I don't care where you're living or what you're living in, but if you're paying more than $500/month for rent, you're being robbed. Avoid a one-year lease if possible. Parking is key. Whether you're living close to campus or not, make sure you check out the parking situation. Many apartments offer one to two spots for four people, and many houses have a different parking (driveway) set up, so it's good to know what you're getting into with parking and how your roommates feel about sharing a spot and parking in general. You might not think parking is going to be a problem during the months when we're spoiled by warm weather, but just think about what it's like walking to class from an off-campus residence during the middle of an icy-cold Michigan winter.