Moving to Champaign/Urbana for my MBA at UIUC - looking for housing (apartment)

[akposphil]

I am Moving to Champaign - Urbana for my MBA at UIUC by August later this year. I am an international student and need advice/guidiance on how to go about my search for accommodation.

I am looking for a 1room/studio apartment, in a safe neighborhood, preferably just 10-15mins by bus to the University. Thinking in the $400 to $650 range. I do noy want any crazy student/loud party type areas. Would like a place close to areas where I can easily get groceries. I would also like to rent for just one semester as I hope to move to a bigger apartment by Spring when my spouse joins me. I would appreciate some good insight to help me

[linicx]

First and foremost, Congrats!
You're moving into an area with 35,000 +/- students! If you don't have a car you might want to look in Urbana as the bus does serve this community and the college too. Afaik the city buses stop at shopping areas, too. I don't ride buses or live in U-C.

Do check with university housing for post grad student housing as they offer it. Your inconvenience will only last for about 100 nights. By the time winter break arrives, you will know where you want to live. And housing vacated by students who moved mid-term will become available.

Generally speaking housing across America becomes open when schools are not in session. This is usually June 1 - August 15. And again during Christmas break that might be Dec 15-Jan 10. There is a slight difference when schools break in each state. The univesity break is usually longer than the average public school break.