Costs for off-campus vary from $150 to $275 a month per person, depending on the individual situation and whether or not utilities are provided. Utility costs, deposits and contract requirements, distance from the college, and furnishings are some of the factors you need to keep in mind as you look for off-campus housing.

Effective May 1, 2009, there will be three easy ways to find off-campus housing.

• Iowa Lakes Community College will provide a bulletin board in Emmetsburg, Estherville and Spencer for area landlords who wish to share their housing information with you.
   

• Go online with area newspapers to check their classified sections.

  Emmetsburg – click on ‘classifieds’ and scroll down the page to find rental selections

  Estherville – click on ‘classifieds’ and scroll down the page to find rental selections

  Spencer – click on ‘classifieds’ and select ‘rentals’ under categories
   

• Online Web sites of area chambers of commerce have listings for members which are real estate firms.

  Emmetsburg – click on ‘chamber of commerce’ – then select ‘chamber membership’ and scroll down the page for an alphabetical listing of chamber members

  Estherville – click on ‘chamber member directory’ and scroll down to real estate

  Spencer – click on ‘members’ and type in ‘real estate’ in the categorical listing