WashU graduate student housing
WashU graduate students mostly live in the Central West End (medical campus), Clayton and DeMun (law and business, quieter and more polished), and University City, MO and Skinker-DeBaliviere (best value near the Danforth campus). Most grad students sign between March and June after admission, later than the undergraduate cycle. Remote apartment searches with video tours is common.
Grad students usually get the worst version of the WashU (Washington University in St. Louis) housing search. You're admitted in spring after the best places are taken, you're often signing from another city or country, and every guide out there is written for undergrads picking a party block. This page is for you.
The short geography: med students live in the Central West End next to the medical campus. Law and business students cluster in Clayton and DeMun, plus the quieter parts of Skinker-DeBaliviere. PhD students spread wherever the stipend stretches, which usually means University City, MO or Skinker-DeBaliviere. Listings here show real walk and transit context so you can judge an address you've never seen.
What students actually ask
Where should I live for the med campus versus the main campus?
For the Medical Campus, the Central West End is the most convenient area because you can often walk. For the Danforth Campus, Skinker-DeBaliviere, University City, MO, and the Delmar Loop are common nearby options. If you need access to both campuses, compare the commute from each neighborhood before choosing.
How do I sign a lease from another city or country?
It's normal here. Ask for a live video tour rather than just photos, because a legitimate landlord expects that. Verify the listing is real by checking reviews and the landlord's identity before sending any money. Proximity has toured apartments for students who couldn't visit, which is the situation many incoming international students are in.
What if I have no US credit history or guarantor?
Common for international students and fresh admits. Many landlords accept alternatives: a larger deposit, prepaid months, proof of stipend or funding, or a university-based guarantor service. Ask each landlord what they accept before assuming you're stuck. Some of the larger buildings have formal international-student processes, while small landlords decide case by case.
When should incoming grad students start looking?
Start looking as soon as you accept your offer. Many incoming grad students begin searching in spring, and Quadrangle says fall availability typically begins between April and July. You can still find housing later in the summer, but starting earlier gives you more time to compare neighborhoods, leases, and availability.
Are furnished apartments available?
Yes, furnished apartments are available, but they may be more limited than unfurnished options. If you find a furnished place that fits your budget, move on it. Otherwise budget for basic furniture or look at subleases, which often come furnished because the current tenant is leaving their setup behind.
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Find my apartmentNeighborhood patterns reflect what WashU graduate students consistently report in community discussions. For rent benchmarks by neighborhood, see the housing cost page; figures there cite HUD, Zillow Research and WashU Law. Proximity does not publish averages computed from its own listings.