Most students pay roughly $500 to $800 a month for a room in a shared apartment, while a one-bedroom runs closer to $800 to $1,200. Converted houses in South Park can be cheaper per room; newer Sunnyside and Evansdale complexes sit at the top of that range.

Sunnyside is the main student hub right by Downtown campus. South Park offers leafier converted houses, Downtown is great if you're car-free, and Evansdale and Suncrest suit Health Sciences and Engineering students.

Often not. The PRT links the Downtown and Evansdale campuses, and Mountain Line buses are free with your WVU ID and cover most of town, so students in Sunnyside, Downtown, or South Park usually skip a car entirely.

Very close in Sunnyside, Downtown, and South Park, which are walking distance to Downtown campus. Evansdale housing sits by the Health Sciences and Engineering campuses, and the PRT bridges the two in a few minutes.

It's a typical college town, busiest and rowdiest in Sunnyside on game weekends. WVU runs campus safety services and the PRT is well-lit and monitored. Check street lighting and walk the block at night before signing anywhere.

Start in January for the next August. The market moves early here, and the best Sunnyside and South Park houses lease months ahead, so the longer you wait into spring the fewer good options you'll find.

The standard is a 12-month lease starting in August, even though school runs shorter, so you'll usually pay through summer. Group houses often sign all roommates onto one lease, which means you're jointly responsible for rent.

Sometimes water and trash are bundled, but electric, gas, and internet are often on you, and older South Park houses can get pricey to heat in winter. Budget about $100 to $250 a month for utilities if they aren't included.

Yes. WVU's off-campus housing office helps match roommates, and since most leases run through summer, subletting is common when students leave for break. Get your landlord's written approval before handing off a room.

Plenty. The Mon River and Caperton rail-trails are great for running and biking along the water, Coopers Rock State Forest has overlooks and climbing just east, and the Downtown Historic District hosts civic events year-round.