Housing

Undergraduate Students

• See Residence Life for campus live-on requirements and application processes.
• You must be on campus for final exams at the end of each semester. Exams cannot be rescheduled for flights. W&M undergraduate Residence Halls close after exams.

• Graduate Students can apply with Residence Life to move into the Evans Apartments early or make arrangements for short-term housing.
• There is no family housing available on-campus. Please refer to the resources below for off-campus housing options.

Residence Life has pictures, videos, and floor plans for first-year halls, returning undergraduate halls and graduate housing. You can see more pictures and videos on W&M's Flickr.

Your housing contract is a legally binding document and signing the contract obligates a student to reside in W&M housing for the length of the contract. You should read the housing contract carefully before committing to campus housing for the entire academic year.

On-campus housing is rented by room and rates vary. Rent includes furniture and utilities. Laundry facilities are also available for a per load fee.

Residence Life does not offer on-campus storage and recommends students to use local storage companies.

Fall & Spring Break - All residence halls usually remain open for fall break and spring break. Be sure to check the university's academic calendar and with Residence Life for the most up to date information. 

Thanksgiving Break - All residence halls usually remain open during the Thanksgiving break in November. Be sure to check the university's academic calendar and with Residence Life for the most up to date information. 

Winter Break - The residence halls, with the exception of some designated halls (be sure to check with Residence Life for the most up to date information), are not open for occupancy during the longer winter break. W&M undergraduate residence halls usually close after exams. Students are encouraged to plan ahead and make alternative arrangements during semester breaks. See the short-term housing below. If you need assistance locating housing over winter break, please contact ISSP.

• It is often difficult to make a decision from abroad, therefore, we recommend looking for housing after you have arrived. If this is the case, you may want to look into short-term housing options (see below).
• STEP's Living Off-Campus guide provides resources for beginning your housing search, core considerations when evaluating housing options, how to stay engaged with the W&M community while living off campus, and your rights and responsibilities as a tenant in your neighborhood.
• Security deposit for housing - Most rentals require a deposit (typically the equivalent of 1 month’s rent) when you sign a lease. This deposit is typically in addition to that month's rent. At the end of your lease you will get this deposit back, less any fees for damages or cleaning.
• Avoid rental scams - Rental scams happen when a property owner misrepresent themselves. Below are some tips on how to avoid rental scams:
  • Do not wire money as a deposit or payment of first and last month's rent. Wiring money is the same as giving cash; you cannot get a refund, even if you find out the offer was a fraud.
  • Do not pay a security deposit, fee, or first month’s rent before you have seen the property and signed a lease.
  • Get a copy of the lease, signed by both you and the property owner/manager. The lease should have the terms of your rental, including fees, rent, and maintenance.
• Security deposits for utilities - Most utility companies (gas, electric, Internet, etc.) require that you pay a deposit when initially starting them if you do not have a credit history or social security number in the U.S.
  • After 1 year you may be able to get this deposit back (typically in the form of a bill reduction).
  • Deposits are typically $200 or more for each utility that you set up, so make sure that you have enough money to get started (or arrange to split the costs of deposits with your roommates).
• Setting up utilities - You will probably need to call the utility companies (or contact them online) to set up your utilities such as electricity, gas, Internet, etc. Your landlord/manager should provide you with a list of utilities that you will be responsible for and also provide a list of utility companies. If you will live with roommates, you should decide who will set up each utility, and how you will divide the costs.
• Paying rent - Rent is typically due at the beginning of each month. Many landlords require that it be paid by check, though sometimes there are online options or other payment methods.
• Pets - Most rental housing does not allow pets, so if you plan to have a pet, check the policy in advance.
• Background checks - A social security number is not required to rent an apartment. If it is requested, it is probably for a credit or background check. Explain to the rental agency or landlord that you do not have an SSN because you are not yet eligible for one and if there are other options for completing the background check. If you wish, ISSP can provide a letter explaining the background check process that students undergo when obtaining a student visa.
• Co-signers and guarantors - Rentals may require you to have a co-signer or guarantor. A co-signer or guarantor is an individual, typically a family member or close friend with a strong credit history, who agrees to assume responsibility for the lease if you fail to meet your obligations. Having a co-signer can reassure landlords of your reliability and increase your changes of approval. If your rental requires, or you choose, to have a co-signer or guarantor, they do not have to be an American or live in the U.S.

• Proximity to bus line/walking/biking distance - The William & Mary bus line makes loops around campus during the academic year. Buses in Williamsburg do not run as often as in big cities, and stops are limited, so check the schedule first to have an idea of what to expect.
• Cost - Off-campus housing rental rates are often listed by apartment/house instead of by room. Sometimes housing is rented by room, but this should be specified in the advertisement.
• Safety - Before signing a lease, make sure that your potential apartment and neighborhood are safe. Pay attention to things like parking and street lighting. You can research the property management and the surrounding neighborhood to ensure that it is a safe area to live in.
• Long-term or short-term rental - Most apartment complexes or landlords will require long-term leases (e.g., 6 months or 1 year). Some will offer short-term (month-to-month) rentals but the rent will be higher.
• Furnished or Unfurnished apartments - Most apartments will be unfurnished but some will offer furnished apartments for a fee.
• Number of bedrooms - Single room apartments are more expensive than apartments with multiple bedrooms (when a unit is shared).
• Number of bathrooms - In advertisements, a “full bathroom” includes a toilet, sink, and bath or shower. A “half bath” includes a toilet and sink only.

