Albany, NY
“In the city of Albany, there are very few driveways, therefore you will generally be subjected to street parking. Pull in your side view mirrors.” –Janise C. ’13
“Ask yourself these few questions before you start apartment hunting: Do I want a roommate? Would I prefer to live alone? What is my budget? Which areas are safe? Which areas should I steer clear of? How close is it to my job/school/etc.? After you have asked yourself these questions, you will need to make a list of questions to ask your landlord. One important question I found helpful was to ask landlords why the previous renters moved out. Based on their response (or hesitance to answer the question) you will get a sense of the type of landlord you are dealing with.”–Janise C. ’13
Asheville, NC
“Asheville is WONDERFUL! Located in the middle of the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains, it is not only gorgeous, but the outdoor activities are endless! Food and art are great in the downtown area. You definitely need a car to live here, unless you live downtown (which can be costly). I asked around for friends who had been to or knew someone in the area. I had some key priorities (being able to go running safely from my door!) that I didn’t want to budge on. Ended up finding a great spot.” –Megan O. ’11
Athens, OH
“Athens, OH is a cute tiny college town bubble in rural southern Ohio. My favorite Athens spots are the hipster-haven Donkey Coffee and the cool, indie Athena Cinema.” –Katherine V. ’15
Austin, TX
“I love living in Austin! It is the perfect place for someone who is health conscious, or striving to be more so, in any way. There are plenty of outdoor activities like running, cycling, kayaking, or rock-climbing. I like to run half marathons and it is not unusual to find out that at least one person you know in Austin has participated in a half marathon (let alone a triathlon or an Iron Man competition).” –Mary Abbe R. ’13
“The Austin food scene is also fantastic, with places like Tacodeli, Hopdoddy, Barley Swine, and Ramen Tatsu-ya. Not to mention the food trucks. If you have food allergies or a preferred type of diet, there are plenty of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free restaurants/ delis/bakeries. I prefer to eat gluten-free and dairy-free, so I get all of my sweet treats from places like People’s Pharmacy, Wild Wood Bakehouse, and Lick.” –Mary Abbe R. ’13
“The most interesting neighborhoods to live in, if you’re looking to be close to a lot of action, are Hyde Park, East Austin, and South Congress. Though, be aware that Hyde Park and South Congress can be quite expensive, and East Austin is a developing area. If you’re looking for cheaper apartments with more of a commute into the city, places like Jollyville and Walnut Creek are worth looking into.” –Mary Abbe R. ’13
“There is a University of Texas at Austin bus system that is free for everyone and the Capital Metro bus system is free for anyone affiliated with the University. Be aware that buses are less frequent the further away from the city center you live. It is almost necessary to have a car in Texas if you ever plan on leaving Austin, though there are Megabuses that go between Austin, Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio.” –Mary Abbe R. ’13
Baltimore, MD
“Baltimore has fun vibes and more people discredit the area than it deserves. There’s a lot to do and Washington, D.C. is only 45 minutes away!” –Michaela K. ’15 “I LOVE Baltimore. Best neighborhoods to live in: Federal Hill, Fells Point, Canton, and Mt. Vernon. Such a fun city, amazing restaurants and bars, and lots of stuff to do. It’s a young city with lots of young professionals and grad students.” –Lindsay W. ’10
“Baltimore is incredible! Although the city can get a bad reputation, Baltimore is home to many yuppies (young urban professionals). Baltimore consists of a conglomeration of different neighborhoods and each has their own unique quirks and characteristics. With so much history, water, sports teams, and more, it’s never boring and there’s always something to do. MUST DOs: Aquarium, crabs at Nick’s Fish House, Miss Shirley’s Restaurant for breakfast, Little Italy, Fells Point, Public Market under 83, Orioles game, Ravens game, and any art museum!” –Kellie I. ’10
“A lot of apartment searching through Zillow and Craigslist.” –Michaela K. ’15
Bloomington, IN
“Bloomington, IN combines the culture of a larger city with the feel of a small one. The ethnic restaurants are fantastic, and the music and arts scene are worth checking out.” –Erin O. ’11
Boise, ID
