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Choosing where to live is usually one of the first decisions you must make when moving to Seattle. Students have the option to live on-campus or off-campus, and there are many choices to fit your lifestyle and preferences.
Click on a topic below for more information:
You may wan to consider the following factors when choosing whether to live in university housing or live in an off-campus house or apartment.
Availability:
Space in UW Residence Halls is limited. Applications should be submitted as soon as they are available. Seattle offers a variety of housing options, but the best, least expensive, and closest apartments or rooms to the university are often leased a few months in advance of a new quarter. Hunting for a place to live can be time-consuming, but armed with appropriate advice you will find a place that best fits your needs.
Convenience:
Generally, you need only walk a short distance from the residence hall to classes, while off-campus apartments vary in distance from campus. Many apartments in the U-District (the neighborhood surrounding the university) are within walking or biking distance, while other neighborhoods have good bus service to UW.
Furnishings:
Residence hall rooms come furnished with two to three beds, desks, chairs, closets, or wardrobes, a telephone line with multiple mailboxes, and Ethernet access. Off-campus housing may be furnished or unfurnished and you may need to set up telephone and utility services.
Cooking:
In most residence halls, access to a full kitchen is limited. You can choose a dining plan most appropriate to your dietary needs and habits. Dining choices range from salad bars to burgers, sandwiches to Pan-Asian entrees, and pasta to Mexican food. If you live off-campus, cooking for yourself can be less expensive, healthier, and more flexible, although more time-consuming. You will need to buy and prepare your meals with food from grocery stores. Eating meals out at local restaurants can become expensive.
Condition:
Residence halls are clean and well maintained. Less expensive off-campus apartments can be a bit run-down; however, most can be made comfortable. Before signing a lease for an apartment, walk through the premises with the landlord and note in writing any needed repairs for their information and for your files.
Privacy:
As residence halls house hundreds of students, sometimes there will be considerable noise. Sharing a room with one or two people calls for adjustment and flexibility. Living in the halls does provide a social atmosphere and the opportunity to meet friends. Apartment living is quieter and more private. You also have more choices about your lifestyle.
Legal Obligations:
Both a residence hall housing contract and an apartment lease are legally binding documents. The housing contract is for the academic year, but you can leave early and pay an extra fee. An apartment lease is difficult to break; however, you have a few options for the length of a lease, which you will need to negotiate with your landlord or with Student Legal Services (HUB G-16).
Cost:
Residence hall costs for room and board are usually competitive with Seattle housing rates. Depending on the neighborhood, you may be able to rent inexpensive housing jointly with other students and share food, rent, and utility costs. Or, you may spend a considerable amount more for a private and comfortable apartment.
Living with a Roommate:
Sharing space with new people, whether you are sharing a bedroom, kitchen, living room, or bathroom, can be both a positive and negative experience. To make the best of your living situation, a good policy is openness, communication, and honesty with your roommate(s). It is a good idea to meet with a prospective or assigned roommate to discuss issues such as privacy, guests, phone use, schedules, study and social habits, and—if applicable—food, chores, cleaning, and finances.
Application Process
Acceptance to the UW does not mean you will automatically receive housing. If you wish to live on campus, apply as soon as possible as housing assignments are prioritized by the date the application is received. By August, much of the on-campus housing is full for Fall Start students, so remember to apply early!
For more information on the different types of on-campus housing available:
Housing and Food Service Office
301 Schmitz Hall
(206) 543-4059
Email: hsfinfo@u.washington.edu
Residence Halls
There are nine halls on the UW campus, which house over 5,000 students. New residents are usually assigned to Stevens Court Building L, Terry, Lander and Mercer Halls, located on southwest campus; and Haggett, McCarty and McMahon Halls, located on north campus. Students who are at least 20 years old and returning residents are eligible to live in Hansee Hall and 2104 House, both on north campus. Most new students are assigned to double or triple rooms. All halls are smoke-free and coeducational, which means that men and women live in different rooms, on the same floor or on separate corridors. Rooms are furnished, but do not have bedding or linen. Dining areas are located throughout campus and the Husky Card payment system simplifies the purchasing process.
Stevens Court:
Stevens Court offers 28 one-bedroom apartments for married couples or registered same-sex domestic partners with no children. Included in the monthly rent are satellite TV, Ethernet access to UW computer systems and e-mail, and utilities. Laundry facilities are available on site.
