Your Guide to Top Student Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent Near Colleges in Charleston

Hey, y’all, I'm Vicki, your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Charleston, SC. I also happen to be a native Charlestonian who attended the College of Charleston back in the day. I didn’t have the luxury of living in an apartment near the College of Charleston and I had to make the daily commute from Summerville. Ugh! So, consider yourself lucky to be searching for an apartment near campus for you and your roommates. Whether you are looking at my alma mater, The Citadel, Charleston Southern University, or MUSC, you will love the student housing options near campus in Charleston. Check out this guide to the top neighborhoods near colleges and universities in Charleston for great tips on the best college apartments.

College of Charleston

One of the most beautiful campuses in the U.S., the College of Charleston is perfectly situated on 52-acres on the peninsula. The liberal arts college oozes Southern charm from its historic campus, and they have some pretty cool pre-Civil War buildings they use as classrooms. C of C has an active sports campus where the basketball team often makes an appearance at the big dance, where their furry mascot, Clyde the Cougar, is onsite to get the party started. The campus is in a great location downtown, so it allows students to walk everywhere with no need for a car. Fun can be had at the favorite local college hangouts, like Henry’s Rooftop Deck, Prohibition, and Uptown Social, or by grabbing a bagel and coffee from Einstein Bros. Bagels before class. 

West Ashley

If you’re attending the College of Charleston, you will be thrilled to learn that there are so many cool places to live while attending school in downtown Charleston. While housing can be pricey downtown near campus, there are a variety of other student housing options nearby at West Ashley apartments near College of Charleston. Just minutes from downtown, West Ashley is a fun community for college students and puts you right in the middle of everything. You’re a 15-minute drive to the beach and class with concerts, restaurants, shopping, and more being even closer!

Crescent

Going to the College of Charleston is so much fun! I spent some of the best years of my life there! When you get the opportunity to live close to campus and rent student apartments near the College of Charleston, it’s even better! Crescent apartments near College of Charleston are a great option for students who want to be close to campus without the hectic scene and bigger price tag that comes with living downtown. Plus, with easy access to the West Ashley Greenway, Wappoo Cut Boat Landing, and Ripley Marina, there is so much to keep you entertained and outside enjoying the Carolina sunshine!

Avondale

If you are lucky enough to score one of the impressive Avondale apartments near College of Charleston, you are lucky enough.This hip and urban community is not only close to campus, but it’s also only a couple of miles to Folly Beach, making it the perfect student housing scenario for those who can afford it! Class is just over the bridge to downtown, and you are just minutes from the area’s best restaurants, bars, and entertainment – making Avondale apartments near the College of Charleston a fun place to spend a few semesters while attending school in SC.  

The Citadel 

The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina, is located in downtown Charleston and is the perfect place for those who want to have a life-long career in the armed services. Several of my friends from high school went to The Citadel to join the Air Force as officers and to get their career as a JAG started before law school. I always loved seeing them dressed in uniforms! The Citadel has a reputation as being the best of the best, and it’s obvious that the Cadets love what they signed up for at this popular university in Charleston.

Hampton Park Terrace

If you want to live close to campus at The Citadel, Hampton Park Terrace is a great place for you and your roommates in Charleston. Not only are Hampton Park Terrace Apartments near The Citadel, but they are also in a great location to walk to many bars, restaurants, and events downtown, including being just a hop-skip-and a jump from the live action at the RiverDogs baseball games. In fact, student apartments in Hampton Park Terrace put you near your friends at the College of Charleston and MUSC, as well, so even if you don’t go to the same school, you can still be roommates while attending college in Charleston.

North Daniel Island

We think North Daniel Island Apartments near The Citadel make an amazing pad for students at the military college because they are conveniently located just over the Ravenel Bridge from campus. The cool locale near the Wando and Cooper Rivers, not to mention the coastal urban vibe and tons of Island amenities, makes it a great place for students to gather, hang out, and call home for the semester! Location is everything with these charming North Daniel Island apartments near The Citadel, so you and your college roomies are just minutes from class with access to grocery stores, golf, tennis, and concerts at the Credit One arena to see all the best bands that come to town!

Wespanee

This quiet residential neighborhood offers student apartments in Wespanee that are a smart choice when looking for student housing in Charleston, SC. Filled with beautiful marsh and river views, Wespanee apartments near the Citadel are just a quick 5-minute drive to campus and are perfect for nature lovers who want to be neighbors with local wildlife and get outside and enjoy the Low Country scenery. We like the convenience to classes at The Citadel, being close to grocery stores, plenty of nearby shopping ops, and having everything they need for the perfect urban life at school within a short drive from their amazing student apartments in Wespanee.   

