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Off-Campus Housing Near Grand Valley State University
$599/unit
Fees may apply48 West
$579/unit
Fees may applyThe Alpine Student Living
$599/unit
Fees may apply48 West Apartments
$550/unit
Fees may applyConifer Creek Townhomes
About Off-Campus Housing Near Grand Valley State University
Grand Valley State University is one of Michigan's largest public universities, enrolling approximately 25,000 students across two primary campuses. The main Allendale Campus occupies a sprawling rural setting in Allendale Township, about 12 miles west of Grand Rapids, while the Pew Grand Rapids Campus places students in the heart of Michigan's second-largest city. GVSU is known for its strong programs in health sciences, engineering, business, and education, and its size allows it to offer extensive research facilities and Division II athletics despite its relatively young history as an institution. The dual-campus structure significantly shapes where students live: many freshmen and sophomores reside in Allendale to be close to the main campus, while upperclassmen, graduate students, and those enrolled primarily at Pew often choose to live in Grand Rapids, which offers a more dynamic urban environment with a nationally recognized food scene, craft breweries, and a thriving arts community. Understanding which campus you will spend most of your time on is an essential first step in deciding where to live.
Grand Valley State University Housing Requirements
Freshman Live-On Requirement
Grand Valley State University strongly encourages first-year students to live on campus in Allendale and offers a wide range of residence hall communities designed around the freshman experience. While GVSU does not enforce an absolute mandatory live-on policy for all freshmen, housing demand in Allendale is high and students who do not secure on-campus housing early may find themselves dependent on the limited private apartment complexes directly adjacent to the campus.
Off-Campus Eligibility
All students may choose to live off campus, but practical considerations vary significantly by campus. In Allendale, off-campus options are almost entirely limited to a cluster of student-oriented apartment complexes immediately surrounding the university, as the surrounding area is rural and lacks walkable amenities. Students attending primarily at Pew Campus have access to the full Grand Rapids rental market.