<p>Any pearls of wisdom to pass along to students looking for off campus housing? Property management companies to check with/avoid? My daughter is looking for a house walking distance to campus.</p>
<p>Also - is it correct that Williamsburg lifted the ordinance regarding limited occupancy? I think it used to be only a certain number of non relatives could live in a residence?</p>
<p>Any information I could pass along would be very much appreciated! W&M did set up a new off campus housing site but it is very sparse and doesn't give a whole lot of information on the how tos. (I think it is new so hopefully this will change).</p>
<p>My sons live on campus and so I am not terribly familiar with the off campus situation but I believe that the restriction still stands on the number of non-related people but that they put in a way that you can petition for a waiver. Suggest you call the Williamsburg Housing authority for the final word but this is what I remember seeing in the paper this past summer. Now I have no idea if they ever grant these waivers and finding a house walking distance to the college is not going to be easy (remember, if it is walking distance to the college, then it is walking distance to Colonial Williamsburg). Good luck</p>
<p>thanks tjmom. I think the biggest issue is finding a house - other than word of mouth, there seems to be no other way to get into a house in the vicinity of campus. At least the room deposit isn’t due till mid February.</p>
<p>Hey Mom…, I was down for the football game on Saturday and noticed two houses for rent on Jamestown Road, both near the business school. They both had signs up saying that they were renting for the next school year. Found one of them online and it is $2500 a month for 4 bedrooms. Have no idea how much extra utilities, etc run. Glad my boys want to stay on campus!</p>
<p>I actually live off campus near the law school (I walk to class every day- it’s about 10 minutes to the sunken gardens which is where all my classes are, and it took me just as long when I lived in the units on campus last year) and am looking for someone to sublet for the spring when I go abroad- rent is significantly cheaper than living on campus, and we have a brand new washer/dryer and dishwasher. I live with one guy and one girl, both of whom are friendly and social upperclassmen. If anyone is looking for an affordable living situation for the spring, please don’t hesitate to contact me!</p>
<p>On another note, I am 90% sure that one of the houses you mentioned on Jamestown road is not open to being leased to students… that’s another one of the major difficulties in living off campus in Williamsburg unfortunately</p>
<p>FYI, they have found a place and signed a lease. It was never advertised past “word of mouth”. I think that is the only way to get into one of the very close in houses that rent to students. Love W&M, but don’t love the meal plan requirements, so we are definitely saving some money even with the rent “mark up” for students.</p>
<p>I did want to say in reference to the meal plan that it has apparently improved greatly (the quality of the food I mean) since previous years. Our son who is a freshman is actually quite complimentary of the food and has turned down a couple of dinners out with us to eat at the Commons instead. Now that may say more about my cooking and his idea of what is good vs Momneedsguidance’s cooking, but I did just want to say that not all students hate the meal plans. My son is on an unlimited and wants to stay on it for second semester. He says he eats breakfast every week day except on the rare occasions when he oversleeps. Wish I knew of a way to check the account and see if he really is eating more than 14 meals a week. I do know his older brother (who is a grad student and so is buying and cooking his own food) has enjoyed being treated by baby brother on 4 occasions at the Commons. The unlimited plan comes with 5 guests meals- they are saving the last one for during exams.</p>
<p>I’m laughing at the notion that I am a quality cook I was actually referring to the cost of the meal plans. My daughter is not a huge eater, so a 10 - 12 dollar meal swipe for a piece of toast just doesn’t work for us. She did say there is improvement this year in the quality so that’s good. I haven’t looked yet, but I am hoping there is a reasonable “commuter plan” that might be available for a small number of swipes a week plus some flex money (…or dining dollars). Glad your son is enjoying it!</p>
I was actually referring to the cost of the meal plans. My daughter is not a huge eater, so a 10 - 12 dollar meal swipe for a piece of toast just doesn’t work for us. She did say there is improvement this year in the quality so that’s good. I haven’t looked yet, but I am hoping there is a reasonable “commuter plan” that might be available for a small number of swipes a week plus some flex money (…or dining dollars). Glad your son is enjoying it!</p>