Comfortable, safe housing is an important concern for our international students and out-of-state students as well. Although SMC does not have a student dormitory, the International Education Counseling Center (IECC), located at 1734 Pearl Street, is happy to assist international students (holding F-1 Visas) with the many housing options the Santa Monica area offers:
Please remember that securing housing is your responsibility. If you are not interested in a homestay program, we strongly suggest you arrive at least two weeks before classes start to familiarize yourself with the area and find comfortable housing.
It is a good idea to begin your search by narrowing down the area where you would like to live. SMC is located in the City of Santa Monica, a vibrant, young, diverse, ocean-side community. A beach city, Santa Monica is centrally located and home to a wide spectrum of cultural, educational and entertaining activities. Santa Monica attracts a youthful, active population and is within easy commuting distance of many beach, residential, and urban cities of LA.
When considering a neighborhood, think about safety, transportation, and if you do not have a car, be sure that things you need (such as shopping, library, post office, etc.) are close enough to be easily reached by bus, foot or bicycle.
If you do have a car, check the street signs for any parking restrictions. Many areas require a city permit for parking on the street. Almost all areas will list times when parking is not possible because of street-cleaning. It is often better to choose an apartment which provides a designated parking space rather than to hope for parking every day on the street. Parking tickets may prove to be more expensive than the extra rent.
Homestay Programs
If you prefer to live with a host American family, you may wish to look into a Homestay Program. These programs are arranged through private companies that charge a fee to match you with a compatible, pre-screened family. Your living arrangements would depend on your personal preferences as well as those of the host family. The host family often provides meals; typically the student would have a private bedroom and share a bathroom with members of the family. In most cases, a refundable damage deposit will be charged in addition to the processing fee and the monthly rent. Prices vary greatly by company and facilities provided. Each of these private companies has its own rules and regulations; SMC does not monitor or administer these programs. Applications must be submitted directly to the organization and processed prior to your arrival. Keep in mind that some of these companies require full payment in advance.
The following are some organizations that you may contact:
International Student Placements
Main Office
199 First Street, Suite #305
Los Altos, CA 94022
Tel: (650) 947-8879
Fax: (650) 948-1105
Shannon Dominguez, SMC Coordinator (Southern California)
shannon@isphomestays.com
Hotels
If you prefer to rent or share an apartment, it is important to plan on arriving two or three weeks before the beginning of classes. Be sure to make reservations at a hotel, motel or hostel before your departure. The following information may help you select accommodations that best suit your needs.
Hotels, price range
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