Category Archives: Indiana University Bloomington

COVID-19’s Impact On Property Management at College Campuses

Unless you’ve been under a rock for the last few months, you know that literally everything about our day to day life has changed. We are socially distancing ourselves from family and friends, wearing face masks when we need to venture outside, working remotely at home offices, and waiting on daily updates about what the new few months of our lives are going to look like. It’s boring, but it’s what we need to do.

Even though some places are slowly opening businesses back up, it won’t be business as usual. Not for a while anyway, and the off-campus housing market is no different. With some schools announcing they intend to have on-campus classes in the fall and others still holding off, it’s a tumultuous time for property managers.

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Indiana University Top 5 Bloomington Apartments for Rent

Each year, thousands of students searching for apartments and off-campus housing in Bloomington, IN  use CollegePads.com to find their housing. There’s a  great mix of off-campus housing options near IU and apartment inquiries have been on the rise! Like many other campuses across the nation, many students start looking during the Fall Semester. Students begin their hunt for IU apartments as soon as September, and the number of searches spikes throughout the semester in the months of October and November.

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Indiana University’s Most Popular Rentals: September 2019

A huge college town, thousands of students searching for houses and apartments near Indiana University Bloomington use CollegePads.com every year to find housing. Like many other campuses across the nation, many students at IU Bloomington start searching for housing during the Fall Semester. Students begin their search in late September and the number of searches really picks up in October leading into November. 

This September was no different. Students started searching for houses near the IU Bloomington campus during the second half of September. The houses in Bloomington begin to go in the early days, especially ones for bigger groups, while apartments typically start going off the market near the end of October and November. Competition is stiff so get a move on your search and try to secure your pad before heading off for Winter Break! 

These properties were the five most contacted properties by IU students in the month of September, 2019 in Bloomington. Continue reading

Why IU Bloomington Is A Goldilocks University

With a population of over 40,000, Indiana University Bloomington’s total enrollment rivals the size of a small town. Businesses this size? They’re major economic players. The Willis Tower can only fit half that many people inside it. With a school this large, undergraduates looking for IU apartments face fierce competition from both other students and town residents.

But IU Bloomington’s administration is used to thinking on this scale. After all, as the largest school in the IU system and its flagship institution, IU Bloomington has a considerable sway on everything from Bloomington’s population makeup to its economy, and it maintains its hold on the community by attracting students from all corners of the globe.

So why is it a Goldilocks university? And what does that mean, anyway?

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Our 5 Favorite Restaurants Near IU Bloomington

If there’s one thing college students avoid more than their studying it’s cooking! Grabbing a bite to eat near campus is both time-saving, fun, and extremely delicious – if you stop at the right places. We scoured the campus and found our five favorite eateries around IU apartments. Read on to see if your favorite made the list! Did we miss your favorite spot? Let us know in the comment section.

5) Kilroy’s on Kirkwood

502 E. Kirkwood Ave.
Bloomington, IN 47401
(812) 339-3006

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The Real Stories Behind the Indiana University Squirrels

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If you go to Indiana University you probably know that squirrels are kind of a big deal on campus, and if you don’t know, now you know. What you probably didn’t know is that these squirrels are just like us. They have lives, hobbies, and interests too. So next time you’re on campus or around IU apartments, and you see one of these squirrels, stop and get to know them.

If you aren’t a follower of @squirrel_of_iu on Insta, we suggest you start!

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Bloomington, Indiana Rentals: Top Indiana University Landlords

Apartment rental companies don’t always have the most sterling reputations. However, there are good ones out there. Fear not, future apartment dweller, there’s a place for you that has good pricing and will not screw you out of your security deposit for an extra buck.

Why go through the heartache of dealing with a terrible landlord that does not get back to you about fixing issues? Why rent from an owner that cares more about getting someone new in than taking care of his or her current tenants? There are a lot of people out there that have gone through the heartaches already, and their experiences can help guide you.

indiana university off campus housing

What time is it at Indiana’s campus? Time to find an apartment that doesn’t rip you off. (Flickr)

We sifted through landlords with multiple reviews online and found the most consistently high rated apartments and houses to rent near the Indiana University-Bloomington campus. Continue reading

Things To Do In Bloomington While At Indiana University

things to do in bloomington in

At IU, there’s plenty for you to do.

We know Hoosiers have the same problem as everyone else, just in their city. It’s the age old question for a college kid at Indiana University: What are things to do in Bloomington? Summer. Winter. Fall. Spring. It’s a question for all seasons. We’re here to give you a guide. Indiana Unversity and the surrounding Bloomington area has plenty to do all year long. Continue reading

An Unofficial Guide to Indiana University

guide to indiana university

We know every college campus is different. We also know students may have very specific questions when they are researching potential colleges. So we’ve prepared a guide to Indiana University specifically for students.

We want to focus on what we know matters most to students. What’s the weather like? Is there a way I can make this experience cost any less? Where can I get a good drink? WHERE DO I DO MY DANCING!?

So here is the Rent College Pads Unofficial Guide to Indiana University: Continue reading

IU International Students Guide to Living Off Campus

As an undergraduate, or graduate, finding housing can be a worrisome task. International students, especially first year international students, have an even more difficult time. Coming to a completely new area, many not speaking or reading English very well, makes things difficult. On top of that, most schools no longer can guarantee that first-year students have a place on campus. Here are some things to consider as an international student when looking for housing:

  • Don’t put it all on yourself!

If you’re traveling to campus alone, use any resource you can find to find somebody to help you. There are all sorts of resources available to help international students find a place, and find a roommate that will fit well with them. You can check out our roommates section here. Many of these, including our roommates feature, allow students to connect via Facebook so they can learn about someone they’re considering living with before they commit to meet them. Most of all, know that it is always easier to find a good place with help. Don’t be afraid to use it, you won’t regret it.

  • Don’t Rush

Landlords can sometimes be pushy people. Know that this is actually a pretty big decision for you, and it will affect the next year of your life. You need to find the right pad that fits you. There are all sorts of places to consider, and it all depends on what YOU like. If you want to be surrounded by lots of new people, look for a big complex (like this one – for example). A place like that will allow you to make lots of new friends in a short manner, and will likely have lots of fun amenities. But if you’re more interested in a personal area, try looking for a house or small apartment. You’re likely to get closer to campus with one of these, making walking to class and throughout campus easier. Take your time, consider all options, and talk to landlords multiple times. You want to be sure that you’re dealing with someone who will give you a positive experience over the next year, not the other way around.

  • Proximity to campus is important!

You’re new to this area. You don’t know where to live and where not to live. There may be neighborhoods or areas to avoid. There may be areas that are sought after highly. Most likely, you’re unaware completely. When you’re searching online for a place to live, know that proximity is important. Sometimes the schools will point you in the direction of a website that displays all rentals in the city. You don’t want that. It will end up being a waste of your time trying to figure out which ones are student rentals and which ones are not. Try your best to learn about the areas of campus ahead of time (see our blog on neighborhoods in Bloomington) so that you make the right decision. Generally speaking, you’re better off looking closer to campus. It’ll make your life easier, that’s for sure.

If you’re an international student, and you’re looking for a place, use these tips to make your search as easy as possible. Take your time, think a lot, use every resource you can. The next time you look, it will only become easier. Need more help? Reach out to us directly for one on one assistance! Email us here or search for available IU apartments now!

Best of luck!