Moving off-campus in Athens is super exciting, but those charming historic houses can sometimes hide a few secrets. Finding the right spot requires looking past a fresh coat of paint and a nice front porch to find somewhere that actually functions well for your busy student lifestyle.
Here’s a practical checklist of 12 things every student should verify when touring potential apartments near Ohio University.
1. Parking
Athens is known for horrible parking options, especially near the campus and uptown areas. If you plan to bring a car, ask about the specific parking situation. Always check if the property includes a dedicated driveway or if you need to buy a city street parking pass.
Street parking means you’ll constantly be fighting for spots on street-sweeping days. Honestly, it’s a bit of a nightmare, so apartments near Ohio University with parking are definitely preferred. If a spot is included, ask whether it costs extra or it’s already part of your base rent.
2. Walkability to Campus
Living near Court Street sounds amazing until you realize you have an 8:00 AM class all the way across campus. Map the walking distance from the apartment directly to the buildings where your major’s classes are held.
Athens is built on hills, so a half-mile walk looks easy on a map but can feel like a mountain hike when you’re carrying a heavy backpack in the snow. Test the walk yourself during your tour day to see if it’s something you can realistically handle every morning.
3. Laundry Access
Try to find apartments near Ohio University that have an in-unit washer and dryer, or at least one inside the building. If there’s a shared laundry room, check how many machines are available for the entire complex. You don’t want to fight your neighbors for a single washer on a Sunday afternoon. Also, ask if the machines require coins or if they use a modern card-swipe system.
4. Lease Flexibility
Most Athens landlords operate on a standard 12-month lease cycle that starts in May or August. However, some students graduate early, study abroad, or only need housing for the academic year.
Ask the landlord about their subleasing policies upfront. You need to know if you’re allowed to find a subleaser for the summer months when you go back home. Some leases strictly prohibit subletting, which means you’ll be on the hook for rent even if you’re not living there.
5. Utility Costs
Rent is only part of your monthly housing budget. Those beautiful, drafty older apartments near Ohio University can come with shockingly high winter heating bills. Ask the landlord for a rough estimate of monthly utilities, or better yet, ask the current tenants if they’re home during your tour. Make sure you know exactly which utilities are your responsibility:
- Gas and electric
- City water and trash
- Internet and cable
6. Water Pressure
Here’s a lifelong hack: whenever you tour an apartment or house, always test turning on showers and sinks.
You’re checking for two things: how strong the water pressure is and how long it takes for the water to get hot. A weak, freezing shower will put you in a terrible mood every single morning before class. And sinks that take forever to get hot water will waste a lot of your time and energy.
7. Natural Light
Basement apartments near Ohio University might be cheap, but living without sunlight can take a massive toll on your mental health.
Pay attention to the size and direction of the windows in the bedrooms and living areas. Good natural light makes small spaces feel much larger and more welcoming. It also helps you keep your utility bills lower since you won’t need to have the lights turned on all day long.
8. Storage Space
College students accumulate a surprising amount of stuff. Open the closets in the bedrooms and check the kitchen cabinet situation. If you’re sharing a kitchen with roommates, you need enough cabinet space for everyone’s groceries and dishes. Lack of storage means your apartment will constantly feel cluttered, no matter how often you clean up.
9. Cell Signal
Athens has some notorious dead zones for cellular service, especially in older buildings with thick plaster walls. Pull out your phone during the tour and check your bars. Walk into the bedroom you plan to claim and try sending a quick text or loading a webpage.
If you have zero service, you’ll have to rely entirely on Wi-Fi calling, which can be highly unreliable during internet outages.
10. Pest Signs
Nobody wants unexpected, many-legged roommates (shudder). Keep an eye out for signs of pests like mice, roaches, or ants, particularly in the kitchen and bathroom areas. We recommend specifically checking the following areas:
- Inside the cabinets under the sinks
- The corners of the baseboards
- Behind appliances like the fridge and stove
- Inside closets or storage areas
If you see traps set out or notice strange droppings, that’s a huge red flag that the building has an ongoing pest issue.
11. Neighborhood Noise Level
What kind of environment do you actually need to succeed in school? Mill Street is famous for weekend festivities, which are fun for socializing but terrible for studying. A better choice is a quieter street with less going on.
Also, pay attention to your immediate neighbors during the tour. Are you next to a massive fraternity house, or is it a quiet street with local families? Drive by apartments near Ohio University on a Friday night to get a realistic sense of weekend noise levels.
12. Landlord Responsiveness
Is a beautiful apartment worth it if the landlord takes three weeks to fix a broken heater? The management company you choose will dictate your entire living experience. Search for reviews of the property management company online to see how they treat their tenants. You can even ask current tenants how maintenance requests are handled.
What to Do After Your Tours of Apartments Near Ohio University
Once you’ve seen a few places, sit down with your future roommates immediately to compare notes. Don’t wait too long, because prime housing near OU gets leased incredibly fast.
Rank your top three choices based on your absolute must-haves versus your nice-to-haves. If you found a place that checks most of your boxes, contact the leasing office right away to secure an application before someone else grabs it.
Find Your Perfect Athens Home With Wharton Rentals
Wharton Rentals is committed to providing OU students with a positive, comfortable off-campus living experience. Whether you’re looking for a cozy apartment near Court Street or a large historic house on North Congress with a great porch, we have plenty of highly-rated options.
We also prioritize responsive maintenance and quality properties so you can focus on your studies and college life. Ready to secure your spot for next year? Browse our available off-campus properties online!
