Housing
ALPS does not arrange for housing on students’ behalf. You should arrange housing yourself, but ALPS staff can assist you if you have any questions!
Our friendly staff is very happy to answer your questions about housing and help you with the process.
We strongly advise that you secure your housing before you leave your home country. It can be very difficult and expensive to arrange housing in Seattle at the last minute!
Types of Housing
In a homestay, you stay with an American family in their home. Homestays can be a great way to learn more about American culture and practice English outside of class. You stay in a private room in a homestay, but you typically share a bathroom with other household members. Most homestays include some meals.
The cost of a homestay generally depends on its location. Homestays closer to the center of Seattle cost more. For most homestays, you pay a one-time placement fee to the homestay agency, and then pay a monthly stipend directly to your host family. Most monthly stipends are $950-1200 per month.
Most homestays are 45-60 minutes away from the school by public transit.
ALPS recommends the following homestay agencies:
Intercultural Homestays
Phone: +1 206-367-5332
USA International
Phone: +1 425-483-5974
Japanese-speaking staff available
Airport pickup is available from these agencies for an additional fee. Taxis, ride-shares, and public transportation options are also available from the airport.
How to reserve a homestay
Contact one of the homestay agencies. It’s best to book a homestay as early as possible (at least 2 months before you arrive in Seattle), because availability can be limited.
ALPS students can stay in dormitory-style student housing at City University of Seattle (CityU)’s Cornish Commons residence.
These are typically double occupancy rooms (shared with a roommate) with a private bathroom in each room. Meals are not included.
The rooms are furnished with a bed and a desk and include WiFi, but you will need to provide your own bedding and towels.
There are laundry machines, a fitness room, and a rooftop deck in the building.
The dormitory is about 15 minutes away from ALPS via public transit, or 20 minutes on foot.
You can see pictures of the rooms here.
How to book dormitory housing
Fill out an application form on CityU’s housing website.
For the first question (Term of Residence), select “Other” and then type “ALPS” and your desired start and end dates in the text box.
You will receive in email within 3 business days from the CityU housing staff with your next steps to finalize your booking.
At certain times of the year, dormitory housing at Cornish Commons may be limited or unavailable, and you may be waitlisted. “Waitlisted” means that the housing staff is unable to immediately guarantee your booking, but they will contact you as soon as they have a confirmed vacancy.
If you have questions about availability, please contact the housing staff via email.
Roommates and shared housing arrangements can be a great way to save money, make friends, and get extra English practice.
In a shared housing arrangement, you typically have a private bedroom and share a kitchen, living room, and sometimes bathroom with roommates.
Some rooms are rented furnished (with furniture), but some are rented unfurnished (without furniture).
Neighborhoods close to ALPS
ALPS is located in Seattle’s central Capitol Hill neighborhood. Our address is 430 Broadway E, Seattle, WA.
Capitol Hill has many rooms and shared houses for rent. If you prefer to live close to the school, try to find a room in Capitol Hill or in one of its surrounding neighborhoods:
South Lake Union
First Hill
Belltown
Montlake (NOT Mountlake Terrace!)
Madrona Park
Eastlake
Central District
Websites to find shared housing arrangments
Watch out for scams! Never send a landlord money before you meet them in person. Never sign a lease before you see the room in person.
How to apply for a shared housing arrangement
We recommend that you book a hotel or AirBnb for 1-2 weeks after you arrive in Seattle so that you have a place to stay temporarily while you visit shared houses and choose one suitable for your needs.
The usual procedure for applying for an apartment is the following:
- Contact the property manager or the building owner for an in-person showing. You can see the building and the room that you will be renting, and you can ask questions. Do not send a property manager money before you see the room in person.
- Fill out a rental application. Sometimes there is an application fee for a credit or background check. You may need to provide a copy of your I-20.
- Put down a deposit to reserve the room. Do not pay a deposit before you see the room in person.
- Sign a lease (= housing rental contract) that stipulates the terms of the rental, including the amount of rent and other rules.
If you would like help finding a shared house, USA International is a local agency that will find a shared house or apartment for you for a placement fee.
Neighborhoods close to ALPS
ALPS is located in Seattle’s central Capitol Hill neighborhood. Our address is 430 Broadway E, Seattle, WA.
Capitol Hill has many apartments for rent. If you prefer to live close to the school, try to find an apartment in Capitol Hill or in one of its surrounding neighborhoods:
South Lake Union
First Hill
Belltown
Montlake (NOT Mountlake Terrace!)
Madrona Park
Eastlake
Central District
Websites to find apartments
Craigslist
Apartment Finder
PadMapper
Rent.com
Watch out for scams! Never send a landlord money before you meet them in person. Never sign a lease before you see the apartment in person.
Furnished and unfurnished apartments
Most apartments are rented unfurnished (= without furniture). Be sure to check the apartment listing to see if it is furnished or unfurnished.
Utilities
It is common in the United States for renters to be responsible for certain utilities in addition to rent. Utilities can include internet, electricity, water, gas, garbage, Internet, and more. Be sure to check the apartment listing to see which utilities you are responsible for.
How to apply for an apartment
We recommend that you book a hotel or AirBnb for 1-2 weeks after you arrive in Seattle so that you have a place to stay temporarily while you visit apartments and choose one suitable for your needs.
The usual procedure for applying for an apartment is the following:
- Contact the property manager for an in-person showing. You can see the apartment building, the inside of the apartment, and ask questions. Do not send an apartment manager money before you see the apartment in person.
- Fill out a rental application. Usually there is an application fee for a credit or background check. You may need to provide a copy of your I-20.
- Put down a deposit to reserve the apartment. Do not pay a deposit before you see the apartment in person.
- Sign a lease (= housing rental contract) that stipulates the terms of the rental, including the amount of rent and other rules.
Most leases in the US are 12 months long.
If you will stay in the US for less than 1 year, you may want to consider other housing options.
Ask us if you have questions about an apartment or a lease. We are happy to advise!
The Vermont Inn is a local hotel that offers monthly rates for students.
The rooms are furnished and include a small refrigerator, a kitchenette, and a weekly cleaning service.
The hotel is about 20 minutes away from ALPS via public transit.
Click here for an information sheet with more details about housing at the Vermont Inn.
How to Reserve a Room
Visit the hotel between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to see a room (no appointment necessary), or call the hotel at +1 (206) 441-0101.
You will need to pay a deposit to reserve the room.
You can rent a private room or an entire apartment. Be sure to check the location on Google Maps to see how close your AirBnb is to ALPS.
Dormitory-style housing is available for a maximum of 14 days.
This is a common site used in the US for booking hotels.
