Off-Campus Living

For many students, cost is a big deciding factor in deciding to live off campus. Rental rates may be cheaper the further away you move from campus, and cooking your own meals can also help reduce monthly expenses. Living off campus also offers a change of environment, increased independence and opportunities to practice personal and financial responsibility. And renting generally helps secure year-round housing—important if you'd like to work, take classes or do an internship in the area.

However, living on campus can give you more predictability and support. Utilities, furniture and food costs are all built into your housing package, and you don’t need to worry about the cost of commuting if you live farther away from RISD. It’s also easier to change your room on campus than to get out of an off-campus lease if you need to leave your living arrangement. Living on campus also provides more reliable access to maintenance services, security and an overall sense of connectedness to campus life.

The rental market in Providence is very competitive, so you should begin your apartment hunt as early as November. If you plan to move in with friends, talk about money, living style, location, amenities and your process right away.

A good time to start checking out apartments is in January during Wintersession, when you might not have as busy a schedule as in the spring. This also gives you time before on-campus housing selection begins in case you change your mind about moving off campus.

Many more apartments usually come available in March and April, when current tenants inform landlords that they don’t plan to renew their lease. It’s best to secure something by this time, but don’t feel pressured to sign a lease for a space you and/or your roommates are not comfortable with. Even if you don’t take part in housing selection, rooms on campus usually come available during the summer.

Be as prepared and timely as possible. You’ll want to know exactly what you are looking for in an apartment and what options exist within your budget. Typically, apartments require a deposit—and sometimes this can be equal to three months’ rent. Plan ahead with both your money and your time. 
 

Among available search apartment tools, our partners at JumpOffCampus list properties in the area that are specifically targeted towards college students.

Our colleagues at Brown University also share an extensive compilation of apartment listings in the area.

RISD does not have an off-campus listing site of our own and are not affiliated with any that propose to be. Do not consider information provided by any such organization as an official RISD resource or service. We do not verify the accuracy of these listings and are not responsible for injury or loss related to or arising out of these listings. RISD, its departments and its contractors, employees, agents and representatives are released from liability of any kind in relation to or arising out the use of information supplied from such search sites.

Further, we do not investigate, endorse or guarantee the accuracy of any listings, the quality of the facility, or the individuals, companies or firms associated with these listings. If you use these services you do so at your own risk. RISD, its officers, agents and employees shall not be liable for any actions occurring as a result of arrangements made between users of these services. Use your best judgement when connecting with any leasing company you interact with as part of your apartment search.

Make sure you will be safe in your living space. When viewing apartments, ask about window and door locks, who might have access to the apartment, and consider safety issues related to the floor that the unit is located. Safety also includes access to hot water, electricity and other necessities in severe weather, power outages, or other damage. When you speak to the landlord or leasing company, ask about maintenance and repair processes. 
 

To protect your personal belongings, you may want to purchase renter’s insurance, which can cover property loss or damage related to theft, floods, accidents and other unforeseen circumstances.

If you are interested in this kind of property protection, we have partnered with College Student Insurance to provide you with rates as low as $69 per year. Go online to get a quote and, if you purchase, receive instant coverage. Designed specifically for students, policies come with deductibles as low as $25.

For more information, see this overview from Consumers Advocate.

RISD occupies an urban campus whose buildings and facilities intermingle with residential neighborhoods, and a significant number of our students live off-campus in the greater Providence community. As a student working and living in this community, your conduct reflects not only on yourself, but also on the college. As such, we require all students to abide by our Good Neighbor Policy.