First, you might want to get an idea about what you can expect to pay for what you want: e.g. own bedroom, own bathroom, private entrance, refrigerator included, etc.

When you arrive in L.A., you will find the cost of housing to be expensive compared to most areas of the country. UCLA is surrounded by a number of communities with varying price ranges. A general rule of thumb is the rent prices are higher the closer you are to campus. Here is a breakdown of the communities where most of the medical students live, and what you might expect to pay for a two-bedroom apartment in these areas. All of these areas are within 5 or 6 miles of the UCLA campus.

Palms/Mar Vista (about 5 to 6 miles south)	$ 900 - $1300
Santa Monica (4 to 6 miles west)	$1300 - $1800
West LA (2 to 4 miles south/west)	$1300 - $1800
Brentwood (2 to 3 miles west)	$1400 - $2000
Westwood (less than 1 mile)	$1600 - $2200

Of course, there will be a few exceptions to these price ranges. There are many other areas where you can find apartments in Los Angeles, but these are the most popular areas for students due to price and/or proximity.