Columbus Apartments for International Students | ApartmentsNear.me
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Columbus Apartments for International Students
Finding an apartment in a new country is a different problem from finding an apartment in your hometown. You may not have a US credit history, a domestic guarantor, or an easy way to tour in person before you arrive. You need to know what is included in rent before you set up bank accounts and utility accounts in a new currency. And you need to trust that the building will be safe, professionally managed, and accessible when something goes wrong. This guide covers the Columbus communities built with those realities in mind.
International Students
F-1 Visa Students
Exchange Students
Graduate Researchers
Medical Students
Art and Design Students
Near OSU West Campus
Short North
Discovery District
Fully Furnished
Individual Lease
Utilities Included
24-Hour Study Lab
Roommate Matching
Virtual Tours
Secure Building Access
Budget Certainty
What International Students Should Prioritize When Renting in Columbus
Most apartment listings were written for domestic renters with US credit histories, local guarantors, and the ability to tour in person. Here is what to specifically look for and ask about as an international student.
Individual vs. Joint Lease
Individual leasing (also called by-the-bed) means you are only responsible for your own rent — not a roommate’s. Under a joint lease, you are liable for the full amount if a roommate leaves. The Griff and The Abigail offer individual leasing. Always confirm the structure before signing.
Furnished vs. Unfurnished
Shipping or buying furniture on arrival adds significant cost and logistics. Furnished units — available at The Griff, Peer on 7th, and optionally at The Abigail — let you arrive with luggage and start living immediately. Confirm exactly what furniture is included before signing.
Utilities Included vs. Separate
Setting up electricity, water, and internet accounts in the US requires a Social Security number or credit history that many new international students don’t yet have. Communities that include utilities eliminate this barrier entirely. The Griff includes internet, cable, water, and trash. The Abigail includes electric, water, WiFi, and cable.
Guarantor Requirements
Standard US leases require a guarantor earning 3x or more the monthly rent with US credit history. International students often cannot meet this requirement. Ask each property about alternative guarantor arrangements, deposit substitutes, prepaid lease options, or international student-specific policies before assuming standard requirements apply.
Virtual Tour and Remote Leasing
If you are signing a lease before arriving in the US, you need to be able to tour virtually and complete the application process remotely. The Griff offers Zoom tours by appointment. The Abigail has a virtual walkthrough online. Contact each property to confirm their remote leasing process before beginning your application.
Security and Access Control
Secure building access — key-fob entry, controlled building doors, on-site management or 24/7 staff — is a baseline safety expectation. All four properties on this page have secured entry. 8th and High specifically features key-fob entry and deadbolt locks on every apartment as a stated security commitment.
Columbus Properties Built for Student Living
All four communities below are managed by Coastal Ridge Real Estate and are specifically positioned for student renters near Ohio State University. Each serves a different student profile and price point. Contact each operator directly to ask about international student leasing, guarantor policies, and virtual tour availability.
Coastal Ridge
Strongest for International Students
The Griff
1234 Steelwood Rd, Columbus, OH 43212 (Tri-Village, near OSU West Campus)
The Griff is the most complete student housing product in this set for international students specifically. It is fully furnished, offers individual by-the-bed leasing, includes internet, cable, water, and trash in every rent, and provides a private bedroom with a private ensuite bathroom per resident — eliminating shared bathroom coordination entirely. The 24-hour computer lab and secluded cyber cafe study lounge with conference room support academic work at any hour, which matters for students adjusting to different time zones or working on deadline-driven research. Zoom tours are available for students who need to sign a lease before arriving in the US. The on-site marketplace means grocery runs don’t require a car or app when you first arrive. Located near OSU’s West Campus, which houses Engineering, Agriculture, and Medical Center facilities — three of the most common graduate concentrations for international students. Parking garage and EV charging on site. Secure bike storage. From $940/month with all utilities included.
Fully Furnished
Individual Lease
Utilities Included
Private Ensuite Bathroom
24-Hr Computer Lab
Zoom Tours
1-4 Bedrooms
Resort Pool
On-Site Marketplace
Parking Garage
EV Charging
Pet Friendly
Rent: From $940/mo (utilities included) — contact for current availability
View The Griff
Coastal Ridge
Most Affordable + All-Inclusive
The Abigail
369 E Gay St, Columbus, OH 43215 (Discovery District, Downtown)
The Abigail is the most affordable option in this set and the most distinctive in character. Originally a warehouse, it was converted into a SoHo-style industrial loft building — concrete floors, exposed ceilings, oversized windows, and private balconies in a downtown Columbus setting. For international students at CCAD, Columbus State Community College, Capital Law School, or Franklin University, the location is ideal: CCAD is next door, Columbus State is walkable, and Capital Law School is a short walk away. Individual by-the-bed leasing is standard, meaning you are not liable for a roommate’s share if they leave. All utilities — electric, water, WiFi, and cable — are included in the rent, removing the account setup burden entirely. The building has a roommate matching service for students who arrive without established connections in Columbus. Furnished and unfurnished options are available. Short-term lease arrangements (3, 7, and 11 months) accommodate semester-based and academic-year schedules. Walk Score of 90. From approximately $645/month with utilities included.
