Choosing student housing near UCF usually comes down to the details that matter most once the semester starts: how close the property is to campus, what the layouts are actually like, what comes furnished, how the amenities fit into daily life, as well as pet policies, parking, and maintenance. This FAQ page brings those answers together in one place so students can compare options clearly before signing a year-long lease. For anyone looking at apartments near UCF, The Retreat East offers cottage-style floor plans, private bedroom options, strong amenity spaces, and a location in Orlando that keeps the University of Central Florida, nearby dining, shopping, and everyday essentials within easy reach. Continue reading to learn more.
1. Location & Proximity to Campus
The Retreat East is 0.7 miles from the University of Central Florida, which puts campus close by for daily classes, library visits, and everything else that fills up a student schedule. The property is also just 1.4 miles from UCF Memory Mall and 1.5 miles from the John C. Hitt Library, so key campus destinations stay within a short drive or bike ride.
The Retreat East is near several landmarks popular among UCF students. Millican Hall is 1.4 miles away, the John C. Hitt Library is 1.5 miles away, the Business Administration Building is 1.5 miles away, Engineering I is 1.6 miles away, and the College of Sciences Building is 1.7 miles away.
Yes. The Retreat East is set in East Orlando, FL, near UCF, with quick access to campus, nearby dining, shopping, and entertainment. For students searching for apartments in Orlando, FL, the location keeps both school-day essentials and weekend plans within reach without needing to live far from campus.
The Retreat East is close to several casual dining spots that fit well into student routines. Nearby options include Chipotle Mexican Grill, PDQ Orlando, Wingstop, Chili’s Grill & Bar, Steak ’n Shake, Cheba Hut “Toasted” Subs, and Aussie Grill Waterford Lakes. That gives students a mix of quick meals, takeout, and group dinner options near home and near campus.
The Retreat East is near everyday shopping as well as larger retail destinations. Nearby options include Publix at University Palms Shopping Center, Walmart Supercenter, Academy Sports + Outdoors, and Waterford Lakes Town Center, which is 3.5 miles away.
There is plenty to do around The Retreat East beyond campus. Students are close to Waterford Lakes Town Center, Oviedo on the Park, Blanchard Park, the UCF Arboretum, and larger Orlando attractions such as ICON Park, SeaWorld Orlando, Universal’s Islands of Adventure, and PopStroke. The location works well for students who want Orlando apartments with easy access to both campus life and the wider city.
Yes. The Retreat East is 2.5 miles from UCF Research Park, which is useful for students with internships, research positions, or academic programs tied to that part of the university area.
2. Floor Plans, Furnishings & Furniture Packages
The Retreat East offers 4, 5, and 6 bedroom cottage-style layouts. Available options include The Sunrise D1, The Sunrise D1 Alt, The Sunrise D2, The Cove, The Keys Flat, The Keys Townhome, The Bungalow, and The Summer, with a mix of 4-bath, 4.5-bath, 5.5-bath, and 6.5-bath configurations. This variety gives students several ways to live based on their preferred roommate count, layout style, and bathroom setup.
Yes. The Retreat East offers private bedroom and bathroom options, and each bedroom has its own lock. This setup works well for students who want more privacy within their shared Orlando student apartment.
The Retreat East includes furniture in both the common area and the bedrooms. Shared living spaces include a 55-inch smart TV, a sofa, an island chair, a love seat, a coffee table, a side table, an entertainment table, three barstools, and in most layouts, a dining table with four chairs. Bedrooms include a bed and bedframe, a desk, a rolling desk chair, a nightstand, and a four-shelf dresser.
Bed size depends on the floor plan. Sunrise layouts include full-sized memory foam mattresses, while the other layouts include queen-sized memory foam mattresses.
Yes. The Retreat East offers furnished student apartments near UCF with furniture included in the bedrooms and shared living areas. That cuts down on move-in prep and gives roommates a more complete setup from day one.
The kitchens at The Retreat East include stainless steel appliances, including a refrigerator, stove, and microwave, along with quartz countertops, a deep single-basin undermount sink with a pull-down faucet, and an L-shaped layout with a peninsula or bar. A pantry or utility closet adds extra storage in the kitchen area.
Interior finishes at The Retreat East include two-tone cabinetry, under-cabinet accent lighting, extended upper cabinets, dark wood-style plank flooring, and LVP flooring throughout. The overall look leans clean and modern without feeling overly formal.
Yes. Select homes at The Retreat East include balcony units, rooms with private balconies, poolside locations, top-floor locations, walk-in closets, and premium unit options. Availability varies by layout and current openings, so the leasing office can help with specific preferences.
Yes. Each home includes a full-sized washer and dryer.
3. Amenities
The Retreat East brings together spaces for studying, working out, relaxing, and spending time with friends. Amenities include a two-story clubhouse, a resort-style beach-entry pool, a hot tub, academic lounges, a 24-hour computer lab, private and group study areas, a fitness center, a gaming lounge, and several additional outdoor social spaces.
Yes. The Retreat East has a resort-style beach-entry pool along with a hot tub. The pool area adds a more relaxed outdoor setting for downtime, weekends, and warm Orlando afternoons.
