University of South DakotaOff-Campus Housing Summary

Most students move off campus after their sophomore year because they want more room, less rules, and a personal bathroom. There also seems to be the desire not to have to worry about dorm security systems or food plans. If you decide to live off campus, you’ll find a wide variety of options. Living close to campus places a person in the party areas of Vermillion and promises loud weekends. Living downtown proves the same, so head away from the University if you’re looking for quieter neighborhoods. Students tend to control the areas near USD, around downtown, and on the far east side of town where many new duplexes are going up.

Relationships between townies and USD students tend to be good ones, although you’ll find a neighbor now and then that despises students. Feel free to ask landlords or current tenants about the neighborhood, as they will probably be honest with you about the situation. Landlords can also be an issue in Vermillion, and leases vary from owner to owner. Watch leases that require a full year’s length of stay, and be sure to ask landlords about their policies on deposit returns and house-related problems like leaky faucets or broken air conditioners. Some landlords allow for tenants to have parties, others don’t.