Below are some apartment contact information that ISO has accumulated over the years of helping students, you can use this map to investigate apartments on your own and find out locations, properties websites, amenities and etc.
SERVING THE NATIONS ON THE COLLEGE CAMPUS
permanent housing information
Probably your first time to live on your own, or maybe your first time time you can actually choose where to live.
ISO will help you in the process of finding permanent housing during for the school year.
*This list of housing is non-exclusive. We will keep update this for better references. If you come across some good housing listing, please don't hesitate to contact us and let us know. We do not endorse any of these apartments, they are provided for the reader's information only.
First, let's get a basic understanding of the U of M, Twin Cities campus...
The U of M, Twin Cities campus is made up of three areas across two cities:
- The East Bank campus area is on the east side of the Mississippi River.
- The West Bank campus area is on the west side of the Mississippi River
- The St. Paul campus area is located in the city of St. Paul.
The Washington Avenue Bridge connects the West Bank and the East bank campuses and takes about 5 minutes to walk across.
The university has its own bus route known as Campus Connectors that connects all three campus areas. It takes about 15 minutes to travel on the Campus Connector from Minneapolis to St.Paul campus. Rides are free for students.
The specific area of your instruction is dependent on your major, but most lower-division undergraduate instruction occurs on the East Bank campus.
Second, let's answer some of the frequently asked questions international students have about housing...
1) What is the difference between "on-campus" and "off-campus" housing?
The terms "on-campus" and "off-campus" housing are given in reference to the official university-sponsored housing options. Anything designated as on-campus housing is sponsored by the University and is very close to campus, but not necessarily right next to your building where you will have your classes. You will still have to walk or take a bike outside to your classes.
Off-campus housing is any housing not sponsored by the University and is usually located along the perimeter of the official campus area. Most off-campus housing is still within walking or biking distance of the main campus area.
2) Do all apartments come furnished?
Most on-campus housing is furnished and most off-campus housing is not furnished, which means you will have to buy your own bed/mattress, furniture, kitchen supplies, and other needs.
3) How much do apartments cost to rent?
Rent is paid on a monthly basis.
The following are estimates of "off-campus" housing apartment monthly rent prices...
Rent for an efficiency/studio range from $500 to $750.
Rent for a 1 bedroom range from $600 to $900.
Rent for a 2 bedroom range from $900 to $1100.
Rent for a 3 bedroom range from $1000 to $1200.
In order to keep rent lower, most students will have 2 people stay in a studio or 1 bedroom apartment and split the monthly cost. Likewise, they will also have 4 people stay in a 2 bedroom.
4) What is the process of "getting" an apartment?
a) Talk to any of your friends or contacts at the university about their apartment experiences
b) Research and gather as much information via the internet about apartments
c) Email and/or call apartments to find availability
d) Interview the apartment personnel and take a tour of the apartment
e) Sign lease, pay the deposit, pay first months rent, and move in
5) What kind of questions should I ask the landlord, apartment caretaker, or lease agent when interviewing?
a) Do you allow double occupancy? Is there an extra charge?
(Some apartments do not allow double occupancy or will charge you extra ranging from $30 to $100.)
b) What is the lease duration?
(Most lease lengths are 12 months, which means if you are planning on going home over the summer you might wish to find a sub-leaser.)
c) Is there an application fee?
(Some apartments require a non-refundable application fee ranging from $15 to $50, due when you submit your application.)
d) What is the deposit amount?
(Most apartments require a deposit equal to that of one month's rent. The deposit is usually due when your application is accepted and you sign the lease. The deposit is returned when you move out provided no damage has been done to the apartment.)
...questions concerning utilities...
e) Is the internet included? If not what is the average cost?
(Average cost around $30 to $50 per apartment.)
f) Is heat included? If not what is the average cost?
(Ranges in price per apartment...usually double the normal price during the winter months.)
g) Is water included? If not what is the average cost?
(Ranges in price per apartment.)
h) Is electricity included? If not what is the average cost?
(Ranges in price per apartment...usually double the normal price during the summer months if your apartment has air conditioning.)
i) Is gas included? If not what is the average cost?
(Ranges in price per apartment.)
k) Is garbage included? If not what is the average cost?
(Ranges in price per apartment.)
l) Is parking included? If not what is the average cost?
(Ranges in price per apartment. Parking spots for cars are very hard to find in the campus area, if you do get a parking spot with your apartment and don't have a car, consider renting it out.)
m) Is the apartment furnished?
(Most apartments are not.)
n) Is there a washer/dryer in the apartment? If not, are laundry facilities on-site?
(Most apartments do not have washers and dryers inside the individual apartments, but do have a set of shared washers and dryers for all residents of the apartment complex to use. The cost of each wash and dryer cycle is around $1.50.)
o) Is early move-in allowed?
(Most apartments allow early move-in if the current renter moves out early. You will usually have to pay rent at a daily rate for the days you move in early.)
...miscellaneous questions...
p) Are their other international students in the apartment?
q) Have there ever been any thefts, break-ins, or other crimes in the apartment or neighborhood?
6) If I live in "off-campus" housing how do I get to class?
Campus area apartments are all within walking and biking distance to the University. Some students who don't like walking or biking choose to take the city bus which has many routes around the campus area.
Third, look at all your housing options, helpful info is found below...
Official U of M ISSS site: Permanent Off-Campus Housing Resources
https://isss.umn.edu/resources/offcamphousing.html
Official U of M site: Off-Campus Housing
https://hrl-ochls.oit.umn.edu/ochls/
Official U of M site: On-Campus Housing
https://housing.umn.edu/
Some apartment search sites:
http://mynewplace.com/
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/
http://apartments.com
http://www.riverton.org/
http://dinkytownrentals.com/
http://uofmhousing.com/
http://apartmentcities.com
Stay Connected
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