Loading listings
Off-Campus Housing Near University of New Hampshire
About Off-Campus Housing Near University of New Hampshire
University of New Hampshire is the public flagship university of the state, enrolling approximately 13,000 to 14,000 students in the classic New England college town of Durham. The main campus sits on the Oyster River in Strafford County, about 11 miles west of Portsmouth and roughly an hour north of Boston. UNH offers a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs with particular strength in engineering, marine and environmental science, business, and the liberal arts. Freshmen are required to live on campus, and the Durham rental market is extremely competitive given the small-town setting, so early planning is essential for students seeking off-campus housing.
University of New Hampshire Housing Requirements
Freshman Live-On Requirement
UNH requires all first-year students to live in university-managed residence halls for their first full academic year. Students who are local commuters living with a parent or legal guardian within a defined distance of campus may apply for an exemption, but the requirement applies to the vast majority of incoming freshmen.
Off-Campus Eligibility
Students who have completed their freshman year are generally eligible to move off campus starting in their sophomore year, subject to space availability in the residence halls and completion of the university's off-campus approval process. Because Durham has a limited supply of rental housing, eligibility does not guarantee that affordable options will be available, and students are strongly advised to begin searching well in advance.
Lease Timing
Durham landlords routinely begin leasing the following year's units as early as September or October, which is exceptionally early by national standards. Students who wait until spring will find that many of the best properties in Durham have already been committed to other renters, making a September or October start to the search essential.