“The nearest city to Boise, ID is over 300 miles away. Boise only has 200,000 people. Idaho is the best place in the country to road trip, and you are only 10 minutes in any direction from being in nature.” -Douglas B ’15
Bristol, UK
“Bristol is the most amazing city in the UK. Everything is close by; it is an amazing college town with tons of cool pubs and clubs that fit any taste. Everyone is very friendly and the city is very diverse! If you are looking for a place to study in the UK this is the place to be! The main things I prioritized in my apartment hunting were location, distance from work, safety, and budget.” –Ioannis Z. ’14
Buffalo, NY
“In general, finding a ‘younger’ section of the town will be more social. If that’s something you’re looking for you should think about paying a bit more to live there. In Buffalo, that place is Elmwood.” –Nick B. ’14
“Buffalo is a great mid-sized city with a lot of local art, music and theatre; most of which can be found in the free weekly edition of ArtVoice, that is available at many locations throughout the city. Where you choose to live largely depends on what you’re looking for: Elmwood Village and Allentown are very trendy areas and they’re fairly close to the downtown medical campus, if your work takes you there. North Buffalo near Hertel Ave is also a fun area with a lot of amenities and is closer to the South Campus of UB. If you are looking to own a home, areas near University Heights and Cheektowaga have a lot of reasonable starter homes, especially if you want to fix up a place” –Rachel S. ’09
“The two ways I’ve found apartments the best in Buffalo were via Craigslist and moving in with folks from my graduate program who already lived in the Buffalo. I met them through the university’s list serve.” –Rachel S. ’09
Burlington, VT
“People around Burlington, VT are very down to earth and helpful. Vermonters believe in helping one another, in hard work, and doing what we personally think is right. We were once an independent republic and still have the attitude that goes with it. With that said, we have a lot of poverty, but we make up for it in a vast wealth of friendship, loyalty, and a beautiful state.” –Simone A. ’16
Charlotte, NC
“Charlotte, NC is a rapidly growing city known for its outstanding weather, lush greenery, huge metropolitan center, and the Panthers (of course)! Like many cities, Charlotte is extremely gentrified: the South side is a collection of middle-class to wealthy neighborhoods while the East, West, and North have pockets of immense poverty. It is also a hub for immigration and deep-rooted southern history.” –Alesa Y. ’15
Cleveland, OH
“From the eyes of a native, Cleveland has changed tremendously since I left to go to UR in 2010 as a freshman. LeBron James is back, we’re hosting the Republican National Convention in 2016, and the amount of people living downtown is at an all-time high. Downtown is the heart of the city but nearby neighborhoods like Lakewood, Ohio City, Tremont and University Heights are all on the rise. Once forgotten as part of the Rust Belt, Cleveland has recently seen an economic renaissance with the help from a strong entrepreneurial community and the Health-Tech Corridor which will soon feature the nation’s first 100 gigabit-per-second internet connection.” –Kevin D. ’14
“Good neighborhoods to live in: Shaker Heights, Cleveland Heights, and University Heights. Social: The best eateries are centered around W. 25th St., W. 6th St., Coventry & Mayfield, Cedar & Fairmount, and Cedar & Lee. Transit: Buses and trains decrease frequency after 7 and stop at around 10. Students can get a six-month unlimited RTA pass for $80. There are two airports within a one-hour drive: Cleveland Hopkins and Akron/Canton. The latter is further and significantly cheaper to fly into/out of. Culture: Museum of Rock & Roll, Cleveland Museum of Art, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland Zoo, Metroparks, Browns, Cavaliers, USS Cod WWII sub, West Side Market, Great Lakes Science Center, and Horseshoe Casino. Apartment hunting: There are sites like Zillow you can use to look at rent prices for different Cleveland areas including a Google Maps-type overlay. However, I have found each of my last five apartments on Craigslist.” –Guy M. ’10
“If you wanted to get a place downtown Cleveland, you should have started yesterday. Downtown apartments are at 95% capacity. My apartment was the right location, price and size. Our three bedroom apartment is $1,685 a month ($560/each) so it’s definitely affordable.” –Kevin D. ’14
Columbus, OH
