Welcome

So you’ve started thinking about living off campus next year.  Fantastic!  Both on and off-campus, the University of Rochester is committed to supporting living environments that give students the freedom to pursue their passions and new modes of participation in diverse communities.  UR is committed to supporting students as they embrace the Greater Rochester community and contribute to its dynamism – the city is our campus.

If this will be your first time living off campus, we hope you’ll take full advantage of the University’s resources to make your new living situation a smashing success.  If you need clarification on any of the topics presented here or have a question regarding a particular opportunity, feel free to contact Brian Fleming, Assistant Director of Residential Life for Off-Campus Housing at brian@reslife.rochester.edu or at 585-275-3166.  A companion booklet for this website is also available at the Office of Residential Life, the Common Connection in Wilson Commons, and the Dean of Students Office.

We hope this is the threshold to new freedom, a new mode of participation in a community, new opportunities, and new learning.  Meliora!

Which Neighborhood is Tailor-Made for You?
Learn about all the neighborhoods within Rochester!

Finding a House or Apartment
Budget Tips and Advice, Budget Worksheet, Splitting Bills, Food and Groceries, Winter Heating, Transportation, Pets, Furniture and Kitchenware, Cleaning Supplies, Credit Cards

Lease, Rent, Insure
Lease Information, Security Deposits, Subletting, Maintenance Issues, Lease Questions, Renter’s Insurance

Safety and Security
General Safety, Fire Safety, Walking Home, 311 and 911

Being a Good Neighbor

Renter’s Checklist (PDF)

Legal and Discrimination Issues

Additional Resources

Off-Campus Pamphlet (PDF) Off-Campus Booklet (PDF)

Upcoming Events

Neighborhood Tour
Sunday, March 4
Bus departs IT Center at noon, returns at 2pm
-Tour of the Southwest Rochester and the 19th Ward, Strong/Mt. Hope, South Wedge, and Monroe/Park Ave/Meigs. Space is limited.
(Sponsored by Residential Life, 2008 Class Council, 2009 Class Council, and the Rochester Center for Community Leadership)
Poster for Event

Off-Campus Housing Workshop
Monday, March 26 at 7pm
Stackel Room, Wilson Commons
-Students who are seriously considering moving off campus should not miss this opportunity to learn about preparing a budget, finding an apartment, signing a lease, and maintaining a place of your own. The session will guide participants though each step of the process and provide detailed information on additional campus and community resources.
(Sponsored by Residential Life, 2008 Class Council, 2009 Class Council, and the Rochester Center for Community Leadership)

Just today Claire and I went to the market and the co-op to stock up for the semester. The market was awesome; we forgot bags and cash but there was an ATM at the market and the first vendor gave us cardboard boxes. We got everything we needed for twenty bucks. Then at the coop we spent a good half of an hour filling up containers full of bulk foods - sesame seeds, flax seed, flour, bulgur wheat, all kinds of stuff. I wish I had a camera to take a picture of the back of her car in the snow, filled with all this bulk organic food. Rock on!
- Ethan Borshansky – T5 ’07, 19th Ward - ‘Ecohouse’