Housing in St. Louis for International Students

The St. Louis region is one of the Midwest’s key cultural destinations, boasting an abundance of museums, music and theater venues, sporting events, fine dining and shopping districts.

The St. Louis Visitor’s Commission offers Explore St. Louis, a website offering information about St. Louis dining, events, cultural activities, children’s activities and transportation. It is an authority on what to see and do in the St. Louis area.

For more information about St. Louis and the neighborhoods surrounding Washington University in St. Louis’ campuses, please explore more about St. Louis on the central WUSTL website.

Residential Housing

Washington University requires all full-time, first-year, degree-seeking undergraduate students are required to live in the residence halls for the entire academic year unless this policy is otherwise suspended by the University. This requirement does not apply to incoming transfer or incoming exchange students.

For more information, please contact Res Life or visit the ResLife website.

Apartment Rental

The Metropolitan St. Louis Equal Housing Opportunity Council provides a list of tenant rights, which you should be familiar with if you will be renting an apartment.

If you decide to rent an apartment or other housing off campus, it is strongly recommended that you purchase renter’s insurance. Renter’s insurance covers your personal property in case of fire, damage or theft. You can find an insurance agent by searching online.

The Washington University Police Department (WUPD) provides an apartment security checklist that you can print and use when checking out your new apartment.

WUSTL-Owned Apartments

Apartments owned by WUSTL provide a centralized university phone system and Ethernet connection and are managed by Quadrangle Housing. Most of the apartments are located in the Skinker–DeBaliviere and north of Delmar areas which are within 10-20 minutes walking distance from the university and are well served by the free university shuttle service.

For more information, please contact:
Quadrangle Housing
700 Rosedale Ct.
Campus Box 1016
St. Louis, MO 63112
Phone: (314) 935-9511 or (800) 874-4330
Contact Quadrangle Housing by email

Non WUSTL-Owned Apartments

The Apartment Referral Service is a WUSTL office that maintains a list of private landlords. Privately owned apartments are available in all of the neighborhoods surrounding campus. View their listings online or visit their office for more assistance.

Apartment Referral Service
North Campus
700 Rosedale Ave.
Campus Box 1016
St. Louis, MO 63112
Phone: (314) 935-5092
Contact Apartment Referral Service by email

Transition Housing for New International Graduate

WashU offers temporary on-campus housing at a reduced rate for international graduate students from June 1, 2023 to August 6, 2023. Room rates range from $40.50/night for a double to $44.50/night for a single. There is a one-time charge of $17.50 for linens and a one-time $27.50 registration fee.

Washington University does not offer temporary campus housing beyond August 6, 2023.

In order to reserve transition housing, please follow these steps:

  1. Register on the WashU Housing website:
    1. Select “Login” on the right side of the menu bar at the top of the page
    2. Scroll down and click the “Register here” link below the Forgotten password link next to the Login button
  2. After you register for the housing website, reserve International Transition Summer Housing

Rental Housing Scams

Many international students and scholars lease and sublet apartments in the St. Louis area. While most people have no problems, it is important for those who are seeking to rent an apartment (or sublease an apartment) to be careful and wary of possible scams.

According to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, there are three primary ways to know whether or not an apartment rental opportunity or inquiry is a scam:

  1. They want you to wire money. This is the surest sign of a scam. There’s never a good reason to wire money to pay a security deposit, application fee or first month’s rent. Wiring money is the same as sending cash – once you send it, you have no way to get it back.
  2. They want a security deposit or first month’s rent before you’ve met or signed a lease. It’s never a good idea to send money to someone you’ve never met in person for an apartment you haven’t seen. If you can’t visit an apartment or house yourself, ask someone you trust to go and confirm that it’s for rent. In addition to setting up a meeting, do a search on the landlord and listing. If you find the same ad listed under a different name, that’s a clue that it may be a scam.
  3. They say they are located outside of the country but they have a plan to get the keys into your hands. It might involve a lawyer or “agent” working on their behalf. Some scammers even create fake keys. Be skeptical and don’t send money overseas. If you can’t meet in person, see the apartment or sign a lease before you pay, keep looking.