“As a born-and-raised East Coaster, I was a little hesitant about living in the Midwest in Columbus, OH. However, Columbus is a rapidly growing city with many industry headquarters, the Ohio State University, and a fun, upbeat atmosphere. They call this city “The Biggest Small Town in America” and this tagline feels very true. By navigating apartment websites and reading about the city I was able to learn about what part of the unfamiliar city I should live in, and at what price I should expect. Then by doing research on apartment websites and Craigslist I was able to find my ideal apartment.” –Ryan W. ’15
Dayton, OH
“Coffee shops: hit up Proto Build Bar, Ghostlight Coffee, Press, and Underdog, among others. Food: you’ve gotta go to Lucky’s and get one of their fantastic burgers! Also hit up the 2nd Street Public Market. Neighborhoods: Yellow Springs and Oregon District are probably the best Dayton has to offer.” -Ben W. ’15
Harrisburg, PA
“Harrisburg, PA is a lot like Rochester with a lot of enjoyable things to do if you know where to go. I live downtown and recently bought a home in midtown, which is a growing popular area for young professionals. The restaurant scene is fairly self-explanatory (most are located on the same street), but I would highly recommend trying Bricco, Mangia Qui, or Carley’s Piano Bar if you’re ever in the area. There were only a few apartment buildings to choose from, so I asked my future co-workers where they lived, and just signed a lease with that building. It worked out great.” –Sarah H. ’10
Hartford, CT
“Look to live in West Hartford. Small but fun city in the heart of CT. Good food/bars are all in West Hartford center. No real public transportation so you probably need a car.” –Anonymous
Houston, TX
“Houston is massive, so having a car is a must! Public transit is extremely lacking, but Uber is readily available to get you to and from the best neighborhoods. Check out Moon Tower Inn in EaDo, Kirby Ice House in River Oaks, Axelrad in Midtown, and Petrol Station in The Heights” –Eric D. ’13
“Montrose is considered the most liberal part of town, and has the best coffee shops. Midtown is where a lot of young professionals live, and has an excellent bar scene. Downtown’s nightlife has been improving in recent years, but there aren’t too many places to go other than a few blocks on Main Street. East Downtown (EaDo) is an up and comer; there are still a few sketchy areas, but some great spots as well, including 8th Wonder Brewery, my personal favorite in the Houston area. The Heights are kind of a combination of Midtown and Montrose, but a little less central. The Museum District has a ton of great museums for kids and adults alike, and a few decent places to eat out to make a whole day of it. The Med Center is, as the name suggests, the hub of all of the major hospitals in the city. Rice Village is located next to Rice University and has some good restaurants, bars, and a nice shopping scene, and caters a lot to college students and recent grads. Houston is first and foremost a driving city, and MANY people commute from the more popular suburbs. The public transit system is decent, but it is still lacking. I have heard that the bus routes are pretty good, and that the park and ride service from the suburbs is good if you need to commute into the city for work. However, the Light Rail is very limited. It is convenient if you live nearby, but not super useful for a lot of people.” –Adam K. ’14
“Drivers are aggressive. The condition of the roads in some areas are terrible. Roads can be confusing, probably because there is no zoning in Houston. Popular neighborhoods include Montrose, Midtown, Uptown, and Bellaire. Must try restaurants: Local Foods,Uchi, Samurai Noodles, M&M Grill, Thai Gourmet, Torchy’s Tacos, Foreign Policy (food truck), Chocolate Bar (dessert place), Axelrad (bar), Amy’s Ice Cream, Amorino (gelato), Vahalla (bar at Rice with cheap beer and you don’t have to be a student!).” –Thanh H. ’13
“Houston vacancy is at an all-time high. Be ready to negotiate – apartment complexes are desperate and often will give you several months free. Live inside the 610 Loop, otherwise you are too far away from the nightlife and restaurant scene. Houston blogs like SwampLot will help provide a lot of information about real estate, neighborhood changes, and available apartments!” –Eric D. ’13
“Houston is very close to sea level, so when renting from an old building, make sure it does not have any flooding problems. A lot of the older buildings down here have issues with flooding, and it rains fairly often.” –Adam K. ’14
