So you’ve made the decision to transfer to Georgia Tech– congrats! Taking the first steps in becoming a Yellow jacket can be overwhelming from deciding what major to choose, adjusting to the Atlanta atmosphere and deciding where to live for the year.
At Rambler Atlanta, we specialize in assisting students like you in finding their ideal apartments for the upcoming school year. To guide you through this process, we’ve compiled a comprehensive overview of essential steps to take when searching for an apartment in Atlanta Midtown, addressing key questions such as
- Where do Georgia Tech students typically reside in Midtown?
- What housing options exist off-campus?
- What are the living expenses near Georgia Tech?
- How can transfer students at Georgia Tech find roommates?
- What are the next steps?
Woodford Residence Hall Transfer Student Housing through Georgia Tech
Being a transfer student at Georgia Tech presents its own set of challenges. To support students during this transition, Georgia Tech provides the Woodroof Welcomes Transfers to Tech (WWTT) program. This initiative aims to foster connections among transfer students and facilitate their integration into the Yellow Jacket community. Explore the Transfer Housing Guide from the Georgia Tech Housing Department for more details on WWTT.
However, given the limited availability of on-campus housing, many transfer students find themselves on waitlists, prompting the need for alternative housing solutions. To assist with this situation, we’ve compiled a comprehensive guide outlining all the essential information about alternative housing options near Georgia Tech tailored for transfer students.
Off-Campus Housing Choices for Georgia Tech Transfer Students
Three of the most popular areas to live off campus near Georgia Tech are:
- East Midtown
- West Midtown
- Home Park
Near Tech Square across Fifth Street Bridge from campus, East Midtown is a sought-after location offering both student and traditional apartments. Its urban atmosphere provides a rich array of dining, entertainment and beverage options, all within a short walk from campus.
Beyond west campus, West Midtown boasts student and traditional apartments along Northside Drive and Marietta Street. This area, in proximity to the Campus Recreational Center, West Village Dining Commons and other campus facilities, provides a dynamic living environment.
North of the campus between the edge of campus and Atlantic Station, Home Park is a neighborhood characterized by a variety of houses available for rent. This area ensures a convenient commute to campus, making it an attractive option for students.
For a more in-depth exploration of the diverse areas preferred by Georgia Tech students, refer to our article, Where Do Georgia Tech Students Live.
Read Next: Student Apartment vs. Traditional Apartment: Which is Right for me?
What kinds of housing are available off campus near Georgia Tech?
There are three main types of off-campus housing options available to Georgia Tech students:
- Student Apartments
- Traditional Apartments
- Traditional Houses
Student apartments are purpose-built and strategically located near the campus to meet the unique needs of busy Georgia Tech students. These apartments offer individual leases, allowing each roommate to sign their own lease and be responsible solely for their rent and designated spaces. These apartments are fully furnished and come in various floor plans, ranging from studios to 6×6 configurations (six bedrooms, six bathrooms). Student housing complexes often feature enticing amenities such as rooftop pool decks, fitness centers, study areas and on-site coffee shops.
Read next: 5 Benefits of Living in a New Student Housing Development
Tailored more broadly, traditional apartments offer fewer and less specialized amenities and are usually situated farther from campus. By-the-apartment leases are typical for traditional apartments, requiring the entire apartment to be signed for collectively, rather than each roommate signing individually. In such arrangements, roommates must establish their system for managing rent, utilities and share equal responsibility for any property damages.
Renting a traditional house, particularly in the Home Park neighborhood near the Georgia Tech campus, is a prevalent choice among upperclassmen or graduate students. Similar to traditional apartments, traditional houses lack student-centric features and often come unfurnished. Operating on year-long, by-the-apartment leases akin to traditional apartments, roommates must collaborate on managing rent, utilities and share equal responsibility for any property damages.
When should I start my search for housing?
Since the housing scene at Georgia Tech can be quite competitive for both on- and off-campus options, it’s recommended you start your search as soon as you commit to Georgia Tech. Securing your ideal dorm or apartment becomes more achievable when you commit to a lease early.