Individual Lease
All Utilities Included
Roommate Matching
Short-Term Leases
Furnished + Unfurnished
Studio / 2BR / 3BR
Industrial Loft Style
Walk Score 90
Near CCAD
Key-Fob Entry
In-Unit W/D
Pet Friendly
Rent: From approximately $645/mo (utilities included) — contact for current availability
View The Abigail
Coastal Ridge
Best for Grad Students Relocating
Peer on 7th
50 E 7th Ave, Columbus, OH 43201 (University District / Short North)
Peer on 7th is the strongest option in this set for graduate and professional school students who are relocating internationally and want to arrive in Columbus with nothing but luggage. Fully furnished studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments mean no furniture decisions, no delivery scheduling, and no IKEA runs in the first week of orientation. The building includes a dedicated study lounge, co-working stations with high-speed internet infrastructure, rooftop terrace, 24-hour fitness center, bike storage, and EV charging. It sits steps from High Street and the Short North — Columbus’ most walkable corridor — and is within easy walking distance of the main OSU campus, making it well-positioned for students at the Moritz College of Law, Fisher College of Business, and medical programs at the Wexner Medical Center. The professional management model under Coastal Ridge means 24/7 emergency maintenance, on-site management, and a responsive leasing team accustomed to working with new-to-Columbus residents.
Fully Furnished
Co-Working Stations
Study Lounge
Studio – 3BR
Rooftop Terrace
24-Hr Fitness
Bike Storage
EV Charging
Near OSU
Near Short North
24/7 Maintenance
Pet Friendly
Rent: Contact Peer on 7th for current pricing and furnished unit availability
View Peer on 7th
Coastal Ridge
Best Location Score Near OSU
8th and High
1455 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201 (University District)
8th and High is a boutique luxury community on North High Street with a Walk Score of 94 — the highest walkability of any property in this set. That matters for international students who may arrive without a car, an Ohio driver’s license, or familiarity with Columbus public transit. The location puts COTA bus access, groceries, dining, and the OSU campus all within walking distance. The building features gated private parking, key-fob entry, and deadbolt locks on every apartment — a specific security commitment spelled out in their leasing materials. Studios, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans are available from 452 to 1,355 square feet. Select top-floor units have 10-foot ceilings and oversized windows. In-unit full-size front-load washer/dryer and walk-in closets are standard. A preferred employer program offers waived application fees and a $99 deposit for OSU staff, Wexner Medical Center employees, and others — worth asking about if you are a research assistant, teaching assistant, or student employee. Studios from $1,535/month.
Walk Score 94
Gated Private Parking
Deadbolt + Key-Fob Security
Studios – 2BR
10-Ft Ceilings (select)
In-Unit W/D
Walk-In Closets
24-Hr Gym
Courtyard with Fireplace
Near OSU + Wexner
TA/RA Employer Program
Pet Friendly
Rent: Studios from $1,535/mo — contact for current floor plan availability
View 8th and High
Questions to Ask Before Signing a Lease as an International Student
What are the guarantor requirements, and are there alternatives?
Standard guarantor requirements assume a US-based co-signer with three times the monthly income and domestic credit history. Many international students cannot meet this. Ask each property directly whether they accept international guarantors, additional security deposits in lieu of a guarantor, or prepaid lease arrangements. Do this before starting a formal application — the answer will determine which communities are viable for your situation.
Guarantor Policy
Can I complete the entire leasing process remotely?
If you are signing before arriving in the US, confirm that the community supports electronic lease signing, accepts international bank wire transfers or alternative payment methods, and has a documented remote move-in process. The Griff offers Zoom tours specifically to support this. Ask each property to walk you through their remote leasing process step by step before you commit to a timeline.
Virtual Tours
Remote Leasing
What is and is not included in the monthly rent?
Get a complete list of what is included — electricity, water, internet, cable, trash, parking, amenity fees — before comparing monthly costs. A $645 all-inclusive unit at The Abigail and a $1,200 unit with separate electricity, internet, and parking may cost the same effective monthly amount. Build the full cost before deciding.
Utilities Included
Budget Certainty
What happens if your academic program changes?
Program extensions, visa changes, program transfers, and early completions all create lease timing complications. Ask about subletting policies, early termination clauses, and lease transfer options. 8th and High offers a buy-out clause after 6 months of occupancy. The Abigail offers short-term lease options of 3, 7, and 11 months. Confirm your options in writing before signing a 12-month term.
