<p>I'm a Northwestern student working this summer in Menlo Park, about 10 mins. away from Stanford's campus. I've been looking for an apartment to sublet for the summer, and the choices on craigs list and facebook seem pretty sparse. I realize it's slightly early, but I find it kind of strange-- NU and stanford finish around the same time in June, and I have seen tons of listings on craigs list and facebook by people looking to rent out their apts for the summer in Evanston (NU's town). Only a small fraction of that number for Stanford.</p>
<p>My question is, do most students live on campus at Stanford? I would estimate that about 40% of NU students live off campus- is that number less for SU?</p>
<p>Much less, at least for undergrads. I'm not sure what the number is, but I think it's over 90% live on campus. And most of the ones living off-campus are those doing study abroad programs, so they don't really count. Stanford gives you four years of (almost-)guaranteed housing.</p>
<p>95% of SU undergrads live on campus. And as frosh you don't even get a say in it - you're living in a dorm and that's it :P Besides, housing prices in the Palo Alto area isn't exactly too affordable.</p>
<p>About 95% of Stanford undergrads live on campus for the academic year only, and most of the rest probably live at home nearby. Grad students tend to stay year round, so they don't sublet during the summer either.</p>
<p>and see if there are classified ads that help you find something. You can also try the Stanford Daily, although they typically only have a couple of listings and they're snapped right up.</p>
<p>There won't be many sublets in Palo Alto since most of the housing and apartments are owned or rented by families. Palo Alto is also ranked as the No. 1 most expensive college town in the nation, three years in a row. With houses selling for an avg of $1.6 million and 1 BR rentals going for $1100-$2000 it's clear why dorms are much more cost-effective.</p>
<p>Evanston has a lot more apartments for rent within walking distance. This is not the case for Palo Alto. Stanford campus is so huge that even downtown PA isn't technically walking distance from the main part of Stanford campus. This is probably another reason why >90% of undergrads live on campus. I dont' recall seeing many apartment buildings in PA anyway; what I saw were primarily expensive homes. People say Palo Alto is not a college town and now you see why.</p>
<p>By the way, you will want to have a bike at the very least, if not a car.</p>
<p>Bike is more than enough Sam Lee. Parking is terrible and not available to freshmen unless you're disabled, i think. Palo Alto isn't a college town in the sense that most things in the town are not geared towards students, * but * there is still plenty to do there+SF is just a train ride away on Caltrain, which , I believe, is accessible by Marguerite.</p>
<p>^The OP will be working this summer in Menlo Park; he won't be living on campus as a student. Bike is just bare minimum; you don't have to have a car but having it does make your life a lot easier in the Silicon Valley (e.g. grocery shopping).</p>
<p>Who needs grocery shopping? I have only a bike and I'm quite happy with the situation. In fact, I'm glad I don't have a car, with the hassle of upkeep, parking it somewhere, buying gas, etc., not to mention the fact that I would end up driving lots of places where I could/should be biking. On rare occasions when I need to drive somewhere, I get a ride or borrow a car. That usually happens once a quarter or less.</p>
<p>Well, not everyone living in Silicon Valley has food already prepared for him/her (dorm food). Again, we are not talking about living as a student on Stanford campus. I am just giving advice to OP who may not be familiar with the area and I spent a year at Stanford as a grad student. I didn't have a car so I know what I am talking about. ;) If I were at Berkeley (I turned it down for Stanford), it would be different.</p>
<p>On the other hand, it won't make sense to buy a car just for a summer job. But if he already has one, he may want to bring it.</p>
<p>Ah, I see. I agree although it ought to be noted how far his car is from Stanford. At a certain point, it's just cheaper and more convenient to use public transport, such as the BART or CalTrain, both of which are both fast and cheap.</p>