The contents in this wiki are written by students based on their personal experiences, so there may be some information that is inaccurate, incomplete, or may become outdated. For critical information, it is advisable to double-check using other reliable sources.
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For Graduates & Professionals
Most students live off-campus. Many students with families live on campus in Hasbrouck.
Best time to start searching
Ithaca's housing situation is super competitive! Many students + few houses → so for a small town, the prices get inflated.
For fall intake:
By February or March, still plenty of options
By May, most places that are owned and operated by a property management company are probably sold out. Can still get housing options from individual landlords, subleases (people looking to transfer their rental contract) and people looking for roommates
Ithaca's General Renting Terms
This is just a general picture because different places may have different rules
Generally, I recommend renting apartments/houses that are owned or operated by a property management company rather than individual landlords/owners, as they have clearer terms and regulations
Period: Usually only available for a full year (from summer/fall), a few places may be willing to reduce this by a couple of months (summer months)
If you want to cut the lease short, you will be responsible for finding your own subletter
Transferring the lease to a subletter may or may not incur additional fees
Security Deposit: May or may not be required, usually equal to a month's rent
Insurance: Some places require that you buy your own monthly renter's insurance. I have used these 2 before:
Furniture: varies. Some places are unfurnished
"Tried and Tested" living places
i.e. tempat-tempat yang sudah beberapa kali ditinggali kami-kami orang Indonesia, run by property management companies
Hasbrouck (on-campus, north campus area) → family-centered
- Ithaca Renting Company (downtown area) → rame dengan orang lokal, banyak resto
- Commons West
- Colonial Building
- Cityview Apartments
- Ivy Broadcasting Building
- Collegetown Terrace → rame undergrads, banyak resto, modern building with gym
Maplewood → sepi, calm, modern building with gym
- Fairvew → sepi, calm, mirip Maplewood but older buildings and no gym
Be a housing mentor in an undergraduate housing → get free housing and meals. Not sure how to do this but a friend has done this. Try searching online at the Cornell housing website...
How to search for individual landlords/people looking for subletters/roommates
Cornell University Housing, Sublet, and Roommate Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1567221950234112
Cornell University Sublet and Roommate mailing list: Subscribe here — Type Join in the subject line and leave the body of the email blank.
Cornell off-campus housing listing: https://listings.offcampusliving.cornell.edu/listings?search=&priceMin=483&priceMax=4950&bedroom=10&pets=any&likes=false&view=map&safety=false
[Luna] This is how I found my first flatmate & kos-kosan. We are great friends til now and I spend a few holidays with her family. A highly recommended American experience!
- Cornlet - Listings from students: https://www.cornlet.com
- Never personally used, but you can contact students and request tours.
For Undergraduates
As of March 2024, freshmen and sophomores are required to live on campus (with exceptions).
Newest dorms (freshmen only, as of March 2024): Barbara McClintock Hall, Hu Shih Hall, Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hall.
Balch Hall (all-female dorm, all years) is being renovated. Not very familiar, maybe someone can add in?
General helpful links
- On-campus Housing Page at Cornell: https://scl.cornell.edu/residential-life/housing/campus-housing
- Off-campus Living Page at Cornell: https://scl.cornell.edu/residential-life/housing/campus-living
They have contacts that you can reach out to for help as well.