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The University of Maryland, Baltimore County packs about 13,497 students onto a hilly suburban campus in Catonsville, just southwest of Baltimore. Known to everyone as UMBC, it runs on Retriever pride: new students rub the golden nose of the True Grit statue, modeled on a champion Chesapeake Bay Retriever. Campus rhythm includes the Free Hour midday on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays when classes pause for community, plus traditions like the Pangea cultural showcase. The setting is green and academic rather than urban, but downtown Baltimore and its Inner Harbor are a short drive away, and BWI Airport sits nearby. Most students get around by car or the campus shuttle, with regional transit linking into the wider Baltimore area.
UMBC does not require freshmen to live on campus, so plenty of first-year Retrievers commute from home in the Baltimore area or rent nearby right away. On-campus housing is popular for year one, but it is only guaranteed if you lock in your contract and reservation fee early.
Students who move off campus usually do so sophomore or junior year, renting through private landlords and management companies in the surrounding towns. Expect a credit or income check, a guarantor if you are new to renting, and a standard security deposit.
Maryland caps security deposits and has solid tenant protections, and leases here usually run 12 months. Catonsville, Arbutus, and other county areas have occupancy limits and rental licensing requirements, so ask whether a house is licensed and how many unrelated tenants are legally allowed before you sign with a big roommate group.
Housing policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with University of Maryland-Baltimore County before signing a lease.
The market around UMBC follows a typical suburban Baltimore rhythm, which means it is calmer than a downtown college town but still rewards planning. Most leases turn over for summer move-ins, lining up with the fall semester start in late August. If you want a house or apartment within an easy commute in Catonsville or Arbutus, start looking in March or April, since the closest and best-value places get claimed by early summer.
Larger houses that fit roommate groups go first, so demand peaks through spring into early summer. Leases here usually run 12 months. Use UMBC's off-campus housing listing service and roommate finder, which the school offers free to the campus community and which makes lining up a group much easier. Tour the close-in options early and be ready to commit once your group agrees.
You can still find spots in July, but you will have fewer options near campus. For mid-year needs, watch for sublets from students graduating in December or studying away. These openings come with less notice, so check the off-campus listing service regularly and widen your search into nearby county towns if needed.
Right next to campus, it is the default for students who want the shortest commute and a walkable suburban feel.
Just south of campus, it tends to run lower on price while staying close to class.
Offers practical houses and apartments near the rail line for easy Baltimore access.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
A room in a shared house or apartment near campus usually runs $600-$1,000/month per person. Arbutus, Halethorpe, and Woodlawn land at the lower end, while newer or closer Catonsville units sit higher. Splitting a 2 or 3 bedroom is almost always a better deal than renting solo.
Other universities in Baltimore share a similar off-campus housing market.
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