Off campus housing in UMN - twin cities

Colleges and Universities A-Z University of Minnesota
1

<p>Hi, I just got accepted to a doctoral program in the ECE dept of UMN- Twin Cities. I am waiting on decisions from other universities as well. I would most likely be attending this UMN this fall and I was wondering if anyone can advise me on the off-campus housing. I am an international student, married, but my husband would most likely be attending another university, but we do plan to meet up every 2 months. I plan(atleast for now, not sure how practical it would be once i start school) to do my own cooking. Its the privacy that I am looking for, so I am preferring to stay off campus and close to the college. I am kind of already stretched on the tuition fees and everything. I looked at the on campus housing and the single occupancy room with a kitchen comes to nearly 700 $ a month, which is a little bit on the higher side for me. It looks like i can get a studio/efficiency unfurnished apartment in 500 $ range + the initial cost of setting up the apartment.
Should I consider on-campus housing instead ? What are the hidden costs if I go for an off-campus housing?</p>

<p>I would really appreciate any advise on this. Thanks!</p>

2

<p>I’ll bump this as I’d like to see some comments on this subject as well. </p>

<p>Also, is the bus system good enough to commute to the East bank campus and can you get by without a car? I am especially concerned during the winter as I just cannot imagine starting a car in temperatures below 10F every morning.</p>

3

<p>^ Depends where you live. In general, the bus is reliable.</p>

4

<p>If you’re a grad student (or a studious undergraduate I suppose), I’d recommend living on the WEST side of I-35W. I’m in that area myself and pay $710 for a modest 1-bedroom off 6th & University. It’s a quiet neighborhood and mostly graduate students. Anything in the area north of University Ave, East of 35W, South of Hennepin Ave and eastward toward Hwy 280 is undergrad dominated and noisy. Not to mention expensive with the recent influx of luxury housing going up.</p>