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The 6 Best Overall Student Apartments Near UMass Amherst (October 2026)

University of Massachusetts-AmherstAmherst, MAUpdated Monthly

By the FMP Data Team · Reviewed October 1, 2026

6 properties reviewed
27+ reviews analyzed
updated October 2026
independentno pay-to-rank
the short answer

North Square Apartments at The Mill District leads our October 2026 ranking of the 6 Best Overall student apartments near UMass Amherst with a 5.0/5 FMP Score, followed by Clark House and Puffton Village Apartments. Across the 6 properties reviewed, students keep coming back to amenities & shared spaces and management & maintenance: the overall signals that move a property up this ranking. Browse all off-campus housing near University of Massachusetts-Amherst for every option.

  • winnerNorth Square Apartments at The Mill District
  • FMP Score range2.5–5.0 / 5
  • avg walk0 min to campus
  • rent range$345–$3985 /person
the ranking

The 6 Best Overall Student Apartments Near UMass Amherst

Sorted by FMP Score from verified UMass Amherst reviews, high to low. Scores reflect current UMass Amherst reviews only.

  1. North Square Apartments at The Mill District
    5.0(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: North Square Apartments at The Mill District stands out as the top overall choice near UMass Amherst because of its genuinely responsive maintenance and management team that students can actually rely on. Residents consistently praise Anthony, the maintenance guy, for his professionalism, speed, and friendly demeanor he shows up quickly, does thorough work, and treats people with real respect. Samantha from property management rounds out the experience by being genuinely helpful and attentive to resident concerns. As one satisfied resident put it, "Anthony is respectful, polite, and takes the time to ensure everything is done neatly and efficiently." When you're juggling classes and life, having a team that actually cares makes all the difference.

    $2195/person/mo
  2. Clark House
    4.8(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Clark House earns its ranking as a standout overall option with its prime downtown Amherst location and welcoming community atmosphere. The property appeals to those seeking a centrally located living experience that feels like home, with residents drawn to its accessibility and sense of belonging. As one resident reflected, "It's the place I ever wanted to reach and it was one of my dreams in my lifetime." The combination of location and community makes Clark House a compelling choice for students wanting to be in the heart of Amherst.

    $345/person/mo
  3. Puffton Village Apartments
    3.6(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Puffton Village Apartments earns recognition for its outstanding maintenance team that goes above and beyond to keep residents happy, even when other aspects of the property fall short. The maintenance crew is genuinely responsive and available around the clock, tackling problems with impressive speed and dedication. The property also offers nice amenities like basketball and tennis courts set among ample greenery, plus it's walking distance to campus. As one long-term resident shared, "They are incredibly responsive, always fixing issues promptly even in the middle of the night or on weekends." When maintenance is this solid, it makes the whole living experience feel more manageable.

    $1450/person/mo
  4. 3.4(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Aspen Heights Amherst stands out overall for its beautiful campus-style setting and leasing staff who genuinely invest in helping residents navigate the housing process. The team particularly Gloria and other leasing managers are known for being patient, detailed, and truly caring, especially with first-time renters and international students navigating US housing for the first time. Residents consistently highlight the friendly, welcoming atmosphere and the cleanliness of the community. As one international student put it, Gloria "always answered my questions so promptly, patiently, and in detail, and facilitated the whole process from 0 to finish." That kind of personal attention during move-in sets the tone for a positive living experience.

    $2800/person/mo
  5. Kendrick Place
    2.8(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Kendrick Place earns its spot as a solid overall choice near UMass, especially if you value responsive management and reliable building systems. Residents consistently praise the quick maintenance response times, working elevators, and secure package handling that make day-to-day living smooth. The in-unit washer-dryer combo is a real perk for graduate students and upperclassmen, even if the drying cycle runs long. As one satisfied resident noted, 'management was always quick to fix any problems in my apartment.' It's the kind of place where the fundamentals work.

