College housing
What should students look for in an off-campus apartment?
Updated By the Housing Rocket moderators
Short answer
Beyond rent, check the real commute to class at the times you'll travel, how safe the walk home feels at night, which utilities are included, the internet options, laundry, and whether the lease dates fit your school calendar. Also ask current tenants how fast the landlord handles repairs and how noisy the building gets.
- Commute: walk it or take the bus at class time. A place that looks close on a map may involve a highway, a hill or an infrequent bus.
- Night safety: lighting, how busy the street is, and how you'd get home from the library late.
- Parking: permits near campus can be expensive or hard to get.
- Study space: room for a desk, a door that closes, and reliable internet.
- Utilities: ask for recent bills. Older houses can be expensive to heat or cool.
- Furniture: a furnished place saves money if you're only staying a year.
Ask the people moving out. They'll tell you how quickly the landlord answers maintenance requests and whether they got their deposit back.
For touring and comparing places in general, see the finding an apartment answers.
Want the whole picture? Read Off-Campus Housing for Students: A Semester-by-Semester Timeline.