Consider arriving early and short-term housing before choosing a longer-term place – below are some short-term options.

University of Minnesota Housing

Here are some options from the University of Minnesota

Hotels & Motels

There are several hotels near the East and West Bank campuses, which are convenient to the University of Minnesota East Bank campus where the Medical School is housed.

You can find a list of all University of Minnesota discounted hotel rates at this link (Click on "Category Name" to sort by category, then scroll down to "Lodging - Local Hotels, Twin Cities" and select the hotel)

It is advisable to secure long-term housing prior to program start. Resources are readily available to help trainees find suitable arrangements.

On-Campus Housing

Campus housing is available for interns and their families through the University of Minnesota. This is a convenient option that provides safe, affordable housing in a community of graduate, international, and professional students/trainees and families.

Como Student Community Cooperative – The CSCC has two- and three-bedroom apartments and townhouses that are around 1000$ a month and includes all utilities and on-site parking. It is located about 2 miles from the Minneapolis East Bank campus and is comprised of more than 350 families/units. For trainees with children, it is located in the Minneapolis Public School District which offers trainees options for school enrollment. Rent is month-to-month which allows flexibility to move without being bound to an extensive lease term.

Commonwealth Terrace Cooperative – The CTC has very affordable one, two, and three-bedroom with a reasonable membership fee. There are 464 families/units with very international residents. CTC is located near the St. Paul campus and is convenient to the free U of M transit system which has regularly scheduled buses to and from the East and West Bank Minneapolis campuses.

Off-Campus Housing

Off-campus housing allows interns to find a place that best meets their needs. It is a great option for those seeking a non-University neighborhood or particular amenities that may not be available in on-campus options. It is also much more available than on-campus housing, which is often limited by an extensive waiting list. The University of Minnesota has resources available to help trainees find safe, affordable housing. A good website to peruse is:

https://rentals.tc.umn.edu/ochls/

If you have children, consider school district and available options; certain school districts do not allow open enrollment, which means you must live in that district for your child to attend that school. Check out the “Schools” chapter of this guide for more information about this. You will also want to be convenient to public transportation if you will not have a car available. Certain buses only run in a single direction and during rush hour times.

Some useful websites to find housing: 

• www.craigslist.com

• www.apartments.com

• www.rent.com

• www.move.com

Don’t forget that there is always a possibility to buy a house/apartment. Common practice in the USA is to get a real estate agent to help you with that process. The process takes time and you should own a house 3-5 years in order for it to be financially advantageous. Consider discussing this option with your colleagues/friends from the program that have lived in US for a while.  

A bit about the neighborhoods:

●  Suburbs – great safe options for families. Not an option for people without a car. Check out google maps and respective cities websites

●  Minneapolis – more than 80 neighborhoods – popular ones listed below:

• Uptown –vibrant nightlife, cultural life and trendiness, therefore popular community for young people. The Midtown Greenway bisects Uptown is provides a thoroughfare for bike and foot traffic. Proximity to the University of Minnesota, East Bank: Average, 5.5 miles.

• Nordeast – Also known as Northeast. Fast growing community for young professionals, trainees, and students. Has a strong Eastern-European feel and base population and excellent restaurant options. It is well-known as an arts district. Convenient shopping at the Quarry Center. Proximity to the University of Minnesota, East Bank: Average, 5 miles.

• Marcy-Holmes, Como, Stadium Village, Prospect Park – 4 East Bank communities bordering the University of Minnesota campus. Known for a heavy student population and the active nightlife. Prospect Park has a lower undergraduate population and tends to be the most expensive living option of these communities; it is also the most residential, with very little commercial presence. Convenient to campus Stadium Village and Prospect Park are nearest the University of Minnesota Fairview Hospital & Clinic. Proximity to the University of Minnesota, East Bank: Average, 1-2 miles.

• Cedar Riverside – A west bank multi-cultural community, Cedar Riverside is convenient to campus and offers a variety of ethnic restaurants and entertainment options. Near the University of Minnesota Fairview Medical Center – Riverside campus and Masonic Children’s’ Hospital. Proximity to the University of Minnesota, East Bank: Average, 1-2 miles.

• Downtown – several residential districts, including the North Loop or Warehouse District and East Downtown with a lot of new (pricier) rental options. They are close to everything downtown as to offer and convenient to transit lines or bike routes to the University of Minnesota. Of the neighborhoods listed, they are also the closest to several area health centers, including Hennepin County Medical Center (HCMC – Level 1 Trauma), Abbott Northwestern Hospital, and Children’s Hospital and Clinics. 

Using your umn.edu email address you can search local listing and people looking for roommates. The application will let you search by neighborhoods, and criteria that you are specifically looking for in a place and roommate.

• UMN Off-Campus Marketplace | University of Minnesota Twin Cities