The University of Georgia requires all first year students to live on campus in the residence halls. While many agree that this “dorm experience” is an essential part of college life, this isn’t the most popular housing option for students following their freshman year. In fact, only 11% of sophomores and upperclassmen live on campus.
@ramblerathens Are you a UGA student looking to live off-campus? Here are 3 locations to keep in mind! #uga #godawgs #uga24 #uga25 ♬ Aesthetic – Tollan Kim
Since it is not mandatory to live on campus at UGA after freshman year, you might find yourself searching for off-campus housing for a variety of reasons. You may be tired of sharing your space, you might wish to stay in Athens for the summer, or maybe you just can’t take the idea of a community bathroom. Whatever your reason may be, you have plenty of options for where to live off-campus near UGA.
Read Next: Ultimate Guide to Living Off-Campus for UGA Students
At Rambler, we understand that the reasons students choose to live off-campus differ greatly, and knowing where to start your search can be confusing. For this reason, we have created this comprehensive guide to help you in your search for off-campus housing near UGA.
Where to Live Off-Campus near UGA
Today, we’ll be going over three of the most popular places to live near UGA campus:
Downtown
With vibrant murals, lively bars, and plenty of restaurants just steps from your door, downtown is a highly sought after location for students looking to live off-campus.
Downtown is most popular among students who enjoy the nightlife and events that Athens has to offer. Conveniently located adjacent to campus, so it is a great option for students who wish to walk or bike to class.
Photo Courtesy of 5 Market Realty.
Downtown gives the flexibility to choose your involvement both on- and off-campus, which is why many students live in this area. Additionally, living in an apartment downtown gives students a taste of independence and responsibility while still being close to campus and their friends.
Read Next: What Types of Housing Are Available for UGA Students?
Downtown has both traditional and student housing apartments. Although rent prices are highest in this area of Athens, its in the heart of the action, making higher rent worthwhile for many students.
Apartments
With high-end amenities and fully-furnished apartments, downtown has many apartment complexes that are made to suit your needs as a student at UGA. Students living in downtown apartments hangout at the pool, practice yoga with friends and pull all-nighters in the study rooms.
These apartments are built with students in mind to try to help balance your social life and academics. Additionally, neighboring your peers makes it easy to meet new people and feel connected within UGA’s community.
You won’t find yourself underwhelmed with the amount of apartment options downtown. These apartments, as complexes and individual units above the businesses, will allow you both your academic and social life to thrive.
Some popular apartments for students downtown are The Mark, The Standard, Georgia Heights, Fred’s Historic Properties, and Uncommon Athens.
Read Next: 8 Steps to Finding a Student Apartment Near UGA Campus
Milledge Avenue
Photo Courtesy of Alpha Phi.
Along Milledge Avenue you will see large, beautiful homes with Greek life members playing frisbee, sunbathing in rocking chairs on the porch, or running to catch the bus. No matter the time of day, you won’t feel bored living on Milledge. If you value living in the Greek community and a quick commute to class, Milledge is the place for you.
Historic homes of UGA’s Greek life and local businesses line Milledge. You will also find traditional houses for students in the surrounding areas on this street. Whether you wish to live in your Greek house, an apartment or a traditional house nearby, you won’t be disappointed with the sense of community on Milledge.
Greek Houses
UGA’s Greek houses are predominantly located on Milledge Avenue and the surrounding area. These grand homes are breathtaking and can house 50 students on average, making them the perfect location for social butterflies and Greek life members.
Living in a Greek house gives students a sense of community and belonging. UGA’s Greek houses offer common areas for socializing and studying, making them a popular choice for Greek members. Typically, Greek houses are available for second-year Greek members. However, each chapter has their own process for choosing who lives in their house. Students who choose to live in a Greek house are provided with opportunities to get involved in their community and bond with their pledge class.
It is entirely up to the organization to set their pricing, but you can expect to pay a similar amount to that of UGA’s dorms.
Read Next: Where Do UGA Students Live: Alternatives to Greek Housing
Apartments
Milledge Avenue has some apartments, which are a great option if you’d like to be close to campus and Greek houses. Living in an apartment near or on Milledge gives students the ability to thrive socially and academically while giving them their own private space away from the dual-occupancy rooms typically found in Greek houses.
There are both traditional and student housing apartments available to students on and around Milledge. Student housing apartments in this location typically do not have the elevated amenities offered by the larger buildings downtown. Additionally, traditional apartments typically come unfurnished.
Apartments on or near Milledge have a similar price tag to their downtown counterparts, ranging from around $1,000 to $1,600. This is mainly due to location and the popularity of students wanting to live near campus as well as their Greek house.
Traditional Houses
For many upperclassmen, a house on or around Milledge is the perfect option. With numerous options and houses with up to nine bedrooms, students who wish to live with a large group of friends often opt for a traditional house. Living in this area as an upperclassman allows students to continue to be involved with their Greek organization without sacrificing personal space.
The houses on Milledge are spacious, making them perfect for students who are looking to live with their friends. These houses do not come with amenities like a gym or study rooms, but many have private porches and fire pits.
Houses come unfurnished and are typically cheaper per person than apartments, but there are additional fees such as trash and utilities that you and your roommates will have to take into account.
Houses also include parking, which is highly sought-after in Athens. Additionally, houses do not offer individual leases, so all residents will be equally responsible for collecting the money and paying your landlord.
Read Next: 5 Benefits of Living in a New Student Apartment in Athens, GA
Five Points
Photo Courtesy of 3tree Realty.
Five Points, located just south of campus, is home to many UGA students. The area is populated with stores, coffee shops and other businesses that residents utilize frequently.
Aside from the ease that comes with walking to one of the numerous restaurants in this area for a quick bite, students also enjoy the short walk to campus and bus access that Five Points offers. Additionally, Five Points is significantly quieter than downtown, making it an ideal spot for upperclassmen or graduate students who prefer a calmer neighborhood.
For upperclassmen, Five Points checks the boxes. Students enjoy the laid-back lifestyle that Five Points offers; you can grab take-out, sit on the patio at one of many restaurants, or stop in for groceries just steps from your door.
Traditional Houses
Traditional houses in Five Points are cheaper than those on Milledge, largely due to the fact that Five Points is farther from downtown and campus.
Houses in Five Points are done through a traditional lease and come unfurnished. Similar to houses around Milledge, these houses do not offer amenities aside from a porch in most cases.
Houses in Five Points are perfect for those who wish to live with a group of friends in a private, walkable area. If you do not have a car, it is important to keep in mind that Five Points is located two miles from downtown and the bus system is not always reliable.
Apartments
Apartments in Five Points are cheaper than downtown, but there are fewer options. There are only a handful of apartments in this area, so if you are hoping to live near Five Points, start looking as soon as possible. We recommend starting your search at least a full calendar year prior to move-in, so if you are hoping to live in Five Points for the 2024-2025 school year, you should start looking in the spring of 2023.
In terms of amenities, apartments in Five Points don’t have as much to offer compared to the student housing apartments downtown.
Apartments in Five Points typically offer traditional leases rather than individual leases, so you and your roommates will be equally responsible for your space.
Many students enjoy living in Five Points because it feels like its own mini town within Athens, and you are never far from anything you may need.
To help you simplify your UGA housing search, we’ve put together a complete guide to off-campus housing near UGA:
We hope that this guide helps you explore your choices when it comes to choosing an off-campus neighborhood near UGA. If you have any questions, please visit our website or contact our leasing staff. We are more than happy to help you in your search for housing.
