A lot happens in the shift from dorm life to living in an off-campus student home. Long gone are the days of sharing a bathroom with dozens of other students. The same goes for communal kitchens – those are a thing of the past. This time is about maximizing the college experience and experiencing real freedom.
Athens is a fairly compact, walkable college town. Due to its many noteworthy hills, distance matters, and it pays to live in a rental apartment near Ohio University’s campus. Students who rent a house around the corner from Ohio University experience time savings, seamless social life integration, and even financial benefits.
The Advantage of Saving Time
Easily the biggest advantage of a spacious rental home across the street from Ohio University is the time saved each day. While tons of students spend time commuting in their cars to campus, whether that’s from further rentals or somewhere outside of Athens, students close to campus have a different commute. It’s called “roll out of bed.” The time saved not being stuck in traffic adds up quickly. The time saved translates directly into more time studying, sleeping, or being social.
Close proximity to academic hubs saves time for students, too. Instead of hopping in a car and traveling, students are only a short walk away from key locations like the Alden Library, the main academic buildings, and the Ping Recreation Center. Suddenly, meeting for those late-night group projects doesn’t seem so daunting. Homes available for rent down the street from Ohio University keep students close to what matters most.
Perhaps the biggest advantage for students, though, is the mid-day reset. This is only possible in a rental apartment that’s close to campus. Students who live near campus can run home between classes. Whether that’s 15 minutes or a full hour between classes, it gives students the chance to reset, grab lunch at home, or even change clothes. Getting a short break between classes helps improve focus for the rest of the day.
Social and Campus Life Integration
Living in apartments near Ohio University means students have very little getting in the way of their social and campus lives. After all, it’s much easier to participate in campus events when home is only a short walk away. In particular, students who are in rentals near Ohio University’s campus live right next to Court Street, the heart of Athens. Court Street is home to dozens of restaurants, cafes, and bars that students absolutely love. If students get together to hang out after classes, there’s a fair chance that it’ll be somewhere along Court Street.
In rental homes that are a short walk from Ohio University, students find community, too. The Mill-Stewart-Palmer Street neighborhood – the residential area closest to campus – is filled with student housing. It’s a tight-knit community of what are almost exclusively college students. A well-defined neighborhood like this allows students to easily host study groups with nearby classmates, hold impromptu parties and barbecues, and participate in other events.
Students are also close to university resources. The Ping Recreation Center is a short walk from the apartments that are close to campus. The Ping Rec Center is a state-of-the-art fitness facility, and access is included in every student’s tuition. It’s a resource that should absolutely be taken advantage of. Similarly, student health services and the administrative buildings are practically down the street from the off-campus rentals.
Rentals Near Campus Save Students Money, Too
It sounds contradictory, but living in a chic student apartment near Ohio University actually saves students money. Ohio University parking passes and car lots are in scarce supply and come at a premium. The Ohio University off-campus rentals in the area typically include off-street parking of some kind. Off-street parking is almost mandatory in Athens. If cars parked on the street aren’t moved every 24 hours, students face the risk of a potential ticket. A close rental almost eliminates the need for a car entirely, given how walkable downtown Athens is.
In fact, not bringing a car to campus saves students major money. There’s no need to purchase a parking spot for rent. Car insurance can be skipped entirely if no one is driving the car. Plus, students are more likely to walk to stores in search of items such as groceries and classroom supplies.
While it’s true that student homes that are available to rent right around campus tend to cost more per month in terms of rent, that cost evens out in the end. When compared with transportation costs and the value of time, the premium for a sought-after location isn’t that costly.
Proximity to Ohio University isn’t just a convenience. It’s a deliberate choice that leads to convenience, time saved, and the best years of a college student’s life.