Commodore Duchess Apartments:
The one-bedroom apartments are primarily for married or domestic partners currently enrolled in classes. Students must be at least 20 years of age to rent. Studios are available for single students on a limited basis. The apartments are completely unfurnished.
Radford Court:
Unfurnished apartments located three miles northeast of UW are available for single students, couples, and families.
Nordheim Court:
Furnished apartments located near University Village Shopping Center (approximately half a mile from campus) with utilities and fitness center included.
Blakeley Village and Laurel Village:
Two-, or three-bedroom unfurnished apartments are available for students with families (married couples or registered domestic partners, with children). These apartments are located about one mile east of campus. These popular options offer affordable pricing and an academically- and family- oriented community.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I apply for On-Campus Housing?
You must apply for housing through the HFS and pay a deposit. If accepted, you will receive an assignment letter (for residence hall housing) or an offer for an apartment (for family and single-student housing) from the Housing Student Services Office. Offers are sent out during the end of summer for autumn move-ins. Remember, even if you have already applied, do not assume that you will automatically be assigned housing.
When can I move in?
If you have a confirmed reservation for single student housing, you will need to arrange a move-in appointment with the housing office. Move-in appointments are scheduled Monday-Friday during business hours (8am-5pm). Rooms in the UW Residence Halls open a few days before classes begin so if you move in before classes start keep in mind campus that food services are limited until the first day of class.
NOTE: If you are arriving for Autumn Quarter International Student Orientation and would like to move in to the residence halls before they open, you may apply for Early Arrival Housing. Please see the HFS website for details.
Please contact HFS at hfsinfo@u.washington.edu if you have any questions.
Can my family live on campus with me?
The UW offers housing for students with families. Family housing generally has a waiting list, so it is important to apply now. There is usually a 6-18 month waiting period before placements are issued in the family housing properties. The waiting list is compiled by a priority system and "date of application." Please contact HFS for more information.
If you plan to rent private housing, here are some places to look:
- Come to the FIUTS office (HUB 302B). We have several postings in our office often from people interested
in international students.
- The Off-Campus Housing Affairs (OCHA) office is one of the best resources available to students. You can browse through housing listings both in their office and online. You should also pick up a of their “Husky Housing Handbook” for tips on finding housing, landlord-tenant relations, and limited legal advice. housing listed by price range.
- Craigslist is a popular website that lists rooms and apartments for rent.
- There are advertisements in the local newspapers such as the University
of Washington Daily, The Stranger, The
SeattleWeekly, and The Seattle Times.
- Students often find housing t by walking around the University District neighborhood
looking for the "For Rent" signs displayed on local apartments and
houses.
Be sure you are familiar with U.S. landlord-tenant rights and responsibilities. While most landlords generally follow the law, some may try to take advantage of students who are unfamiliar with local regulations. For further information on your rights as a tenant, visit the following sites:
Classified advertisements in the newspaper are yet another way to look for housing. Newspapers charge per letter, so often people shorten their ad's wording to save money. Here are some common abbreviations you may come across:
A/C - air conditioning
dplx – duplex (2 apartments in a house)
DW - dishwasher
fp – fireplace
furn/unfurn - Furniture provided/furniture not provided
hdwd flrs – hardwood floors
Lg 1 Br 1 Ba. - A large one-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment
loc - located
NP – no pets
nr - near
NS – no smoking
off st prkg – off street parking
pvt ent – private entry
sec -secure
strg - storage
util incl – utilities included
W/D or lndry- Clothes washer and dryer or laundry
w/w carpet – wall to wall carpet
FIUTS Homestay Program
The FIUTS homestay is a great option to choose for your arrival. Your homestay includes airport pickup and a week at the host’s home. Hosts are an excellent resource and often take their students around to see the city, help them shop for everything needed to move in to a place, etc. It is a great way to be welcomed to a new country and learn about the US as well as teach someone about your country. There is a fee in addition to the $65 Orientation fee. For more info, go to our Homestay Page or contact the FIUTS Homestay Coordinator.
Hotels and Hostels:
There are many hotels and hostels located throughout the city. Hostels are generally cheaper than hotels, and attract younger guests who stay in dormitory-style bunk beds shared with other guests. Hostels often have common areas such as kitchens, t.v. lounges, etc. Whether you stay in a hostel or a hotel, it is a a good idea to ask about discounts if you plan to stay more than a few days - many hotels have weekly rates.
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