I think we have all had the classic college dream of living with all your friends and after even a
couple of weeks in a dorm, you will see why so many people get excited at the thought of
getting out. You get at least two beautiful dorm years which I think are more than enough. If you
want to live off campus your junior year you do, however, have to go through residential life to
request off-campus living. They grant it fairly often but can vary year to year. Even after you
jump through those hoops, it can still feel overwhelming trying to find somewhere that fits your
vision and criteria. Don’t worry. I have gone through this with both my junior and senior year
housing and have learned as much as I could along the way. So, here is everything I learned to
help you find your ideal home away from home.
https://www.instagram.com/p/DYexyvjEZQy/?stkn=MXM1bmNxM2VmMWwxZg==
When starting your research, you realize the main categories in the available housing close to
the campus. Your first option is a large apartment building which is fairly popular among
upper-class students because of their amenities, availability of washer-dryers, and service
support. The Euclid and 257 Thayer Apartments are known as some of the nicer, large
off-campus buildings. They both have a ton of units with various floor plans. Most units come
furnished, some even with in-unit laundry, as well as communal spaces and an on-site gym.
Uniquely, 257 has an underground parking garage with spaces available for students to rent.
The streets around Hope Street, Thayer, Benefit, and Fox Point are often the most popular
areas for both houses and apartments. There are some beautiful classic homes in these
neighborhoods with so much uniqueness and many homes offer things some things apartment
buildings don’t: backyards, balconies or porches, parking, and, often, more quiet.
It’s helpful to look at different websites and resources to see what fits best for you, your lifestyle,
and your budget. For example, Bright Lights Property Management manages a lot of units near
campus, many on Angell Street. Local property groups tend to know more about the area and
have a domain over some of the main streets adjacent to Brown. To this point, the best resource
to start is the internet. There are specific Brown University Facebook groups that offer spaces to
connect with students looking for subletters, roommates, and renters. It is a trusted community
built for Brown students. It can also be great if you need a place to discuss specific housing
questions or arrangement options.
While local property managers are good options, the availability of bigger rental platforms can
help to compare prices, layouts, and exact locations much better. Platforms like Zillow, Trulia,
and Apartments.com allow setting different radius filters concerning College Hill so you don’t get
misled into checking properties that are too far for your criteria. If you need student-oriented
listings, room rentals, and sublets, especially if you need housing for a specific semester while
studying abroad, you should definitely take a look at the off-campus housing resources and
classifieds pages provided on the Brown University Off-Campus Housing website.
https://www.instagram.com/p/C4f8mt9rq3F/?stkn=MnJhdWpzOWRsOWQz
In order to smoothly go through the application process, it’s important to act fast. A lot of
landlords and property managers request that you fill out a rental application, provide background
information, and include forms of guarantee. The earlier you start organizing a group, discussing
expenses, and looking for units, the easier the process will be. Moving out of the dorms and into
a home or apartment is a big step towards adulting. It means more grocery shopping and
hopefully far more comfort. So if you are thinking of living off campus, be prepared to start
looking almost a year in advance. It can be super helpful to ask an older friend for some
advice! Housing can be tough, but it will definitely be worth it to find somewhere you will feel at
home.