A private room in a shared apartment or house near campus typically runs about $900-$1,300/month per person, with whole one-bedrooms in Emory Village or Decatur closer to $1,500-$2,100. Toco Hills and units farther from campus sit lower, while walkable, shuttle-served spots run higher. Budget roughly $50-$150/month for utilities depending on the place.

Yes. Emory requires both first-year and second-year students to live in university housing unless they get an exemption. Exemptions cover students whose permanent home is within 30 miles of campus, those with a documented medical need, and students who are married or have a dependent. Request any exemption before signing a housing agreement.

After the two-year requirement, students spread into Druid Hills and Emory Village right around campus, Decatur just east, and Toco Hills nearby, where shared rooms often run about $900-$1,300/month per person. Walkability and shuttle access drive the choice, since not everywhere is an easy commute. Some grad students and upperclassmen also pick livelier Atlanta neighborhoods a short ride away.

Not always. Emory runs a free shuttle network connecting campus to nearby neighborhoods and apartment complexes, and MARTA's Decatur station ties into the wider metro. If you live in Emory Village or on a shuttle line, you can skip a car. A car helps for Atlanta sprawl and weekend trips, but plenty of students manage without one.

Start in winter and aim to sign between January and March. The walkable, shuttle-served spots near campus go first since juniors, seniors, and grad students all compete for them. A summer search works given Atlanta's deep market, but you'll be farther out. Watch December and January spring openings and summer sublets if you're late.

Most are standard 12-month leases, and many apartments near campus lease the whole unit, so roommates share liability. Some larger complexes offer per-bed leasing. Confirm whether the place is on a free Emory shuttle route, check renewal terms, and ask whether water and trash are included before you sign.

Druid Hills, Emory Village, and Decatur are generally quiet, residential, and popular with students and families, and they're well served by the Emory shuttle. As in any major city, conditions vary block to block, so tour at night, check lighting and building access, and talk to current residents before committing.

It varies. Some larger complexes bundle water, trash, and internet, while older Druid Hills and Decatur apartments often leave electricity, gas, and sometimes water on the tenant. Atlanta summers and winters both run the HVAC, so bills swing seasonally. Always ask what's covered and whether there's a cap before signing.

Yes. Emory's off-campus housing portal lists rooms and roommate matches, and larger complexes will pair you up if you sign solo. Subletting is common over the summer when students leave for internships and study abroad, but check your lease and get the landlord's written approval before handing off your room.

Yes. Lullwater Preserve is Emory-owned and open to the community, with miles of trails, a lake, and forest right on campus, so it's a go-to study break. A little farther out, Stone Mountain Park adds hiking and big outdoor space, and Decatur's parks and square give you green, walkable options close to home.