If you're moving to Morgantown alone, the first thing to consider is finding an apartment.

You're not going to buy a house right away, so you'll need to rent a 1-bedroom to start, but searching online can be quite confusing.

Some sites list prices at $600, while others say $900, and some even go over $1,000.

At first, I thought, "Wait, it's the same Morgantown, so what's the deal here?"

After compiling various rental data, it seems that a 1-bedroom in Morgantown generally ranges from about $600 to $1,000. According to Rent.com, the average is around $622, while Rentable lists it at about $730, and Apartments.com shows it at approximately $874. Other sources even report prices exceeding $1,000.

The reason for these differences is that the apartments vary. They average out old and new apartments, and they also mix locations right in front of WVU with those on the outskirts. Prices can also change based on whether there's a washer in the unit, parking availability, or if the apartment has been remodeled.

So, if I were to advise someone coming here for the first time, I would suggest setting a realistic budget of around $700 to $900 per month. Of course, if you're willing to compromise on an older building or location, you can find cheaper options, but if you're looking for a newly built, high-quality apartment, it could easily exceed $1,000.

Still, compared to the rest of the country, renting in Morgantown is definitely on the cheaper side. With the national average rent exceeding $1,600, you can find a 1-bedroom here for about half that amount. Someone coming from places like LA or New York might look at the rental prices and think, "Is this really the monthly rate?"

However, you need to pay attention to the location.

Areas close to the WVU campus or downtown are popular with students, so while there are many options, demand is also high. Naturally, homes within walking distance to the school will be a bit pricier. Conversely, prices often drop the further you get from campus. Areas like Suncrest or South Hills have a more residential feel, with many 2-3 bedroom homes and family-friendly neighborhoods.

Timing is also important when renting in Morgantown. The city really moves in sync with WVU.

As the new school year approaches in August, students flood in, so decent rooms get snatched up quickly. You might see a place online yesterday and think, "I'll check it out this weekend," only to find out it's already been rented.

On the other hand, if you time it right during the off-peak months of May and June when students are moving out, you might find more options available. From the landlord's perspective, it's better to find tenants quickly rather than leave a room vacant for too long, so there may be room for negotiation.

Also, don't just look at the rent amount when signing a lease. You might be excited about a $750 rent, but if you have to pay separately for electricity, water, internet, and parking, it could end up being close to $900. Be sure to ask whether there are laundry facilities in the building, if parking is free, and how much winter heating costs, as heating bills in West Virginia winters can't be ignored.

Ultimately, if you're looking for a 1-bedroom to live alone in Morgantown, it's realistic to start your search around the $700 to $900 range, while also comparing the distance to campus and management fees.

And don't rush into signing a lease just because you found a place you like; make sure to visit at least two or three options before making a decision. Photos can be misleading, and you might find that what looks like a palace online is actually not what you expected when you see it in person.

Morgantown still has relatively low rental burdens compared to other college towns in the U.S. For someone just settling in, this is a significant advantage. Saving a few hundred dollars on rent can make a huge difference in your budget for groceries, car maintenance, and daily living expenses, as anyone who has lived in the U.S. knows.