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Bradley University is a private university in Peoria, Illinois, set on a compact campus a few blocks from the Sheridan Road commercial corridor. Peoria is a working mid-sized Midwestern city with genuine neighborhoods, a revitalized riverfront downtown, and a rental market shaped by Bradley students and the broader city population. Most students move off campus after freshman year into houses and apartments in the Moss-Bradley neighborhood west of campus or along Sheridan Road. The off-campus area has a lived-in character, with older brick houses, small apartment buildings, and a handful of purpose-built student complexes all within easy walking or biking distance of campus.
Bradley University requires all first-year students to live in university residence halls unless they are commuting from a parent or guardian's home within a defined radius of campus. The policy is designed to ease the transition to college life and build community among incoming students.
Students who have completed their freshman year are eligible to sign off-campus leases and most upperclassmen take advantage of the rental neighborhoods immediately surrounding campus. The Moss-Bradley area and stretches along Sheridan Road are the primary destinations for Bradley students seeking off-campus housing.
Leases in the Peoria student rental market typically run 12 months from August, though some landlords near Bradley offer flexible start dates. The signing season begins in earnest in November and most desirable units within walking distance of campus are committed by February.
Housing policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with Bradley University before signing a lease.
Students who start their search in October or November will have access to the full inventory of houses and apartments in the Moss-Bradley neighborhood and along Sheridan Road before it thins out. Forming a roommate group early and agreeing on a budget makes the search faster and reduces the chance of losing a property while group members deliberate. Landlords who own multiple properties near Bradley sometimes offer returning tenants first right of refusal, so building relationships pays off.
December through February is when the Bradley off-campus market moves fastest. Most of the well-maintained houses and updated apartments within a half mile of campus are leased during this stretch. Students arriving for spring semester who have not secured housing yet will find the tightest conditions. Showing up with your security deposit ready can be the difference between getting a place and missing out.
Properties that remain available after March are typically larger complexes on the outer edges of the student zone or units that need more updating. Sublets are a viable bridge option for students who missed the main signing season - Bradley-area Facebook groups and off-campus housing boards are the best places to look. Summer availability occasionally improves as graduating seniors vacate and landlords reset their listings.
The Moss-Bradley area, centered on the intersection of Moss Avenue and Bradley Avenue just west of campus, is the most popular off-campus zone for Bradley students. It has a mix of older brick houses, duplexes, and small apartment buildings within easy walking distance of the main academic quad.
The commercial stretch of Sheridan Road north of campus anchors a residential zone with solid rental options, and the proximity to restaurants, a grocery store, and other everyday services makes it practical for students without cars. Bus service on Sheridan connects to the broader Peoria network.
The residential streets near Glen Oak Park, a short drive or longer bike ride from campus, offer lower rents than the immediate campus vicinity. Students willing to trade walkability for space and price sometimes find good deals on houses in this area.
Downtown Peoria along the riverfront is roughly 10 to 15 minutes from campus by car and has a growing stock of loft and apartment-style rentals. Students who want urban amenities and do not mind commuting sometimes choose this area, particularly if they have a vehicle or use the CityLink bus system.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Shared houses in the Moss-Bradley neighborhood typically run $400 to $600 per person per month, while apartments along Sheridan Road range from $600 to $900 for a one-bedroom. Prices in the immediate campus area are higher than in neighborhoods farther from Bradley.