I’ll try to make this short and sweet - yes I know I’m planning really far ahead, I’m a big planner. I know on campus apartments are expensive. I’m leaning towards off campus and am hoping the more experienced penn staters can help me out. Heres what I’m looking for: An off campus apartment that is CLOSE to the school, and I mean walking distance or biking at max. Also very very cheap, for hopefully obvious reasons. I am looking for a studio/ one bedroom apartment where my boyfriend and I can comfortably live (so queen size bed). We would both be working part time, splitting the bill, and aren’t interested in anything too fancy dancy but obviously don’t wanna live in a dump… I need your help!!! Hopefully you can give me some advice 
Ah! And I forgot to mention, apparently some apartments aren’t furnished? But I would need that. And also, if there are some apartments where like electric and water bills are included sign me the hell up. Other wise, I’m kinda clueless as to how much those kinds of fees really cost, and would love to know the “real cost” of having an apartment.
You are not planning too far ahead, actually. Leases for fall 18 will open up in October of this year.
My students rented a few different apartments in town. The smaller , older apartment complexes right in town will run you at least $790-900 but you will have limited selection for just two renters – most of the walking-distance ones are designed and priced for 5-6 people, sharing bedrooms. You might want to expand your search to the fiurther out complexes that are on the bus route. Craigslist will be the simplest place to find privately held converted houses in the borough. Several forum regulars own apartments and I’m sure will offer their perspective.
Renting here is first come first served. There is no holding an apartment while you think on it. We have paid security deposits (which you rarely get all of back, just accept that) on the spot after seeing a place. Affordable housing is very very scarce here, so stay on top of the listings and know what you want. “Walking distance” is extremely limited if you mean a 5-minute walk. Utilities were around $30 for electricity and most places offer a choice of internet OR cable included. Internet is cheap, and my students didn’t bother w cable. You’ll not be expected to pat many other utilities, if any.
All the major agencies have an online presence. Start looking through them now, to familiarize yourself with them. If you have specific questions, feel free to pm me.
Oh thank you for the helpful advice! When I mean walking distance I mean more like a 15 minute walk or a bit longer by bike ride to the campus. I’m pretty certain we will want it to just be us two in the apartment, however, and I hadn’t thought about Craigslist before! So that was helpful! Are there any close apartments that anyone would recommend in particular? The vairo village apartments stood out to me in terms of proximity and single bedroom availability, but it didn’t get very positive reviews. Let me know if there’s anything else I should know!!
Vairo Village is not anywhere near campus – that’s a bus ride in, for sure. You might try the smaller places on Fraser St, or on Old Boalsburg Rd. , which are a (long) walk but manageable. If you do not want partying and such, stay off Beaver ave (often referred to as Beaver Canyon) . I would suggest staying out of The Meridian.
My son lived at “The Graduate” for two years. Located on South Atherton, it was closer to his classes than his freshman dorm. I remember most of his freshman floor relocated there in sophomore year…and I thought it was crazy to start talking about the next years housing in the second month of freshman year- but thats what happens,
It’s not too early; a lot of complexes begin offering deals early in the previous academic year.
As far as proximity to campus, PSU is in an area with a wonderful public transportation system - the Centre Area Transportation Authority (CATA). CATA provides around twenty-three different community routes and four fare-free on-campus routes.
Many apartment complexes provide a bus pass for the routes that serve the complex. Vairo Village may provide a pass that includes the “V” route. The only negative thing about some of the bus lines is that they can be really crowded on weekday mornings, especially the “V” since it serves many apartment complexes.
I want to definitely echo what @greenbutton said - stay away from Beaver Avenue if you aren’t too into the “party” scene. However, the Beaver Ave apartments are probably the closest apartments to campus, and the White Loop (one of the four fare-free bus routes) continuously serves those apartments.
Okay, so what if I was comfortable biking to school or taking a bit of a longer walk to get to my classes? Where should I look? What do I need to know? I need like an experts point of view to help me sort this out hahaha
The apartments on Vairo Boulevard (The Pointe, Lion’s Crossing, etc.) are a decent walk to and from campus. I have many friends, however, that bike to and from campus that live on Vairo Boulevard.
There are also many apartment complexes on Waupelani Drive. My friend lives at an apartment there, and she has occassionally walked to campus from her apartment. It’s not too bad of a bike ride, either.
Another thing I’m concerned with is when the time for selecting an apartment comes - which people say is around October, how do people stay on top of the offerings? Is there a place where you can view all listings? it seems like an overwhelming process, especially considering there are so many options and getting an apartment seems like a competitive thing.
There is a housing fair on October 15 this year. Google Penn State Housing Fair for more information.