<p>My DD has applied to JMU early action. We visited there in late August. There were many positives about the school. One concern we had was that on campus housing is only guaranteed to freshman and that off campus housing seemed mostly accessible by bus or car and not within walking distance of the campus. Can any JMU students tell me what the housing situation is like? Is it very inconvenient to get back and forth from off campus housing to classes, meals and activities? What about getting to and from the library? Are there any safety concerns?</p>
<p>I am not a student… but a faculty… </p>
<p>It seems that sophomores that want to live on campus can often secure housing pretty easily. Most of my sophomore advisees that want to live on campus are able to. </p>
<p>There is A LOT of off campus housing within walking distance to campus, and the city bus system… the same system that runs on campus, and is free to students… runs to the off campus housing as well as on campus. Some of the off campus complexes also run their own shuttles. In addition MANY students at JMU have cars and it appears that students with cars are willing to help out students without with rides, etc… However, this does not appear to be a necessity because of the bus system.</p>
<p>My daughter is a freshman at JMU and lives in Potomoc, opposite side where most of her classes are in Bluestone. AT first, she rode the shuttle buses but soon began to walk. At most, about 15 minutes. She volunteers on Main Street at the Cat Rescue and began walking there, and to WalMart, etc. The bus system is great, but in reality, most places are a reasonable walk. Also, when signing for freshman housing, she will have an opportunity to sign up for guaranteed two years. It’s not an option right for all freshmen as many look forward to living off campus but if worried, an excellent option. Good Luck!</p>
<p>Thank you both for your replies. The information you gave is very helpful.</p>
<p>My daughter is also a freshman and lives in Poto 
She is living in an off campus community next near but the JMU buses run through there all the time! She doesn’t seem to think it will be a hardship. her main concern is not being close to UREC to do her daily workouts.</p>
<p>My D was in Potomac freshman year, and she also loved being near UREC, but she practically lived in the music building - about as far away from Potomac as you can be and still be on campus. She often left the music building late at night and wished she were closer. She lives on campus this year too and I think everyone she knows who wanted to live on campus as a sophomore got a room. They didn’t necessarily get the room they wanted since a lottery is involved. She will be off campus next year and there is bus service from the apartment complex. She will have a car, but in bad weather, I hope she chooses to leave the car parked. Now she goes over to the Potomac side of campus a lot because of UREC and the new dining hall. The food is great and all you can eat so it’s a good thing the kids like UREC!</p>
<p>I am a current student. The culture at JMU is typically only freshman live on campus. Sophomore year most students wish to get a place of their own in the many student focused apartments and town homes. Most people i know are upset that they signed the contract to stay on campus the second year. Off campus housing can even be cheaper that living on campus.</p>
<p>There is cheap off campus but I think you get what you pay for. I wouldn’t allow my D to live in some of the cheaper places. </p>
<p>Most of my D’s friends opted to live on campus sophomore year, but they have been because they were music students and spend much more time on campus than other majors.</p>
<p>I’d appreciate hearing from a sophomore that lives on campus. I hear the students all come back to hang out, and even keep their meal plan on campus. Tell me the advantage of staying on campus.</p>
<p>I have many upper class friends both living on and off campus. Typically students like the freedom and amenities that come with living off campus. Most off campus places are student centered and have pools, free tanning, weightroom, etc. Students usually only go to campus for class, to workout at UREC, go to the library or sometimes eat at the dining hall. It is normal for off campus students to keep a meal plan to grab food between classes.</p>
<p>The benefits of living on campus is that you are close to everything, and you would not have to incur the costs of having a car, and parking is a nightmare. It can be convenient, but like i said it is the norm to live off campus after freshman year.</p>
<p>I just reread my last post, and it is practically incomprehensible - I usually proofread. </p>
<p>I can speak somewhat for my D. She doesn’t post here. Her wish would be for everyone else to live on campus, rather than that she live off campus. She likes the convenience of living on campus. She does see her friends who live off campus. They have meals together and go to UREC together for example. Again, her experience is different as a music major since the music kids tend to hang out together all the time and spend lots more time on campus generally. They don’t just come in, go the class, and go back home. </p>
<p>She will be in one of the mid range townhome complexes next year - no pool, no gym, no tanning. She didn’t care about those things and I didn’t want to pay for them. It is on the bus route, and is not one of the big party complexes. It will still be more expensive than on campus, but pretty close if she is able to sublet for the summer.</p>
<p>I’m going to have to go the cheaper route. Convenience is good, as long as I don’t feel left behind.</p>
<p>Are all off campus housing far frmo each other or all in the same area?</p>
<p>Of campus housing tends to be clustered in areas surrounding the campus. Many of the off campus housing complexes cater specifically to students.</p>
<p>[Apartments</a> Harrisonburg, VA | Student Apartments near JMU | North 38](<a href=“http://www.north38apts.com%5DApartments”>http://www.north38apts.com)</p>
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<p>Other students choose to rent houses surrounding campus. This is generally a less expensive option.</p>
<p>[JMU</a> Off-Campus Housing Service](<a href=“http://web.jmu.edu/ocl/listings/]JMU”>http://web.jmu.edu/ocl/listings/)</p>
<p>Does JMU have a Greek row?</p>
<p>My S is transferring from Community College, he wonders about the dorm experience and the vincity of d-hall and classes but what is normal for a 20 y.o transfer?</p>
<p>Most of the students have moved off campus by junior year - many before that. The apartment complexes are very student friendly and will have lists of students who are looking for others to round out the numbers in order to get into an apartment. JMU Off Campus Housing has a roommate finder here that can be helpful. My daughter has lived in Pheasant Run for 2 years and likes it. They are not the center of the party scene or the most expensive but she has been happy with the management. </p>
<p>[JMU</a> Off-Campus Housing Service](<a href=“http://web.jmu.edu/ocl/listings/]JMU”>http://web.jmu.edu/ocl/listings/)</p>
<p>Edited to add - just saw that KatMT posted even more complete info</p>
<p>JMU does have a Greek row, however it’s all sororities. Fraternities we’re kicked off awhile ago. I live in the section at the end, where the fraternities used to be. </p>
<p>“Greek Row” also designates an area in Forest Hills where all fraternities and sororities have houses.</p>
<p>Fraternities and sororities are not a big deal at JMU.</p>
<p>While there may not be many people in them, that does not designate it as “not a big deal.”</p>