[MichiganGirl52]

I will be attending MSU in the fall to pursue a professional degree. I don't know where to begin searching for an apartment. Ideally, I would like to live close to campus, but I do NOT want to live near undergrads. I would like an apartment complex that is safe and quiet, where graduate students &/or young professionals live, and that is close to campus or the bus route. Could anyone offer names of some apartment complexes so I can begin my search? Thank you!

[dragon_fly_12]

You'll avoid undergrads by looking on the outskirts of campus - Haslett, Okemos, Mason. Haslett usually has some good choices off Marsh Rd / Saginaw Hwy areas, and are within a reasonable distance to campus.

[7Millionaire7]

Yeah, anywhere near campus, especially by grand river and "downtown" east lansing is all undergrad and popular choices for partying. You'll have to go to the surrounding area. If you look at Haslett and Okemos, you might as well look in Lansing, near Cooley law and LCC also. The one runs down Michigan ave or you can drive.

[northstar22]

Also look into Grand Ledge and De Witt.

[ckhthankgod]

Originally Posted by flyingwriter

Also look into Grand Ledge and De Witt.

True....Holt, Mason or the Waverly/Delta township area too

[teachbeach]

Lake Lansing Road area of East Lansing is just at the edge of town, easy bike ride or bus commute to campus via Abbott Road, Hagadorn Road, or Harrison Road which all run down to campus.
There are several nice complexes that are very safe, close to accessing highways, and close to grocery stores, strips malls, restaurants that students don't frequent often, and a huge Meijers. If you look at a map or google you might be able to see the complexes marked along Lake Lansing Road. You might want to check Craigs list as well, since many people are not able to sell condos or houses, there are many options for renting in established neighborhoods, away from the undergrad., but still accessible and safe to campus. The areas out near Okemos/Holt etc. are also possibilities, but traffic seems to be more of an issue in those areas.

[Nedibes]

If you want to be near other grad/professional students, then stick with E. Lansing, Lansing and Okemos/Haslett. The other communities, while (mostly) lovely, are too far afield for the intense hours that grad students spend on campus, and are generally geared more toward families than singles. If you had said that you were bringing your spouse and children I would give different advice.

As long as you are not walking-distance to campus, you won't really be in the "student ghetto". Generally the neighborhoods immediately north and east of campus are the most problematic. Go west or northwest and you won't have a problem; skip a little further north or east and that's fine, too (there just isn't that much to the south--MSU's fields stretch for miles).

DTN is one of the biggest management companies, so you could start there; you might also want to contact your program and ask to be put in touch with some current students. They will have by far the best data on where YOUR peers like to live. If possible get more than one opinion, so you can figure out what best fits what you're looking for--i.e. do you value hardwood floors or a garbage disposal more highly? quiet or being within walking distance of restaurants? are you looking for a complex that is its own, enclosed community, or do you want to be part of a larger city-scene? There are tons of rentals around MSU, so you should be able to find what you're looking for.

Good luck!

[MichiganGirl52]

Thank you for all of your advice and input!

[dragon_fly_12]

Originally Posted by Nedibes

If possible get more than one opinion, so you can figure out what best fits what you're looking for--i.e. do you value hardwood floors or a garbage disposal more highly? quiet or being within walking distance of restaurants? are you looking for a complex that is its own, enclosed community, or do you want to be part of a larger city-scene? There are tons of rentals around MSU, so you should be able to find what you're looking for.

Good luck!

A friend of mine that came in from Cali for grad school was in contact with her adviser early on to get get local contacts of students and professors who could help, and that was a life saver for her. Great idea.

[rockstar09]

I agree with looking along Lake Lansing. There are some apartment complexes right next to Meijer (grocery store) just to the west of Harrison Rd.

Google Map the area.