    $1390/person/mo
  6. One University Drive South
    2.5(2 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: One University Drive South stands out for its unbeatable location and transit access, putting you steps from shops, supermarkets, and free parking that's rare in Amherst. The proximity to campus via the PVTA 33 and B43 buses, which run every 20 minutes during the school year, makes commuting effortless, and the adjacent rail trail offers a peaceful escape from student life. The building opened recently with modern amenities that feel fresh. As one resident put it, 'It's one of the better places to live in Amherst,' especially if walkability and transit matter to you.

    $1750/person/mo

The Full Ranking, One Table

Sort by any column. The rank stays with the property.
The full ranking of every listed apartment, sortable by any column.
1North Square Apartments at The Mill District5.0/55–$2195/mo
2Clark House4.8/55–$345/mo
3Puffton Village Apartments3.6/55–$1450/mo
4Aspen Heights Amherst3.4/55–$2800/mo
5Kendrick Place2.8/55–$1390/mo
6One University Drive South2.5/52–$1750/mo

Walk times are door-to-door to UMass Amherst campus. Rent is per person, per month.

FMP award criteria

How We Ranked These Apartments

1

Ranked by the FMP Score

FMP Score, high to low. That’s the whole ranking. It’s our overall measure of a property, combining verified review scores with signals reviews miss, like how current the listing is kept and how responsive management is. Ties go to the property with more verified reviews.

2

Who Makes the List

Every property near UMass Amherst can appear, but it takes a minimum number of verified reviews before we score and rank it. Properties under that bar sit below every ranked property and move up automatically as reviews come in.

3

How We Calculate the FMP Score

The FMP Score blends the social, management, and quality scores from verified reviews with signals that a place is actively and well run, like how up to date its listing is kept and how consistently management responds to residents. It’s built to surface genuinely well-run properties, not just the highest raw review average.

by the numbers

What Makes an Apartment ‘well-rounded’ Near UMass Amherst

We ran every verified overall review for UMass Amherst-area apartments through theme analysis. These are the themes students bring up most when a place feels well-rounded, by share of the reviews that mention them.

overpriced for quality
24%
responsive maintenance team
24%
poor sound insulation
10%

Based on AI analysis of verified UMass Amherst overall reviews, refreshed monthly. Percentages show the share of reviews that mention each theme; most reviews mention more than one. See our complete UMass Amherst review data →

faqs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best overall student apartment near UMass Amherst?

North Square Apartments at The Mill District leads our October 2026 ranking of the 6 Best Overall student apartments near UMass Amherst with a 5.0/5 FMP Score, followed by Clark House and Puffton Village Apartments.

How is this ranking calculated?

This list is ranked by one number: each property's overall score from verified reviews. Students rate a property's overall 1 to 5, and we average those scores, counting recent reviews more heavily than older ones. No self-reported data from landlords.

What makes an apartment the best overall?

The best overall apartments score highly across everything students rate (social scene, management, and unit quality), not just one. This ranking uses each property's overall rating from verified reviews.

How often is this ranking updated?

Monthly. We re-pull verified reviews and re-score every property at the start of each month, so the order reflects the most recent 24 months of student feedback. The “updated” date at the top of the page shows the latest refresh.

How many reviews does a property need to be included?

There's a minimum number of verified reviews to rank by score, and we don't publish the exact bar so it can't be gamed. Properties under it still appear, below every qualified property and ordered by review count, so a 5.0 from one review never outranks a 4.5 from thirty. Once a property collects enough reviews, it moves into the scored ranking automatically.

Is this ranking independent, or can properties pay to rank higher?

It's fully independent. There's no pay-to-rank. Position is set by verified reviews alone. Property managers can't buy placement, remove reviews, or influence the score.

for property managers

Made the List? Get Your FMP Award Badge.

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Find My Place Award2026
11st place

Best Overall

student apartments near UMass Amherst

Verified & independentUniversity of Massachusetts-Amherst · Amherst, MA