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Off-Campus Housing Near ODU
About Off-Campus Housing Near Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University brings about 24,300 Monarchs to Norfolk, a coastal Virginia city built around the water. The main campus sits right on the Elizabeth River in the city's west end, so sailing, kayaking, and waterfront walks are part of everyday life. Across Hampton Boulevard, the University Village district anchors game-day energy around Chartway Arena, where Monarch basketball draws a loud blue crowd. Nearby Larchmont brings tree-lined streets, while historic Ghent offers a walkable grid and the riverfront stage at Town Point Park downtown. Norfolk's a Navy town with beaches, the Elizabeth River Trail, and ferries to Portsmouth. Students lean on the free Monarch Transit shuttles, plus the Tide light rail and HRT buses, so a car is optional.
Old Dominion University Housing Requirements
Freshman Live-On Requirement
ODU does not require freshmen to live on campus, so you have flexibility from day one, though plenty of first-years still choose residence halls to ease into college life. There is no live-on mandate to clear before leasing elsewhere.
Off-Campus Eligibility
Many students move off campus by sophomore year, often into the apartments and houses clustered just across Hampton Boulevard or in nearby Norfolk neighborhoods. Because there is no requirement, eligibility is open to students from their first year onward.
Lease Timing
The local rental process is standard: you will complete an application, likely pay an application fee, and sign a lease, frequently with a guarantor or proof of income if you are a younger student. Norfolk has its share of older homes carved into student rentals, so check occupancy rules, flood-zone disclosures, and who handles lawn care and utilities before committing. Some blocks near campus sit in flood-prone areas, so consider renters insurance.