The purpose of this study was to determine the factors which influence the off-campus rental housing choices of students attending Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. An interview schedule was developed and administered by telephone to a random sample of 204 Virginia Tech students who were renting off-campus housing in Blacksburg, Virginia. The data were examined by analysis of means, frequencies, correlations, and t-tests.

The findings revealed significant differences (p<.01) between students who lived in traditional rental apartments and students who lived in student condominiums in preferences for amenities, lease options, and maintenance. No difference in satisfaction levels was found to exist between the groups.

All students in the sample showed preferences for a large number of amenities, most of which were provided by the Blacksburg rental market. Cost was identified as the greatest influence on housing choice for the entire sample, while noise and inadequate parking were the major dissatisfactions.