West Virginia University Off Campus Housing Guide

This guide covers off-campus housing for West Virginia University students in Morgantown, West Virginia. Morgantown is one of Appalachia's most vibrant college towns, with a dense student rental market built around WVU's campus and the city's iconic Sunnyside neighborhood. Whether you're a freshman exploring your options or an upperclassman ready to sign a lease, this guide will help you navigate the Morgantown rental landscape.

Browse verified off-campus listings near West Virginia University at Off-Campus Universe.

Why WVU Students Choose to Live Off Campus

West Virginia University's Morgantown campus is spread across multiple areas connected by the Personal Rapid Transit system, and many students choose off-campus housing to reduce costs and gain more independence. Morgantown has a robust rental market with options ranging from Sunnyside party houses to quieter apartment complexes on the outskirts of campus. Off-campus costs in Morgantown are among the lowest of any major research university in the country.

West Virginia University Off Campus Housing: Best Neighborhoods in Morgantown

West virginia university off campus housing is spread across several distinct areas connected by the PRT system — Sunnyside, Evansdale, and downtown Morgantown being the most popular with students. Sunnyside is the densest student neighborhood, located adjacent to the Evansdale campus. Students living on the downtown side access the downtown campus by PRT or on foot and generally pay slightly lower rents than those in Sunnyside.

Rental Costs in Morgantown

Morgantown is one of the most affordable college-town rental markets in the Big 12. One-bedroom apartments near WVU typically run $700–$1,100 per month, and shared two- and three-bedroom units bring per-person costs down to $450–$750. Sunnyside houses rented by groups of four or five students can be extremely affordable on a per-person basis. Newer complexes near the Downtown campus with modern amenities run at the higher end of the range.

What to Know Before Signing a Lease in Morgantown

• Learn the PRT routes before choosing a neighborhood — WVU's Personal Rapid Transit connects Downtown Campus, Evansdale, and the medical campus, making car-free living feasible from most rental areas

• Ask about the heating system — Morgantown winters are cold and snowy, and older buildings in Sunnyside can have high gas heating bills from November through March

• Start your search in fall for the following August — Sunnyside houses and campus-adjacent apartments lease fast, often by January

• Check whether the building has been recently inspected; older student rental housing in Sunnyside varies widely in maintenance quality

• Ask about parking if you plan to have a car — Morgantown is hilly and transit-oriented, but students who commute off campus by car need dedicated parking

• Review noise and gathering policies; Sunnyside is known for a lively social scene and some blocks have strict landlord and city enforcement

Finding Off-Campus Housing Near WVU

Off-Campus Universe provides a searchable directory of verified listings near West Virginia University, covering Sunnyside, Evansdale, and the surrounding Morgantown rental market.

Start your search and browse all available listings at Off-Campus Universe — West Virginia University.

This guide is provided by an independent housing resource and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by West Virginia University.