Housing and Homestays for International College Students

Most California community colleges have no student residence halls, so international students need to arrange their own housing before enrolling. Of five commonly chosen colleges, only Orange Coast College has on-campus student housing. The websites of Irvine Valley College, Saddleback College, and Santa Monica College all state that they have no student housing. Pasadena City College states that students must secure their own housing and that the information the college provides is for reference only. International students usually choose among homestays, shared apartments, and student apartment complexes.

Housing at Five Colleges

This section compares on-campus housing at five community colleges and the housing costs published on each college website.

College	On-campus housing	Housing cost reference published by the college
Irvine Valley College	No student housing	Housing is $16,500 in the 2026-27 budget
Saddleback College	No student housing	Housing, transportation, and miscellaneous combined: $16,076
Orange Coast College	The Harbour at OCC on-campus apartments	Room and board is $14,031 in the annual budget
Santa Monica College	No student housing	Homestay with two meals per day: $1,541 per month, $13,869 for 9 months
Pasadena City College	Students arrange their own	Average monthly rent for a single room in Pasadena: about $1,100

Each college calculates these costs differently. Irvine Valley College notes that housing costs may rise depending on the option chosen. The Saddleback College figure includes transportation and miscellaneous expenses. Santa Monica College estimates costs over 9 months, and students who live locally without room and board costs may deduct $13,869.

The Harbour at Orange Coast College offers fully furnished apartment-style housing. The college reports that in fall 2025 it had 808 beds, 1,237 students applied for housing, and 133 were on the waitlist. The college reminds students to apply early.

Homestays, Shared Apartments, and Student Apartments Compared

This section compares the three housing options most common among international students, based on the explanations on each college website.

Option	Main features	Points to note
Homestay	Living with a local family, usually in a private room; helps students adjust to daily life and practice English	Some families provide meals; others provide only the room
Shared apartment	Rent is split with roommates; more independent living space	Most U.S. apartments are unfurnished, and renting usually requires a credit history
Student apartment	Some are furnished; rent includes utilities and internet	Terms vary by company; review each item before signing a contract

Saddleback College states that homestays are the most common choice among international students. Pasadena City College notes that most students move to an apartment only after building a social network during their first year. Several homestay agencies listed by Pasadena City College state that they can provide guardianship services for students under 18. Guardianship and housing requirements for minor students are governed by the rules of the college the student attends.

When choosing a homestay, students should confirm in advance whether meals are included, how they will commute to campus, and what the household rules are. For shared housing, Orange Coast College cautions that listings may be posted by anyone in the community. Students should meet potential roommates in person and confirm rent arrangements with the landlord.

The homestay agencies and apartments listed on college websites are for reference only. Irvine Valley College and Orange Coast College both state that they have no partnership with these providers and do not endorse them.

Rental Requirements for Newly Arrived Students

This section describes what landlords commonly require when a newly arrived international student rents housing independently.

Pasadena City College explains that landlords usually require bank statements, a credit history, or a Social Security number. Most newly arrived international students do not yet have these documents. In that case, a landlord may require the student to show a U.S. bank account balance of 5 times the monthly rent. Some landlords also require a security deposit of 3 times the rent or more. Other common documents include a passport, visa, I-20, and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident as a co-signer. The Social Security number and co-signer requirements can sometimes be waived at the landlord’s discretion. Until they have these documents, students can live in a homestay or student apartment first and look for a rental after becoming familiar with the area.

Safety and Commuting Advice

This section summarizes the safety reminders and location advice published on college websites.

• Arrange temporary housing in advanceSanta Monica College recommends that new students book temporary accommodation, such as a hotel, and arrange airport transportation ahead of time.
• Arrive earlySanta Monica College encourages new students to arrive at least one month early to secure housing.
• Stay near public transitPasadena City College recommends choosing a location close to bus lines, shopping, and everyday services.
• Inspect in personBefore moving in, check the air conditioning, hot water, doors, and windows, and photograph any existing damage.
• Get a written contractConfirm the rent, deposit, lease term, repair responsibilities, and early termination terms, and keep a copy of the contract.
• Watch for scamsPasadena City College warns students to be especially cautious about listings that seem too good to be true.