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Akron, Ohio is a mid-sized industrial city of around 190,000 that built its name on rubber and reinvented itself around polymers, healthcare, and the arts. The University of Akron sits right downtown, so students aren't tucked away on a remote quad; they're woven into the city. You'll find a lively student presence around campus, the Highland Square district with its independent shops and galleries, and the historic West Hill neighborhood. The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail runs through town for runners and cyclists, and Summit Metro Parks keeps thousands of green acres close. The Akron Art Museum, Lock 3, the Civic Theatre, and RubberDucks games downtown give you plenty to do once you close the textbooks.
The most beloved student-adjacent district, walkable and full of independent shops, galleries, and a Metro line straight downtown, with a mix of apartments and divided older homes.
Right beside campus, a historic neighborhood of large houses carved into student units, popular with those who want a short walk to class.
The blocks immediately around downtown and the university put you closest to campus buildings, Lock 3, and the arts venues, ideal if you want city energy at your doorstep.
Here's what you need to know about getting around Akron.
The Metro RTA runs bus routes across the city and county, with several lines serving downtown and the University of Akron, so you can reach Highland Square, downtown, and the surrounding neighborhoods without driving. The university also runs the Roo Express shuttle, which loops campus and nearby student areas, handy for late nights and bad weather. A Metro line connects Highland Square straight to downtown.
Campus is compact and walkable, so from West Hill or the downtown blocks you can often reach class on foot in ten to fifteen minutes. The Towpath Trail gives cyclists a long, flat route through town, and the grid is reasonably bike-friendly. Getting around the campus core on foot is easy.
Many upperclassmen keep a car for grocery runs and weekend trips. Parking near campus is generally manageable, so a vehicle isn't a burden if you bring one. It's most useful for reaching destinations beyond the walkable core.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
It depends on the neighborhood and how many roommates you split with, but in the Highland Square area a one-bedroom runs around $750 to $800 a month, two-bedrooms land near $1,100 to $1,200, and three-bedrooms can reach roughly $1,400 to $1,500. Splitting a house with roommates near campus is usually your best move for keeping the per-person number down.
Browse student housing near each Akron-area university.