How I Found Housing at Columbia: A quick guide from a recent graduate for new students

Moving to New York City for Columbia was super duper exciting — but finding a place to live? That was a whole different story. The housing market here moves fast, and it can be a bit overwhelming at first, especially for International Students. Luckily, as a graduating student in 2025, I learned a few key ways to search smart and to avoid common pitfalls. If you're new here too, let me tell you how I approached it:

1. Property Listings Apps (StreetEasy, Zillow, RentHop)
These were my first go-to tools. Apps like StreetEasy let you filter by neighborhood, budget, amenities, and more. They’re great for getting a sense of what's out there — but just know that good listings go fast, and competition is real. If you see something you like, be ready to move quickly. Price can varies, but make sure the price make sense. So, do your research.

2. Facebook Marketplace & Student Housing Groups
Don’t sleep on Facebook. A lot of students post sublets, room shares, or full apartments on Marketplace and in Columbia-specific housing groups. It’s also a good way to find roommates or connect with people in your program. Just always be cautious and try to verify posts before committing.

3. Columbia Housing Resources (OCHA & More)
 Columbia has its own off-campus housing platform called OCHA (Off-Campus Housing Assistance). It's specifically for Columbia students, staff, and affiliates, which means the listings are generally more reliable. They also offer roommate search tools and legal tips, which I found super helpful to make a comparison.

4. Reaching Out to Second-Year Students
 This one might be the most underrated. I talked to a few second-year students — either through orientation events, WhatsApp groups, or mutual friends — and they gave me real insights. Some even connected me to landlords they’d previously worked with or passed along available units before they were publicly listed. See our Student Ambassador page to begin with! Results: no broker fee leads to efficient and cost-saving housing search plus you’re getting new friends!

5. Using Brokers — With Caution
 If you’re short on time, working with a broker can help. Some apartments in NYC are only listed through brokers, especially in more competitive areas. But here’s the thing — you should never pay just to view an apartment. That’s a huge red flag. A legit broker may charge a fee (usually as much as one month’s rent for the transaction), but only when you’re ready to sign and secure the place.

Also:

• Always ask for a license or credentials.
• Don’t send money without seeing the apartment in person (or at least having a trusted friend check it out).
• Try to go through someone who’s recommended by other Columbia students or who has experience working with international students.
• Avoid listings that look too good to be true (they usually are).
   

If you’re unsure, it’s always a better idea to loop in a second-year student or someone familiar with NYC housing rentals. They can help you sense-check the situation before you commit. So, are you ready to start your experience here in Columbia? Then best of luck, folks!