Willamette University’s Salem campus is located at 900 State Street in Salem, Oregon, close to downtown and many of the city’s restaurants, shops, parks, and entertainment options. While many students live on campus, students who have completed Willamette’s live-on requirement, have an approved exemption, or are graduate students can explore off-campus housing in the Salem area. Willamette specifically directs students looking for off-campus housing to JumpOffCampus, where they can find Salem-specific rental listings.

For students who are eligible to live off campus, Salem offers several different options depending on how close you want to be to Willamette, your budget, and whether you plan to walk, bike, drive, or use public transportation. Living close to campus can make getting to class easier, while looking farther into Salem can give you more choices when it comes to apartment size, price, and amenities.

One of the biggest advantages of living near campus is convenience. Willamette’s Salem campus is located near downtown Salem, and the university describes downtown as being less than half a mile from campus. Students who prioritize being able to walk to class, campus events, restaurants, and other activities may want to start their search in the neighborhoods immediately surrounding the university.

Living close to campus can also make it easier to get involved in student life without having to plan around a long commute. If you find a rental within walking or biking distance, you may be able to spend less time commuting and more time on campus. When searching for housing, don't just look at the distance shown on a map. Check the actual walking or biking route, look at the surrounding streets, and visit the property before signing a lease whenever possible. A property that looks close online may have a very different commute depending on the route and your transportation options.

Downtown Salem is another area worth considering for students who want to be close to restaurants, coffee shops, entertainment, and other city amenities. Willamette highlights downtown Salem as an area with restaurants and entertainment, while also pointing to nearby attractions such as Bush’s Pasture Park and the historic Elsinore Theatre.

For students who want more than just a place to sleep between classes, living near downtown can provide a balance between being close to campus and having things to do outside of school. However, properties closer to popular parts of Salem can differ significantly in price, size, parking availability, and included utilities. Compare the full monthly cost of each rental rather than looking only at the advertised rent.

Students who don't need to live immediately next to campus can expand their search to other parts of Salem. This can give you access to a wider range of apartments, houses, and shared housing arrangements. The tradeoff is transportation. Before choosing a rental farther from Willamette, consider how you will get to campus every day. If you have a car, check whether the rental includes parking and what parking is like in the surrounding area. Willamette requires permits for its campus parking lots, while city parking is also available on nearby streets.

If you don't have a car, look carefully at walking, biking, and public transportation options before signing a lease. Your commute can have a significant effect on your daily routine, especially if you have classes, work, athletics, or activities on campus.

Check out JumpOffCampus and begin your search for off-campus apartments near Willamette University - Salem Campus now!