Finding a place to live in college is a big challenge that students face. At the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire (UWEC), thousands of students every year search for apartments and houses to rent. Many students get help from their parents and they start their search on Eau Claire Craigslist, hoping to find something that meets their needs and budget.
But is Craigslist really the best place to look for housing in Eau Claire? While Craigslist has a robust list of apartments and houses for rent (https://eauclaire.craigslist.org/) from large housing rental companies, property management companies, and private owners with as little as one house, this might seem like a good place to start. Students often find Craigslist has issues such as: outdated listings, scams, few details, or homes that don’t fit what they really need. Fortunately, there are better, safer, and smarter ways to find your next apartment or rental house in Eau Claire.
In this article, we’ll explain:
Why students use Eau Claire Craigslist for housing
The risks and downsides of relying on Craigslist
Smarter and safer alternatives for UWEC students
How local property managers and landlords can make your life easier
Tips for making your rental search less stress
Why Students Use Eau Claire Craigslist
Craigslist has been around since the 1990s. It’s a giant online classified ads site where people post almost everything: furniture, cars, jobs, services, and yes—apartments and houses. When you search “Eau Claire Craigslist Housing,” you’ll see dozens of listings pop up.
Parents and students often go there because:
It’s free – you don’t need an account or app.
It’s quick – you can search in a few seconds.
It feels local – there’s a specific Eau Claire section just for the area.
Word of mouth – “Just check Craigslist.”
On the surface, Craigslist makes sense.
The Risks of Eau Claire Craigslist Housing
Here’s what many UWEC students don’t realize until it’s too late: Craigslist comes with serious risks.
1. Scams and Fake Ads
Scammers often post ads for apartments or houses that aren’t really for rent. They’ll use photos from other places and they’ll ask for money to pay for an application fee before you ever see the place. Once you send money, the ad disappears and you are scammed. (https://sellbuymdhomes.com) The scuzz balls do not only target grandparents, they are after your money too. This kind of scam is known as an advance‐fee scam. (Wikipedia)
For example, a NYU‐led study looked at 2 million Craigslist rental listings and found almost 30,000 were fraudulent. That means more than 1% of listings were fake. (NYU Tandon School of Engineering)
The housing market is tight, and people get pressured by things like low price or quick availability. A research article found a 45% increase in rental scams over two years, with many victims drawn in by listings that seem too good to be true. (Rently)
2. Outdated or Inaccurate Listings
Even when an ad is not a scam, it might be old. Maybe the property is already rented out, or the rent has changed, or utilities aren’t included but the ad doesn’t say. This leads students to waste time and effort. Data from UWEC itself shows estimated costs, but off‐campus listings vary a lot. (UW-Eau Claire)
3. Cost and Budget Problems
Let’s look at some data around cost:
The Estimated Cost of Attendance for 2025-26 at UWEC for students living off campus is about $9,726 for housing + food/other living expenses. (UW-Eau Claire)
On‐campus housing & board has its own rates. For example, for a double room in a residence hall the cost for one academic year is $5,248, and for renovated double rooms like the Towers it’s $5,832.
Another source says the average housing cost for UWEC students is about $5,325 per year. (Niche)
If Craigslist ads overpromise or understate costs (utilities, deposits, maintenance), students can end up spending a lot more than they planned.
Better Ways for UWEC Students to Find Housing
The good news? You don’t have to rely on Craigslist. There are better and safer methods that make the whole process easier.
1. Work With Local Property Management Companies
Instead of scrolling through random ads, students can contact Eau Claire property management companies that specialize in student rentals. These companies manage multiple apartments and houses near UWEC and provide:
Real, updated listings, with photos & video
Professional showings
Clear leases that follow Wisconsin law
Online rent payments and maintenance requests
Safe, well-maintained housing
For example, local managers often give details about utilities, parking, and proximity to campus—things that Craigslist often leaves out or lists wrongly.
2. Use Trusted Rental Websites
Sites like Zillow, Apartments.com, Rent.com, etc., usually have better filters, more accurate photos, and ways to verify listings. These help students compare neighborhoods, check safety, and see what’s inclusive in the rent (utilities, internet, etc.).
3. Search Locally Owned Websites
Some Eau Claire landlords and property managers have their own websites. These often have more up‐to‐date information, because they control their own listings. Also, local listings might include student‐friendly features like roommate matching, furnished units, or flexible leases for summer/winter.
