UConn

[AuntyOwl]

Someone else is going to UConn next Fall?

[sociologyplease]

I will be!

[AuntyOwl]

I will be!

Hi, sociologyplease!

By your nickname I am guessing we will not be at the same department. But is good to know! Is the Sociology department located in the Storrs campus?

[Phyllo]

I'll be there as well. Just found out. Looking for housing and a job for my wife, who just got her MSW. I'm hoping to find housing that I could ride a bike from and get to campus in a reasonable amount of time.

Edited April 25, 2012 by Phyllo

[AuntyOwl]

I'll be there as well. Just found out. Looking for housing and a job for my wife, who just got her MSW. I'm hoping to find housing that I could ride a bike from and get to campus in a reasonable amount of time.

On that aspect of housing, I cannot offer much help. I confess I do not know the area and since I will be commuting from New Haven, I did not have the need to prospect it.

Good luck with everything, Phyllo!

[Akber]

Hello everyone here !!

I have just received my acceptance letter from Uconn for the graduate studies in Environmental Engineering this fall.

Please tell me the living & other expanses overthere also the on going projects

[sociologyplease]

Hi, sociologyplease!

By your nickname I am guessing we will not be at the same department. But is good to know! Is the Sociology department located in the Storrs campus?

Yep, Storrs, here I come. I'm moving from Oregon, so it's going to be quite a change! I'm going to CT in three weeks to look for a place- I'm a little worried that I'll be too late. When are other people finding apartments?

[geekman]

I'll be going to UConn in the fall as well.

I'm from NY, so it's not a huge trek, but I don't plan on looking for apartments until June/July with the intent to move in early-mid August. But, don't listen to me - I'm probably cutting it close.

Does anyone know anything else about the area? Stuff to do? Place to go? Etc.

[effyjester]

Does anyone know anything else about the area? Stuff to do? Place to go? Etc.

I'll also be going to UConn in the fall. I'm from the area so I started looking for a new apt in April for move in in June. Nearly everywhere said that was too early. Based on my experience checking in June/July wouldn't be a problem for an Augues move in date. And as for stuff to do, there's not much

The university is funding a sort of "downtown" area called Storrs Center with apartments and storefronts, probably some restaurants and bars, etc, so that will be something. I did my undergrad at UConn so I can try to answer any questions anyone has about the area!

[geekman]

I'll also be going to UConn in the fall. I'm from the area so I started looking for a new apt in April for move in in June. Nearly everywhere said that was too early. Based on my experience checking in June/July wouldn't be a problem for an Augues move in date. And as for stuff to do, there's not much

The university is funding a sort of "downtown" area called Storrs Center with apartments and storefronts, probably some restaurants and bars, etc, so that will be something. I did my undergrad at UConn so I can try to answer any questions anyone has about the area!

Looks like we're in the same program! I guess my main question would be is there a difference in locations for housing? I don't plan on living on campus, but housing seems to be pretty spread out around the area...

[effyjester]

Looks like we're in the same program! I guess my main question would be is there a difference in locations for housing? I don't plan on living on campus, but housing seems to be pretty spread out around the area...

Exciting to meet someone else who will be in the same program! Even though I did my undergrad at UConn, I'm not really familiar with any other grad students in the department yet.

I lived in the Storrs area during undergrad both on campus and off, and I didn't enjoy it that much. They're trying to change this, but there isn't much that is accessible in Storrs. I recently moved to Vernon with my boyfriend, and I love it. It's about 20 minutes (and like 14 miles) from campus and I'm commuting in right now without a problem. I like Vernon because it's closer to some areas with better selection for grocery stores, shopping and restaurants. I would recommend checking out Vernon and the surrounding areas. I know they're pretty popular locations for students. My boyfriend used to live in Stafford, which was comparable to Storrs on the excitement and accessibility scale... basically I would steer you toward the Vernon area, because of my awesome experience so far!

Mind if I ask where you're coming from?

[ELM616]

Hi. I've been admitted to UConn for next fall and considering the offer. Housing seems sparse in the area. Does anyone have current info on the area. I've been looking on Craiglist and I don't see a whole lot of options. Maybe more will be available in the spring and summer?

