Your guide to housing and life near campus, written by alumni.
Where to start
Most WashU students sign their lease for the following academic year between January and April. If you are arriving in August and only start looking in June or July, the best apartments in the most convenient locations are often already taken. Starting your search early, even from abroad, gives you access to more options and more time to ask questions before committing.
Most apartments near WashU's Danforth Campus run on a lease from August to July. You are responsible for rent for the full 12 months, including winter break and summer. If you are planning to travel home during those periods, factor that into your budget. Some landlords offer shorter lease terms, but they are uncommon and usually come at a higher monthly cost.
Most landlords in the U.S. will ask for a combination of the following when you apply for an apartment. Having these documents ready before you start your search will save you a lot of time.
A guarantor is someone who agrees to cover your rent if you are unable to pay. Most landlords in the U.S. require one, and they typically need to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident with a strong credit history. For international students, this is one of the biggest hurdles.
If a landlord requires a guarantor and you do not have one, here are common alternatives they may accept:
Some landlords do not require a guarantor at all. If this is a concern for you, ask upfront before investing time in an application.
International students arriving in the U.S. typically have no local credit file. This is normal and does not disqualify you from renting. What landlords are really looking for is evidence that you can pay. Bank statements, scholarship letters, and proof of funding accomplish the same goal. Once you arrive, opening a local bank account and getting a secured credit card will help you start building credit for future leases.
International students are frequently targeted by rental scams, especially when searching remotely. The most common red flags are landlords who ask you to wire money before signing a lease, listings that seem too good for the price, and requests for payment through informal channels like Zelle or Venmo before you have seen a contract. Never send money before you have a signed lease in hand.
Rent is paid monthly. Near WashU, expect to pay between $1,000 and $2,000 per month per bedroom, depending on the building, location, and whether the apartment is furnished. Utilities such as electricity, gas, water, and internet may or may not be included in your rent. Always confirm exactly what is covered before signing anything.
Most apartments near WashU are unfurnished. This means no bed, no desk, no couch, no kitchen table. If you are arriving from another country, buying or shipping furniture on top of everything else is a significant logistical and financial burden.
A fully furnished apartment includes everything you need to move in immediately. At minimum, look for: bed frame and mattress, desk and chair, dresser or storage, couch and living room furniture, and kitchen appliances. Some furnished apartments also include in-unit laundry.
If you are considering an unfurnished apartment, factor in the cost of furniture before comparing prices. What looks cheaper per month may end up being more expensive overall once you account for furnishing the space. Also keep in mind that if you sign a 10 or 12 month lease and plan to move to a different apartment the following year, you will need to figure out where to store that furniture between leases. That is an extra cost and logistical headache that most students do not anticipate.
Always ask and confirm in writing exactly what is included in your monthly rent. Common utilities to ask about: electricity and gas, water and sewage, internet, in-unit laundry or access to shared machines. If utilities are not included, budget an additional $100 to $200 per month, especially in winter.
In-unit laundry means a washer and dryer inside your apartment. Shared laundry means a communal space in the building, often coin-operated or app-based. In-unit laundry is more convenient and saves money over time.
The Delmar Loop area immediately adjacent to WashU is the most convenient location for most students. From there, you can walk or bike to campus in under 15 minutes. The WashU shuttle system covers several stops in the surrounding neighborhood and is free for students.
A lease is a legally binding document. Before signing, make sure you understand the lease term, monthly rent amount, what happens if you need to break the lease early, rules about guests and subletting, and who is responsible for repairs and maintenance. If you want extra help, WashU's OISS office can point you toward student legal resources that can review a lease for free.
St. Louis has several neighborhoods where WashU students typically live. Each one has a different character, price range, and distance from campus.
University City is the neighborhood that borders the WashU Danforth Campus to the north and west, and it is where most WashU undergraduates end up living. The heart of U City for students is Delmar Boulevard, home to the Delmar Loop, named one of the 10 Great Streets in America by the American Planning Association in 2007. Washington Avenue runs parallel to Delmar and is one of the most popular streets for WashU students. The WashU shuttle has stops along Wash Ave, making it easy to get to campus even in bad weather without a car.
