Trigger warning: we’ve only got three weeks left of the semester! Shocking, I know. And though I’m sure your schedule’s stacked with projects, finals, packing and hopefully some fun, there’s one more thing you might want to add to the list if you’re planning on living off-campus: the dreaded apartment search. As a seasoned house hunter, I’ve got some tips to make the search for off-campus housing a little less stressful.
General Tips and Tricks
- Start the search EARLY! If you haven’t already started looking, now is the time. Off-campus housing fills up quickly, so the earlier you start the better. It’s good practice to sign a lease for the following school year nearly an entire year prior to move-in (i.e., sign a lease in Fall 2025 for the 2026-27 school year!) so you have the most options.
- Take tours. It’s always in your best interest to see a potential living space in person, meet the landlord and get a feel for the location.
- Talk with your future roommates ahead of time. Figure out everyone’s price range and amenity must-haves.
- Read your lease in full before you sign! If you need some assistance, Student Legal Services (available to all undergraduate students and included in our Student Fee) offers lease reviews.
- When you’re living with other people, house rules will need to be set, and it might not always be smooth sailing. Learning how to communicate calmly and effectively can help ease some of those tensions. If you’re looking for guidance on how to navigate these conversations and resolve roommate disputes, Student Living provides various housemate/roommate discussion guides.
Off-Campus Housing Options
The transition from searching for on-campus to off-campus housing can be a little tricky, as the burden of finding a place to live really falls on you. To help make the hunt a bit easier, Student Living has a partnership with the popular housing search website Rent College Pads to provide a comprehensive off-campus housing search website specifically for Syracuse University students. At the time of their listing on the site, properties are checked to ensure they have not received City of Syracuse code violations, that the properties have received inspections by the City of Syracuse Code Enforcement within the last three years and more!
Before you explore the Off-Campus Housing Marketplace to see what’s available and find what fulfills your needs best, read on for a peek at some of the more popular apartment buildings amongst upperclassmen.
- University Village: I lived at University Village during my junior year. The apartments are beautiful, complete with in-unit laundry, personal bathrooms, a living room and a giant kitchen (it even has a dishwasher!). You do have to take the bus to campus (or drive), but there are two bus stops right by the apartment complex.
- The 505: The 505, seated atop Kelsey’s Coffee and Friends (formerly Peaks Coffee), offers a variety of floorplans and amenities, but the real star of the show is the Sky Lounge, the apartment building’s shared outdoor space. Plus, The 505 is pet-friendly and offers a private shuttle service!
- Copper Beech Commons: This is my senior year apartment complex. I ended up finding it last minute and it’s been one of the best spontaneous decisions I’ve made! It’s a short 15-minute walk to campus, but they also offer a private shuttle. Other amenities include in-unit laundry, a gym and a screening room!
- U Point: One block closer to campus from Copper Beech Commons is U Point. U Point offers a series of different floor plans, an on-site gym and garage parking (included with rent!). Plus there’s an abundance of study spots around the building.
- 614 S. Crouse Ave.: This apartment building is in a great location, just a block away from Marshall Street. They’ve got suites for up to five people, personal bathrooms and in-unit laundry. Some of the apartments even have attached balconies!
If sharing an off-campus house with friends is more your thing, some of the more popular rental offices include Rent From Ben and OPR Developers. But no matter what your off-campus living choice may be, I’d suggest looking through the Off-Campus Housing Marketplace as well as getting recommendations from upperclassmen friends before finalizing who to rent from.
Housing Tips for When You’re Planning to Study Abroad
As a Syracuse Abroad alum myself, I’ve got a few tips for sorting out your housing situation when you have a semester abroad in your academic plans.
- Not to be too repetitive, but start figuring out your housing plan early! You don’t want to be stressing about what you’re living situation will be once you’re back in Syracuse while you should be enjoying your time abroad.
- Know ahead of time that most people go abroad during the spring semester, which can make it harder to find a sublet for the fall semester. If you don’t have your abroad plans fully made, consider doing a fall semester abroad instead of spring. It may be easier for you to find a sublet that way!
- I’d recommend finding people to swap housing with who are going abroad during the opposite semester. Check out Facebook groups (there are many people looking for housing, and there’s a Facebook group for each class!) and ask around.
- Make sure your apartment of choice allows sublets or offers shorter leases.
- Consider lowering your standards. Since you’ll be spending half of the school year abroad, you’ll only be living in Syracuse for a few months. As a result, this apartment doesn’t have to be your absolute favorite; you won’t be there too long!
- Check out Student Living’s tips for housing when studying abroad for more good insight on what to plan for and what actions to take.
Finding the right off-campus housing accommodations can be tricky. If there’s anything you take away from this, the search process can never start too early. So, get searching and good luck!
Written By Maggie Anderson ’25, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications
This article is for reference purposes only and is not deemed an endorsement by Syracuse University.