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student housing tips & guides
everything you need to know about finding, choosing, and living in student housing.
Best Neighborhoods for American University Students: Tenleytown and Spring Valley
Tenleytown and Spring Valley are the two neighborhoods AU students should know, plus Friendship Heights and Glover Park. Metro access, vibe, and rent compared.
How Much Does Off-Campus Housing Near American University Cost?
Off-campus housing near American University runs about $1,690 for a studio and $2,185 for a one-bedroom in 2026. Split a two-bed in Spring Valley and your share drops to roughly $1,400.
When Should DePaul Students Start Looking for Off-Campus Housing?
Start looking five to six months out. For a September move-in, search January or February and sign by April — DePaul's quarter calendar and Chicago's June 1 / October 1 lease cycle shift your whole timeline.
Best Neighborhoods for DePaul Students: Lincoln Park, Lakeview and Beyond
The best DePaul student neighborhoods are Lincoln Park for walk-to-class convenience, Lakeview for nightlife a stop north, and Logan Square or Avondale for cheaper rent on the L. Here's how the tradeoffs shake out in 2026.
How Much Does Off-Campus Housing Near DePaul Cost in Lincoln Park?
The average rent near DePaul is about $1,690 for a studio, roughly $2,500 for a one-bedroom, and $3,900 to $4,000 for a two-bedroom in Lincoln Park in 2026. It is more than most of Chicago pays, and the fix is roommates.
Is a Car Necessary Near MCAD? Biking and Transit in Minneapolis
No, you do not need a car at MCAD. The Whittier campus sits a mile south of downtown, with Route 18 buses on Nicollet, the Midtown Greenway a few blocks away, and discounted Metro Transit passes sold on campus.
Best Neighborhoods for MCAD Students: Whittier, Uptown and Lyndale
Most MCAD student neighborhoods sit within a mile of the Whittier campus, and three do the heavy lifting: Whittier (one-bedrooms around $1,080 in 2026), Uptown/Lyn-Lake (livelier, pricier), and Lyndale (cheaper, still bikeable).
How Much Does It Cost to Rent Near MCAD in Minneapolis?
The average rent near MCAD is about $1,050 a month in 2026, but that hides a big spread: Whittier studios start around $870, one-bedrooms run $1,015 to $1,340, and splitting a two-bedroom drops each share to roughly $700.
The Safest Neighborhoods for UW-Milwaukee Students
UWM students who care about safe neighborhoods mostly cluster on the Upper East Side, in Murray Hill, up around North Point by Lake Park, or across the line in Shorewood. But near UW-Milwaukee, safety is less about the block you pick and more about using the free tools your tuition already buys: the B.O.S.S. safe-ride van, the Safe Walkers, blue-light phones, and the RAVE Guardian app.
Do You Need a Car at UW-Milwaukee? Transit and the East Side
Getting through UWM without a car is not just doable — it is how most East Side students already live. The free U-PASS covers unlimited MCTS bus rides, seven routes stop at the Student Union on Kenwood Boulevard, and a year of Bublr Bikes costs UWM students just $8.
Best East Side Neighborhoods for UW-Milwaukee Students
The best UWM East Side housing sits in Murray Hill, between Oakland and Downer Avenue, a 5-to-10-minute walk from campus. One-bedrooms on the Upper East Side run around $1,085 in summer 2026, with cheaper rooms across the river in Riverwest.
How Much Does Off-Campus Housing Near UW-Milwaukee Cost?
The average rent near UWM runs about $940 for a studio, $1,195 for a one-bedroom, and $1,494 for a two-bedroom on the upper East Side in 2026 — but most students pay $500–$800 per person by splitting a house or by-the-bed apartment.