The bridge back to campus in Dinkytown, which houses many of the best places near UMN. (Flickr)
The sun starts to disappear faster, nights get colder, and thousands of students need to begin their search for UMN off-campus housing. The return of fall brings about many new beginnings, and none of them are quite like moving into a new house or apartment to begin a new chapter of your life. But almost as soon as you move into a new place, it’s time to start looking for the next one.
Such is the life of a college student.
For students at the University of Minnesota, there are a lot of choices and decisions you have to make when it comes to housing. Marcy Holmes? Dinkytown? Stadium Village? Each neighborhood offers its advantages and type of community. With such a vibrant and growing off campus housing community around Minnesota, figuring out where you’re going to move next can be overwhelming.
To make things a little easier on you, we’ve decided to run through University of Minnesota apartments and houses for rent and compile a list of the UMN off-campus housing choices with the most favorable reviews on Google.
Ten Top Minneapolis Landlords for UMN Off-Campus Housing
The Student’s Co-Op (Average Rating: 4.6)
The Student’s Co-op isn’t what you would think of when it comes to traditional student housing. The Co-op is three story, 18 room house that’s been around since 1908.
Students live there and work together to create a positive and welcoming environment with chores divided up. From within, students also chose an executive board. The affordable and enjoyable experience hampered only by the availability of living space. If you want to get in here, you better apply ahead.
Our favorite review:
The Students’ Housing Cooperative is a safe haven located on frat row. This community is welcoming and supportive to both visitors and one another. I highly recommend stopping by for Sunday supper club and learning from and with the individuals in the home.
The Elysian (Average Rating: 4.4)
The Elysian apartments, managed by CPM, stacks up very well with some of the other luxury apartment complexes near the University of Minnesota campus. Additionally, with a location in Dinkytown, you’ll still be close to all the action.
Our favorite review:
“This is a beautiful building with spacious rooms! Very convenient to campus, downtown, and elsewhere being right off 35!”
Seven Corners Apartments (Average Rating: 4.6)
The Seven Corners Apartments have two of the most important things going for it. A variety of different room options (studio, 1-3 bedrooms) and a great location (right by downtown, the University, and the Mississippi River). The nearby parks and bike paths also serve as an excellent way to keep you active as well as the onsite fitness rooms. The apartments also offer great views of the wonderful city.
Our favorite review (and not just because all the other ones were blank) … sometimes simple is better!
Awesome management and staff!
Stadium Village Flats (Average Rating: 3.8)
Located a stone’s throw away from TCF Bank Stadium, Stadium Village Flats bill themselves as the style of aa new generation and after browsing through what they offer; it’s hard to disagree. Onsite fitness center, yoga rooms, sky lounge, flat screen TV’s in every room, Stadium Village Flats is truly student living to the maximum.
Our favorite review:
This place is such a great place for young adults to start out living on their own for the first time! I love their amenities and the cleanlinest they provide our common areas with. Everything works well and I’m satisfied of this place. Best view of the stadium as well.
The Knoll (Average Rating: 4.1)
Not to be confused with the nearby garden, The Knoll offers premier student housing right in the heart of Dinkytown. The apartments are fully furnished and fully stylized to provide exceptional living in a premium student-centered setting. With tons of units and types from studio to four bedrooms, The Knoll has something room for you.
Our favorite review:
The Knoll was a great place to live and I would live there again! I really never had issues with the apartment, and if I did, they were fixed the next day. The apartment rooms are high quality and the amenities (rooftop lounges, courtyard, club rooms, and workout rooms) are great. The management was very friendly and I loved how they have someone at the front desk almost 24/7!
Venue at Dinkytown (Average Rating: 3.7)
The Venue at Dinkytown offers impressive, upscale amenities, eclectic styling and a wide variety of living choices from studios to four bedrooms. The cool urban vibe located in the heart of Dinkytown will have you hooked.
Our favorite review:
Great Location. Great Atmosphere. Great Staff, especially Dani. She knew how to make me feel welcome and at home.
The Marshall (Average Rating: 3.5)
The Marshall provides great rent packages in an inclusive and welcoming off-campus housing community. Also featured in The Marshall is an indoor basketball court, indoor pool and sand volleyball outside. Located right in Dinkytown near the University of Minnesota the location is prime.
Our favorite review:
The Marshall has been a great place to live. The CA’s are always helpful and the rooms are great sizes. Some of my friends live here also and it gives us the fun feelings of the dorms but without the restrictions. Highly recommend it!
The Edge on Oak (Average Rating: 3.6)
The Edge on Oak located right in Stadium Village offers everything the busy college student needs. The rooms are either studio or one to two bedrooms, so it is perfect for someone looking for a place with a friend. We all know how tough Minnesota winters can be, that’s why the climate controlled parking would be a life saver in the winter.
Our favorite review:
The Edge on Oak is a great place for students who want independence from dorm life and higher quality amenities. With a rooftop patio, fitness room, underground heated garage, and fully furnished units it is a step up from most other buildings in the University East Bank area, but it comes at a cost.
University Village Apartments (Average Rating: 3.7)
With spacious apartments averaging over 1000+ square feet, The University Village Apartments are a game changer from students used to cramped dorm living. The University Village Apartments offers students a chance to catch up on their reading in their study hall, chill with friends in the TV lounge and even get a workout in the fitness center.
Our favorite review:
“Staff is always helpful whenever they can.”
Metro Park East (Average Rating: 3.4)
Located right across the street from TCF Bank Stadium Metro Park East is a perfect student living option for you. Their various array of floorplans will make sure that you find exactly what you’re looking for regarding comfortable student housing. The amenities include a media lounge, digital gaming center, tanning facility and free coffee and tea every day of the week.
Our favorite review:
We looked at Metro Park East, and fell in love with the decor in the new complex, windowed work out facility and stunning apartments. Although we ultimately chose an apartment at their sister property, we were very impressed with Sam and all of the staff while we toured a couple of times, in our decision making process. I would highly recommend Metro Park East for anyone looking for a cool, hip, urban living environment, at a very affordable price!
Doyle Apartments (Average Rating: 4.5)
With a grand opening in Fall of 2022, Doyle is set to be the most dynamic apartment building in Dinkytown. This lifestyle-oriented building will be a community for students to thrive, while having easy access to both the U of M campus and downtown Minneapolis.
Our favorite review:
I am leasing here in the fall and already have had such a great experience with the Doyle! Their management is very nice and always accommodating — they even give great perks to their residents!! I already feel so at home and can’t wait to live here next year. Doyle also has a gym accessible for all residents, outdoor grills and hang out areas, as well as lots of study spaces for students. Highly suggest leasing here!!
All in all, there are many great options for you to choose from as you begin your search for a great off-campus apartment near the University of Minnesota. So grab your friends, set up some showings and find your perfect pad.
Callie Kollenbroich
Callie Kollenbroich has been the Operations Coordinator and Content Writer/Editor at Rent College Pads since 2015. When she's not working, you can find her at home, eating peanut butter out of the jar and bingeing an unhealthy amount of Forensic Files. She's not as lame as she sounds.