One family. One point of contact. From your first tour to your full deposit back. Furnished apartments near Cornell, family-owned since 1967, with no call center and no rotating staff.
Spacious, Well-Maintained Apartments Near Cornell University with Personalized Service
West Shore Apartments is a family-owned, second-generation business that has been renting to Cornell students and their families since 1967. You will work with one person, Karla, from your first tour through your final walkthrough and the return of your deposit. There is no call center, no rotating staff, and no property management company standing between you and the person who actually owns the building.
Whether you’re a student, professional, or family, our apartments provide easy access to Cornell University, Ithaca College, downtown Ithaca, and the natural beauty of the lake. Our online tenant portal makes rent payments and maintenance requests simple and convenient, while our 24/7 maintenance team ensures your home is always well cared for.
As longtime Ithaca residents, we understand the hopes and concerns of students and their families. From your first question to move-in and beyond, we provide personal guidance to make the rental process smooth and stress-free. Generations of tenants have chosen West Shore Apartments for our trusted management, attentive service, and commitment to quality living.
Why Choose West Shore Apartments?
One Point of Contact, Start to Finish: The same person shows the apartment, signs the lease, and answers the phone when something comes up.
The West Shore Deposit-Back Promise: Every check-in and check-out is done in person, together, with a signed condition report and photos, so there is never a dispute about your deposit.
Prime Locations: Collegetown and West Shore of Cayuga Lake, near Cornell University
Family-Owned Since 1967: Second-generation, Cornell-educated, local ownership you can actually reach.
No Surprise Fees: Furnished units, transparent utilities, trash and Wi-Fi included, one clear price with no hidden extras.
Fast, Personal Maintenance: We handles repairs personally. You are never routed through a management or call center.
Trusted by Generations: Families and students return to us, some for over a decade.
The West Shore Deposit-Back Promise
Before you move in, Karla walks the apartment with you in person. Together, you complete a signed Statement of Condition with photos, so there is a clear record of exactly how the apartment looked on day one. A month before your lease ends, we provide you with the guidance you need to get 100% of your deposit back.
When your lease ends, the same thing happens in reverse. Karla walks the apartment with you again, compares it to the original record, and there is no guesswork and no dispute. This is not standard practice among Ithaca landlords, and it is the reason our tenants get their deposits back.
What does an apartment cost?
All apartments are fully furnished at no extra charge. Some utilities, internet, and trash are included (there is a one-time fee for these services) — so your monthly rent is close to your total cost of living. There are no surprise add-on fees. The cost per person ranges: Studios: from $1,300/month One-bedroom apartments: from $1,350/month Two-bedroom apartments: from $1,200/month Three-bedroom apartments: from $1,000/month Four-bedroom apartments: from $900/month.
Who Rents With Us?
We're a good fit for Cornell students, undergrad or grad, who want a landlord they can actually reach and a deposit they can count on getting back. We are not the biggest complex in Collegetown and we are not trying to be. We are a family that has been doing this since 1967, and every tenant works directly with the person who owns the building. If that sounds like what you are looking for, we would love to talk.
“Karla is an amazing landlord. She is kind, clear about tenant and renting expectations, and responds quickly to any questions or concerns. Great company!”
“Karla is one of the nicest people you will ever work with — kind, understanding, professional. Responses were always exceedingly prompt. Maintenance requests were always followed through quickly and thoroughly. I don’t have a single negative thing to say.”
“I was a West Shore Apartments tenant for 4 years. Karla was always responsive to any concerns and made sure to deal with them promptly. I without any reservations always recommend West Shore to all of my friends.”
Are you a parent helping with the search? We know you're doing your own research — and we're glad you are. We've been renting to Cornell students since 1967 and we've worked with thousands of families. We have FAQ’s to answer the questions parents actually ask.