A Local Expert’s Guide To Top Neighborhoods to Rent for Students in Akron

Hi, I'm Catrina, and I'm your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Akron, Ohio, and the surrounding region. If you're from Ohio, you're probably familiar with Akron. It's south of the Cleveland Metro area, and it's just about two and a half hours east of Toledo, another major city in the state. 

Akron is known for a lot of different things. The Akron-Canton Airport is one of them; if you position yourself near it, you can get a flight out to plenty of locations in the U.S. or transfer to fly internationally. Thanks to having this regional airport, students can fly in from almost anywhere in the U.S. and attend the universities in Northeast Ohio more easily. And, nearby, you'll find two of the universities that serve the area, the University of Akron and Kent State University - Kent Campus. It is also notable that you can attend another of Kent State's satellites, Kent State Stark, and a local college, Stark State, if you go further south into North Canton, Ohio, but for the purposes of this article, we'll stick to the Akron area and head north. 

Now, if you've decided to attend either of these schools, you should know that transportation is an issue. If you stay within Akron, you have access to the Akron Metro RTA. If you stay in Kent, there is a school shuttle, or you can use the PARTA bus. However, not all neighborhoods are connected, and most people in Ohio do have their own personal vehicles. (Honestly, I'd always advise having your own vehicle for either Kent State or the University of Akron. Otherwise, you're at the mercy of the shuttle service, which could make you late for class or be uncomfortable in hot summer or cold winter months).

Now that you have a little more information about the general area, here's what you should know about the University of Akron and Kent State. I'll also share a little more about the closest neighborhoods in the region; Keep in mind that Ohio is pretty spread out, so some of these can be quite the hike to campus.

The University of Akron

The University of Akron, which is also known as UA, is a public research university. It's settled in the middle of Akron, Ohio, and has been a staple there since 1870. 

The University itself is established on 218 acres. Students who attend the school can choose to live on campus or off campus, but many, particularly first-year students, choose to live in on-campus housing. As you get to know the area, you may decide to head off-campus instead, which is where you'll find single-family homes, condos, apartments, and other options for living arrangements. 

Now, if you do decide to live on campus, you'll find that the school offers both apartments and traditional dormitories. It's not uncommon for students to move to Firestone Park or Highland Square, though, which are also both nearby. 

With over 300 student organizations, it's possible that you could find housing with one of them, too. For example, sororities or fraternities may have specific housing for their members.

Here are some local neighborhoods to consider as you think about coming to the University of Akron.

Cuyahoga Falls

Cuyahoga Falls is a quaint suburb just north of Akron. It's right on State Route 8 and has access to Interstate 77 as well. The area is beautiful, and I love it because it sits on the Cuyahoga River; if you stay somewhere like the Sheraton for even a night, you'll see some stunning views while also enjoying the downtown. The area has single-family homes, extended-stay hotels, and rentals, making it a good choice for students looking for a little bit of an upscale place to live. 

Stow

Stow is a classy area of Ohio. It has a little bit of everything, and it's connected by State Route 8, similar to Cuyahoga Falls. It has a number of shopping centers and parks. As a student, you may find a room in one of the many mansions in the region, or you could rent an apartment downtown. This is a very mixed city with professionals, families, and students all in one place. 

Fairlawn

Fairlawn is an area of Ohio that you could almost pass through without noticing...if you didn't know to look for it. Don't miss this gem that sits right off I-77. It has an excellent location for an easy commute to school, and it's out of the way enough that you're not going to contend with a ton of traffic. The area has more of a suburban vibe, but you can choose from housing options such as single-family homes, condos, or apartments. You'll likely save, too, since it's a bit of a drive to the school.

Highland Square

Highland Square is an artsy part of the city. It's known for being eclectic and has a somewhat Bohemian vibe that many students enjoy. It also has historic buildings and is pretty walkable, at least in warm months. 

In Highland Square, you'll find a very popular cafe, Mustard Seed Market & Cafe, and Annabell's, a bar and music venue. This is a mixed-use area, meaning businesses and residents have to work together. You might want to find a residential street in this neighborhood for quiet, or you could rent a room above a popular shop.

Firestone Park

Firestone Park is a well-known neighborhood in southern Akron. It gets its name from the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, which was an active park of Akron's industrial history. Here, you'll find a number of mid-century homes, which is great for history buffs. This area is pretty affordable (all of Ohio is, but this area is even moreso than usual). You'll appreciate that it is connected to I-77, the main interstate heading north to south in Ohio, and Waterloo Road. 

Kent State University - Kent Campus

Kent State University is a university that many people know for its famous riots. In 1970, the Kent State shootings happened when the Ohio National Guard fired into a crowd of college students. Four people died, and nine were injured. Why tell you about that? It's historic, and it will come up when you're on campus. In fact, you're likely to join in remembrance on May 4th each year if you're at the school, and you'll learn about it in your gen-ed history courses. 

Now, outside of that history factoid, Kent State is cool for many reasons. It hosts its own museum on campus, and the campus has a very unique design with lots of open areas. But, one thing I find people underestimate is just how big this campus is. Kent State is set upon 866 acres. You absolutely have to be prepared to drive or build time into your day to catch your school shuttles. There simply is no way to walk the entire campus easily. 

For that reason, many students live on campus and have their own vehicles, too. If you don't want to have a car, the suggestion I have is to get your housing as close to the buildings you'll go to class in as possible each semester. Talk to your advisor when you set up your courses to ensure you're not trying to run from one end of the campus to the other each day.

Now, neighborhoods. There are many that surround Kent because it's so large, but here are a few to consider.

Fairchild

Located in Kent, Fairchild connects directly to Stow through Fairchild Avenue. You can also reach it by taking State Route 43 into the area. Something I like about the neighborhood is that it mixes both single-family homes and rental properties, so there's a chance you could get a good price on a room or duplex. It's quite, and it's great for younger students or professionals who are attending classes. 

Riverbend

Riverbend is a peaceful, residential neighborhood in Kent. It also borders the Cuyahoga River and is close to Munroe Falls Avenue. The area offers a mix of apartments, townhomes, and houses, meaning you can quickly get to downtown and your classes if you live there. Keep in mind that transit is an option, but you may prefer to have a car if you live in Riverbend. If you love the outdoors, this is one neighborhood I'd suggest checking out before others. 

Franklin

Bordering West Main Street in Kent, Franklin has some classic homes mixed in with modern apartments. Being only minutes from downtown Kent and Kent State University, it also has a lot for the student population to do. You'll find entertainment venues, restaurants, boutiques, parks, and a highly walkable arrangement there. 

Akron and Kent offer a variety of unique neighborhoods, and each has its own unique strengths or weaknesses. The great thing about most of them is that they're all easily connected to other cities and areas; just hop on SR 8 and I-77 to get almost anywhere in NE Ohio. And while you likely will need a car to get around, commuting is manageable if you give yourself enough time to get where you want to go.

As your ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert, I hope this guide helps you navigate your options and find the perfect place to call home during your college years.