Accommodation and Approximate Expenditure

The ISA has booked two apartments in Chasewood Downs for the new students coming in Fall 2008 as temporary accommodation. These are in one of the best apartment localities in Blacksburg, 10 minutes from campus and served by two bus routes, and they will be subsequently transferred as permanent accommodation to students on a first-come-first-served basis. The rent for each of the 2-Bedroom apartments is $610/$630 and the security deposit is around the same.
If you are a group of 4 friends and would like to share the rooms, you rent will be only around $150 each !
They will be available on 1st Aug 2008 and the lease is for 1 year.
If you are interested in booking these apartments contact ISA Treasurer Shashank Revanwar [ rshasha [at] vt.edu ] immediately.

In recent years, there has been a severe shortage of apartments in the fall semester. We suggest that you book your apartments earlier this year by paying the deposit to the housing agency through wire transfer, or ask a trusted friend in Blacksburg to do it for you
The best time to book apartments is 4-5 months before you arrive or immediately after you decide to attend VT

How to find roommates :
1. Yahoo groups virginia_tech_fall_2008
2. Orkut communities Virginia Tech '08
3. VTOCH website
4. ISA pickups and temp accomodation form

Once you decide on your roommates, contact the leasing agencies listed below and ask them about their rates, amenities and the bus routes to the campus. You can also book the apartment by wire transfer which is very convenient and safe.
Even if you land up in Blacksburg without an apartment, dont worry as you will definitely get a place to stay however you may not be left with much choice about location and rental rates.

Most Indian graduate students choose to stay off-campus for a variety of reasons as well as flexibility with meals

The popular choices of apartments for Indian graduate students are :

1. Chasewood Downs chasewood@cmgleasing.com
2. Terrace View terraceview@stmkmgmt.com
3. Foxridge foxridgeinfo@hhhunt.com
4. University Terrace manager@blacksburg-rentals.com
5. Sturbridge Square SturbridgeSquare@hotmail.com
6. University Place rentals@townside.com
7. Windsor Hills

The rates and amenities depend on availability, proximity to the university, number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, laundry facilities and condition of the apartment.

Approximate estimate of expenses are :

1. Apartment rent about $220-$250 per person
2. Electricity about $80-$120 per apartment
3. Water about $40-$80 per apartment
4. Mobile Phone about $40 per person (you can get cheaper family plans)
5. Groceries, misc expenses are about $120 per person

i.e. totally about $400-$500 per person per month