Best Places To Live In College Park MD For Students

What’s it like to call home a city that constantly pushes you to learn, grow, and succeed? College Park, Maryland, offers more than a normal student lifestyle!  Located just minutes from the city of Washington, D.C., this lively college town is well known as the home to the University of Maryland (UMD), and more! The appeal of this college goes far beyond the campus boundaries. The vibe in College Park is youthful and energetic. There is Testudo, the famous turtle statue, where students leave offerings for good luck during finals, and McKeldin Mall, the social heart of the city, where students lounge on sunny days. The city has many students, researchers, and early-career professionals who form a huge part of the population, and it is filled with ideas, events, and everyday campus buzz. Cafés in College Park serve as study spots, weekend spots to meet friends, and for social outings, perfect for students finding their rhythm away from home. 

College Park stands out academically and professionally. UMD is a leading research university, attracting students from all over the world, carrying out innovation-driven projects, and global collaborations. Living here brings students close to the city of Washington, D.C. This city has a vast network of internships, federal agencies, think tanks, startups, and multinational organizations. The cost of living College Park MD, for students is very affordable, and students can build their careers in one of the world's most renowned professional hubs.

So, why move to College Park? It offers the best of both worlds. You get a calm, student-focused environment for learning with efficient and reliable public transport, walkable neighborhoods, and green spaces. It also makes students feel connected to the cultural, professional, and global exposure of a major capital city. Safety, too, plays a big role, with 24/7 campus and city police patrols, UMD Alerts system, blue light emergency phones, escort services, and well-lit neighborhoods. The late-night transport, safety apps, and awareness programs help keep crime rates lower than in many nearby areas. In College Park, life is not just about earning a degree. It’s about discovering new and great opportunities, building networks, and enjoying a balanced lifestyle where career and personal growth come together. 

Top Places to Live in College Park, Maryland

Choosing the right neighborhood can enhance your entire student experience, and College Park in Maryland offers several places that balance comfort, convenience, and campus life. From walkable streets near the university to quieter residential areas with easy city access, each of these neighborhoods has its own unique appeal. Below are some of the best places to live in College Park MD places that you should consider before moving to College Park. 

1. Old Town College Park

Population: 4,200
Violent crime rate: 2.1 per 1,000 residents
Property crime rate: 15.2 per 1,000 residents
Safety index: 78
Average rent: $1,950 per month
Best for: Students, families, and young professionals

Old Town College Park is a historic town known for good walkability and daily conveniences. Students can easily reach the University of Maryland campus edge, College Park Airport, Paint Branch Trail, College Park Farmers' Market, and popular cafes like College Perk. The low crime is maintained with strong community bonds, safety through the neighborhood watch programs, police foot patrols, and UMD security collaboration. The public transit services are reliable with the Green Line Metro, Route 16 buses, and free UMD shuttles. This is one of the best places to live in College Park near UMD in Maryland.

2. Downtown College Park

Population: 5,800
Violent crime rate: 2.4 per 1,000 residents
Property crime rate: 17.1 per 1,000 residents
Safety index: 75
Average rent: $2,050 per month
Best for: Students and urban explorers

Downtown College Park is a modern urban hub known for its excellent walkability areas and daily conveniences. Students can easily reach the University of Maryland campus core, College Park Metro Station, Union Kitchen, College Park Arts Exchange, and cultural hotspots like the Farmers' Market. The low crime is due to the strong community bonds, active neighborhood watch programs, strong police foot patrols, and UMD security collaboration. This is one of the best places to live in College Park near UMD.

3. Berwyn

Population: 3,900
Violent crime rate: 1.8 per 1,000 residents
Property crime rate: 14.5 per 1,000 residents
Safety index: 82
Average rent: $1,850 per month
Best for: Families and commuters
Berwyn is a beautiful and charming area, and also one of the best places to live in College Park MD. Students can easily reach the UMD or other universities on foot or by bus. Top attractions include the Berwyn Park, Greenbelt MARC Station, and some local spots like Berwyn Plaza shops. The neighborhood has a strong community, police patrols, and great neighborhood watch programs to ensure a low crime rate. There is MARC commuter rail for fast DC trips, frequent Route 21 buses, and free UMD shuttles along Rhode Island Avenue. With an unbeatable suburban charm near UMD in College Park, MD, this is one of the best places to stay in College Park. 

