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Student Housing in Charleston, IL
About Student Housing in Charleston
Charleston, Illinois is the kind of college town that earns that label honestly, a mid-sized downstate community of roughly 20,000 people where Eastern Illinois University is genuinely woven into the fabric of the place rather than simply sitting next to it. The historic downtown square is a short walk from the edge of campus and anchors a commercial district with local restaurants, coffee shops, bars, and small businesses that cater to students and longtime residents alike. The EIU campus itself is attractive and walkable, with Georgian-style brick buildings and open quads that fill with activity when classes are in session and go quiet during breaks in a way that makes the rhythms of the academic year feel tangible in the community. Housing in Charleston is a genuine strength for students: the off-campus rental market is well-developed, with a wide range of apartments and older rental houses available at prices that are accessible compared to larger Illinois cities. Bike-friendly streets connect the campus neighborhoods to downtown and beyond, and the flat central Illinois terrain makes cycling a practical everyday option for much of the year. For students who want authentic college-town character, manageable living costs, and a community that takes the university seriously, Charleston is a consistently reliable choice.
Best Neighborhoods for Students in Charleston
Fourth Street and University area
The streets immediately west and south of the main EIU campus along Fourth Street form the heart of the student residential scene. Apartments and rental houses here put students within easy walking distance of academic buildings, dining halls, and the student recreation center.
Lincoln Avenue corridor
Running south from the eastern edge of campus, Lincoln Avenue and its side streets host a dense concentration of student apartments and multi-unit rental properties. The area offers solid walkability to campus and proximity to off-campus restaurants and convenience stores.