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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.
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.
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.
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.
Housing policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with University of New Hampshire before signing a lease.
The UNH off-campus housing market is among the most competitive in New England relative to its size, and serious searchers should begin looking in September or October of the year before they plan to move off campus. Durham landlords are known to re-lease properties immediately after confirming current tenant departures, which means the best houses and apartments near campus are often gone well before the academic year ends. Students who form roommate groups early and reach out to landlords in the fall semester have the highest chance of securing their first-choice properties.
November through January represents the peak leasing window for UNH-area housing, when most of the available Durham inventory is actively being shown and applications are being accepted. During this window, competition is intense and properties in walking distance of campus routinely lease within days of being listed. Students should have their roommate group finalized, their finances confirmed, and their application materials ready before entering this window.
Students who miss the fall and winter leasing wave can look to the Dover and Portsmouth markets, which are larger and have more consistent availability into the spring and summer months. Dover, about seven miles from Durham, offers a broader stock of apartment complexes and is accessible by the COAST bus route. Students willing to commute from Portsmouth or other Seacoast communities will find more options but should factor in transportation costs and the limited parking near the UNH campus.
The first choice for most students, with shared houses and small apartment buildings within walking distance of the main quad.
The most walkable access to campus, dining, and the Memorial Union Building.
About seven miles east, with newer apartment buildings and COAST bus service connecting to campus.
About 12 miles away, a more urban coastal setting with restaurants and nightlife, though the commute needs a car or transit planning.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Yes, UNH requires all first-year students to live in university residence halls for their freshman year. Limited exemptions exist for local commuter students living with a parent or guardian within a defined distance of campus.