4. Calvert Hills

Population: 2,700
Violent crime rate: 1.5 per 1,000 residents
Property crime rate: 12.8 per 1,000 residents
Safety index: 85
Average rent: $2,200 per month
Best for: Professors and families

Calvert Hills is a hillside gem in College Park, Maryland. Students living here can stroll right to the UMD's main gate.  Calvert Park, UMD Observatory, and Calvert House Inn are some of the famous attractions here. The neighborhood has friendly residents, dedicated police patrols, and active watch groups for controlling the crime rate. Public transit services include the exclusive Campus Connector shuttle, Green Line Metro access, and bike paths to campus. This is one of the best places to live in College Park MD. 

5. University Park

Population: 2,500
Violent crime rate: 1.9 per 1,000 residents
Property crime rate: 13.9 per 1,000 residents
Safety index: 80
Average rent: $1,900 per month
Best for: Professionals and retirees

University Park is a serene suburb with different cultural attractions such as the University Park Reservoir, Green Line Metro, and diners like Star Diner. Students living here can bike or bus effortlessly to UMD research parks and other university campuses. Strong community, regular sheriff visits, and proactive neighborhood watches keep the crime low.  The public transport here shows the rare historic trolley trail links, Route 15 buses, and free UMD loops. Offering a tranquil and contentful life, University Park is one of the best places to live in College Park MD. 

6. East Pines

Population: 4,100
Violent crime rate: 2.0 per 1,000 residents
Property crime rate: 15.5 per 1,000 residents
Safety index: 79
Average rent: $1,850 per month
Best for: Students and commuters

East Pines is famous as a cozy family haven in College Park, Maryland. Students can take Route 193 buses to UMD and other universities quickly. East Pines Community Center, Paint Branch Trail, and Pine Tree Plaza markets are some of the top cultural attractions. The robust homeowner associations, community policing, and alert apps provide safety to students and residents. There are direct express buses to NASA Goddard, UMD shuttles, and trail connectors. All these facilities make this area one of the best places to live in College Park MD. 

7. Greenbelt

Population: 24,000
Violent crime rate: 2.2 per 1,000 residents
Property crime rate: 16.3 per 1,000 residents
Safety index: 77
Average rent: $1,950 per month
Best for: Students, families, and NASA commuters

Greenbelt stands as a well-planned and structured community near College Park, Maryland. Students can take short rides to UMD and NASA Goddard. Greenbelt Lake, Greenbelt Metro, and Roosevelt Center shops are some of the famous landmarks here. Students often find historic co-ops, federal security partnerships, and resident councils that help maintain peace in this neighborhood. The Greenbelt end-of-line Metro hub with parking, MARC trains, and bus rapid transit is the quick and reliable transport service here. This is one of the best places to live in College Park MD. 

8. Beltsville

Population: 16,500
Violent crime rate: 2.6 per 1,000 residents
Property crime rate: 17.9 per 1,000 residents
Safety index: 73
Average rent: $1,950 per month
Best for: Professionals and USDA workers

Beltsville is a practical workhorse suburb located near College Park, Maryland. Students can commute easily via Baltimore Avenue to universities like UMD. Top attractions are Beltsville Community Center, Patuxent Research Refuge, and Beltway Plaza eateries. USDA collaborations, business watches, and traffic cams help reduce the low crime rate. One will find Beltsville's cargo rail service for unique commuter hacks, frequent 20X express buses, and UMD vans. This is one of the best places to live in College Park MD, for students.

9. Hyattsville (Arts District)

Population: 5,400
Violent crime rate: 2.3 per 1,000 residents
Property crime rate: 16.8 per 1,000 residents
Safety index: 76
Average rent: $2,100 per month
Best for: Artists and students

Hyattsville Arts District is a creative hotspot and one of the best places to live in College Park MD. Students can reach university campuses in minutes via the metro. Top attractions are creative and colorful street murals, Prince George’s Plaza Metro, and Busboys and Poets. Cultural groups, arts patrols, and festival security keep this neighborhood safe. Public transit is reliable here with the PG Plaza interchange for art event shuttles, along with free UMD links. 

