LIVING IN UNIVERSITY PARK, LOS ANGELES
THE NEIGHBORHOOD GUIDE FOR USC STUDENTS
If you are searching for student housing near USC, there is one neighborhood you will hear about more than any other: University Park. It is where the University of Southern California was built, and it has grown into one of the most student-centered urban neighborhoods in Los Angeles. This guide covers everything USC students need to know about living in University Park — from walkability and transit to dining, and why our apartments at 1220 W 27th St sit at the center of it all.
WHAT IS UNIVERSITY PARK?
University Park is a neighborhood in south-central Los Angeles, approximately 2 miles southwest of downtown LA. It is bounded by Jefferson Boulevard to the north, Figueroa Street to the east, Exposition Boulevard to the south, and Vermont Avenue to the west — boundaries that map almost exactly to the footprint of USC's University Park Campus.
The neighborhood has been shaped by the university for over 140 years. That means the streets, businesses, housing stock, and community institutions all exist, at least in part, to serve students. USC Trojans walk these blocks every day. The architecture ranges from early-1900s craftsman bungalows and Victorian-era homes to modern student-oriented apartment complexes, with the university's landmark buildings rising above it all.
For USC students, University Park is not just a place to live — it is home base for the next two, three, or four years of your life. Choosing student housing in University Park means choosing to be embedded in Trojan culture from day one.
GETTING AROUND — WALKABILITY AND TRANSIT
One of University Park's strongest advantages for USC students is how little you need a car. Our property at 1220 W 27th St is walking distance from the main USC campus entrance — most students reach the gate in under 10 minutes on foot.
On Foot
The core of University Park is highly walkable. Daily essentials — the campus, the USC Village shopping and dining complex, Exposition Park, the library, dining halls, the Galen Center arena, and the Figueroa Corridor restaurant strip — are all reachable without a vehicle. Walk Score for this area consistently rates University Park as a Walker's Paradise for the blocks immediately surrounding campus.
By Metro
Two Metro E Line (Expo Line) stations serve University Park: Jefferson/USC and Expo Park/USC. From Jefferson/USC, students can reach Culver City in under 15 minutes, Santa Monica in around 35 minutes, and Downtown Los Angeles in about 12 minutes. The Metro is the fastest, cheapest way to get off campus and into the rest of the city — and both stations are within easy walking distance of our apartments.
By Bike
University Park is increasingly bike-friendly, with dedicated lanes along Exposition Boulevard and connections into the broader Los Angeles bike network. Metro Bike Share stations operate near campus, making a car-free daily commute genuinely practical for students who want it.
DINING AND COFFEE NEAR USC CAMPUS
The blocks around University Park offer a dense concentration of dining options tuned to student budgets and schedules — fast, affordable, and within walking distance of virtually every off-campus apartment near USC.
Figueroa Street corridor — the main student dining and nightlife strip, running south from campus with dozens of restaurants, bars, and quick-service spots
USC Village — the on-campus retail and dining development at Jefferson and Hoover, open to the public, with Trader Joe's, full-service restaurants, and fast-casual options
Mercado La Paloma — a multicultural food hall a short walk east of campus, featuring locally operated food stalls with some of the best affordable meals in the neighborhood
Pico Union and Koreatown — both reachable by Metro within minutes, expanding dining options for students who want to explore beyond the immediate campus area
Coffee is abundant. The blocks immediately surrounding USC support multiple independent and chain coffee shops that double as study spots during the academic year — a practical consideration for any student planning long study sessions off campus.
UNIVERSITY PARK VS. OTHER NEIGHBORHOODS NEAR USC
Some USC students end up in adjacent neighborhoods — West Adams, Exposition Park, Koreatown, Pico Union — usually because rent is lower as you move further from campus. Here is a quick comparison of what you gain and give up:
| Neighborhood | Distance to USC | Avg. Rent vs. Univ. Park | Key Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| University Park | Walking (5–12 min) | Baseline | Premium location; best walkability |
| West Adams | Bike or transit (10–20 min) | 10–20% lower | More residential; longer commute |
| Exposition Park | Walking (10–15 min) | Similar | Close to park; fewer dining options |
| Pico Union | Transit (15–25 min) | 15–25% lower | Cheaper; less student-oriented |
| Koreatown | Metro (~15 min) | 10–20% lower | Great food; car or transit needed |
For students who want to walk to class, walk to food, and feel embedded in USC campus life without a commute, University Park is the clear choice. Our property at 1220 W 27th St captures that advantage at a price point competitive with the wider University Park market.
PARKS, RECREATION, AND CAMPUS GREEN SPACE
University Park gives students access to one of the most unique outdoor spaces in Los Angeles just steps from the front door.
Exposition Park
Directly adjacent to the USC campus, Exposition Park is a 160-acre complex that includes the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, the California African American Museum, the California Science Center (home to the Space Shuttle Endeavour), and the Rose Garden. The park is open daily and serves as the neighborhood's primary green space, recreation area, and cultural destination — all within a short walk of student housing in University Park.
USC Campus Green Spaces
The USC University Park campus itself functions as a public-accessible green space, with tree-lined pathways, McCarthy Quad, Alumni Park, and Heritage Hall grounds available to walkers, runners, and cyclists. Many students in University Park treat the campus paths as an extension of the neighborhood — a living park attached to where they live.
Hoover Recreation Center
The Hoover Recreation Center, operated by the City of Los Angeles, sits in the northern portion of the neighborhood and offers fitness classes, courts, and community programs. For students who want gym access outside of USC's on-campus facilities, it is a walkable, low-cost option.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
UNIVERSITY PARK LIVING, LOS ANGELES
Ready to live in University Park? Our apartments at 1220 W 27th St are currently leasing for spring and fall. View floor plans or apply today.