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Student Life Resources

2–5 km radius city life information around the university: housing, supermarkets, dining, transit, safety, healthcare, and job market insights.

University of California, Irvine

Irvine, California · United States
Master-planned city · safe · close to beaches

The University of California, Irvine is located in a master-planned, very safe city in Orange County. Within a short distance, students can reach University Town Center cafés, shopping areas, parks and Southern California beaches. Irvine offers a clean, modern environment with many internships in technology, business and healthcare.

Car-free partly possible near campus & UTC Living cost: medium–high for Southern California Strong job and internship market in Orange County
UC Irvine campus and Irvine city view
QR code for the UC Irvine city card
Scan city card QR code

Students and partners can open this University of California, Irvine city card directly on mobile by scanning the QR code.

Housing & Food

Typical housing cost
$950–$1,400 / month (shared); $1,900–$2,600 / month (1B)
Food near campus
Dining halls + University Town Center & nearby plazas
More housing & food details
  • Student areas: on-campus housing, East Campus, Park West, Costa Mesa & Tustin
  • First-year option: many students start in UCI-managed housing
  • Groceries: Trader Joe’s, Ralphs, H-Mart, Costco nearby
  • Budget tip: shared apartments help manage high OC housing costs

Transportation

Car-free living
Possible near campus using shuttles, buses, biking and walking
Airport access
~10–15 min to SNA; ~45–60 min to LAX (traffic dependent)
More transportation notes
  • Campus shuttles: connect housing, parking and nearby areas
  • OCTA buses: link Irvine with other Orange County cities
  • Reality check: many students share cars for beaches, shopping and internships

Cost of Living & Budget Planning

Living cost level
Higher than U.S. average due to Orange County housing
Planning rule
Keep housing within ~50–65% of your monthly budget
Cost breakdown & planning tips
  • Main costs: rent, food, transportation, utilities
  • One-time costs: deposits, basic furniture, parking or transit passes
  • Emergency buffer: plan 1–2 months of essential expenses
  • Important note: planning guidance only; no financial aid implied

Work / Internship & Local Economy

Local strengths
Technology, gaming, finance, healthcare & design
Student pathways
On-campus jobs + strong OC internship market
More about internships & career support
  • Nearby hubs: Irvine Spectrum, Newport Beach, Costa Mesa
  • Opportunities: research labs, part-time jobs, CPT/OPT internships
  • Career support: job fairs, employer events and career advising
  • Compliance: international students must follow work authorization rules

Weekend Life & City Experience

SoCal lifestyle
Beaches, shopping, hiking and theme parks
Popular trips
Los Angeles, San Diego and Orange County beaches
Weekend travel & lifestyle details
  • Beaches: Newport, Laguna and Huntington Beach
  • Local fun: Irvine Spectrum, cafés, parks and trails
  • Getting around: car-sharing and rideshare make weekends easier

Official Links

University homepage Global / International office UCI Division of Continuing Education On-campus housing Off-campus housing Student Health & Counseling Campus Police Local transit Student Career Development Office

City Life Photos

Dining and cafés around UC Irvine campus

Dining and cafés at University Town Center and around UCI.

Bike paths and walking areas around Aldrich Park at UCI

Tree-lined paths for walking and biking around Aldrich Park at UCI.

Orange County beaches near UC Irvine such as Newport Beach

Beaches like Newport and Laguna are popular weekend destinations.

UC Irvine campus with modern buildings and palm trees

Modern UC Irvine campus in a planned, green Orange County city.

Students working on medical imaging in a UC Irvine lab

Hands-on lab and research projects give UC Irvine students real-world experience.