Does anyone have a near campus apartment building that they would recommend or advise to steer clear of?
The Meridian, right on College, is a pit. I would not live there, nor across University Dr. (far side) in some of the efficiencies. Most of the apartment buildings in Beaver Canyon ( aka Beaver Ave) are tolerable even if they are ripping you off for the rent. JeraMar plaza is a 12-apartment building by the public library – quiet, good price — but doesn’t always have openings since people tend to stay.
My son lived at The Graduate (I think they’ve changed the name) by the fire station, that was adequate. Other students I know have had good results with things rented by Park Forest Enterprises, who have quite a few apartments downtown – you have to keep checking the listings to see what is going to be open, if they haven’t yet asked the current residents if they are staying or not. The apartments in houses along Park Ave are the closest, but you have to be really vigilant about checking the listings and getting a deposit in ASAP – the same hour it lists isn’t too soon, imho. The biggest stumbling block to housing is usually having solid commitments from roommates, and that includes money.
If you have more specific questions, feel free to PM. I think some of this page’s regulars have apartments they rent here in SC, and they may have info as well.
I would not rent an apartment from ARPM (Associated Rental Property Management). Full disclosure, I’ve only dealt with them as a property owner, but they were awful.
I lived at the Graduate on Atherton when I was a student there 25 years ago…but it was new then. Not sure what it’s like now.
Our property is already rented for next year (because my daughter will live there with friends), but I can’t say enough good things about our property management company - Nittany Property Management. I would definitely recommend working with them. There are other decent companies in the area as well. Our rental property is about a 10 minutes walk to the edge of campus (down west college) and while not right “in town”…the rents tend to be a little cheaper over there…but still totally within walking distance to campus. Especially if one is an IT major. We are right across from the white course apartments etc…so not bad. What they charge in town is crazy IMO. But a lot of people want to be in town. Is there a reason you want an apartment building rather than a house or duplex or something?
PSU is holding a housing fair during parents weekend so if you are there for parents weekend it’d be easy to talk to a lot of property management companies.
@greenbutton thank you for the info. I may pm you once I get a little more organized with the process.
@jlhpsu. Thanks for the info. I am “trying” to let my son handle this on his own (along w/ 3 friends). Just figure it is easier for him to reach out to the larger buildings to find openings. Maybe that is not a correct assumption, but it has been a long time since I have played this game.
The one thing I do recall from my days in college is there seemed to be a strong correlation between the distance one had to walk and one actually attending class. Especially in the winter. Seems that the apartments have a monopoly on closeness to campus.
My overall thinking may not be correct. I have not had time to do the research I normally do on something like this. That’s why I came here to get the voice of the experts.
No, @PennsyDad I think you are probably correct in the assumption that the closer to class the more likely to go to class. Although my D is in East Halls right now and her walk to old Main is about the same as from the house we own on West College. So - it’s probably all perspective with a campus as large as Penn State. The in town apartment buildings can’t be beat for location, that’s for sure. But a one bedroom rents for about $1200 +. That seems high to me. But of course, they are saying you can put 3 people in that one bedroom. So in that case, it’s not too bad if 3 people don’t mind sharing a room. Some of the apartment buildings rent for 800+ more a person.
For comparison sake only, our house is a typical frame 3 BR with a big fenced yard and the rent is about $550 a person with each person having their own room and includes parking, free laundry, trash, water, sewage and snow removal. That’s about the going rate.
When I lived there, I wanted to be in town because that’s where the action was. But also, now looking back, while being closer might increase the chances of going to classes…being in the middle of everything was wildly distracting too. Lots going on all of the time. It’s really up to what your kid is looking for. There are wide variety of prices and locations - he’s sure to find something to suit him. If he hasn’t found something by parents weekend, tell him to go to the housing fair. Lots of information there.
Most of the apartments start taking deposits in October or November for rentals the following August. Sounds crazy, but the best apartments are rented that far in advance. My daughter found out in January of her freshman year that she was not offered dorm housing for sophomore year and had to scramble to find an apartment.
^^^ this.
By the January student housing fair, many of the best apartments are long gone. OTOH, the off campus developments, especially the new ones, are a little less expensive (but you need to find 3 or 4 roommates). I think there’s a possibility that given bus schedules, students coming in for class are just as likely to go (they are stranded on campus for the day) as those who have to walk.
I spoke with my son, he is just going to move in with jhlpsu’s daughter and her friends. Problem solved.
Any feedback on the newer off-campus developments like Lion’s Crossing, The Pointe, and the Retreat, etc.? While they look nice and new, I’m unsure how convenient they are location-wise, especially during the winter time.
@PennsyDad LOL! They might love that haha…
Lion’s Crossing isn’t so much new, as rebranded…The Pointe has its own coffee shop downtown for commuting students to hang out in. Both are next to big grocery stores. Again, none of these are walking distance in the winter (and it is a good 20-25 minute walk). All of em give you a bus pass, and there’s a CATA stop (as is the case with nearly all the off campus developments). You would come in for the day, or whatever block of time you have classes, etc, and then take a bus back. It can’t be too awful or they’d stop building the darn things every 20 ft 
You could also bring a car, but then you’d pay for campus parking and still have a hefty walk in from the commuter lots.