa del Rey also have dedicated bike paths that connect to the beach bike trail running up to Santa Monica.

Lease Tips and What to Look For

Westchester and surrounding neighborhoods are dominated by individual landlords renting houses and small multi-unit buildings. This means lease quality and property maintenance vary widely. Read leases carefully, insist on a walkthrough before signing, and photograph everything.

LA tenant protections are strong — the city has rent stabilization ordinances (RSO) for buildings built before 1978, and the Just Cause for Eviction ordinance applies citywide. Know your rights and don't be afraid to ask a landlord about RSO status.

LMU's Unique Setting and Student Life Off Campus

Living off campus near Loyola Marymount means you're minutes from LAX (convenient for traveling home), a short drive from Venice Beach and Marina del Rey, and 20–30 minutes from Hollywood and downtown LA. The bluff above Playa del Rey offers morning runs with ocean views that are genuinely hard to beat.

The Loyola Marymount University community is smaller and more tight-knit than UCLA or USC, and off-campus students tend to stay closely connected to campus life through clubs, athletics, and the LMU shuttle ecosystem.

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This article is provided by an independent housing resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Loyola Marymount University.