International Services

• About OIS

  • Hours and Location
  • Mission and Goals
  • Organizational Chart
  • Meet our Staff
  • Emergency Contact Information
  • Contact Us

• International Center

  • Programs & Events
  • IC History
  • Student Groups
  • Bloomington Worldwide Friendship

• Student & Scholar Advising

  • Students

    • F-1 Students
    • J-1 Students
    • Orientation

  • Faculty, Staff, & Visitors

    • J-1 Scholars
    • H-1B Employees
    • Permanent Residence
    • Short-term Visitors
  • Living in the U.S.
• Site Map

• Indiana University

  • About IU
  • Bloomington
  • Indianapolis
  • East
  • Fort Wayne
  • Kokomo
  • Northwest
  • South Bend
  • Southeast

 Login  Prepaid Long Distance  Campus Map  Statistical Reports  Donate to OIS  iOffice 2.0

⇒ Student & Scholar Advising ⇒ Living in the US ⇒ On- and Off-Campus Housing Options

On- and Off-Campus Housing Options

This page provides information about on- and off-campus housing options.  Finding and reserving permanent housing takes time, so we urge you to investigate your options now.  You have the choice of choosing on-campus or off-campus housing.  If possible, reserve housing before your arrival.

On-Campus Housing

On-campus housing is found through the Department of Residential Programs and Services (RPS).  On-campus housing is convenient, cost effective, and simple to reserve.

In order to be able to secure the kind of housing arrangements you desire, i.e. number of rooms, amenities, location, etc., you should contact RPS as soon as possible to make arrangements.  If you are traveling with dependents, RPS will want to know your arrival date and the number of persons in your family.  You can find more information about on-campus housing and start the application at the RPS website.  All questions about on-campus housing should be emailed to RPS at housing@indiana.edu.

Although residence hall rooms are furnished, there are some supplies you will need to bring with you or purchase once you arrive in Bloomington. Click here for a list of recommended supplies from RPS.

Note to undergraduates: If you are planning to live on campus, you may want to consider one of IU’s Living-Learning Centers that have an international focus: Foster International, The Global Village, and Kelley Living Learning Center!  For more information, please visit this page.

Incoming first-year undergraduates are required to live on campus.  Please read the policy.

Graduate students may prefer to live in University Apartments or Willkie Residence Hall, as these accommodations may be more suitable to the graduate student lifestyle.  As mentioned above, please refer to the RPS website for more information and address all questions to housing@indiana.edu.

Off-Campus Housing

Accommodations available off-campus include furnished and unfurnished apartments, houses, townhomes, and single rooms within houses for rent.  Some of the advantages to living off-campus include saving money by sharing the cost of housing, utilities, and food with roommates; having a kitchen in which to cook your own meals; and being able to stay in your apartment or house during breaks and vacations.  We would suggest looking at the following websites to begin your search for housing before your arrival to Bloomington:

• OneStart ⇒ Student Tools ⇒ Classifieds ⇒ Roommates & Sublets (You will need to have your network ID set up to use this site)
• Comprehensive apartment search websites (www.apartmentsinbloomington.com, www.apartmentguide.com, www.apartments.com, www.rentalhomesplus.com, www.rent.com, www.mynewplace.com).
• Indiana Daily Student Classified Ads
• Bloomington Herald-Times Classified Ads: The local community newspaper housing listings.
• Craigslist Classified Ads
• GRADUATE STUDENTS: Graduate & Professional Student Organization Housing Bulletin Board
• SCHOLARS AND GRADUATE STUDENTS: Dean of the Faculties Housing Page

Tips for off-campus housing:

• Shop around and compare prices.
• Do not sign a lease until you have inspected the apartment, house, or room.
• Ask questions of former/current tenants or neighbors if possible.
• Check the deposit policy to see if it is refundable.
• Check lease duration!  If you are not going to be in Bloomington for 12 months, try to find a lease for shorter than 12 months.  If you cannot find a shorter lease, plan to sublet (privately lease to another person) during the months you will be gone.
• Negotiate the terms of the lease if you do not agree with all items.
• Get EVERYTHING you agree upon in WRITING!
• Read the entire lease before you sign it.
• Follow all terms of the contract you sign.
• Buy Renter’s or Property insurance (optional, but recommended).

Common Housing Abbreviations:

AC:

air conditioning

Avail:

available

BA:

bathroom

BR:

bedroom

blks:

blocks

DR:

dining room

DW:

dishwasher

frplc:

fireplace

furn:

furnished

gar:

garage

incl:

included

kit:

kitchen

lg:

large

/mo:

per month

pd:

paid

util:

utilities (gas, water, electric)

w/:

with

W/D:

washer and dryer

If you have any questions about housing, please contact the Office of International Services.