Incoming International Students

Housing & Personal Needs

Housing

LBCC does not provide on-campus housing, but there are plenty of options in the Albany and Corvallis area.

Online Resources
Useful Tips
  • Length of lease: Apartments usually offer 1-year, 6-months, or monthly contracts. Longer contracts typically come with a discount, however tenants have to stay for the whole period. If they break the contract there is usually a fee. 
  • Read the contract: It is important to understand the housing contract or agreement before signing or making any formal commitment.
  • Deposit: Apartments usually require a deposit of 2 months rent. Most or all of this deposit is usually returned within 30 days after the move-out date, if the property remains in the same condition as when you began your lease. You may not receive the full deposit amount back if there are things that need to be cleaned or fixed in the apartment.
  • Utility bills: Depending on the apartment, it is important to ask the landlord whether garbage collection, water and electricity are included. If any of these are not included, you are required to subscribe and pay separately for the service. 
  • Additional fees: Watch out for additional fees. Examples: parking spaces, laundry facilities, or concierge services at some apartment complexes.
  • Appliances: Most apartments are equipped with kitchen appliances such as a stove, refrigerator, microwave, and dishwasher. Some apartments also offer a clothes washing machine and dryer in the unit, while some offer washing machines and dryers in a shared space or common use building.
  • Furniture: Some apartments come fully furnished, which includes bed, sofa, and dining table. Most apartments are not furnished, which means tenants have to bring their own furniture. 
  • Amenities: Some apartment complexes include amenities such as pools or gyms, which can help to save time and money.
  • Safety: Be aware of what safety features your apartment offers, such as secure door entry, security personnel, or CCTV in communal areas. 
  • Plan ahead: When looking for an apartment, begin this search several months ahead of time.
Housing Rights

Landlords and property managers must follow laws about how they can talk with you, how quickly they have to fix things in your apartment, whether or not they can enter your apartment while you are living there, and many other things. Sometimes they do not follow all of these laws, and it is important for you to know what your rights are as a renter.

If you believe you are being treated unfairly, or just want to learn more about your housing rights, please contact the Oregon Community Alliance of Tenants or contact Roadrunner Resource Center at LBCC.

Most Common Items to Buy Before Moving into an Apartment
  • Bedding: sheets, blanket, comforter, pillows
  • Kitchen: pans, pots, plates, utensils, rice cooker, cups
  • Furniture:
    • Bedroom: Bed frame, mattress
    • Living room: Couch or sofa, chair, TV
    • Laundry: laundry basket. Check with your apartment manager whether washer/dryer is provided in the apartment unit or in common space. If the apartment does not have a washing machine and dryer, an alternative would be coin laundry or laundromat.
  • Sets of towels for both kitchen and bath
Extra Items That Will Help You Through College
  • Desk and office chair
  • Desk lamp
  • Stackable desk trays
  • Office supplies: paper, pens, pencils, binders

 

Transportation

As an LBCC student you can ride the Linn-Benton Loop bus between Corvallis and Albany at no cost.

If you plan to drive your own car, check into LBCC’s Parking Rules. Parking on campus is free. If you do plan to drive, it is a good idea to register your car through the Public Safety Office in RCH 119. 

You must obtain an Oregon Driver's License to drive while studying at LBCC. You will need to take a written test as well as a driving test in order to get your license. As rules in Oregon differ from other states within the U.S. as well as countries around the world, we advise you to learn about safe driving in Oregon through the DMV website. You can also learn about what to expect when you visit the DMV by checking out this SAVE Fact Sheet.

Food & Dining

As you become familiar with Albany and Corvallis, you can find many restaurants and cafés through sites like TripAdvisor and Yelp. Or, you can cook your own food by visiting a local grocery store in your neighborhood. We advise students to find the places they like that fit within their personal budgets. If you need recommendations and support, stop by the International Programs office to meet with an advisor or international peer ambassador.

Banking

Opening a checking account here in the U.S. will make it easier for you to manage payments and get cash when you need it. As you work to open the account, make sure to ask questions. For example, do you have a monthly fee for the account? Learn more about how to open a U.S. bank account.

Cell Phones

You may want to invest in a local cell phone while you're studying in the States. Cell phone carrier prices and coverage vary; you may want to check with friends or other international students to see which providers they like. Some of the primary carriers in the region include AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon. You may also want to connect with your peers through free apps including LINE, Viber, WeChat, or WhatsApp. And don't forget to download our LBLive app to connect with other students!