4. Ask Around Campus
Never underestimate the word‐of‐mouth. Many students move every year, and subleases or roommate openings are common. Asking in student groups (clubs, social media, UWEC bulletin boards, especially the bulletin board in Davies) often leads to safer, cheaper places people already know.
Why Local Property Management Beats Craigslist
If you’re a UWEC student, here’s why working directly with local property management companies is so much better than using Eau Claire Craigslist:
Transparency – You know who you’re dealing with. No mystery landlords.
Safety – Showings are scheduled and secure.
Convenience – Online payments, maintenance portals, and clear communication.
Quality Housing – Homes are inspected and maintained professionally.Legality – Property management companies are licensed and regulated by the State of Wisconsin.
Peace of Mind – No worrying if the listing is fake or outdated.
Tips for UWEC Students Searching for Rentals
Whether you’re new to Eau Claire or a returning student, here are some quick tips to make your search stress-free:
Start early. The best student rentals near UWEC go fast. Begin looking several months before move-in.
Set a budget. Remember to factor in rent, utilities, internet, and food.
Think about location. Rentals close to Water Street, Randall Park, and campus are popular for students.
Ask about roommates. Decide if you want to live alone, with friends, or with new people.
Read the lease carefully. Make sure you understand your responsibilities and rights.
Tour in person. Never sign a lease without seeing the place first.
Collectively decide. Make sure all of the roommates agree on all of the above before wasting your valuable time searching for something that will not meet everyone's needs
The Bottom Line
While Eau Claire Craigslist is out there as an option, UWEC students deserve better. Because of risks, Craigslist should be utilized the least in finding an apartment—scams, outdated ads, and poor-quality housing. By using safer alternatives like local property management companies, trusted rental websites, and campus networks, you can find a great apartment or house without the stress and danger.
College is already busy with classes, jobs, and friends. Your housing search shouldn’t be another headache. Skip Craigslist and choose a smarter path—you’ll thank yourself later.
Disclaimer
Hey there! Thanks for reading our stuff. We want you to know a few important things:
We're General Property Management LLC, right here in good old Eau Claire, WI. You can make an appointment to visit us. Our office is located at 703 5th Avenue #1, Eau Claire, WI 54703 or send written correspondence to General Property Management, LLC, P.O. Box 283, Eau Claire, WI 54702.
If you need to reach us, our email is contact@ec4rent.com and our phone number is 715-832-1200.
We try our best to give you good information, but we're not lawyers. If you have a serious legal problem, it's best to talk to a real attorney.
If you spot any mistakes in what we've written, please let us know! We'd love to fix it or take it down if needed.
We always welcome your comments and thoughts. Your feedback helps us do better!
Remember, when we all do our little part, the world is a better place.
References
Here are sources that support the data and claims in this article:
Craigslist - Eau Claire. (https://eauclaire.craigslist.org/)
Advance-fee scams & how scammers use photos from other homes, demand deposit first, etc. – Various coverage of Craigslist rental scams. (https://sellbuymdhomes.com)
Advanced Fee Scam. (Wikipedia) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advance-fee_scam.com
Study: NYU finds almost 30,000 fraudulent rental listings in 2 million Craigslist rentals surveyed – NYU / ABC2 News summary. (NYU Tandon School of Engineering) https://engineering.nyu.edu/news/dont-waste-your-money-study-finds-numerous-rental-scams-craigslist?.com
Data: 45% increase in rental scam complaints & common scam triggers (below-market price, quick availability) – Rently / BBB / FTC summaries. (Rently) https://use.rently.com/blog/rental-fraudsters-prey-on-desperation-in-tight-housing-market/?.com
University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire – Estimated Cost of Attendance for 2025-26, including Living Expenses (Housing and Food) – UWEC. (UW-Eau Claire) https://www.uwec.edu/offices-services/blugold-central/financial-aid-office/estimated-cost-attendance?.com
UWEC On-Campus Housing Proposed Rates for Residence Halls, Towers, Suites, etc. – UWEC. (UW-Eau Claire) https://www.uwec.edu/offices-services/office-housing-and-residence-life/housing-proposed-rates?.com
Average Housing Cost for UWEC Students – Niche. (Niche) https://www.niche.com/colleges/university-of-wisconsin-eau-claire/cost/?utm_source=chatgpt.com
About the Author John Moss After attending University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (UWEC), John made Eau Claire home where he and his wife raised their children, dogs, and chickens.