Charleston Southern University

Charleston Southern University is the Low Country’s only Christian college and attracts students from all over the world. Located in North Charleston SC, around 15 miles from downtown Charleston, the close-knit college is popular with student athletes who play NCAA Division 1 sports and offers students a totally different setting than the colleges downtown. Charleston Southern University is a popular choice for Nursing Students as well as those majoring in Biological Sciences. Apartments near Charleston Southern University are plentiful and affordable, making it easy for students at CSU to find a great place to live near campus.

North Charleston

Today’s thriving community of North Charleston is just 10 miles from downtown and is home to Charleston Southern University. There are so many affordable North Charleston apartments near CSU that are perfect for Buccaneers to live in. North Charleston, referred to as North Chuck by us locals, has everything a college student in Charleston wants and needs! From concerts at the North Charleston Coliseum and amazing restaurants like Mellow Mushroom to shopping at Tanger Outlets and cooling off at the waterslides at nearby Wannamaker County Park, finding a North Charleston apartment near Charleston Southern University is a smart money move for students on a budget who need affordable housing options near class.

Outer North Charleston

Some of the best and most affordable Outer North Charleston apartments near Charleston Southern University are in Goose Creek, Ladson, and Summerville. I grew up in these towns and my parents still live in Summerville today. Far enough away from downtown Charleston to avoid the tourists and beach traffic, but still close enough to get there in a jiffy, the cities in the Outer North Charleston loop are perfect for student apartments and housing! The rent is cheaper, the commute to campus is minimal, and the local restaurants and entertainment options cost way less than an evening out in downtown Charleston, which works better for a college student’s budget!    

West Ashley

West Ashley apartments near Charleston Southern University are just a quick ride down the interstate to your classes at Charleston Southern University. Just because your college is in North Charleston doesn’t mean you can’t live in cozy West Ashley apartments near Charleston Southern University. If you want the best of both worlds, West Ashley is the perfect choice because it puts you right in the middle between downtown and CSU in North Chuck, making it the perfect location. Enjoy unique student housing vibes that range from traditional Southern to urban hipster with a quick walk or drive to fun restaurants, local shopping, popular beaches, and, of course, classes.

Medical University of SC (MUSC)

If your career aspirations have you attending medical school, The Medical University of South Carolina is a stellar choice. The oldest medical school in the South and one of the oldest in the country, MUSC has an excellent reputation and is continually recognized as having the best medical programs in SC. Future doctors and nurses will earn a respected medical degree from this popular Charleston, SC college which now has an expanded university status that includes a medical center and six colleges for a variety of healthcare professionals. My best friend in high school went to MUSC and currently works there as a dermatologist!    

Moreland

With a convenient location just across the Ashley River from MUSC, Moreland is the perfect spot for you and your roomies to search for Moreland apartments near the Medical University of SC. Student housing just doesn’t get any better than an apartment near MUSC, the beautiful gardens off of Highway 61, and funky Folly beach. MUSC students will love being close to class, but will also enjoy exploring the West Ashley Greenway, the cool shops at South Windemere Center, and there is even a library close by when exams are in the air!

Westwood

Students at the Medical University of South Carolina should search for Westwood Apartments near MUSC for the perfect combination of convenience and affordability. You and your roommates will have the time of your life in an apartment in Westwood while attending the Medical University of SC. It’s only five minutes to class, 15 minutes to the beach, and a few minutes to cool restaurants like The King Claw and my personal favorite, California Dreaming. Hint: Get the basket of croissants! Students living in Westwood Apartments near MUSC have easy access to everything they need and can still make it to class in a jiffy.   

James Island

James Island is a popular place near Charleston, and it’s no wonder why. For starters, it’s close to Folly Beach, one of the most popular area beaches that’s known for surfing in Charleston. James Island County Park is also a huge attraction for locals and visitors. It’s fun to fish, hike, and kayak in this popular Charleston park. My family has been going to their Holiday Festival of Lights for over 30 years and still can’t wait to see it again! The downside of living on James Island is the traffic!  The fast-growing island struggles with keeping up with the traffic flow during rush hour during the week and beach traffic on the weekends. It’s still a great place to live with a close commute to downtown and the hospitals for internships, MUSC for classes, or fun on The Battery.

Search ApartmentHomeLiving.com for the Best Neighborhoods to Rent Near the Colleges and Universities in Charleston

If you’re looking for a great place to live near one of the local colleges in Charleston, SC, these communities offer the best apartments near MUSC, College of Charleston, The Citadel, and Charleston Southern University. These student housing options offer a convenient location near all the well-known landmarks, the best local shopping ops, and the most popular places for students to hang out. Search ApartmentHomeLiving.com today for the best apartments near Charleston colleges!