Clemson and the University of South Carolina both offer different styles and prices of on and off-campus housing to students.
With over 38,000 students — 7,829 of whom are new freshmen — South Carolina offers 18 housing options, 10 Living Learning Communities and three Honors Colleges and Capstone Scholars program options. With a first-year class of 5,031, Clemson offers 22 residence halls for first-year, Bridge-to-Clemson and continuing students.
However, at Clemson and South Carolina, housing is only guaranteed and prioritized for first-year students. Therefore, the majority of second-year students live off campus.
In downtown Columbia, there is a wide variety of housing options, but arguably, Gateway 737 is one of the most popular choices for students.
“I’d say Gateway 737 is the top one right now. It’s brand new, in an extremely convenient location, and has great amenities, plus several restaurants and shops right on the first floor,” Taylor Lavis, a sophomore marketing major at the University of South Carolina, told The Tiger in an interview.
With a brand-new look and rooftop terrace, Gateway 737 opened this August in Columbia, South Carolina. The apartment offers a wide variety of floor plans ranging from studios to 4-bedroom, 4-bathroom units. Prices start at $1,177 and range up to $1,325, per the Gateway 737 website.
“Many students are willing to pay more for upgraded amenities or a prime location. It really depends on each person’s budget and priorities, but I’ve definitely seen people stretch a bit for convenience,” Lavis told The Tiger in an interview.
Upon its opening this year, “Gateway has definitely created the most excitement. Even students who don’t live there love having the market, Domino’s, Chick-fil-A, and Knowledge Perk right on the first floor. I know they are building a new one called the verve but I haven’t heard anyone talking about it,” Lavis continued.
In addition to Gateway 737, other popular apartments in Columbia include The Hub at Columbia, with prices starting at $1,070 for the least expensive option, or The Standard, where a studio apartment starts at $1,699, and a 5-bed, 5-bath starts at $1,219.
“Many students are willing to pay more for upgraded amenities or a prime location. It really depends on each person’s budget and priorities, but I’ve definitely seen people stretch a bit for convenience,” Lavis said.
Further away from South Carolina’s campus, Rivers Edge at Carolina Stadium offers lower prices for students, starting under $900 and $1,000 for a shared room.
Like downtown Columbia apartments, students wanting to live in downtown Clemson are willing to spend premium rates.
Complexes like 114 Earle offer prices starting at a minimum of $1,569 with a maximum of $2,065, according to the floor plans section on its website. With amenities such as a two-story clubhouse, state-of-the-art fitness, tanning, a Game Cove with Xbox & PlayStation and more, Earle has remained an alluring apartment option for students throughout the years.
Other notable downtown apartment options include Campus View, located just steps away from the Wilbur O. and Ann Powers College of Business, with a minimum rent of $1,299. Bixby on College and U Centre on College, as well as the in-progress MODA Clemson, offer similar pricing, but are located a bit farther down College Avenue.
“Students are willing to pay more for a better location than for better amenities. With the location comes many perks and a more stress-free approach to planning the logistics of your day,” Sophia McDonnell, a sophomore at Clemson, told The Tiger in an interview.
Tillman Place, a 15-minute walk from Clemson’s campus, offers less competitive prices than downtown. Some units, according to Orange Property Management, are retailing for under $500.