Madison, WI
“Madison is an amazing little city with a ton of great local food, craft beer, and other awesome events and festivals. It’s pretty easy to get a good sense of what’s going on and what to do. Ask a local or Google it. –Brad O. ’10 “Madison has been a great city to live in. It reminds me of Rochester in many ways (size, climate, huge university, etc.) but blends in aspects of other cool cities like Portland, Austin, etc. It’s smallish but has a lot going for it. Living on the Isthmus really puts all of the fun in your backyard. It’s really easy to ride your bike, take a bus, get a cheap cab, and find free/affordable parking. The best areas to live are the First Settlement District, Willy Street, Monroe Ave, Vilas neighborhood, and Near East Side. The food, lakes, biking, and music have kept me here and loving it. And it’s true what they say, people in the Midwest are NICE!” –Anonymous
“Moving to Madison, I picked a few ostensibly random people who would be starting at Epic (my employer) the same month I was, and we picked a sublet to give us time to find a suitable apartment in person. I’m really low-maintenance/stress when it comes to living with people, so it’s easy for me to pick random people to live with, but the obvious problem with that is you have no idea if you’ll be a good fit until you’re already living with them. The only real piece of advice I can give is to make sure you always keep some sort of distance, and have your own private space. It does wonders to maintain relationships and make living with someone extremely amiable, even if you don’t like them as a person.” –Brad O. ’10 “Craigslist was pretty helpful, but it can get bogged down by the run-down and over-priced student/university housing. The best way to find a good place is to drive/walk around areas where you want to live and write down the names of streets or apartment buildings you come by. Then search online for those places. If nothing comes up, see if property management companies have similar apartments nearby or in other cool areas you didn’t consider. There’s PLENTY of housing in Madison. You just need to decide on your price range, location, and/or what types of amenities you want. Beware of the fact that many downtown rentals are on an August 1 or 15 cycle, which can limit some options for full year leases outside that time.” –Anonymous “I found it was very important to look at the apartments myself instead of relying on the pictures in advertisem*nts. They tend to be very misleading.” –Morgan K. ’16
Miami, FL
“You have to eat at Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink in the Wynwood neighborhood. Try to plan so that while you’re there, you can go to the once-a-month Art Walks in Wynwood. Key Largo is a short drive from the greater Miami area, where you can fish, go boating, and explore at John Pennekamp State Park. Rent a kayak at Mile Marker 88, and then feast on fresh, local seafood as you drag the boat ashore. For unspoiled beaches, head two hours west to Naples or Fort Myers. If you’re looking for great bars and clubs, Brickell is the place to be for young people. As for transportation, it’s hard to get around without a car. If you live and work close to the Metrorail, it’s easy enough to get to and from work during typical working hours, but this is not the NYC subway.” –Sandhya R. ’09
“Check out the University of Miami’s off-campus housing website for a great list of apartment complexes and private listings. In a residential neighborhood, drive around and stop in at apartment complexes to ask about availability. You might also notice handwritten “For Rent” signs posted in these areas – these can be some of the best deals around so don’t be afraid to call. Many buildings have waiting lists, so start calling around 3 months in advance of your planned move-in date.” –Sandhya R. ’09
Nashville, TN
“You have to visit and find an apartment close to where you want to be. There is a housing building boom happening now.” –Joseph G. ’12
New Orleans, LA
“New Orleans is an incredibly unique place. I often feel like I live in a different country when I am here. The culture is rich and the sense of community is warm and welcoming. It is a very exciting place to begin my career.” –Kyle C. ’13
Parkersburg, WV/Marietta, OH
“Most young people in the area live in different apartment complexes in the area. Parkersburg, WV and Marietta, OH have a decent number of things to do with bars, restaurants, and shopping all close by.” –Jonathan M. ’13
Pittsburgh, PA
