Where Miami and Indiana Players Prepare for College Football Finals: See How NCAA Stars Live—And Away From Your Average Dorm

It all comes down to one game to see who is crowned the National Football Champions. These student-athletes have been making headlines for the Miami University vs. Midwestern University Indiana University athletes.

But where these players live wouldn’t be far apart—and we’re not talking miles. The key thing to understand: College football athletes do not have the same college experience or lifestyle as the average college student or as their predecessors did.

“Today’s student-athletes are more independent and disciplined than previous generations,” Jonathan Ayalareal estate agent and founder of Real Estate Photography, tells Realtor.com®. “Many see housing as an extension of their brand and therefore choose units like those that offer privacy, space for content creation, and professional spaces.”

At both universities, football is part of the school budget and in the era of NIL money (name, image, and likeness), recruiting top football players means attracting them with all the tools to succeed.

Miami and Indiana spend $78.1 million and $61.3 million, respectively, on their football programs, according to The Athletic and the US 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 straight and normal lives,” Ayala explained. “Their housing choices prioritize quietness, proximity to training facilities, and adequate recovery and rest.”

Miami vibes

Living in Miami easily offers a mild climate almost year-round and all the amenities a big city can offer. The median list price for a single-family home is $500,000, but the area is full of multimillion-dollar mansions and people are willing to snap them up—often for cash.

Student-athletes ready to call Miami home will find housing that isn’t your typical dorm. The University of Miami is in the process of creating a 12-acre village composed of 25 interconnected buildings and outdoor spaces—including a large courtyard, academic spaces, recreational areas and outdoor gardens.

It is being completed in phases as many students are enjoying these activities.

Each student-athlete can get their own apartment with a living room, kitchen, laundry, and full private bathroom. Oftentimes, freshmen will stay on campus and choose to transfer in subsequent years.

Ayala, who has worked with developers, property managers, and real estate agents in South Florida, says some University of Miami football players move after their freshman year to off-campus locations that offer a combination of intimacy and privacy.

“Coral Gables, South Miami, and Coconut Grove are popular because they are all close to the university and offer space and safety,” added Ayala.

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 often in Briscoe Quad. The accommodation is close to the school’s running tracks and gym.

“Athletes in Bloomington, unlike Miami, where athletes can live like professionals, are more in line with the college town archetype, although they have purposely developed housing,” Ayala said.

IU is a major economic driver of Bloomington. The median list price in Bloomington is $357,000.

“The real estate market in Bloomington is more compact than Miami. That’s why athletes tend to congregate in the same off-campus areas, as opposed to spreading out in multiple luxury areas,” adds Ayala.

He explains that popular off-campus housing includes neighborhoods near East 3rd Street, East 10th Street, and new apartment and town communities on Bloomington’s southeast side.

“These areas are attractive for the combination of convenient location and quiet environment. They provide a better balance of the needs of athletes’ schedules and training compared to crowded student corridors. They offer more living space with larger units and parking.”

Ayala explains that in Bloomington, housing tends to be better quality than typical student housing, but it’s nothing fancy. “Athletes may live in modern apartments or rental apartments in good condition, but the services are less than the luxury of Miami.”

Unlike the nightlife that Miami offers, Bloomington has a quieter, more organized feel. The attention this year’s football team has brought to city rivals is the most common success of its basketball team.

Off-campus opportunities

As their athletic programs grow, colleges and universities build state-of-the-art facilities 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 the Student Housing Business. The company currently has $4 billion in current construction capacity and $10 billion in the development pipeline.

Landmark has projects underway near many universities, including the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor; the University of Maryland at College Park; and the State University of New York at Binghamton.