<p>Many students choose to live on campus the first year even though it is more expensive. This way they get to know other students and the area which makes it easier to move off campus for your second year. There are many rentals near campus that are a short walk and a lot of students move into apartments being vacated by graduating seniors. Word of mouth seems to be a very effective way to find an apartment at WPI. From what I have heard from my daughter, leases tend to be signed early in the year, so you may have difficulty finding something for the 2013 - 2014 school year now. </p>
<p>As for neighborhoods, if you look at google maps, there are loads of apartments between Highland Street (route 9) and campus. The cross streets between Highland, Institute, and Salisbury Streets are all very close to campus, have a lot of rentals with students, and are also where most of the fraternity and sorority houses are. Personally, I would be careful about going south of Highland Street. </p>
<p>I hope this helps. I can only imagine how difficult it must be to try to sort this all out from abroad! Feel free to PM me if you have more questions about the area. I am fairly familiar with it.</p>