“I was born and raised here. I enjoyed my time at UR for undergrad but absolutely love being back. The city is constantly growing and there are ALWAYS things to check out in the city. It is divided into little pockets with their own identities, each with its own amazing places to eat! As soon as I check off a new restaurant to try, three more are added to the list, I swear. There are a lot of graduate students and young professionals, so it is a fun place to live.” –Lauren R. ’10
“If you attend Pitt or I’m sure CMU, there is a university version of Craigslist. You can search by ‘need a roommate’ or ‘need an apartment’ (or something to that effect). It was great for finding a living situation with a roommate from a different graduate program.” –Lauren R. ’10
Phoenix, AZ
“Arizona has some of the best hiking trails and outdoor activities. Swimming (yes, even though we are a desert!), rock climbing, ghost towns and historical re-enactments, and beautiful nature surround you everywhere.” –Stephanie S. ’16
Princeton, NJ
“I currently live in Princeton, NJ in an apartment complex 10 minutes away from the university and 15 minutes away from downtown Princeton. The Princeton Junction station is about 5 minutes away from my complex and from there one can take trains to NYC or to any other city in NJ.” –Maritza G. ’14
Providence, RI
“Providence is such an artistic city with so much character! Alongside the cobblestone roads, downtown is filled with portraits on buildings, small boutiques and bookstores. There is also a river with fire pits that runs throughout downtown and from spring to fall, the city converges to watch the fire show, formally known as ‘Waterfire.’ It’s such a romantic and familial scene all at once! We are also remarkably close to Boston and for just $10 (one way); you can buy a train ticket for the commuter rail and spend the day in Boston. Rhode Island is the “Ocean State” and the beach is never too far. And if you need a weekend getaway, Cape Cod is a great location! I used a property management realtor to find my apartment. I also knew what my needs were and I made sure to find an apartment where my needs were accessible. So, I live on the bus line and near grocery stores and other necessities.” –Anansa B. ’15
“Once you make it to a big city, take advantage of all the networking opportunities you can — inside and outside of Rochester’s umbrella. Become friends with people who went to school in the city. You will find out about all the cool stuff more quickly.” -Armando R. ’12
“The east side near Wayland Square is extremely nice. There are many trendy restaurants and coffee shops, and it’s walking distance from Brown and RISD.” -Amy E. ’16
San Antonio, TX
“San Antonio is an amazing city. It’s one of the biggest cities in the country, but it feels like a small town and it has the BEST Mexican food. The only downside is that you really need a car to get around. There are apartments everywhere, and San Antonio is a really cheap city. You can get a really nice, big apartment for pretty cheap. Just find something near where you work.” –Travis B. ’12
State College, PA
“I rent a house. I found it on Craigslist, and while it’s certainly got its share of problems, the landlord is easy going and the location is nice. I live in a very cute Victorian town outside of State College. It’s small, but has a lot of charm, and the people are friendly. State College is a college football-crazy town, and Friday afternoon commutes through it are hellacious during football season. Never go downtown on a Friday afternoon or Saturday during football season if you want to get out of your car within five hours.” –Hannah V. ’15
Springfield, MA
“The Springfield area is a really cool place to be. I live in the pioneer valley in a town outside of Springfield – it allows me to live in a quiet and relaxing atmosphere, but divulge in a night out when I feel it necessary.” –Morgan P. ’15
Wilmington, DE
“If you live in Wilmington, there is actually a lot of hidden arts and culture especially approaching the Pennsylvania border. Many people don’t realize that the downtown closes at 5 p.m., but Trolley Square is really the neighborhood that has ‘nightlife.’ Juliana’s Peruvian Restaurant is the best food outside of Philly and Rocco’s is the best pizza. Many residents don’t realize that the SEPTA trains extend into Delaware and there are two stations in Wilmington. It is cheaper to buy tickets in the station than on the train. If you choose to get a monthly or weekly SEPTA pass, it is also valid for all local DART buses throughout Wilmington.” –Emily W. ’10