Yes. The Retreat East has a fitness center with cardio and strength equipment, including treadmills, ellipticals, stair climbers, strength training machines, cable machines, a TRX training system, power rack, free weights, barbells, benches, and a punching bag. The equipment mix works well for both quick workouts and longer training sessions.
Yes. The Retreat East includes a 24-hour computer lab, private study lounges, and a group study lounge.
Yes. The Retreat East features a 9,000-square-foot clubhouse with lounge space for gathering, studying, or taking a break outside the apartment.
The Retreat East includes a gaming lounge, pool table, multi-sport simulator, and a Jumbotron. These features give the property a more active social side without relying only on the outdoor pool area.
Outdoor amenities at The Retreat East include the pool and hot tub, terrace, grilling area, outdoor gaming lawn, and hammock and cabana grove.
Yes. High-speed WiFi is available throughout The Retreat East, including shared amenity spaces and apartment areas.
4. Shared Spaces & Community Programming
Yes. The Retreat East offers residence life programming built around philanthropic, academic, wellness, and social engagement through its P.A.W.S. model. Events are designed to help residents get to know each other and build a stronger sense of connection on-site.
The Retreat East has a noticeably social layout thanks to its large clubhouse, entertainment spaces, outdoor gathering areas, and event programming. Students who want student apartments in Orlando, FL with room for both privacy and community will find that the setup at The Retreat East supports both.
The Retreat East hosts resident events such as Papa John’s pizza parties, book club meetings, giveaways, and other social gatherings. These events give residents a chance to meet neighbors, take a break from classes, and enjoy time on-site in a more relaxed setting.
5. Safety, Security & Transportation
The Retreat East includes FOB-controlled building access, FOB-controlled clubhouse access, and FOB-controlled access to amenity spaces. Bedrooms within each home also have individual locks, which adds another layer of privacy inside the apartment.
Yes. The Retreat East has on-site security after business hours every day, and security cameras are placed in and around the clubhouse.
Yes. Bedrooms at The Retreat East are individually keyed.
Yes, the Retreat East offers on-site parking. Assigned parking is available on a first-come, first-served basis for a $150 annual fee, and Cove floor plans include personal parking in front of the unit for $15. Parking details and availability can change, so the leasing office can help with current options.
The Retreat East is 0.7 miles from UCF, making campus reachable in minutes, whether commuting by foot, bike, or car. That makes day-to-day trips to class, the library, and other campus destinations more convenient than ever before.
Yes. The Retreat East includes a Luxer24 package system as part of its amenity lineup, which adds a more secure option for package delivery and pickup.
Yes. The Retreat East is close to campus, and bus or shuttle commuting is a practical option for getting to UCF. Specific stop locations and routes may vary, so the leasing office can help with the closest current transit options.
6. Pet Policies
Yes. The Retreat East allows pets, with a maximum of two animals permitted per unit. All pets must be disclosed and approved before move-in.
Yes. The Retreat East has breed restrictions as part of its pet policy. Restricted breeds include Chow Chow, German Shepherd, Doberman Pinscher, Mastiff breeds, Staffordshire Terrier breeds, Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Cane Corso, Akita, Siberian Husky, Dogo Argentino, Alaskan Malamute, Wolf-hybrid, and mixes of these breeds.
No. Exotic animals are not permitted. This includes birds such as parrots and toucans, reptiles such as snakes, rodents such as ferrets, fish tanks, and insects.
Yes. The Retreat East charges a one-time pet fee of $300 and a monthly pet fee of $35.
Yes. Applicants must complete a pet profile through PetScreening, and all animals must be disclosed and approved before move-in. The leasing office can help with any pet-policy questions before the lease begins.
7. Management, Maintenance & Leasing
Yes. The Retreat East has an on-site management team that helps with lease questions, community information, and day-to-day resident support. On-site maintenance support is also available for service needs.
Maintenance requests are handled through the online resident portal, where they will be addressed by the on-site team at The Retreat East.
Yes. The Retreat East offers individual housing contracts, so each resident is responsible for their own monthly installment rather than the full cost of the home.
The Retreat East uses RoomSync for roommate matching. The platform helps residents choose roommates based on lifestyle preferences such as sleep habits, study habits, and cleanliness.
The Retreat East offers an online application and leasing process, with an online application available through the leasing portal. For current availability, guarantor requirements, and lease timing, contact the leasing office for the most up-to-date information.
Yes. The Retreat East has a housing contract assignment process, and the leasing office can help explain the current steps, timelines, and any related fees.
Yes. Liability insurance is required as part of the housing contract. Residents can provide their own qualifying coverage or use the Damage Waiver Program for an additional monthly cost.
The Retreat East opened in 2021.
The Retreat East has 138 units and 602 beds. That scale gives the property a sizable resident population while still keeping the housing format centered around cottage-style homes instead of large high-rise living.
The Retreat East serves students attending the University of Central Florida and Valencia College. Its location and floor plan mix are built around student life and the daily routines that come with living near campus.