Located just north of Forest Park, Skinker-DeBaliviere is a quieter, more residential neighborhood popular with WashU graduate students. It sits between two MetroLink light rail stops and is less than a mile from the Delmar Loop. Rent here tends to be slightly lower than in University City, and apartments are generally larger.
Clayton is the county seat of St. Louis County and sits just south of the WashU campus. It has a more urban, professional feel with upscale restaurants, shops, and a well-maintained downtown. Many WashU graduate and law school students live here. Rent is generally higher than in U City or Skinker-DeBaliviere.
DeMun is a smaller, charming neighborhood on the west side of Forest Park, known for its tree-lined streets and local character. Apartments here tend to be larger and cheaper than in the Central West End. Getting to campus from DeMun typically requires a bike or car, especially in winter.
WashU offers shuttle routes that run from 7am to 11pm on weekdays and 12pm to 11pm on weekends. If you are arriving from abroad without a car, prioritize neighborhoods within walking or biking distance of campus, or with easy access to the shuttle or MetroLink.
Finding an apartment from abroad means you will be doing most of your research online. Here are the most useful platforms for WashU students searching near campus.
One of the largest rental platforms in the U.S. Listings are verified and include photos, floor plans, pricing, and availability.
Visit site →Specifically focused on furnished rentals. Particularly useful for international students who do not want to deal with buying furniture.
Visit site →An international student focused platform with listings near WashU. Designed specifically for students searching from abroad.
Visit site →Search "WashU Off Campus Housing" or "WashU Sublets." Active but informal. Exercise caution and never send money without a signed lease.
A few things to keep in mind
Always request a video tour before committing to anything. If a landlord refuses or pressures you to sign or pay quickly, move on.
Never pay a deposit or first month's rent via wire transfer, Zelle, Venmo, or any informal payment method before signing a lease.
If you are looking for a fully furnished apartment near WashU, Clock Tower Company is worth a close look.
Clock Tower was founded by a WashU alumnus who graduated in 2018 and built the company specifically for WashU students. Every building is within walking distance of the WashU Danforth Campus and the Delmar Loop, and every apartment comes fully furnished and move-in ready.
You arrive, you move in. No furniture shopping, no trips to IKEA, no coordinating deliveries from abroad. Everything you need is already there: bed frame and mattress, desk and chair, dresser, couch, dining table, and full kitchen with appliances.
Visit Clock Tower
Browse available units, see photos, and get in touch with the leasing team at clocktowercompany.com. You can also schedule a virtual tour if you are searching from abroad.
If you are a WashU student living off campus, the Delmar Loop will quickly become your neighborhood. It is the stretch of Delmar Boulevard that runs along the northern edge of campus, and it is where most students spend a large part of their time outside of class.
The Loop is an entertainment and dining district with over 50 restaurants, live music venues, coffee shops, bars, and boutique stores spread across six blocks. The American Planning Association named it one of the 10 Great Streets in America, and it is all within walking distance if you live in University City.
The Loop has one of the most diverse food scenes in St. Louis. You will find Thai, Korean, Indian, Greek, Mexican, Japanese, Chinese, Middle Eastern, and American food all within a few blocks of each other. A few standouts worth knowing: Nudo House for ramen, Gyro House for Greek food, Fitz's for classic American burgers and their famous root beer, Salt + Smoke for Texas-style barbecue, Movoc Hot Pot, and Tous Les Jours for coffee and pastries.
The Loop is home to three music venues: The Pageant, Delmar Hall, and the Duck Room at Blueberry Hill. Together they host artists at every level, from emerging acts to established names.
Embedded in the sidewalk along Delmar, brass plaques commemorate famous St. Louisans including Chuck Berry, Miles Davis, Tina Turner, and Maya Angelou. You will walk past them on your way to class.
From May through September, free outdoor concerts are held at Phillip Lucier Park on Delmar every Sunday. For a full list of restaurants, shops, and events, visit visittheloop.com, managed by the Loop Special Business District.
St. Louis has a strong culture of community organizations. One worth knowing about is Building Futures, a design and build workshop based in Old North St. Louis that offers free STEAM programs for youth ages 5 to 18. If you are interested in volunteering or connecting with the broader St. Louis community during your time here, it is a meaningful place to start.