10. Hollywood Neighborhood

Population: 3,200
Violent crime rate: 1.7 per 1,000 residents
Property crime rate: 14.2 per 1,000 residents
Safety index: 83North College Park
Average rent: $2,000 per month
Best for: Families and professionals

Hollywood Neighborhood is a lush and hidden oasis in College Park, Maryland. Students can access UMD's north side via beautiful trails. Top attractions include Hollywood Park, Route 1 shops, and walkable wooded paths. The exclusive private patrols and green space monitors make sure the area is calm and safe. It is popular for quiet house rentals and proximity to MOM's Organic Market. There are custom neighborhood van services, bike shares to university campuses, and Route 1 express lanes. Overall, this is one of the best places to live in College Park MD for students. 

11. Lakeland

Population: 4,500
Violent crime rate: 2.0 per 1,000 residents
Property crime rate: 15.7 per 1,000 residents
Safety index: 79
Average rent: $1,800 per month
Best for: Students and outdoor enthusiasts

Lakeland remains an active lakeside community in College Park, Maryland. Students can reach UMD and other university campuses by bike through the scenic views. Top attractions in Lakeland include Lakeland Park, Anacostia Tributary Trail, and neighborhood delis. The crime rate is low, and measures such as the youth sports leagues, trail rangers, and community events help maintain safety. The primary transit in this area for students is the Shuttle-UM, which is a massive, free bus network, UMD bikes, VeoRide, the electric scooters, and bus loops. These are perfect for adventurers near UMD and other universities in College Park, MD, thus making Lakeland one of the best places to live in College Park MD for students. 

12. North College Park

Population: 3,800
Violent crime rate: 1.6 per 1,000 residents
Property crime rate: 13.4 per 1,000 residents
Safety index: 84
Average rent: $1,950 per month
Best for: Graduate students and families

North College Park is a peaceful northern area located in College Park, Maryland. This area is surrounded by top attractions such as North College Park Community Center, Greenbelt Road parks, and quiet, cozy cafes. Graduate networks, lab security overflows, and digital neighborhood apps help control the crime rate. While shopping for daily essentials, this area is a budget-saver for students. They can head to Lidl and Target in North College Park, making it easy to bulk buy groceries without breaking the bank. Public transport in North College Park offers snowplow-priority bus lanes, direct shuttle pods to UMD dorms, and trail buses. This neighborhood ranks among the good places to stay in College Park MD. 

Conclusion

Life in College Park, Maryland, offers students a homely vibe with a well-rounded and fulfilling student experience. The atmosphere is energetic with walkable streets, vast green spaces, cafés, and social hubs that improve both learning and connection. Its proximity to Washington, D.C. adds immense value, giving students access to cultural landmarks and global career exposure, all while enjoying a more affordable and calmer environment. The strong public transport, a focus on the safety of residents and students, and a welcoming community enhance the quality of student life. 

When moving to College Park, securing the right student housing is the most important thing for students. Amber, a global student housing platform, offers a wide range of College Park off-campus housing options, including on-campus residences, university halls, off-campus options such as private and shared student apartments, and modern and fully furnished studios near the university campuses. This student housing in College Park Maryland, provides apartments with great facilities like high-speed Wi-Fi, study spaces, gyms, and easy access to public transport. With the help of trusted and 100% verified off-campus housing near University of Maryland, students can browse, compare prices, locations, and facilities, making it easier to secure comfortable, safe, and budget-friendly apartments that suit different student preferences. Below are some of the best properties offered by amber. 

1. Terrapin Row, College Park , from $1009 per month
2. The Tempo, College Park , from $1043 per month
3. The Varsity College Park, College Park , from $1160 per month
4. Mazza Grandmarc, College Park , from $1049 per month
5. Vie Towers, College Park , from $1324 per month

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