Read Next: When to Start Looking For Student Housing as a Georgia Tech Student
For those considering on-campus dorms, the key to getting your desired room selection lies in the timing of your application submission through the GT Housing Application. This application becomes accessible upon your admission as a transfer student (typically in March). Completing this process involves a housing deposit, along with signing both the Housing Contract and Meal Plan Contract.
Given the increasing number of accepted students at Georgia Tech each year, on-campus room selection has become highly competitive, often resulting in extensive waitlists for dorms and apartments. To enhance your chances of securing your preferred dorm, it’s crucial to promptly complete and sign the application immediately upon your acceptance to Georgia Tech.
Off-campus housing is equally competitive, necessitating swift action once you’ve made the decision to transfer. Leasing for off-campus apartments typically commences in the fall of the year preceding move-in. As a result, delaying your commitment may limit availability at popular apartment complexes. To ensure your preferred spot, it’s recommended to sign and commit soon after finalizing your decision to transfer to Georgia Tech.
How is the cost of living near Georgia Tech?
Published rates for on-campus housing typically fall within the range of $3400 to $5700 per semester, contingent on the chosen housing style. As these contracts cover two semesters spanning nine months, monthly rates range from around $755 to $1,200 per person.
For off-campus student apartments, the pricing can vary from $1,200 to $2,500 per person per month. The actual rate is influenced by factors such as location, amenities, the number of roommates and the selected floor plan.
Read next: 6 Ways to Save Money on Off-campus Student Apartments Near Georgia Tech
Off-campus traditional apartments throughout Midtown have a broader pricing spectrum. Monthly costs for these apartments can range widely, spanning from $700 to over $3,000 per person. Determining factors include location, building age, apartment size, number of roommates, among others.
Traditional houses situated off-campus, particularly in Home Park, offer a more economical choice. Monthly rates for these houses can fluctuate between $800 and $1,200 per person, depending on variables such as size, number of roommates, house age and the specific area within Home Park.
Read next: How Much Does It Cost to Live near Georgia Tech?
Where can I find roommates as a transfer student at Georgia Tech?
Finding compatible roommates is crucial for a positive living experience, especially as a transfer student faced with the initial challenge of locating suitable living arrangements.
In off-campus apartments, floor plans typically comprise shared kitchen and living spaces alongside private bedrooms and bathrooms for each roommate, ranging from 2×2 configurations (two bedrooms, two bathrooms) to 6×6 layouts (six bedrooms, six bathrooms). This allows for flexibility, accommodating anywhere from one to five roommates based on the chosen floor plan.
Whether opting for on-campus or off-campus housing, you have the option to select your own roommates if you already have friends in mind. Conversely, if you haven’t identified potential roommates, most housing options provide roommate matching systems. Through these systems, you can choose to let your dorm or apartment complex pair you with roommates based on a brief questionnaire.
For those who prefer more involvement in selecting roommates, additional resources like Facebook groups, Instagram pages and various online platforms are available to assist students in finding compatible living companions. Further details on these resources can be found in our article, How to Find Roommates at Georgia Tech.
Read next: How does roommate matching work at Rambler?
What are the next steps?
Now that you’ve established your housing preferences and anticipated roommates, it’s time to initiate the leasing process! First, compile a list of apartments that pique your interest and schedule tours at each location. During these tours, engage with the leasing staff to gather comprehensive information on rates, amenities and availability. If you’re unable to visit in person due to being out-of-state, many leasing teams are accommodating and can provide online tours along with virtual calls to address any inquiries you may have.
Once you’ve settled on a location, proceed to complete your application. Upon approval, you’ll finalize the process by signing a lease for your chosen apartment! For an in-depth understanding of the leasing process at off-campus apartments, refer to our article on How to Sign a Lease at an Off-Campus Apartment Near Georgia Tech.
We hope this guide steers you in the right direction as you navigate housing options as a student transferring to Georgia Tech. If you have any further questions about student housing near GT or wish to explore leasing opportunities at Rambler Atlanta, don’t hesitate to contact our leasing team. We’re more than happy to assist you in your housing search!