[AntClimbsTree]

Housing is not sparse (unless you are looking for cheap cheap places).  Tons of places within 5-10minutes driving distance.  There are some new places right on campus if you dont mind spending some more money (good if you dont have a car).

 

What are you looking to spend/commute from?

[ELM616]

Well it might be a little more difficult for me. I have a dog, black lab. So that places a restriction on things. I've recently discovered the town of Willimantic and did find some reasonable one bedroom apts for around $750. Is that average for the area?

 

I'm currently paying around $750 in my current city and its manageable. And I'm looking to commute 20-25 minutes or less.

 

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

[Nardoned]

Uconn has an off-campus housing website with forums for other grad and phD students who are either offering or looking for housing. That's how I found my current roommate and we live in the Vernon area (which I would recommend over Stafford - I grew up in Stafford and there really isn't much in Stafford outside of a single grocery store and a few downtown shops). I'd recommend you look there for cheaper housing or roommates to split rent with.

[superhamdi]

A lot of people on the City Guide-Storrs thread recommended Willimantic and it seems like a wonderful place for grad students. There are many reasonable apartments in buildings on Main st. that I've found on Craigslist. The problem is that I'm going there next week and looking to secure a lease beginning August. Most of the open apartments are available immediately (May/June) and the LLs suggested trying back in June or July. My impression is that the majority of the apartments in downtown area are single buildings of 5 or 6 units owned by an individual, not necessarily big complexes. So for those of you considering Willimantic too, make note of this. I won't be able to make it back there before August, probably and don't want to wait until then anyway. 

 

 

[superhamdi]

I want to share some of my impressions of the areas/complexes I visited for students in the future. Prices are for 1 bedrooms.

 

Willington- Very close to campus. Rural, wooded area.

Willington Oaks ($700+) and Woodhaven apts ($650+)- both very nice, clean, quiet and affordable, property managers are very nice. I had the chance to speak to tenants at both complexes and they were very happy. However, there are lots of undergrads there and they book up by April/May for the following school year. Office @ woodhaven is in apt 10, it is not marked ANYWHERE.

 

Willimantic- There are mainly 2 areas where students live: Main St, which is comprised largely of brick apartment buildings and the residential area around ECSU, mostly houses converted into apartments. The quality and prices vary widely. Some landlords are really pleasant, some are slumlords. Beware of a group called Meehan & Daughters. 1 bedrooms start around $600+. Downtown and food co-op are walking distance, so it's much livelier. However, some grad students said that Main St. was too noisy and there are a lot of drugs/prostitution there but it's mostly nonviolent. If you're uptight, this may not be the best spot for you. There's also a "hill" section further north which is fancier but pricier, mostly families live there. If you want to live in this area, you'll find a plethora of apts on craigslist but the LLs seek immediate occupancy, so wait till about a month before you want to move in. The best way to find good apartments is drive around, they will post "for rent" signs on their buildings.

 

Colonial Townhouse- HUGE complex. Seemed fine to me, know a few grads who are happy there but they have poor ratings. $769+ including heat. Northern side of town, closer to UConn but not far from downtown (5 min car ride)

 

Oak Ridge apts ($800+ heat incl)- across the bridge from downtown, not the best area. Mostly what struck me is the quality of the property management. They suck. Super sketchy and don't make an on site # or office available. 

 

 

Tips: As I mentioned before, you can book ahead on complexes but not so with individual LLs. I suggest getting a place with heat included, you will need it and it's expensive to pay on your own, ~$150-200 in the winter. ASK students in your department, they will be massively helpful. If anybody has more questions or wants to see pictures, PM me, particularly about Willimantic. My best friend's sister went to ECSU and I spoke with a lady at a local gov't office extensively about the area as well as a number of grad students. 

[callista]

I'm not going to be able to contribute to the housing discussion, as I'm going to be commuting from my home in East Hartford to Storrs and Farmington.  But I wanted to say hello, and see if there are any other Communications students lurking!