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SUNY Plattsburgh is a public university located in Plattsburgh, NY, a city of about 19,000 on the western shore of Lake Champlain, roughly 60 miles south of Montreal. The campus enrolls approximately 5,500 students and offers strong programs in business, nursing, and education. The area's proximity to the Quebec border gives Plattsburgh a distinctive binational character, and Montreal is a popular destination for students on weekends. Winters are cold and snowy due to the lake and northern location, so walkability to campus is important when choosing off-campus housing. Most student rentals are concentrated in the neighborhoods surrounding the main campus.
SUNY Plattsburgh requires all first-year students to reside in on-campus residence halls for their freshman year. Students are expected to apply for housing and pay their deposit by the university's published deadline in the spring before they enroll.
Students who have completed their first year at SUNY Plattsburgh may apply to live off campus beginning their sophomore year. Students should notify the housing office before the spring deadline to ensure they are not automatically reassigned to a residence hall.
Plattsburgh landlords begin marketing available units for the next academic year in November and December. Students who act quickly during this window have the best chance of securing an apartment close to campus before the spring semester begins.
Housing policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with SUNY Plattsburgh before signing a lease.
Students at SUNY Plattsburgh who want housing close to the main campus should begin searching in November of their freshman year. Landlords in the surrounding neighborhoods start showing units as soon as tenants give notice, and well-located apartments go quickly. Acting early also gives you time to review leases carefully and understand what utilities and parking are included.
The peak period for Plattsburgh off-campus rentals runs from late November through January, when the majority of desirable units near campus are leased. Students still searching in February will find fewer options, particularly for apartments within easy walking distance. By early spring most quality units are claimed and the remaining inventory tends to be farther from campus or in less convenient locations.
Students searching in March or April should check local property listing sites and campus housing boards for any units that have become available due to cancellations or new listings. Some landlords hold properties until late spring hoping for higher rents, so persistent searching can occasionally turn up a good find. Be aware that housing farther from campus may require a car, especially in winter when walking long distances in the cold is uncomfortable.
Broad Street, Oak Street, and nearby parallel streets, with a high concentration of student rental houses and apartments a short walk from academic buildings.
Around Margaret Street, with local restaurants and shops and a slightly longer commute to class.
Appealing in fall and spring, though winter wind off the lake can make commutes uncomfortable.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
You should start your search in November of your freshman year to secure the best apartments near campus. Most well-located units are leased by January, so waiting until spring puts you at a disadvantage.