How do people find cheap student rooms near US colleges?

1

I’m trying to figure out how students manage to get affordable places to stay near big US universities without breaking their bank balance😭 Are there any tricks or places people look that we usually don’t hear about?

Also would love any tips for accommodation in usa for indian students, if you’re going first time and don’t know anyone. Any advice will be helpful. Thanks!

2

Not gonna lie it’s tough at first but not impossible. Try joining uni-specific whatsapp groups or discord servers before you land – people post open spots, shared rooms, even sublets. Also Facebook groups like “indians at [univ name]” can be super helpful. I found my 1st place from a post there :face_with_peeking_eye: Just act fast bcz good ones go quick.

3

Finding cheap student rooms near U.S. colleges can be challenging, but many students succeed by using a mix of online tools, university resources, and personal strategies. Here’s how they do it:

:white_check_mark: 1. University Resources

  • Campus Housing Office: Many schools offer off-campus housing listings or bulletin boards.
  • Student Forums & Groups: Platforms like Reddit (e.g., r/college or r/[UniversityName]) or university-specific Facebook groups often have room listings and sublet offers.

:white_check_mark: 2. Online Rental Platforms

Some popular websites and apps for student-friendly housing include:

  • Zillow or Apartments.com – Filter by price, distance to campus.
  • Craigslist – Watch out for scams, but many sublets are listed here.
  • Roomster or Roomi – Great for finding roommates.
  • Facebook Marketplace – Active for both short- and long-term rentals.

:white_check_mark: 3. Student Housing Platforms

Sites focused on student needs:

  • College Student Apartments
  • Student.com
  • Unilodgers
  • HousingAnywhere
  • Amberstudent – Useful for international students
4

@Mehakarora5252 I completely understand. Finding affordable housing near big US universities can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re going for the first time and don’t know anyone there.

What helped me was exploring beyond the usual student housing options. I checked Facebook groups, university forums, and websites like Zillow and Roomster. Indian student WhatsApp groups or alumni networks often share leads that aren’t listed publicly, which can be a big help.

Also, consider looking a bit farther from campus, in areas that are well-connected by public transport. Rent tends to be lower, and most college towns have decent bus or train access.