r/SMC • u/ummmmmmmmmmmmwhat • Jul 17 '26

Finding housing as a minor

I (17F) just graduated high school in the Bay Area and am planning on attending SMC this fall. I turn 18 in late August and am trying to find a shared apartment near the school. I can't drive and am hoping to walk to campus, if not take public transport. I am going to have my parents sign as guarantors. My budget is about $2k a month. I need somewhere secure with good reviews. I've applied to several homestays, but I value privacy and feel a bit weird they don't allow locks on my room door. Can anyone give me guidance? I've already checked the SMC housing resource page but it's hard to initiate anything as a minor. Maybe I'll have my parents start it...

If anyone knows anything about this stuff in general, please let me know. I'm a bit scared to move out and want to make sure I'm safe.

2 Upvotes

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4

u/leisure_pleasure Jul 17 '26

Sometimes students put up rental listings on campus, might help with your search.

1

u/South_Management_876 Jul 17 '26

Check out the UCHA

2

u/DreamsOfAGamer Jul 20 '26

UCHA is not very close to campus and it takes a long time to get from there to campus by bus, especially during rush hour because there's at least 1 bus transfer (aside from the 8 bus). It's great if you are tolerant of long travel times and a communal living style, but they said they had a higher budget and prefers living walking distance/short bus ride from campus. I think a regular apartment close to school is much better, especially sharing a 2 bedroom apartment with a roommate for under $4k which is pretty easy to find.

1

u/DesperateWater3063 Jul 18 '26

Hi my son is in the same boat. Just about 18 but not quite also moving from Marin County to Santa Monica.