Alina

I moved to Alina just before the start of 3L. I think it is an amazing location, very close to grocery stores and night life. It is safe and clean which is very important to me. As well as it is pet friendly! My biggest complaint is how expensive it is. I had no choice but to move out of my last apartment building due to pests. Alina was a great choice but it is $2211 for a studio + $175 for parking + $75 for pet rent + $100+ utilities. It is an incredible place to live but it is way too expensive for a student on a budget.

I have loved my time at Alina! There's 24/7 security, so as a woman, I feel safe. The amenities are great, walking distance from school (and more importantly, the shuttle), and free coffee/hot chocolate in the Apex mail room (the next door building, which you also have access to amenities).

I love my apartment itself. It's bright and spacious. It's also typically quiet. I can't typically hear noise from my next-door neighbors (not even the ones with a baby and dog), though I occasionally hear movement from the people above me. The building is also quite nice. It has great amenities, though I feel like the management could be slightly more on top of things -- it seems like something or another is broken or messy (e.g., out of wipes or towels in the gym, broken coffee machines). The location is pretty perfect though. I have multiple public transportation options (buses and trains), a grocery store across the street, a short walk to 7th & Fig, as well as plenty of stores and entertainment (Staples Center, LA Live) nearby. Quite a few USC students live in the area as well. My apartment is definitely a splurge. Maybe it's because I'm from a city with lower cost of living/rent prices, but I think the apartment would feel more reasonable if the price were 30% lower. I'm paying more for my 1 br, 1 ba than I would for an apartment three times in a comparable (or nicer) neighborhood in my hometown.

Not spacious enough

Not spacious enough

The apartment is safe and well managed overall, except the trash recycle system never works. Ralphs, Starbucks, and a dry cleaner are across the street. Two middle-scale shopping centers are within 10-15 mins' walk. Driving is the ideal means to commute to campus, though you can also take a bus at the foot of the apartment building. Compared with other students' accommodation, Alina is quite expensive.