Westwood, Los Angeles

This was my alma-mater, so it holds a special place in my heart. I don’t know if I would call this the best college town ever—in fact, it is in many ways not a college town at all. It certainly doesn’t have the small town feel of other college towns where everything revolves around the college. UCLA is also not a “party school” the way Santa Barbara certainly is. In fact, the entertainment industry seems to have as much of an influence on Westwood as the college, and although the streets get packed whenever there is a game and the university has an active life, it is possible to come into Westwood without really thinking too much about the beautiful hillside campus or the Bruins.

Downtown Westwood to the south of the school is a playground for students and for the young and affluent. It is not unusual the see the sort of crowd you would associate with Rodeo Drive in the streets, getting out of their Lamborghinis or making their latest deal on their cell phones. Frat boys in class would often call the downtown area Silicon Valley because of how many breast augmentations were visible on Westwood Blvd. There are lots of restaurants, some bookstores and great movie theaters—all at prices students can afford, but there are also several high end restaurants that are outside of most student’s budgets. This mix of the student life style and affluence make for an unusual combination that I think serves UCLA students well—reminding them of the materialistic values of the real world, and giving them a gentle extra nudge to keep their goals sensibly focused. (Something that is not always easy in a college known for its Film Department.)

There are lots of places to talk about in Downtown Westwood, but here are some of favorite spots. The corner of Westwood and Weyburn where the Westwood Village Theater is with it towers statue is a great spot. Across the street, there is the Gypsy Café where I spent many a late night with friends laughing before and after films. There is also a wonderful little alley way where vendors sell little knick knacks and an assortment of entertainments. Much of Westwood has changed, of course, since I was a student there. I notice there is Starbucks and an In-N-Out which have made the neighborhood less distinctive but the attractive, clean street with the Mission architectural theme still remains a big draw.

Unfortunately, Westwood’s popularity makes it not the best place to live for many students, the rents being outside of most students’ budgets. The prime location makes it well worth the attempt however. I lived there one year in one of the local apartments just south of Wilshire Boulevard with three other roommates. Even then, it was fairly expensive. There is also a bit of crime in Westwood—mostly car break-ins and that sort of thing, which makes you feel a little less safe than you would like. Murders, however, are fairly rare, except in 2007 when four murders occurred. Most fairly south of Wilshire.

The other thing that makes it less of a full college experience is the fact that LA really requires you to have a car. At times this gives UCLA a bit of commuter school feel with students living so far away from campus that there is not the sort of cohesion I’ve noticed at other colleges. Don’t get me wrong—this is not Cal State Northridge, but it’s not UC Berkeley (my husband’s school) either.

UCLA is a diverse school with lots of students from just about every economic, racial and national background which really adds to the college experience and makes it a great place to open your horizons.

Once known as the " Village", Westwood is oldest neighborhoods in the famous celebrity spotted "Tinseltown"

What many people call a college town (located right outside of UCLA), it has the college town essentials and more. Crowded streets, University bars, libraries stores, condos, apartments, houses, nature trails- everything you need to enjoy the college life experience.

One thing Westwood is known for above all is their movie theaters. Westwood is still known for their movie selection. Cinema has inspired this town, and continues to do so.

It lost some of it's popularity in the 80s after a fire, but the past 30 years it has really strived to live up to its past history and memories. It's making a comeback and is a great place for someone looking for a college atmosphere.

It offers most everything: stores, old architecture, college life, night life, upscale dining, fun restaurants, and opportunities for the college student galore.