The Rochester

The apartments are always clean and feel safe, and the staff work hard to keep them comfortable. The manager and team are so friendly and kind. I love living at the Rochester and would definitely recommend it to friends looking for an apartment. From a verified resident on ApartmentRatings.

I've been at Rochester Apartments for two years, and I'm sorry to be leaving later this year. It may not be the cheapest place in Westwood, but if it fits your budget, I think the value is there. I've lived in newer, more luxurious buildings where bad management made everything frustrating. That hasn't been my experience here. Rita, the building manager, has been the most helpful and responsive manager I've dealt with. She's honest and really wants tenants to be comfortable. Communication has been clear, with plenty of notice about building changes. When I wanted to move from a one bedroom to a two bedroom in the same building, she made the move easy, without extra fees or lease hassles. Edwin handles most maintenance, and he's quick to respond. We've only had minor problems, and they've been sorted out promptly. I lived in both a one bedroom and a two bedroom here, and liked both. The building is generally quiet. You hear the usual apartment sounds now and then, but nothing unreasonable. Renovations are underway this year, which should make things even more comfortable for new tenants. They also recently replaced the unit door locks with smart locks, so you can use a code or phone app, and the air conditioning can be controlled by phone too. Westwood Village is very close, with its shops and restaurants, but this part of the neighborhood feels quieter and more residential than north of Wilshire. Campus is about a 20 minute walk, or there's a BruinBus stop a block away. CVS is around two blocks away. The area feels safe and there's little traffic noise despite the nearby main streets. KREC, UCLA's fitness center for graduate students and staff, is a five minute walk, which is a big plus if you're eligible.

The leasing team has been so kind and helpful. I appreciated how professionally they supported me through the rental process. They got back to me quickly and handled any problems efficiently.

I wouldn't recommend the Rochester. The elevator has been out for over a month, and the major leak a few months ago took Sam five days to repair. Some apartment ceilings collapsed as a result. Residents' cars have also been broken into in the garage several times, and Sam did nothing about it, then insulted residents. Sam Yu, the property manager, talks down to people, especially younger residents and women. He seemed pleasant while showing the apartment, but after I signed up, he treated me terribly. He seems focused on signing new tenants and collecting as much rent as possible, with little care for the people already living there. I think he should be replaced. The building feels dangerous under his management. UCLA students can find other neighborhood options with better value and where they'll be treated with respect. Stay away from the Rochester.