Do St. Catherine University freshmen have to live on campus?

Yes, traditional first-year undergraduates are required to live in university residence halls during their first year at St. Kate's. Exemptions are available for students commuting from a parent or guardian's home within a qualifying distance, subject to approval. Students seeking an exemption should contact the Office of Residential Life before the application deadline.

What neighborhoods are most popular with St. Kate's students?

Mac-Groveland and Highland Park, both immediately surrounding the campus, are the most popular off-campus neighborhoods for St. Kate's students. These areas offer classic St. Paul housing stock including duplexes and fourplexes, with walkable access to campus and Grand Avenue amenities. Summit-University and Cathedral Hill are also common choices for students seeking lower rents.

How competitive is the rental market near St. Catherine University?

Mac-Groveland and Highland Park are among St. Paul's most desirable residential areas, and competition is strong from students, young professionals, and families. Quality rentals in these neighborhoods frequently lease by January or February for the following fall. Students who begin their search in November or December are in the best position to secure good housing.

Can St. Kate's students get around without a car?

Yes, Metro Transit provides bus service in the neighborhoods near campus, and the Green Line light rail connects St. Paul to Minneapolis for students who need to travel across the Twin Cities. Mac-Groveland and Highland Park are also bikeable, and Grand Avenue amenities are within walking distance of campus. Having a car expands options considerably for reaching suburban areas or grocery shopping.

When should St. Kate's students start searching for off-campus housing?

Students should begin searching in November or December for housing that starts the following fall. Mac-Groveland and Highland Park rentals move quickly, and waiting until spring means competing for whatever inventory remains after the peak signing period. Having a roommate plan and financial documentation ready before starting the search will speed up the process.

Off-Campus Housing Near St Catherine University - 2 Rentals

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About Off-Campus Housing Near St Catherine University

St. Catherine University, known as St. Kate's, is a private Catholic liberal arts university in the Mac-Groveland neighborhood of St. Paul, Minnesota. Founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1905, the university primarily serves women undergraduates while also admitting men and women in graduate programs. With 3,000 to 4,000 students, the university is recognized for programs in nursing, education, social work, and the health sciences. The campus sits in one of St. Paul's most well-maintained residential neighborhoods, near Grand Avenue's dining and retail corridor. The Twin Cities rental market is competitive and moves quickly, making early action important for students planning to live off campus.

St Catherine University Housing Requirements

Freshman Live-On Requirement

St. Catherine University requires all traditional first-year undergraduate students to live in university residence halls during their first year on campus. This requirement is designed to support student transition, community building, and academic success during the first year of college. Students who believe they qualify for an exemption, such as those commuting from a parent or guardian's home within a specified distance, should apply through the Office of Residential Life before the published deadline.

Off-Campus Eligibility

After completing the required freshman year of on-campus residency, students are typically eligible to live off campus starting in their sophomore year. St. Catherine's residential neighborhoods offer a strong supply of rental housing, from classic St. Paul duplexes and fourplexes to larger apartment buildings and shared single-family homes. Students should confirm their eligibility and notify the housing office of their intent to live off campus according to the university's stated procedures.

When to Start Looking for Housing Near St Catherine University

Early Searchers

Students who want to live in the neighborhoods immediately surrounding the St. Kate's campus, particularly Mac-Groveland and Highland Park, should begin their housing search in November or December. These neighborhoods are consistently in demand among St. Kate's students, University of St. Thomas students, and young professionals, so the best units are claimed well before spring. Starting in late fall gives students time to tour multiple properties, compare lease terms, and make thoughtful decisions rather than rushing. Identifying potential roommates early also helps, since many of the most desirable rentals in the area are multi-bedroom homes and duplexes best suited to shared occupancy.

Peak Demand Window

The peak search and signing period for St. Paul rentals near St. Kate's runs from January through March, when most landlords make their units available for the following academic year. Mac-Groveland and Highland Park are two of St. Paul's most desirable residential neighborhoods, and properties in these areas typically lease quickly once listed. Students competing for the same units as University of St. Thomas students, who are also searching during this window, should be prepared to move quickly and have their documentation ready. Waiting until April or later significantly narrows the available inventory in these prime neighborhoods.

Last-Minute Options

Students who have not found housing by April or May still have realistic paths forward, particularly in St. Paul neighborhoods slightly further from campus such as Summit-University, Como, or the Cathedral Hill area. The Twin Cities rental market is large enough that new listings continue to appear through the summer as leases turn over. Metro Transit's Green Line light rail and local bus routes provide reasonable access to campus from several St. Paul neighborhoods, making a slightly longer commute workable for students without cars. Furnished short-term rentals and sublets are also available during the summer for students who need a bridge option.

Off-Campus Housing Near St Catherine University

About Off-Campus Housing Near St Catherine University

St Catherine University Housing Requirements

Freshman Live-On Requirement

Off-Campus Eligibility

Lease Timing

When to Start Looking for Housing Near St Catherine University

Early Searchers

Peak Demand Window

Last-Minute Options

Neighborhoods Near St Catherine University

Mac-Groveland and Highland Park

Grand Avenue

Summit-University

Cathedral Hill and the Green Line

Frequently Asked Questions: Off-Campus Housing Near St Catherine University

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