Additionally, the Student's Co-op is a popular option for students if you can get a coveted spot (so you will want to apply ahead!). A historic three-story, 18-room house, The Student's Co-op allows students to live and work together to create a positive and welcoming environment with chores divided up. The students even elect an executive board.

If you are looking for something more traditional and contemporary, Stadium Village Flats might be the place for you! It is right near the TCF Bank Stadium, giving it a prime location, and offers amenities like an onsite fitness center, yoga rooms, and sky lounge.

For those students more interested in a neighborhood's vibe, Venue at Dinkytown might be a good fit for you. Urban and eclectic, the atmosphere and the many options from a studio to a four-room apartment, make it an awesome place to live.

Near the St. Paul Campus, two popular neighborhoods for students to live in are St. Anthony Park and Como Park. They are close to campus and offer reasonably priced apartment / home rentals.

UMN faculty and staff tend to live in University Grove, which is in a suburb of St. Paul called Falcon Heights that houses the Les Bolstad Golf Course, the Minnesota State Fairgrounds, and the Gibbs Museum of Pioneer and Dakotah Life. The University of Minnesota actually retains the title to the land for the majority of the neighborhood and allows faculty and staff members to build and own their own homes on this land, and then pay rent to the university for the land their house is on.

Dining

Both campuses are highly walkable, which means that there are lots of local dining options for students to check out. The Minneapolis campus offers Al's Breakfast, which is one of the most iconic and good eats restaurants of the Twin Cities. A hole in the wall diner, you will find amazing breakfast food, including pancakes the size of your head.

The Hard Times Café is also a popular spot with students and locals as it is open late and has a wide range of cuisines on the menu. Just remember that the restaurant only accepts cash before you go!

Afro Deli & Coffee is also a popular option because it offers dishes that are blends of American, African, and Mediterranean cuisines, which are few and far between. These dishes are also affordable for college students, helping them to expand their palate. What is awesome about this restaurant is that it has a second location right near the St. Paul campus, which means that the University of Minnesota students can eat there no matter which campus they attend.

The St. Paul campus also boasts many restaurants, including the Colossal Café, which students love. This restaurant specializes in affordable comfort food, so every student can find a dish to take their worries away.

Nelson's Cheese and Deli will offer students the Midwestern experience, allowing them to build their own sandwiches with midwestern meats and cheeses. This restaurant is quick, allowing students to pop in and out, which is perfect for those on the move.

Transportation

Both University of Minnesota campuses are very walkable so walking and riding bikes are the most popular forms of transportation on and around these campuses. Walking across campus in a Minneapolis winter might seem very harsh, but the school has tried to accommodate the weather conditions by creating several pedestrian tunnels across the campuses.

A free shuttle service is also offered by the University, including one that takes students from Minneapolis to St. Paul. There are also three light-rail stations that serve the University which means that students traveling between those three stops may travel for free. The Metro has also partnered with the University to provide discounted unlimited student passes.

Parking

There are many metered spots for students to choose from, as well as lots and garages. Students can participate in the University's contract parking system though, which requires monthly payments. You can choose a package where you pay to park in lots, ramps, or parking garages, which all come at different prices. Rates for parking of any kind fluctuate based on the day, time of day, holidays, or events occurring, so be sure to keep up with the price changes!

Safety

The University of Minnesota – Twin Cities prides itself on providing a safe environment for students. They have an emergency texting network to inform faculty, staff, and students of emergencies happening on campus. The Gopher Chauffeur service is also offered, which is a free van service for faculty and staff that helps provide rides on and off-campus. Faculty and students can also call 624-WALK, and someone will come and escort them for walks to both nearby campuses and neighborhoods. These services should be used by any student trying to get across campus, especially at night.

Shopping

There are many shopping opportunities near both University of Minnesota campuses. The Nicollet Mall is a unique place to stop by and close to both campuses. This mall serves as Downtown's Main Street, so it is really the heart of the area. It is a transit mall and was one of the first transit malls in the country. It is not technically a shopping mall, but it has just about every kind of store you might be looking for.

The campuses are surrounded by an eclectic mix of stores, from big chains like Walgreens and Target to small boutiques and consignment stores, like Gina+Will, Parc, and i like you. In such a big city by such a big campus, you will have plenty of shopping to fulfill all your needs.