College Court Apartments – Nittany Property Management (Off-Campus Housing)

College Court Apartments is a suitable off-campus housing located at Blue Course Drive near North Atherton Street. It is 1.3 miles away from Pattee Library at Penn State University. This apartment complex consists of furnished apartments in a 1-bedroom or a studio format. The 1-bedrooms are suitable for couples and the studios are suitable for singles. As of August 2019, the rents are $785 and $685 per month respectively and includes all utilities, gas, electric, cable connection and internet within the rent. Laundry in-building and costs $1.50 for washing machine and $1.50 for dryer. Giant Grocery store is just across the street.

Pros
1. Cheaper than other alternatives.
2. Comparatively close to campus than other off-campus housings. Eligible for CATA bus pass. The CATA routes served are N, W, V, NE and the bus stops are within a short walk.
3. Grocery nearby (Giant and East Asian Market couples of minutes’ walk, Weis 0.5 mile, Walmart 1.1 miles)
4. In-building laundry
5. Excellent service and maintenance
6. Rent is all inclusive (e.g. Cable connection, Internet, Electricity, Heat, Trash etc.)
7. Overall quality of the apartments are good
8. Free parking for all the residents
9. Quiet neighborhood

Cons
1. Difficulty level of securing an apartment is pretty high. Applications for leases are walk-in type and called on a certain day usually in March with few hours’ notice.
2. Cost is relatively high for single students compared to alternative locations which offer multiple bedrooms to be shared among single students.

– Jamil

Nittany Gardens (Off-Campus Housing)

Nittany gardens is one of the decent apartment complex in the State College. If you like farming then Nittany garden is a nice place for you, they have some plots for gardening during summer.

Pros

• Very close to the campus(about 15-20 minute of walk). Grocery store are only at 5 minute walking distance.
• Lots of green around. Very beautiful around the year.
• on-site laundry, athelatics track, swimming pool, basket ball and tennis court.
• House quality is good with good fittings.
• Calm and serene as fewer undergrades live there.
• Free parking for all the residents.

Cons

• No bus pass is provided by the Housing Company. Bas pass is available at $50 per month.

White Course Apartments (On-campus housing)

– Rubaba

Parkway Plaza Apartments (Off-campus)

Parkway plaza apartments are located in 1000 Plaza Drive, State College, about 2.57 km away from central library of Pennsylvania State University provides accommodation with a fitness centre, private parking, swimming pool, and a computer lounge. Among the facilities at this property are on-site laundry, cable connection, and free WiFi throughout all apartments. Parkway plaza offering a studio, 1-bed-1-bath (small), 1-bed-1-bath (large), 2 beds-1-bath, 2 beds-2-baths, and 3 beds-2-baths apartments options. The apartment units can be furnished/unfurnished depend on renter’s preference. The rent prices are ranged from 500 to 1400 USD (e.g., 800 for studio; 890 for 1 bed-1 bath; 1200 for 2 beds-2 baths and so on). The best thing in parkway plaza is you can rent a unit (such as 1 bedroom) in a 2 beds-1bath or 2 beds-2 baths or 3 brds-2 baths apartments. The rent is covering utilities, electricity, gas, cable connection, and internet, however you should have your own router installed. Private parking is provided which needs to buy separately around $30 per month. Weis grocery store, Pizza hut, and few restaurants are in a 1-5 minutes distance by walk.

Pros:

1. Laundry facility in each floor (One cycle cost: 1.25 and 1.00 for washing and drying)
2. Unit rent is possible (don’t need to rent whole apartment if you are single)
3. One bedroom in a 2 beds-1 bath will cost $505 (unfurnished) and $531(furnished); One bedroom in a 2 beds-2 bath will cost $620 (unfurnished) and $635 (furnished); One bedroom in a 3 beds-2 baths will cost $500 (unfurnished) and $525 (furnished)
4. Studio: $785 (unfurnished) & 800 (furnished); Standard 1-bedroom apartment: $845 (unfurnished) & 860 (furnished); Large 1-bedroom apartment: $870 (unfurnished) & 900 (furnished)
5. Comparatively close to campus about 25 mins walking distance to library. The CATA routes served are R, RC and RP and the bus stop is only 1-2 minutes walking distance
6. Grocery nearby (Weis market: couples of minutes’ walk)
7. Buss pass provided (Included with rent)
8. Excellent service and maintenance
9. Rent is all inclusive (e.g. Cable connection, Internet, Electricity, Heat, and Trash etc.)

Cons:

1. 12-months lease
2. Heating is controlled centrally
3. For unit rent, you may need to share the apartment with someone

– Shadhin

Stone Glenn Apartments (NDC Asset Management) (Off-Campus)

Stone Glenn Apartments is another viable off-campus housing located at Bristol Avenue near Blue Course Drive. It is within 3 miles from Pattee Library at Penn State University and with 2.5 miles from State College Downtown. This complex has 2-bedroom apartment options only, which are suitable for couples or can be shared with other students. As of November 2019, the rents are $1295.  Unit includes water, sewer, trash removal, lawn care, and snow removal. Each unit also has a laundry/storage room with a full-size washer and dryer. Residents needs to pay gas, electric, cable and internet. Apartment complex has 24-hour access to the private, on-site fitness facility. Passes to swimming pool, volleyball & tennis courts, picnic area w/ pavilion. Details of the apartment units can be found at: https://www.apartments.com/stone-glenn-apartments-state-college-pa/xzrsc8q/.

Pros:

1. In-unit laundry
2. Excellent service and maintenance
3. Overall quality of the apartments are good
4. 2 free parking spots for the residents
5. Very quiet neighborhood

Cons:

1. Comparatively a bit expensive
2. You will need a car for grocery, especially during winter

Lions Gate Apartments (Off-Campus Housing)

Lions Gate Apartments is a suitable off-campus housing located at 424 Waupelani Drive opposite Weis (supermarket store). It is 2.2 miles away from Pattee Library at Penn State University (via S. Atherton street). This apartment complex consists of furnished apartments in a 1, 2-bedroom or a studio format. The 1-bedrooms are suitable for couples and the studios are suitable for singles. As of August 2019, the rents are $995 and $810 per month (unfurnished) respectively and includes all utilities, gas, electric, cable connection and internet within the rent. However, a couple of guys can share a 2-bedroom apartment, rent of which is $1090 including all utilities except electricity. The apartment has a gas-based heating system, so anyone does not have to pay extra money. Laundry costs are $2.25 for washing and $2.25 for drying. Additionally, Dominoes, a few Asian restaurant outlets, and Goodwill are just across the street.

Pros:

1. Comparatively close to campus than other off-campus housings. Eligible for CATA bus pass. The CATA routes served are R and RC and the bus stops are within a short walk.
2. Grocery nearby (Weis is a minute’s walk). Walmart is 3.1 mi away.
3. In-building laundry
4. Excellent service and maintenance
5. Rent is all-inclusive (e.g. Cable connection, Internet, Electricity, Heat, Trash, etc.)
6. The overall quality of the apartments are good
7. Free parking for all the residents
8. Quiet neighborhood
9. Majority of Graduate students reside in the area and adjoining apartments

Cons:

1. The difficulty level of securing an apartment is high. Application for a lease is walk-in type and called on a certain day usually in April-June.
2. Cost is relatively high for single students compared to alternative locations which offer multiple bedrooms to be shared among single students.

– Gourab