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Clark Atlanta University is a private historically Black university in Atlanta's Vine City neighborhood, west of downtown. Founded in 1988 through the consolidation of Clark College and Atlanta University, CAU sits at the heart of the Atlanta University Center Consortium alongside Morehouse, Spelman, Morris Brown, and Morehouse School of Medicine. The campus runs along James P. Brawley Drive SW, placing students within walking distance of the MARTA West End rail station. CAU enrolls roughly 3,500 students across programs in business, social work, mass media arts, and the sciences. Campus life centers on the Currie Student Center, with Greek life, arts organizations, and community service playing a central role in student culture.
All first-year students at Clark Atlanta University are required to live on campus. Students must remain in university housing for the full academic year unless they receive an official exemption through the Office of Residential Life.
Students who have completed at least one full year at CAU are generally eligible to move off campus. The West End, Vine City, and Oakland City neighborhoods directly surrounding campus are the most popular choices for returning students seeking affordable apartments close to the Atlanta University Center.
Off-campus landlords in the West End and Vine City areas see strong competition from AUC students each spring. Students should begin touring apartments in February and aim to sign leases no later than April to secure the best units near campus.
Housing policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with Clark Atlanta University before signing a lease.
Students who begin looking for off-campus housing in January or February have the widest selection of apartments near the Atlanta University Center. Properties in West End and Vine City closest to the James P. Brawley Drive corridor fill up quickly once upperclassmen confirm their plans. Starting early also gives students time to find compatible roommates, which significantly reduces rent costs in Atlanta.
The peak rental competition for CAU-area housing runs from late February through April. During this period, landlords along Lee Street, Ralph David Abernathy Boulevard, and in the Oakland City corridor all see high inquiry volume from students across the AUC consortium. Waiting until May risks limited inventory and fewer negotiating options on price and lease start dates.
Students who begin searching in May or June can still find apartments in the broader southwest Atlanta area, including neighborhoods like Adair Park and Sylvan Hills. Expect to pay closer to market rate without early-bird discounts. Some property managers near campus hold units for summer listings specifically, so checking listings weekly through June can surface newly available spots.
The blocks immediately west and south of CAU along Joseph E. Boone Boulevard and Peoples Street represent the closest off-campus option for students. Rents here are lower than most of intown Atlanta, and the neighborhood is walkable to campus and the nearby MARTA West End station.
About a mile south of campus, Oakland City offers larger apartments and houses at competitive prices. MARTA's Oakland City station makes commuting simple, and the area has a mix of long-term residents and students from the AUC consortium creating a stable community feel.
Students who want a quieter residential setting typically look to Adair Park or Sylvan Hills, both within a 10-15 minute drive of campus. These neighborhoods offer single-family rentals and garden apartments with more space for the price compared to blocks immediately adjacent to the university.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
One-bedroom apartments in West End and Vine City typically rent from $1,100 to $1,600 per month. Students sharing a two-bedroom unit can bring per-person costs down to roughly $700 to $950 per month, depending on the building and distance from campus.
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