Houses & Apartments Near Illinois State

When To Start Your ISU Off-Campus Housing Hunt

Most leases are inked between September and November in Bloomington-Normal for the following year, and the later you search could mean a longer walk or bike ride to campus in your future.

Rent Prices in Normal, IL

Typically, houses for rent in Bloomington or Normal are the hottest commodities. If you’re looking to live with a bunch of roommates in a house or duplex near campus with Young America or Class Act Realty, you’ll have to act by the end of October. If you’re more interested in your own peace and quiet, you can probably wait until sometime during the second semester to get a studio apartment in Normal or Bloomington.

Turn your friends into roommates. It might make or break your relationships, but at least you’ll save a  few bucks during these years where money is agonizingly tight. Plus, there’s always time to make new friends.  Student apartments in Normal come at a premium, and a majority of the newer luxury buildings have plenty of one-bedroom units but are going to charge you for things like a rec room. You be the judge if that’s worth the cost. Either way, we’ve found the average rents around and have broken it down for you. You’re welcome.

Here's a breakdown of average rents per person, per bedroom:

• How much do studio apartments near Illinois State University cost?
  The average rent for a studio apartment in Normal, IL is $657.
• How much do 1 bedroom apartments near Illinois State University cost? 
  The average rent for a 1 bedroom apartment in Normal, IL is $704.
• How much do 2 bedroom apartments near Illinois State University cost?
  The average rent for a 2 bedroom apartment in Normal, IL is $461.
• How much do 3 bedroom apartments near Illinois State University cost?
  The average rent for a 3 bedroom apartment in Normal, IL is $427.
• How much do 4 bedroom apartments near Illinois State University cost?
  The average rent for a 4 bedroom apartment in Normal, IL is $391.
• How much do 5+ bedroom apartments for rent in Illinois 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 Normal, IL is $413.

Illinois State University Jobs & Careers

We can all agree expenses in college add up fast! From the cost of housing, tuition, books, and your everyday living expenses, it can feel like you could be paying off student loans until the end of time. To help with the costs, consider getting a part-time or full-time job. 

There’s a wide variety of job opportunities available in Bloomington and a ton of ways to find them. Try job searching on LinkedIn or Glassdoor. If you’re looking for something with a flexible schedule and a short commute to campus, you can learn more and start your search for jobs at the Student Employment website.

You can find common jobs like:

• Library Aide
• Undergraduate Assistant
• Graduate Assistant
• Cafeteria Worker 
• Child Care 
• And more! 

Safety at ISU

Illinois State University’s aims to provide a safe, healthy, and secure environment for all ISU students, faculty, staff, and visitors. That’s why across ISU there is a wide range of safety efforts to help keep the off-campus neighborhoods safe. In all of these efforts, everyone has a role to play. Below you will find information you need to help maintain the ISU culture of safety.

• Let your friends or roommates know where you are. You can share your location with them or download one of the many safety apps out there like Noonlight. Avoid walking alone at night, and make sure to lock up and hide all belongings. 
• Download the Safe RedBirds app to your smartphone to receive important safety alerts and have instant access to campus safety resources.
• If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, are coping with a traumatic experience, or need to report cases such as assault or domestic violence, you can call Student Counseling Services at (309) 438-3655.

For emergencies please call 911, and for all non-emergency services call (309) 438-8631.

Parking Around ISU

Students and faculty at Illinois State have various lots and parking structures they can park in daily. However, these spots go fast! Annual and semester campus parking passes are available through the Office of Parking and Transportation and you can purchase permits through the online Parking Portal. Keep in mind that these lots do often fill up fast, and they are on a first-come-first-served basis. Certain parking areas are reserved for students who live off campus, others for students who live on campus, and some for faculty and staff. A parking permit is required in most areas, but pay stations and meters are also available. If you don’t get a pass or parking space, you’ll most likely find yourself navigating parking on the streets around campus, so be aware of your time—parking tickets add up fast! 

How to Get Around Bloomington-Normal, IL

The majority of ISU students live near campus so they walk and bike to class and around town. If you don’t have your own vehicle, or if you just don’t feel like driving all over town searching for a spot to park, Bloomington offers plenty of options to help you get around the city. Many ISU students use different modes of transportation to get around, such as free park and ride options, public transit, carpooling, walking, and biking.

• RedBird Express and Universal Access are free with a valid ISU ID.
• Reggie Ride is a free bike rental program available with a valid ISU ID
• Bloomington-Normal has both Lyft and Uber. Tip: To save some money, download both apps and compare the route costs before scheduling a ride.

Things To Do in Normal, IL

If you have yet to find your clan, receive free stuff, and enjoy the quad, you need to check out the Festival ISU during the fall. It's got some history. Over 300 campus organizations put on their best face and try to recruit you annually and about 100 area businesses show up too, so if you want to get a jump start on finding a place to live in BloNo, you’ll be able to meet and greet some property management companies near Illinois State in person.

It's also rumored that when the weather is nice to capture the flag is played every Monday and Wednesday on the Quad from 10-12 at night. If you need to relax in the classroom or on your computer, the Quad is also known to help with that. Close by is an area called Uptown Normal with a miniature downtown feel where you can chill, eat, and shop. Uptown Normal has a budget-minded movie theater, but you also need to check out the movie showings at the football stadium. 

Dining Near ISU

We found a lineup of restaurants where Illinois State Students love to go. We'll leave the ranking up to you!

• DP Dough 
• Insomnia Cookies 
• Crepe Geeks

Outdoors and Recreation at ISU

Even if you have no clue what an outdoor adventure looks like, Campus Recreation will help you out. If you're more spontaneous there are a handful of guided trips for you to choose from, so just show up. If your skills are not in midseason form, you can also check out the climbing wall and ask the staff for advice.

If true exploration is what satisfies your fix, just swing by the office and they can give you an idea of some places to go. Equipment can be a deal-breaking investment for outdoor activities, but they also have discounted rentals. When you want to stay closer to home the Constitution Trail right in Normal will deliver on a good bike ride or run.