Columbia University - Off-Campus Housing

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

There are two words that strike fear into the hearts of those seeking an apartment to rent in New York, “broker’s fee.” A broker’s fee is 10 to 20 percent of the first year’s rent that you pay to someone who has spent all of 15 minutes helping you find an apartment. It is difficult to find an apartment without a broker, but it is not impossible. Affordable off-campus housing is usually quite a commute from campus, but some find the extra privacy to be a benefit and use the commutes to study, but the majority end up wishing for a place closer to campus. Most who live off campus, but do not have a lengthy commute, seem happy with their decision to be apart from Columbia, but they often complain about the exorbitant rent and utility bills, not to mention the cost of furniture. Even Ikea can burn a hole in your wallet, but New Yorkers throw away some perfectly good items, so you can always furnish your place with egg crates and cinder blocks until you find some wooden shelves on the sidewalk.

Most leases are for a year, but some find subletting a useful alternative. “Roommate Wanted” signs are posted all over the city, but this can be a bit dangerous. At least with Columbia housing, there is always someone to complain to. When you live with strangers off campus, you are on your own. Finding off-campus housing without a broker’s fee requires money, patience, and a little bit of luck. On-campus housing is easily the best rental deal in New York City, but you have to give up some autonomy.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

I don’t know many people that live... I don’t know many people that live off campus. First of all, living in New York City is very expensive, and the dorms are actually pretty reasonably-priced. Most undergrads that live off campus probably either got kicked out of housing or were transfers. 12345 Off-Campus Housing Report

Anonymous says:

Live on campus. Most housing is... Live on campus. Most housing is pretty good, except for sophomores with bad lottery numbers. I lived in a frat house sophomore and junior years. The newest dorm is called Broadway, and it is pretty nice and has air- conditioning, so the housing situation is even better now. 12345 Off-Campus Housing Report

Anonymous says:

I’m sure that housing off campus... I’m sure that housing off campus is pretty expensive. I only know one person who lives off campus, and his apartment costs him plenty more than my family can afford. 12345 Off-Campus Housing Report

Anonymous says:

Off-campus housing is tough to... Off-campus housing is tough to find; I got lucky. It’s expensive to live off campus. 12345 Off-Campus Housing Report

Anonymous says:

There is an office that helps you... There is an office that helps you find an apartment off campus. Columbia owns a lot of apartment buildings, and the commute in New York is not bad; you can also find a bus or train to get you back and forth. 12345 Off-Campus Housing Report

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