• Utilities: Water, gas and/or electricity, Internet, cable television. In many cases, no utilities (except sometimes water) are provided by the management, so you should factor these additional costs in your planning. Utilities are typically billed monthly.
• Major appliances: Most units include a stove, oven and a refrigerator, but it is important to confirm this.
• Laundry: If a washing machine and dryer are not provided, you will need to use a local laundromat.
• Air conditioning: Williamsburg is typically very hot and humid in the summer (77F/25C or more). If central air conditioning is not included, consider asking if it is permitted for you to use a window unit.
• Furnished/unfurnished: Most off-campus housing is rented without furniture (bed, tables, sofas, etc.) but sometimes furnished housing is available.
• Parking: This sometimes carries an additional fee, if it is available. In some locations, street parking is available; a permit typically can be purchased from the City of Williamsburg. If more than one person will have a car, ask about the number of parking spaces available.

This list is provided for informational purposes only and the apartments are listed in order of proximity to the campus, with those closest listed first. Be sure to contact the the complex directly for the most updated information. We have indicated apartments that are on the bus line, but be sure to visit the Williamsburg Area Transport for the most updated bus routes and schedules.

King & Queen Apartments
732 Scotland St., (757) 220-0000
0.5km from campus

Conway Garden Apartments
750 Conway Dr., (757) 294-8535
1.0km from campus (on bus line)

Sterling Manor Apartments
155 Sterling Manor Dr., (757) 378-0567
1.2km from campus (on bus line)

The Point At New Town Apartment
4375 New Town Ave., (757) 703-3413
1.4km from campus (on bus line)

Midtown Apartments (furnished apartments available)
221 Monticello Ave., (757) 941-5075
2.0km from campus

Colonial Towne Apartments
327 Merrimac Trl. #1c, (757) 229-5518
2.0km from campus (on bus line)

Parkway Apartments
416 Merrimac Trl. #5, (757) 220-2717
2.0km from campus (on bus line)

Lawson Enterprises (Clinton Apartments, Julia Ann Apartments, Marlboro Apartments, Spring Road Apartments)
1310 Garrison Dr., (757) 229-6047
2.0km from campus

Conway Garden Apartments (month-to-month available)
3203 Lake Powell Rd #101, (757) 229-4432
2.3km from campus (on bus line)

City Loft Apartments
1406 Richmond Rd., 757) 847-5078
2.3km from campus

High Street View Apartments
150 Kings Manor Dr., (833) 286-8274
2.8km from campus (on bus line)

The James on Merrimac
500 Merrimac Trl., (757) 695-9070
3.9km from campus (on bus line)

Rolling Meadow Apartments
4906 Grand Strand Dr., (757) 229-9629
4.0km from campus

Country Club Apartments
201 Tam-O-Shanter Blvd., (833) 434-4915
4.5km from campus (on bus line)

Regency at Longhill
5302 Lane Place Dr., (757) 229-8886
5.0km from campus (on bus line)

Steeplechase Apartments
3700 W. Steeplechase Way, (757) 253-2466
5.0km from campus

Flats of Williamsburg (month-to-month available)
614 York St., (757) 220-0963
6.0km from campus (on bus line)

Olde Jamestown (month-to-month available)
117 Old Jamestowne Ct., (757) 229-4500
6.0km from campus (on bus line)

Spotswood Commons Apartments
100 Glenburie Dr., (757) 645-9288
7.4km from campus

Founders Village Apartments
2800 Ben Franklin Cir., (757) 703-7111
7.6km from campus (on bus line)

Current Midtown Apartments
221 Monticello Ave., (757) 780-1497
7.6km from campus (on bus line)

Monticello at Powhatan
3500 Carriage House Way, (757) 220-0444
8.0km from campus

Whether you are searching for short-term temporary housing or a long-term rental, use the resources below to help you in your search. New international students are also encouraged to reach out to their international peer leaders, current students, and other new students to make connections and find off-campus housing together.

• Stay in a hotel - Many local hotels offer rates for long stays that are cheaper than their short stay rates.
• International Post-it List Serv - Emails go out to the international community on Thursdays. Some students use this to seek housing or advertise spaces.
• Local Listings (see above) - Sublet or rent an apartment for a short period of time. Students who live off-campus but do not stay in Williamsburg during the summer or winter break often rent out their rooms when they are away. Some of these options include furnishings (bed, etc.). There are also apartments that are rented by landlords on a monthly basis.
• VIMS Housing - Housing resources for VIMS students, scholars, and employees
• Off-Campus Housing Facebook Group - Some students use this to seek housing or advertise spaces. (Note: This group is not officially affiliated with W&M and is provided for informational purposes only. ISSP does not endorse nor confirm the accuracy of its content).
• Departmental listservs and message boards (School of Education, School of Business, VIMS, etc.)—ask your department manager if these exist.
• Whose Your Landlord - Provides evaluations of landlords from prior tenants

Some apartment complexes may provide furnished apartments for a fee, but you can also rent furniture and appliances.

• Cort Rental
• Rent-A-Center