<p>I'm a sophomore here at main campus and want to live in an apartment next year. I don't know what's in the area as far as apartments go. I'm looking for a 4 person apartment that's pretty close to campus (like between campus and Beaver St or close to that, if possible), and I'd like it to have on-site parking. So far some apartments I've found are:</p>
<p>The Graduate
Park Place
Nittany Crossing
Lion Crossing
The Meridian
The Lion</p>
<p>What are your opinions on these, if any of you live there/know people who live there? And any other suggestions?</p>
<p>Are you going to the housing fair on Oct. 22? Do you have 3 roommates lined up? There is nothing worse than living with strangers, or with people who are only putting up with you in order to have a full apartment. All those buildings are varying degrees of okay — S1 lived at the Meridian (imho a pit) and at the Graduate and much preferred the Graduate. Nittany/Lion Crossing aren’t anywhere near downtown, (although they are very nice) so I think before you do anything else, you need to do some more research and be sure you know what you are looking at. Park Place is even further away! I take it you want to be in the Canyon?</p>
<p>That would work, but doesn’t have to be. I’ve walked to Park Place before, it wasn’t that bad, just past Beaver along Burrowes. </p>
<p>I have 2 roommates lined up and looking for a 3rd currently.</p>
<p>@greenbutton. I’m sorry if I am in the wrong place. It’s my first time posting. My daughter is a freshman this year and is already searching for housing for next year. Is this the norm? I noticed you mentioned there is a housing fair on Oct. 22nd. Is that too late to wait to secure something ? She already has three other girls who have decided they would be a good fit to live together. Thank you for any help</p>
<p>Yes, that’s a sign she is paying attention 
and a good thing. They’ve moved the housing fair to Oct. 22 and that 's a fine venue to ask questions to the various managers (sometimes they actually take vans over to the buildings for tours). She’s right on a good, proactive schedule for getting something good, and having roommates already is fabulous!</p>
<p>@caramello – you are right, I was think of Peppermill, which is over by the HighSchool. My bad!!</p>
<p>@greenbutton Thanks for the info. I didn’t go through this with our first daughter (she was in Boston and the rents didn’t need to be secured the previous year) Thanks for the list of potential places that you had opinions on. She had mentioned two of them and my reply was, let’s keep looking! We are going to visit that weekend anyway so we thought we might line up a few appts. and take the girls around to see them. From what I have seen the $$ for a three bedroom range from about 900-1500+. Does seem about right? One last question and I promise to not keep hounding you… Are there academic rentals easy to come by or are most year leases. Thanks again for all of your help.</p>
<p>@ lara : I just sent you a private message, but I don’t know if it worked or not 
Let me know if you still have questions</p>
<p>Lara - they do this early here because the dorm lottery sign up is in about a month (at least it was in November last year). So they either have to know they’re going off campus or trying to stay on. My D is a sophomore and is in an complex between W Beaver and Hyland Alley off of Sparks. I think it’s informally called the “colony”. It’s about a mile to Paterno Library from there. The complex is attached “townhomes”. Old. And individually owned so condition depends on the owner. Two bedrooms on second floor and most of them have a bedroom in the basement. It’s safe. Lots of students around. Most are year leases. If you’re not going to be there during the summer and you don’t want to be out the money, you would sublet it.</p>
<p>It’s very hard to sublet in the summer, supply way outstrips demand, and unlikely you would get your full rent payment. If you are concerned about the cost of off campus housing and won’t be in town during the summer, I recommend considering what the apartment would cost for a year and then divide by nine to get the realistic monthly paymesnt . If you are able to sublet, it’s gravy.</p>
<p>stagedoor22, Are those the places with the individual front porches, steps up from the sidewalk?</p>
<p>@stagedoor22</p>
<p>If you don’t mind, could you give me a ball park figure for the rents in the colony? We are going to visit our D this weekend and are trying to set up some appts. to take the girls to see some potential apartments. Thanks to all who are providing great info. for those us new to this process.</p>