Houses & Apartments near Iowa State University

When To Start Searching For Houses & Apartments in Ames, IA

Sometimes thinking about doing something is more exhausting than actually doing it. For example, thinking about cleaning your side of the dorm room can seem tiring - but it really only takes 15 minutes (unless your side of the room looks like it should be featured on an episode of Hoarders). Finding a house or apartment in Ames, IA, for the next school year is just like that. The idea of starting your search is actually more daunting than the actual task. 

What’s great about trying to find an apartment or house for rent in Ames, IA, near Iowa State is that the off-campus housing hunt doesn’t really kick off until midway through the fall semester. So you’ll actually have time between settling into your new place and finding your next place. 

A majority of students start searching in late October to early November.  But the students who start then are looking for specifically for the large rentals or bigger groups. So if you’re not trying to snatch one of the bigger houses for rent in Ames, IA, off the market, you don’t have to start your search until late in the first semester.

If you’re looking to rent a studio or one-bedroom apartment in Ames, near Iowa State University, you can put off your search until the second semester. Just make sure you have a place locked down by Spring Break. If you wait until after break to find a place, you’ll be picking through a much smaller selection of Ames apartments near campus.

What’s The Rent Like For Houses & Apartments in Ames, IA

When you go to the largest college in the state, you can expect the rent prices to be a bit higher than neighboring campuses like the University of Iowa and the University of Northern Iowa. But fear not! There are a ton of different ways to save money that don’t involve switching to Geico. For example, if you choose to live with a few roommates you’re going to save a few hundred dollars every month than if you chose to live on your own. Historically, when rooming with a few other people will save you a ton of money. Will they eat some of your ramen and annoy you every now and then? Yeah, probably. But the pros definitely outweigh the cons here.

If you’re willing to drop a few extra bucks on rent, there are a couple of really cool luxury apartments in Ames, IA, to choose from. Again, unless you want to be dropping more money on your apartment than your tuition - FIND A FEW ROOMMATES!

Here’s a breakdown of the average rates for apartments & houses for rent in Ames, Iowa, per person:

• How much do studio apartments near Iowa State University cost?
  The average rent for a studio apartment in Ames, IA is $677.
• How much do 1 bedroom apartments near Iowa State University cost?
  The average rent for a 1 bedroom apartment in Ames, IA is $732.
• How much do 2 bedroom apartments near Iowa State University cost?
  The average rent for a 2 bedroom apartment in Ames, IA is $444.
• How much do 3 bedroom apartments near Iowa State University cost?
  The average rent for a 3 bedroom apartment in Ames, IA is $442.
• How much do 4 bedroom apartments near Iowa State University cost?
  The average rent for a 4 bedroom apartment in Ames, IA is $456.
• How much do 5 bedroom apartments for rent in Iowa State University cost?
  While there will be some differences in price points depending on if you’re looking for a 5 or a 10 bedroom rental, the average rent for a 5+ bedroom apartment in Ames, IA is $580.

Life at Iowa State University

Life at Iowa State University is full of good times and even greater food. All college students need a go-to pizza joint, and Great Plains Pizza is ISU’s best option. If you’re not feeling Italian, swing by the classic Hickory Park Restaurant. With 100 menu options of hickory-smoked meats and parlor-style sundae desserts, you won’t be disappointed. But if you are, there might be something wrong with you -- students have been praising the place for 45 years straight.

Here are some other restaurants you’ll want to check out:

• Fighting Burrito
• Clyde's Sports Club
• Deano's 119 Main
• London Underground

Outdoors/Recreation At Iowa State

College isn’t all beer and bar food - there are plenty of other things to do with your time off! Lake La Verne is a great place on campus to hang out and relax. To enjoy the lake up close, rent a boat or canoe from the campus Rec Center and go for a cruise. Tubing and swimming down the Skunk River is another great way to enjoy the outdoors in Ames. You can also stop on the South River Valley Park for an afternoon picnic or a sporting event with friends. Another enjoyable park with wooded trails is the Ames Park and Recreation Center.

Planning a larger trip into the outdoors can be hard when you don’t know the area or don’t have the tools you need to enjoy it. But don’t worry! If you lack proper equipment, the Outdoor Recreation Center has equipment rentals, as well as student workshops and campus-planned outdoor trips.

Things to Do In Ames, IA

A lot of the student body is very content relaxing on campus and enjoying activities hosted in the Memorial Union. The Central Campus lawns are the premier real estate to relax or enjoy the company of friends while keeping an eye out for the elusive albino squirrel.

Many organizations on campus host great activities. For great concerts, the Student Union Board is known for bringing headline-worthy performers right on campus for your enjoyment. If you’re a night owl, taking a stroll over to the Memorial Union for ISU After Dark can be a great way to socialize and blow off some steam.

Attending a Cyclones sporting event can be the best way to unapologetically express your school pride. If you’re at your first football game, be prepared to learn the lyrics to Neil Diamond’s classic “Sweet Caroline,” which students sing during the 3rd and 4th quarters (and of course, after the home team wins, too). Touchdowns are celebrated with the Cyclone cannon, which booms after players score. And when the team wins, you’ll hear the iconic sound of the Victory Bell.

If you’re into basketball, get ready to make some noise: Hilton Stadium is built to hold in sound, and crowds have actually shaken the court floor with their cheering before. Enthusiastic fans might play a part in the phenomenon sports reporters have dubbed “Hilton Magic,” a mysterious circumstance where Iowa State routinely manages to dominate their opponents in miraculous upset victories.