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USA Student Housing Trends for 2025: What International Students Need To Know
The United States having been one of the most preferred destinations for international education, student enrollment in the country has continued to grow rapidly.
With more than 1.09 million international students enrolled in the US for the 2023-24 academic year, and its housing market contributing around $17.6 billion, understanding the nuances becomes very important.
So, this blog is an attempt to understand the latest and prevailing trends in the US housing market. Let’s dive in!
Lack of Supply
To start with, international student enrollment in the US has seen a significant rise in the past year.
Popular choices for these students included destinations like California, New York, and Texas, and the demand out there is only intensifying.
However, this growth has also brought some challenges in finding an ample number of accommodations.
Student enrollment in the nation is set to reach 20.5 million by 2027, but the supply of on-campus housing doesn’t seem very keen on supporting.
Also read: Top 8 Student Cities for International Students in the US
Rising Rental Costs
Not only that, the lack of adequate supply has been one of the primary reasons for the rising rental costs in the US; precisely an increase of 10.1% per bed in the past year.
Observing this, students have started to plan their accommodation way earlier than before, driving the rental prices further up.
This combination of limited supply and the resulting anxiety has put the US in a situation where only 21.5% of undergraduates at the top 175 universities are able to secure on-campus housing.
Flexible Housing Options
It’s perhaps these reasons that have given more room to flexible housing options in 2024. Options like short-term leases, co-living spaces, and subletting arrangements, have emerged as an alternative lately.
Apart from being affordable, they also attract students by virtue of their convenience.
Now, since these options are more open to modifications or requests, they give students who require mobility due to their hybrid or remote learning model, a sense of their money being worth.
Also, they are particularly favourite among many students who prefer autonomy during their stay at their apartment near UW.
Smart Technology Integration
Smart connectivity is a term that has taken a solid footing in the US student housing market.
The requirements from the students usually come in the form of features like keyless entry, smart thermostats, and 24/7 internet access.
However, the demands are not always put forth by the students. In many cases, it is also the landlords who are adopting these technologies to attract a better pool of students and qualify their properties for better rent.
All in all, these technologies are aimed at building internet-powered residencies.
Sustainability
Speaking of requirements, students are also expressing more interest in living options that take them closer to sustainable living.
This has happened because the new generation of international students who are currently enrolled in universities have grown up learning about climate sustainability.
This means that when they see a student accommodation listing mentioning energy-efficient appliances; solar panels; and recycling programs, they’re most likely to click on it.
Such a development has compelled the developers to build more eco-friendly properties lately.
Community Engagement and Well-being
A focus on the above two categories of requirements naturally paved the way for an emphasis on well-being inside the student residencies.
Landlords are now offering amenities like fitness centres, meditation rooms, and mental health support for students. Such developments have significantly increased competition in the market.
Moreover, this competition has been fuelled by landlords organising events like game nights, movie screenings, and group activities.
Engaging in such activities seems to be a win-win for both parties, as indicated by their rapid demand and adoption.
Investment Growth
Addressing the lucrativeness of such rapidly growing demands and the potential for fresh properties, companies like Munzer and Walton Street Capital have invested $46 million in acquiring properties. They did so in areas near West Lafayette.
Similarly, firms like Investcorp are acquiring properties at major universities like the University of Florida and the University of Texas.
For students, this would mean more options, better amenities, and greater attention to the overall quality of living inside TAMU on-campus housing.
Conclusion
So, as we learnt, the US student housing market is going through some difficulties right now.
However, it is these very hindrances that are giving rise to a whole new set of advanced accommodations. It is for us to keep an eye on the market and make smart moves for an enriching living experience in the country.
Sources
- https://research.com/education/student-housing-trends
- https://amberstudent.com/news/post/us-student-housing-mapping-rental-trends-student-migration-patterns
- https://www.bookingninjas.com/blog/student-housing-trends-all-you-need-to-know
- https://amberstudent.com/news/post/top-10-student-housing-trends-to-know-in-2024
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