<p>Can anyone provide information on the availability of apartments very close to campus for 1st year who wants to move into a 4 bedroom with 3 others... for next year but lease starts on June 1. Are most student apartments one year leases vs. just the school year? if so, how easy is it to sublet for over the Summer. Do any off campus students choose the meal plan or is there a partial meal plan? best location... security? any thoughts would be appreciated.</p>
<p>All first-years live in campus housing; you get the chance to move out after your first year.</p>
<p>But don’t fret! The houses are awesome, and it’s really nice to have a built-in community of friends and peers living right there with you. I mean, some people come here FOR the houses!</p>
<p>Otherwise, off-campus housing is plentiful. I haven’t met anyone who’s had problems finding an apartment, although dealing with MAC is another issue . . . Sublets are common and the shuttles and buses make distances workable. Unfortunately, all the meal plans are unlimited, meaning the vast majority of those living off-campus don’t have plans. Any other questions?</p>
<p>Yes, it is common for the leases to turn over June 1.</p>
<p>As far as I know, no one (or hardly anyone) offers school-year leases. The group intending to live in an apartment during the school year basically has to take responsibility for finding summer subletters (and collecting from them). Many summer sublets are at a discount to the rent being charged the “permanent” group – covering the difference is part of the cost of renting an apartment. (There are lots of hidden costs, and it’s still thousands of dollars cheaper than living on campus, unless you want real luxury.)</p>
<p>There is a University of Chicago marketplace site where lots of apartments will be offered. Students check with MAC, which manages a huge percentage of the student apartments in Hyde Park, but they also try hard to look for non-MAC apartments, since no one particularly likes dealing with MAC. One of the best ways to find an apartment is to talk to upperclassmen, especially graduating fourth-years, about what might be coming available.</p>
<p>Right now may be a little early to be doing this in earnest, but apartment-hunting will be in full cry in a few weeks.</p>
<p>There are also plenty of opportunities to sub-let apartments to other students during the summer period (usually those who usually live in housing staying in Chicago for work or research over the summer). Marketplace can be useful in helping find interested students.</p>
<p>My S did that after his 2nd year. rented a non-MAC apartment with 3 friends and sublet it during the summer and during his Autumn quarter abroad to a new grad student. Seemed to go pretty easily. Demand is high so subletting shouldn’t be a problem. Check listings and network with upperclassmen.</p>
<p>Thanks for everyone’s responses outside of “Bestmomeva” who is obviously a ■■■■■ based on “her” other 8 posts in a span of ten minutes. I was worried about the subletting issue but it seems that it’s workable. What’s the difference between MAC and non-MAC apartments in regards to MAC being a problem? As he’s not one to cook his meals, I’d rather my son keep the meal plan since I know that he’s getting three good meals a day, but I don’t know how feasible or cost-effective that is. Appreciate the input. thanks.</p>
<p>MAC is a property management company that controls most of the apartments around the university. Complaints tend to be about how restrictive the agreements are and fees, etc. Just research before committing. My S as a 3rd year still purchases some meals on the meal plan. He usually eats lunch or dinner on campus based on his schedule and other meals he prepares at his apartment.</p>