St. Louis is primarily a car city, but as a WashU student you have several good options for getting around without one, especially if you live in University City or along Washington Avenue.
WashU operates ten free shuttle routes for students, faculty, and staff. The most useful ones for daily life are the Delmar Loop Shuttle, the Shopper Shuttle (Saturdays, to Target and grocery stores), the Skinker-DeBaliviere Shuttle, and the Campus Circulator. Shuttles run from 7am to 11pm on weekdays and 12pm to 11pm on weekends.
Download the TripShot app and log in with your WashU key to see real-time locations, routes, and schedules. Full information at universityservices.washu.edu.
WashU provides all full-time students with a free Metro U-Pass, which gives you unlimited rides on MetroLink (light rail) and MetroBus across the entire St. Louis region. MetroLink runs seven days a week from around 5am to 1am. There are two stations on the WashU Danforth Campus: Big Bend and Skinker. Download the Transit app to plan trips and track buses in real time.
Biking is a popular option for WashU students living close to campus, especially in spring and fall. WashU has bike paths connecting the campus to surrounding neighborhoods, and bike registration is free. Keep in mind that St. Louis winters can be cold and icy, so biking is less practical from November through February.
If you are living in University City or along Washington Avenue, you can get through your first year comfortably without a car. The shuttle covers the Loop, the U-Pass covers MetroLink, and rideshare covers the gaps. If you need a car occasionally, WashU offers an Enterprise CarShare program that lets students rent a car by the hour from locations around campus.
One of the most pleasant surprises for WashU students arriving in St. Louis is how affordable the city is compared to other major university cities in the U.S. The overall cost of living in St. Louis is about 11% lower than the national average, and significantly lower than cities like Chicago, Boston, New York, or San Francisco.
A realistic weekly grocery budget for one person is $50 to $90, depending on what you eat and where you shop. The main supermarkets near WashU are Schnucks and Trader Joe's, both accessible via the WashU Shopper Shuttle on Saturdays. If you cook most of your meals at home, you can keep your food costs around $200 to $350 per month.
A casual meal at a restaurant runs $12 to $20 per person. A sit-down dinner at a mid-range restaurant is around $25 to $40 per person. Fast food and takeout average $10 to $15.
| Rent | $1,000 to $2,000 |
| Utilities (if not included) | $80 to $150 |
| Internet (if not included) | $40 to $70 |
| Groceries | $200 to $350 |
| Dining out | $100 to $200 |
| Transportation | $0 to $50 |
| Phone plan | $25 to $45 |
| Personal expenses | $100 to $200 |
| Total (estimated) | $1,500 to $2,800 |
Note: some landlords include utilities and internet in the rent as a flat monthly fee per bedroom. Always confirm what is and is not included before signing.
Adjusting to life in a new country while starting university is a lot to manage at once. The good news is that WashU has a strong infrastructure for helping international students get connected, and the campus culture is genuinely welcoming to people from all over the world.
WashU has over 400 student organizations covering virtually every interest. The easiest way to explore what is available is through WUGO (Washington University Group Organizer). Every fall and spring semester, WashU hosts an Activities Fair on the first Friday after classes begin, with over 400 groups participating.
One of the fastest ways to build community as an international student is to connect with a cultural organization. WashU has active groups representing students from across the world. A good place to start is WashU's Instagram @washu, where you can find and follow many of the international student communities on campus. These organizations host events throughout the year and are a good way to find community from your home country while also meeting students from other backgrounds.
OISS (Office for International Students and Scholars) is your primary institutional resource at WashU for anything related to your visa, immigration status, and life as an international student. They also organize orientation events and programming specifically for international students at the start of each semester.
For exchange students specifically, WashU's Overseas Programs office runs a Buddy Program that pairs you with a WashU student who has recently studied abroad. It is a low-pressure way to have a point of contact who knows the university.
St. Louis has a lot to offer beyond WashU. Forest Park, one of the largest urban parks in the country, is a short bike ride from campus and home to the Saint Louis Zoo, Saint Louis Art Museum, and Saint Louis Science Center, all free to the public. Getting involved both on campus and in the city makes a real difference in how quickly you feel settled.