What Millennials Look for in Off-Campus Housing

By Danni White on November 20, 2016

More today than ever before, students are opting to live in off-campus housing arrangements. Part of the pull in this direction is because a good number of housing developers are finding out what amenities and services appeal to the millennial student population.

According to the MultiFamily Executive Magazine Student Housing Concept Community Survey, What Millennials Want: Resident Preferences in Student Housing Design and Amenities, “to satisfy both cost and quality of life requirements, most students have moved (or desire to move) off-campus into modernized student housing communities.”

Image via Pexels

It turns out that there are several key factors surrounding this move including: communities close to campus, ample storage space, a fitness center, and individualized bathrooms and/or bedrooms. This is more so the case with females at 69  percent than males at 31 percent, according to the survey.

What it boils down to overall is that millennials are looking for luxury amenities that they can’t get on campus at a reasonable price they can afford. Property managers are helping to make this possible with price ranges of $600 for undergraduates and $700 for graduates.

National Multi Housing Council Senior Vice President Jim Arbury said the following.

“Today’s students prefer off-campus student housing to dorm life for a variety of reasons, such as cost, freedom and more space, but they appear to be most interested in the social opportunities these properties enable and encourage and the opportunity to be on their own for the first time.”

Here are a few things that are important to millennials when it comes to off-campus student housing.

Internet, WiFi, and Cable Access

In an increasingly technological era, millennials don’t like to be without connection. It’s one of the worst feelings ever. They place a high value on having access to high-speed internet, WiFi and cable in their apartments. To ensure your place gets a look by college students, invest in a top-notch cable and internet provider who is reliable, delivers solid service, and is quick to fix any malfunctions or outages.

Closet Space

By definition, an apartment has more space than a dorm room and less space than a full house. Many millennials have not accumulated a lot of furniture at this stage in their lives, but they still want more than enough room to keep their clothes and other belongings. Space also includes having big storage areas as well as full bathrooms and large kitchens.

Kitchen Space

As more millennials aim to keep their lifestyle high but their costs low, dine-in is becoming so old school and cooking at home is the latest trend. Wide open, modern kitchens can be a major deal breaker for the 61 percent of millennials who now cook their own food. A reasonably sized kitchen can also be helpful when there are two or three people living in the apartment.

Cost Effectiveness

With the cost of tuition skyrocketing, students could avoid the added headache of monthly rent. Property managers can consider the cost of living in their area as well as the location of the property. For example, apartments near a college campus might want to be lower in cost than those farther away. Many millennials are willing to pay a pretty penny — anywhere from $650 to $1,000 — for a decent place that includes amenities they care about.

Safety of Property

According to an infographic by Appfolio Property Manager, 76 percent of millennials report that safety is their number one priority when scouting out a new place. To help relieve some of this fear, property managers or landlords can take extra measures to ensure safety concerns are addressed and met. Security cameras, gated entrances, and plenty of outside lighting can help to foster a sense of security.

Pet Friendliness

Seventy-six percent of millennials love their furry friends. Even if everything else is great about the apartment, they could still not choose to live there for the simple reason that their pet can stay with them. Property managers should consider this and have outside and inside space available for pets. Also, advertising as a pet friendly location will help in attracting much more than the 24 percent who don’t have pets.

Outside Space

Millennials tend to place a pretty high value upon outdoor spaces for studying, chatting, or just hanging out alone or with friends. Take a little time to consider the outdoor settings with additions such as outdoor furniture and lighting to foster a sense of connection and community. If they are not living with friends, students can choose to get to know their neighbors by spending time outside, holding grilling sessions, swimming meets, or anything else deemed enjoyable. Since apartments lack the front yard/backyard atmosphere that a house has, students will find this an easy way to relax and enjoy the weather.

Follow Uloop

Apply to Write for Uloop News

Join the Uloop News Team

Discuss This Article

Get Student Housing News Monthly

Back to Top

Log In

Contact Us

Upload An Image

Please select an image to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format
OR
Provide URL where image can be downloaded
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format

By clicking this button,
you agree to the terms of use

By clicking "Create Alert" I agree to the Uloop Terms of Use.

Image not available.

Add a Photo

Please select a photo to upload
Note: must be in .png, .gif or .jpg format