Flexible Lease Terms
Early Termination
Amenities That Matter Most for International Students
Fully Furnished Units
Arrive with luggage, not a shipping container. The Griff and Peer on 7th are fully furnished. The Abigail offers furnished and unfurnished options. Confirm what furniture package is included before signing.
High Priority
All-Inclusive Utility Billing
Eliminates the need to open utility accounts with no US credit history. The Griff includes internet, cable, water, and trash. The Abigail includes electric, water, WiFi, and cable.
High Priority
Individual / By-the-Bed Leasing
Limits your financial liability to your own bedroom. The Griff and The Abigail explicitly offer individual leasing. Confirm the lease structure with each property before signing.
High Priority
24-Hour Study Lab and Computer Access
The Griff has a 24-hour computer lab and study lounge with conference room. Peer on 7th has co-working stations and a study lounge. Essential for students working across time zones or on research deadlines.
High Priority
Roommate Matching Service
The Abigail offers a roommate matching service for students who arrive in Columbus without established connections. Reduces the social and financial risk of signing with an unknown roommate independently.
Situational
Controlled Building Access and On-Site Management
Key-fob entry, deadbolt locks, and 24/7 emergency maintenance — confirmed at all four properties — are baseline safety expectations that matter more, not less, when you are new to a city and country.
High Priority
Questions International Students Ask About Columbus Apartments
What Columbus apartments accept international students without a US guarantor?
The Griff, The Abigail, Peer on 7th, and 8th and High are all managed by Coastal Ridge Real Estate and work with student renters near OSU. Ask each property directly about guarantor alternatives, co-signer substitutes, and international student-specific leasing policies when you inquire. Do not assume standard US requirements are the only option before asking the question directly.
Are there furnished apartments near OSU for international students?
Yes. The Griff at 1234 Steelwood Rd is fully furnished in all 1, 2, 3, and 4-bedroom configurations. Peer on 7th at 50 E 7th Ave offers furnished studios and multi-bedroom apartments. The Abigail at 369 E Gay St offers both furnished and unfurnished options. All three are managed by Coastal Ridge Real Estate.
What is individual bedroom leasing and why does it matter for international students?
Individual leasing means you are only responsible for your own rent — not a roommate’s. Under a joint lease, all roommates are liable for the full amount if one person leaves. Individual leasing protects international students on a fixed budget or student visa from being liable for a roommate’s vacancy. The Griff and The Abigail both offer individual by-the-bed leasing. Confirm the lease structure with each property before signing.
Do Columbus apartments include utilities for international students?
The Griff includes internet, cable, water, and trash in the rent. The Abigail includes electric, water, WiFi, and cable. This all-inclusive structure is particularly useful for international students who need to avoid setting up US utility accounts before they arrive or have established a local credit history.
Can I tour Columbus apartments virtually before arriving in the US?
Yes. The Griff specifically advertises Zoom tours by appointment and supports remote leasing. The Abigail has a virtual walkthrough on its website. Peer on 7th and 8th and High both have gallery and virtual tour options available online. Contact each property directly to confirm their remote application and signing process before beginning.
What apartments near OSU have private bedrooms with private bathrooms?
The Griff at 1234 Steelwood Rd offers private bedrooms with private ensuite bathrooms in its 2, 3, and 4-bedroom floor plans. Each resident has a dedicated bathroom, eliminating shared bathroom coordination. This arrangement is available in the multi-bedroom configurations — confirm availability for your preferred bedroom count directly with The Griff leasing team.
Which Columbus apartments near OSU have 24-hour study spaces?
The Griff at 1234 Steelwood Rd has a 24-hour computer lab and a secluded cyber cafe study lounge with a conference room. Peer on 7th at 50 E 7th Ave has a dedicated study lounge and co-working stations. Both are managed by Coastal Ridge Real Estate.
How much does off-campus housing cost for international students in Columbus?
The Abigail offers the lowest entry price in this set, starting from approximately $645 per month with utilities included. The Griff starts from $940 per month with internet, cable, water, and trash included. 8th and High starts from $1,535 per month for studios. Peer on 7th pricing varies by floor plan — contact directly. When comparing, factor in which utilities and amenities are included versus billed separately to get a true total monthly cost.
How to Use This Page in Your Search
Start with your most important constraint. If individual leasing and utilities included are non-negotiable — which they often are for international students managing a fixed budget in a new country — The Griff and The Abigail are the two properties to contact first. If you are arriving with your lease already in hand and need furnished move-in ready unit and proximity to the main OSU campus, Peer on 7th is the call. If you are a graduate student, TA, RA, or Wexner Medical Center employee who wants maximum walkability and a boutique building close to campus, 8th and High is worth contacting about their employer program. In every case, ask directly about guarantor alternatives, remote leasing process, and what is included in the base rent before proceeding to application.
