Blacksburg Housing Options
Housing Availability
LCI students typically stay with local families, in university residence halls, and in local apartments. The town of Blacksburg has an extensive bus system reaching most accommodations, the university, and shopping venues. Campus-based residence hall housing is available to AdvantageVT students and to other students on a space-available basis.
| Campus Housing | Homestay | Apartments | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AdvantageVT | All year | All year | All year |
| AdvantageVT-Master's | All year/Limited* | All year | All year |
| Intensive English | Summer only | All year | All year |
| English Essentials | Summer only | All year | All year |
| Other programs | Limited* | All year | All year |
* Limited = Subject to availability.
Campus Housing
Dormitory fees vary by housing type. Rates are available at the Housing and Residence Life website.
The on-campus Residence Hall rooms contain basic furniture including beds, desks, dressers/cabinets and a sink. You must provide your own sheets, towels, and blankets. Wait until you arrive to purchase them because the beds are an unusual “long twin” size. Students usually pay $50 to $100 for these items. Cooking facilities are limited.
Students who live in residence halls on campus are required to purchase one of three dining plans. Menus are diverse and offer a range of options, including halal and vegan/vegetarian offerings. For more information check out the Dining Services interactive menu at dining.vt.edu/menus.
Contact the LCI office at lci-info@vt.edu to inquire as to availability and for booking assistance.
Homestay
Homestay, or staying with an American host, offers a cultural experience by providing additional time to practice English on a more personal level. Homestay hosts are selected based on proximity to the main campus and are convenient to bus lines. This housing option is ideal for short-term stays.
Features include:
- Private bedroom with shared bath
- Continental breakfast and dinner daily
- Supplied linens
- Access to laundry facilities
Get more information, including rates and booking assistance, at Blacksburg Homestay or American Homestay Network.
Apartments
Most Virginia Tech students live off-campus. Students who bring their families are required to live off-campus. An apartment, usually with one or more bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, and a bathroom, is normally rented by a family or shared by two or more students. Most students live in apartments or single rooms. Many of these are within walking distance of campus or are on the town bus routes.
Apartment rooms are usually unfurnished and include cooking facilities. Bathrooms are usually shared. Rent may or may not include utilities such as water and sewer or trash collection. Gas and/or electric services may also be separate expenses; these costs can be significant during winter months for heating.
Rent for single rooms begins at $400 per month, not including utilities or furniture. One-bedroom apartments, including utilities, cost on average of $900 per month. Two-bedroom apartments cost on average $1000 to $1200 per month. Four-bedroom suites start at about $1,800 per month.
Occupants must sign a lease, or housing contract, usually for 12 months. Shorter lease terms are difficult to find in August but may be available in January and May. Once signed, a lease cannot be broken or changed. Almost all apartments come unfurnished. Furnishings are generally acquired from secondhand stores and private “yard sales,” from rental companies, or local stores.
Following are some links to assist you in finding apartments in the Blacksburg area:
- Virginia Tech Off-Campus Housing Service (Apartment guides, information about apartment and realty companies in the area)
Disclaimer
The inclusion of any service, property, or rental unit on this website does not constitute, and shall not be construed or reported as (1) an endorsement or approval by Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech) or the Language and Culture Institute (LCI) of the landlord, its properties, or its business practices, or (2) a warranty or representation by Virginia Tech or LCI as to the quality, safety, or other features of such property and/or its owners or management agent(s). Virginia Tech and LCI expressly disclaim any and all responsibility for any problems that may arise with regard to such property or rental units or with regard to disputes between landlords and tenants concerning such property or rental units. All prospective tenants are encouraged to exercise their own good judgment when evaluating a prospective rental unit or landlord.