It all comes down to one game to see who is crowned College Football’s National Champions. These student-athletes have been navigating the media frenzy pitting the tropical lifestyle of the University of Miami players versus the Midwestern one of Indiana University athletes.
But where these players live couldn’t be farther apart—and we’re not talking miles. The main thing to understand: College football student-athletes do not have the same college experience or dorm life as an average college student or as their predecessors had.
“Today’s student-athletes are far more independent and professional than previous generations,” Jonathan Ayala, real estate agent and founder of Real Estate Photography, tells Realtor.com®. “Many see housing as an extension of their brand and therefore prefer units such as those that offer privacy, content creation space, and professional environments.”
For both these universities, football is a driving component of the school’s budget and in the era of NIL (name, image, and likeness) money, recruiting the top football players means enticing them with all the tools to make them successful.
Miami and Indiana spend $78.1 million and $61.3 million, respectively, on their football programs, according to The Athletic and the U.S. Department of Education.
A big part of an athlete’s routine is where they find their quiet time after a long day—their home away from home.
“Compared to the average student, student-athletes live more disciplined and routine-oriented lives,” Ayala explains. “Their housing preferences prioritize quiet, closeness to training facilities, and adequate recovery and rest.”
Miami vibes
Living in Miami offers the conveniences of balmy weather almost all year and all the amenities a big city has to offer. The median list price for a single-family home is $500,000, but the area is filled with million-dollar mansions and people ready to snap them up—many times paying cash.
Student-athletes ready to call Miami home will find housing that’s not your typical dormitory. The University of Miami is in the process of constructing a 12-acre village made up of 25 interconnected buildings and outdoor spaces—including a grand courtyard, study spots, recreational spaces, and outdoor terraces.
It’s being completed in phases with many students already enjoying the conveniences.
Each student-athlete can get their own apartment with a living room, kitchen, laundry, and private full bathroom. Many times, freshmen will stay on-campus and then opt to move elsewhere the following years.
Ayala, who has worked with developers, property managers, and real estate agents in South Florida, says some University of Miami football players relocate after their first year to off-campus areas that offer a mix of closeness and privacy.
“Coral Gables, South Miami, and Coconut Grove are popular because they are all near the university and offer more room and safety,” Ayala adds.
Midwest lifestyle
Indiana University (or IU as people refer to it) is located in Bloomington—about an hour south of Indianapolis. Freshman football players live on-campus and usually in Briscoe Quad. The dorm is near the school’s athletic facilities and gym.
“Athletes in Bloomington, unlike Miami, where athletes might live like young professionals, are more aligned with a traditional college-town archetype, albeit with a little more deliberate upgraded housing,” says Ayala.
IU is a big driver of the Bloomington economy. The median list price in Bloomington is $357,000.
“The housing market in Bloomington is more compact than in Miami. This is why athletes tend to cluster in similar off-campus zones, as opposed to spreading across several luxury neighborhoods,” Ayala adds.
He explains that popular off-campus housing includes neighborhoods along East 3rd Street, East 10th Street, and the newer apartment and townhome communities on the southeast side of Bloomington.
“These particular areas are attractive for the combination of convenience and quieter surroundings. They provide a better balance for the demands of the athletes’ schedules and training as compared to the dense student corridors. They offer a more residential look with larger units and parking.”
Ayala explains that in Bloomington, housing is often of better quality than typical student accommodations, but it is not ultra luxury. “Athletes may live in modern apartments or good-condition rental houses, but services are less than Miami’s luxury high-rises.”
Unlike the nightlife that Miami offers, Bloomington has a quieter, more laid-back feel. The attention that this year’s football team has brought to the city rivals the more-usual success of its basketball team.
Off-campus opportunities
As their sports programs grow, colleges and universities are building modern housing as a way to attract top talent. Developers are cashing in on that by investing in off-campus student housing.
The top developer of off-campus student housing is Landmark Properties, according to Student Housing Business. The company currently has $4 billion in construction volume right now and $10 billion in the development pipeline.
Landmark has projects underway near numerous universities, including the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor; the University of Maryland in College Park; and the State University of New York at Binghamton.
