MUSC acceptance means I have just over a month to move to Charleston (North Charleston: apartments, rentals)

[Recboater]

Classes will start late May. Have got to find a place and complete the move before then...

1. Budget
Under $850 if possible. Because I am already about to be in debt for a long time

2. House/Condo/Townhome?
Whatever is available

3. Employment Status(commute/work from home)
Student to be at MUSC. Have both car and road bike

4. Children(public school vs. private)
No children, or pets

5. Suburban, Coastal or Urban lifestyle preference or a mix of them together (or even Rural)
Preference for urban, i.e. downtown. Maybe West Ashley or Mount Pleasant? James Island is a nogo

6. Amenities preferred or must-haves
One bedroom, and if possible no roommates, or a separate suite within building. However, if that is not possible given my price point, I may be open to roommates
Place should not be a dump in constant need of repair or with roach infestation

7. Preferable demographics of desired neighborhood
Reasonably safe neighborhood. Demographics don't necessarily concern me (I am white male). Open to a range of demographics if it means cheaper rent

All things considered what are my best options? Please tell me good news so hopefully I can become a happy student that doesn't have to worry about adding more years of my life to debt

[ClemVegas]

Downtown is going to be hard to do at that price.

I was a student at MUSC briefly before dropping out. I would recommend getting an apartment in the West Ashley area. Most of the students I met were staying in West Ashley.

[Jandrew5]

Originally Posted by Recboater

Classes will start late May. Have got to find a place and complete the move before then...

Unless you want roommates, an older house, and a rougher area - though not always, which in that case then yeah you can do that. I'd check ads online of people looking for roommates. There's a few luxury student apartments downtown that go as low as $945. Check with them and see if you're eligible.

- Campus Center, 930 Nomo, 61 Vandy, 400 Meeting, East Central Lofts, etc are some of them. I have a friend who is also at MUSC and she lives here: 35 Folly|New Studio, 1 & 2 Bedroom Luxury Apartments In Charleston. You'll have to bump your budget up to $950-1000+ for these places, which to me is worth it. Probably some good finds in North Charleston for $850, but personally if was going to MUSC, I'd want to be as close to downtown as possible if not in it.

There's also plenty of apartments on James Island which imo is the best idea if downtown is out of the question. That's probably where I would focus my search. I'd do West Ashley third and Mount Pleasant 4th.

If you're deadest on under $850 though, then yeah the farther out you go, the cheaper prices will be. Check out Summerville, Goose Creek, and outer West Ashley, like way out there. But be aware of the distance and the traffic depending on your schedule.

Just a word of advice, don't stress yourself over potential debt. Charleston is awesome and MUSC is good for residency. Be excited about the opportunity. It'll work out.

[mckee16]

Our daughters last year at CoC she and roommate lived at 132B Bull Street, 2 bdrm two bath $1000 per month.The next two years after graduation they lived just over the bridge in Mt Pleasant in East Bridge Town Lofts, same thing,2bdrm 2 bath, $1000 per month for the two of them. The Bull Street address was a walk to MUSC or a bike ride to CoC.This was 2011 -14.

[fluffypoopoo]

All but two of my PhD/MD friends at MUSC live in West Ashley. It's certainly doable. You don't have to stay in downtown.

[ayoskillz]

Ill say stick with summerville, ladson, goose creek area. Nice apts and some condos for rent are for around $850. Outside of rush hours takes about 30mins to get to musc. I do it in about 20min but i have a heavy foot. During rush hour it can range from 30min to a little over an hour but just depends if any wrecks.

[lizardspock]

No way. ^^^

You are not going to have the time or energy for those commutes. Get a roommate or two and get something as close to campus as possible.

[Recboater]

Originally Posted by lizardspock

No way. ^^^

You are not going to have the time or energy for those commutes. Get a roommate or two and get something as close to campus as possible.

^^This. I'm going to be busy studying all the time. I'd like to stay within walking/biking (5 miles) distance or something just across the bridge into West Ashley (under 30 min rush hour commute by car). I don't think I'd want to live out in Summerville, goose creek, suburbs, etc.

[m1a1mg]

Jandrew5 gave the best advice.

Maybe find another MUSC student in your same situation?

[Caili]

Check with MUSC admissions to see if there is a student housing bulletin board/website/page, etc.

Also check Charleston City Paper for downtown and student rentals/shares.