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SUNY New Paltz is a public comprehensive university in New Paltz, NY, enrolling about 7,500 students in the Hudson Valley at the base of the Shawangunk Mountains. The village is charming and artsy but has a very tight rental market driven by both student demand and year-round interest from NYC day-trippers and outdoor recreation visitors. Students must act early, as available units are scarce and lease quickly.
SUNY New Paltz requires all first-year students to live in campus residence halls for their initial year of enrollment. Exemptions are available for students who commute from a parent or guardian's permanent home within an approved distance from campus.
Students who have completed their first year may seek housing in the private market in New Paltz and surrounding communities. Because the village has limited rental inventory relative to demand, upperclassmen are strongly encouraged to begin searching well before the typical rental season.
New Paltz is one of the earliest-moving rental markets among SUNY campuses. Many leases for the following August are signed as early as September and October of the prior academic year. Students who wait until the standard November or December window may already find the best options gone.
Housing policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with SUNY New Paltz before signing a lease.
At SUNY New Paltz, early does not mean November -- it means September and October. The rental market in New Paltz is severely constrained by a small village footprint, high student demand, and competition from non-student renters drawn to the area's natural beauty. Students who secure a place in early fall for the following year are the ones who land the best locations closest to campus.
October through December represents the peak leasing window for New Paltz off-campus housing, which is earlier than almost any other SUNY campus. By January, a significant share of available units will already be leased. Acting during this window is critical if you want to live within reasonable distance of campus in the village itself.
Students searching in spring or summer face a very limited and often expensive remaining inventory in New Paltz. Expanding your search to Highland, Rosendale, or Kingston opens up more options, though a car becomes necessary for most of those locations. Sublets and roommate replacements do occasionally arise, so monitoring local Facebook groups and the campus off-campus housing board is essential for late searchers.
Blocks along Plattekill Avenue, North Chestnut Street, and the streets north of Main closest to campus, walkable but with slow turnover and fierce competition.
Highland just across the Hudson (a car needed) and Rosendale about seven miles away, with bohemian character and more availability.
About 15 miles north, a much larger rental market with lower prices and a growing arts scene, though the commute needs a reliable vehicle.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Yes, all first-year students must live in SUNY New Paltz residence halls. Students who commute from a parent or guardian's home within an approved local distance may apply for an exemption.