Parent of a soph looking into housing for next year.
From research, appears to save some $ off campus but then additional costs that would be included on-campus offset the savings ( cleaning, insurance, utilities, repairs not covered by landlord).
What areas should one look at or avoid (on and off campus) ?
Aware of frats, looking at other options.
Thanks for any suggestions.
My son graduated in 2016, so my knowledge is somewhat dated.
It was much cheaper for my son to live off campus.
If you are interested, PM me and I can find the name of the guy we rented from. He has about 10 group houses, and you can rent as an individual if you don’t have an entire group.
I live in a fraternity house and I have to say the price doesn’t get much cheaper. Granted, that isn’t always the best choice for everyone. You can probably find a studio apartment for $300-500/month or rent a house and split it with a bunch of people. I’d check the RPI free and for sale page on Facebook and online, which I’m sure you have already.
Are you on the private Facebook page for parents? You’d probably find a lot of help there. I don’t know the neighborhoods at all, but my sophomore is about to sign a lease and it’s definitely cheaper than living on campus.
I hope you didn’t sign a lease Unless something changed which I don’t think happened all second year students are required to live on campus (or in Greek housing) & participate in a meal plan
You are permitted to live off-campus if you get approval from the office or reasons like parents live close enough, or certain health requirements. Otherwise sophomores must live on-campus or in Greek housing as Kellyajelly said.
Another nuance is if you are second year. A second year student isn’t necessarily a sophomore. If you have transferred enough credits (from college or ap-crads) to have only 2 years left before graduation, you are technically starting your junior year.
[Click here for the houses](https://www.jumpoffcampus.com/map?location=Rensselaer+Polytechnic+Institute)
Sorry, he is a soph NOW, was looking for junior housing.
He did find an apt very close to campus, since some of his roommates wanted to be walking distance.
I assume he would have had more choices if that was not a constraint, but the lease is signed now !
Cost him 375/mo each kid and he says the place is OK.
Guess he is not doing Arch (he is the last class NOT required to take a semester off junior year).