If you’re an Ohio University student looking to live off-campus after semesters spent at the school dorms, you need a bit of preparation to find the right apartment or house for your student life. The area around OU is filled with rental homes that fit every lifestyle, from cozy studio apartments on Court Street to spacious six-bedroom houses for friend groups.
Moving out of the school dorms leaves you with two options: living alone in a smaller space or living with a roommate or more. Renting a studio or one-bedroom apartment can be much more straightforward than getting a larger place to live with friends. But, living with your friend group can be one of the best decisions you can make in college.
From late-night study sessions in the living room to shared meals, sharing a space brings people closer, allowing you to create lifelong memories. Living with your friends in a house offers you more space, like a yard. Plus, sharing utility bills and rent can bring costs down for everyone involved. Choosing a house also means more freedom, more comfort, and better value overall.
With all these options, how do you narrow down your search to a place that everyone will be happy with? This guide breaks down everything you need to know about Ohio University rental housing, including tips on where to find the best houses for rent near campus.
Why Choose Off-Campus Housing near Ohio University
Living in an apartment near campus gives you freedom and flexibility that you won’t get with dorm life. Here’s why so many Bobcats opt for student housing in neighboring areas:
- More space: You get much more space to work with in your own student apartment. If you live in a house, you’ll have a living room, kitchen, and maybe even a yard for a more home-y feel.
- Privacy: Say goodbye to sharing a room with a stranger for an entire semester or longer.
- Affordability: Splitting the rent and utilities with roommates in a 3-6 bedroom house can be cost-effective, especially for your student budget.
- Social Life: With a house, you could host dinners, parties, or just enjoy quieter evenings in a place that feels just like your own.
Rental companies offer different kinds of student apartments and houses for rent in Athens. During your search for the right place to live, always check the location and overall vibe of the neighborhood.
Top Locations and Neighborhoods for Off-Campus Housing
When searching for Ohio University rentals, your location matters just as much as your floor plan. Each neighborhood near campus offers you a different vibe and experience. Depending on your priorities, certain areas can be a better fit. These are a few popular student neighborhoods and areas that will allow you to make the most of your college experience at OU.
The entire area around Mill-Stewart-Palmer Street offers a student community vibe. This area is full of rental apartments and houses catered to college tenants. That’s why this is a great place to start your search, if you’re living with friends.
On the other hand, State and Congress Street give you a more residential feel, with more peace and quiet. The good thing about this area is you’re a short walk away from campus buildings and the bustle of uptown Athens.
Finally, uptown Athens is ideal for students who want to be close to restaurants and bars, while also being a stone’s throw away from campus. This area is pretty high-demand, so it may be tough to secure a large enough place for a large group of friends.
Aside from the location, you also need to think about the living arrangements of everyone involved. Whether it’s a 3 bedroom house for rent or a six bedroom place, make sure that your home has a functional layout. Considering these aspects of renting a house near campus will help you find a wonderful place to live.
Choosing Between 3-6 Bedroom Houses: What to Expect from Each Rental House Size
Whether you’re moving in with one best friend or your entire friend group from freshman year, you have a range of rental house sizes to choose from, each one catering to a different lifestyle. Here’s a breakdown of the most common layouts and how to choose the best fit for your group:
Three-Bedroom Houses for Rent in Athens, Ohio
A three-bedroom rental is perfect for small, tight-knit friend groups. This is the option for people who don’t want to live with a huge number of people but also want more space than a typical one-bedroom apartment.
Three-bedroom houses are a lot easier to keep clean and organized, since they include a much more manageable common space.
Four-Bedroom Houses for Rent near OU
Want to live with 3–4 people in your friend group? A four-bedroom house strikes a great balance between affordability and space, often offering you more bathrooms and even a yard. Compared to three-bedrooms, you’ll have a larger living and dining area.
The only downside would be slightly higher rent, since four-bedroom houses come with better amenities.
Five-Bedroom Houses for Rent in Athens
Living in a five-bedroom house isn’t something to jump into. This is recommended only for large friend groups who have withstood the test of friendship and are already used to living together. Cleaning and chores can be tricky if you don’t take the time to lay out some ground rules.
With a five-bedroom house, you have a pretty large common area to work with, from extra storage, a porch, to even outdoor space. Living with your friends in a 5 bedroom place can be loads of fun. You’re guaranteed to never have a boring day.
Six Bedroom Off-Campus Homes for Rent
A six-bedroom house is one of the largest house sizes you can rent in Athens. However, some rental companies do offer 7-8 bedroom options. A 6-bedroom house includes multiple bathrooms, large kitchens, and big living areas—perfect for hosting parties, potlucks, study sessions, or just hanging out.
This multi-bedroom option is also usually split into 2 separate units that are close to each other.
When it comes to budgeting, this is the most cost-effective option per person, since you split the rent 6 ways.
In Review
To summarize, here’s what you should expect from each house size and how much the average rent would be based on 2026–2027 listings from Kleinpenny Rentals:
3 BR
- Avg Rent per Bedroom: ~ $566–$700
- Ideal For: Small friend groups
- Pros: Lower bills, easier to manage
- Considerations: Less space for guests/storage
4 BR
- Avg Rent per Bedroom: ~ $600–$670
- Ideal For: Mid-sized groups
- Pros: Balanced cost and space; often multiple baths
- Considerations: Slightly higher rent per person
5 BR
- Avg Rent per Bedroom: ~ $583–$625
- Ideal For: Large friend groups
- Pros: Cost-effective per person; more common areas
- Considerations: Requires more coordination
6 BR
- Avg Rent per Bedroom: ~ $566
- Ideal For: Full friend squads
- Pros: Cheapest per person; big shared spaces
- Considerations: Busy household; split units where each unit has 2–4 bedrooms for a total of 6 bedrooms
Rent prices vary based on the amenities and location of the college apartment. From hot tubs to high-quality hardwood floors, premium rentals can cost up to $700 per bedroom, offering you a luxury apartment feel in Athens.
Rental houses range from the smaller 3 bedroom option to a massive six-bedroom house. With these options, you have quite a few housing sizes to choose from.
Rent an Athens Multi-Bedroom House from Kleinpenny Rentals
Whether you want to live with friends or enjoy a larger space, renting a multiple-bedroom house is the best way to go. Kleinpenny Rentals offers several properties with 3-8 bedrooms, large living rooms, cozy dining spaces, and even a yard with green space.
All of these properties are located well within walking distance from campus, making it the perfect match for students. Plus, these houses give you enough space to build a home where you can unwind after a long day of classes.
From comfy three-bedroom houses to spacious six bedroom student homes, the options for Ohio University off-campus housing are better than ever. Start your housing search early and lock in the perfect Athens student rental for the upcoming school year.