<p>My current freshman son thinks he wants to live off campus next fall. When do people start signing up?
How do people find out about good places?
I've heard horror stories about the View/noise. Are they true?
Are almost all off campus locations year long leases?
Off campus do people typically have their own rooms, or is it a mix? (I know in at least one prime location people usually bunk 2 to a room to keep costs down).
He will most likely have at least his current roommate next year, but would probably be open to other roommates also.
Any words of wisdom/advice?
Thanks</p>
<p>Answer to your question depends on how much money you are willing to spend and landlords. If you are spending more money, your son could have his own room and leases typically goes for year but again depends on landlord.
Umd off campus housing is very good resource to find housing off campus.
As to when people start looking for houses, I am not sure but I would say right near the end of spring semester.</p>
<p>Hi, I would definitely check out the Yelp reviews (for amusement if nothing else). I think the View and others are what they are – money makers. So there is a lot spent on marketing/amenities and very little on the more expensive upkeep issues. I hear a lot of people complain about noise, etc. Has he looked at the better stuff available on South Campus for sophomores and up? But the View, Varsity etc couldn’t be all bad because a ton of students live there. </p>
<p>My son lives in the View and absolutely LOVES it. Yes, it’s expensive, but it’s really close to his classes (closer than probably any on-campus housing). He’s in a 4 bedroom 4/ bathroom apartment. The prices are ridiculous, in that each roommate is paying about $900 per month so, the cost of the apartment is about $3600!!! Price aside, though, I thik it is about the best option for being close to the campus.</p>
<p>As far as noise, it depends on which building and where in the building you are, and you can specify the unit/room you want. My son’s is View 1. This is the building away from Route 1 and his room faces the campus. It is absolutely dead quiet. Plus he is on a high floor. There are maps of the building you can look at. View 2 facing Route 1 would probably be a noise nightmare, and the low floors would likely have late night noise from the bars and people screaming on the weekends, but View 2 MIGHT be fine if the apartment faces towards campus (and the View 1). Hope that makes sense. BTW…management has been fine except they nickel and dime you to death. My kid has locked himself out of his room a couple times (the same key does both the front door of the apartment and is coded for the individual room), and after 4pm and before 8am, they charge an additional “night time” fee of $75 for any maintenance call. Just a little warning. :-)</p>
<p>Thanks lenmonster. Glad to know you can specify where you want to be.</p>
<p>?What is wrong with living in the on campus housing? I am a transfer and I want to live on campus in one of their dorms…What are some of these “horror stories” you’ve heard?</p>
<p>There is nothing wrong with living on campus, and if it’s your first time there, it’s probably a good idea to live on campus. But my son wants to live in an apartment/bee off campus where he can make meals, and maybe have his own room. </p>
<p>Why would you rent a room at the view/varsity/whatever when you can get a decent room for 440+ nominal utilities. Just look through craigslist. </p>
<p>He will do that also. I want him to be very close to school, so he can get there even in bad weather, but he is open to options. He may even decide to stay on spcampus and hope he gets the more apartment-like housing.</p>
<p>Hey lenmonster, is your kid looking for any more roommates at the View this Spring? I’m in the housing quandry as of now</p>
<p>Don’t you have to opt into a dining plan regardless 1214mom? I was told that by the housing director I think. Also, being that I am a transfer student I’m pretty sure i’m on the lowest priority so I don’t think I will be assigned an on-campus housing during my time there unfortunately…</p>
<p>Sorry, not for the spring. They’re all sticking together. But if you look for rooms, I’d make sure it faces the back of the building (if the View 2).</p>