Student Housing in Allendale, MI

About Student Housing in Allendale

Allendale is a small charter township in Ottawa County, Michigan, located about 12 miles west of downtown Grand Rapids. The township exists primarily as the home of Grand Valley State University's main Allendale Campus, and its character is shaped almost entirely by the university's roughly 25,000 students. Without GVSU, Allendale would be a quiet agricultural community; with it, the township hosts a dense ring of student-oriented apartment complexes, a handful of dining and retail options catering to students, and an active campus social scene. Students choosing to live in Allendale trade urban amenities for convenience to the main campus, with most off-campus housing options within a 10-minute walk or bike ride of class buildings. For students whose academic programs are centered on Allendale, the tradeoff is often worth it, particularly in the first year or two. However, many GVSU upperclassmen and students enrolled at GVSU's Pew Campus in downtown Grand Rapids choose to live in Grand Rapids instead, taking advantage of the city's diverse neighborhoods, restaurants, craft breweries, and cultural offerings, while commuting to Allendale by car or GVSU shuttle when needed.

Best Neighborhoods for Students in Allendale