North 116 Flats offers a modern option for students looking for apartments near UMass Amherst with convenient access to Amherst, Sunderland, and other nearby colleges. Built in 2020, this community features 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartment layouts, a 24/7 fitness center, dedicated study spaces, furnished common areas, and student-focused support from an on-site team. For students searching for UMass Amherst off-campus housing, this FAQ covers the details that matter most, including location, apartment features, amenities, parking, safety, and resident life at North 116 Flats.
1. Location and Proximity to Campus
North 116 Flats is 2.9 miles from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, which is about a 7-minute drive.
Several key UMass Amherst destinations are just a short drive from North 116 Flats. The College of Education is about 7 minutes away, followed by Morrill Science Center and Lincoln Campus Center at about 9 minutes away. Whitmore Administration Building, W.E.B. Du Bois Library, and Isenberg School of Management are each about a 10-minute drive from the community.
North 116 Flats is close to several local dining spots. The Harp Irish Pub is about a 3-minute drive away and offers a casual pub-style dining experience, while 3 Amigos is about 4 minutes away for Mexican fare. Frontier Pizza is about a 5-minute drive from the property, and Blue Heron Restaurant, Bridgeside Grille, and Goten of Japan are each about 6 minutes away, giving residents a variety of nearby options for pizza, casual dining, and Japanese cuisine.
Residents at North 116 Flats have a few convenient options nearby for groceries and everyday essentials. Sunderland Corner Store is about a 6-minute drive away, Millstone Farm Market is about a 7-minute drive away, and Trader Joe’s is about a 10-minute drive from the community.
Residents at North 116 Flats have several nearby options for outdoor exercise and fresh air. Cole Conservation Area is the closest at about a 3-minute drive, followed by Mill River Conservation Area at about 7 minutes away, both offering convenient nearby spaces for walking and time outdoors. Mount Sugarloaf State Reservation is about an 8-minute drive away and is a great spot for scenic outdoor recreation, while Mount Toby State Forest is about 18 minutes away and offers a larger setting for hiking and exploring trails.
Yes, North 116 Flats is also convenient to Amherst College, which is about an 11-minute drive away, making the community a practical option for students looking to stay connected to more than one campus in the Amherst area.
2. Units, Floor Plans, and Furnishings
North 116 Flats offers 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom apartments. This gives residents options that can fit a more private setup or a shared student living arrangement.
Yes, double occupancy options are available at North 116 Flats. This can be a helpful choice for roommates looking for a more shared living setup.
Yes, all apartments are fully furnished. North 116 Flats includes furnished common areas and bedroom furniture, with bed type depending on whether the unit is single or double occupancy.
Furnished apartments include:
55″ Smart TV
Coffee table
2 to 4 barstools
Sofa and chair
Side table
Queen bed in single occupancy units
Twin XL or full bed in double occupancy units
Desk with chair
Two 2-drawer dressers per resident
This setup helps residents move in with the essentials already in place.
The kitchens feature stone countertops and stainless steel appliances. Standard appliances include a refrigerator, stove, microwave, and dishwasher.
Yes, each apartment includes an in-unit washer and dryer, adding everyday convenience for busy student schedules.
Yes, North 116 Flats offers private bedroom and bathroom options. This gives residents the ability to choose a more private layout when available.
Yes, North 116 Flats offers 40B affordable housing for income-qualified households, with a limited number of affordable units available in select floor plans. The 40B affordable housing program is a Massachusetts program that allows properties to provide a percentage of affordable housing units, and maximum rent amounts are released each year by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
To qualify for 40B affordable housing at North 116 Flats, households must meet several eligibility requirements, including:
Household income and assets must fall below 80% of the Area Median Income for Franklin, MA, as published by HUD
Income from assets is counted based on the greater of actual income earned or 0.06% of the current asset value for total assets over $5,000
At move-in, no household member can own a home, and any home must be sold before approval
Household members or their families cannot have a financial interest in the development or be considered a related party
The affordable unit must be used as the household’s principal residence
The affordable units are not intended to be used as student assistance, so student eligibility rules apply and are verified at move-in, initial certification, and annually thereafter
3. Amenities and Shared Spaces
Residents have access to a clubhouse, fitness center, private study rooms, a study lounge, and a computer lounge. These spaces support both productivity and downtime throughout the week.
North 116 Flats includes a pool table and a game center for casual recreation.
4. Amenities and Shared Spaces
Residents have access to a clubhouse, fitness center, private study rooms, a study lounge, and a computer lounge. These spaces support both productivity and downtime throughout the week.
North 116 Flats includes a pool table and a game center for casual recreation.
5. Study Areas and Academic Support Spaces
North 116 Flats offers private study rooms and a dedicated study lounge, so residents can focus on classwork without leaving the community.
Yes, the property includes a computer lounge for resident use.
High-speed WiFi is available throughout the property. This helps residents stay connected in both their apartments and shared amenity spaces.
6. Fitness, Recreation, and Outdoor Features
North 116 Flats offers a well-rounded fitness setup with equipment for cardio, strength training, functional workouts, and recovery. Available equipment includes:
Cardio equipment: treadmills, ellipticals, stair climbers, and spin bikes
Strength equipment: strength training machines, cable machines, power rack, free weights and barbells, and benches
Functional training equipment: tire flip equipment, kettlebells, medicine balls, battle ropes, and resistance bands
Recovery and mobility equipment: foam rollers
This variety gives residents plenty of options for traditional gym workouts, functional training, stretching, and recovery.
Yes, residents have access to a 24/7 fitness center, allowing students to fit workouts around class schedules, work shifts, and study time.
7. Parking and Transportation
Yes, resident parking is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Resident parking costs $100 for the full lease term.
Yes, guest parking is available free of charge, making it easy for visitors to stop by.
8. Pet Policies
Yes! North 116 Flats is a pet-friendly community and offers an on-site dog park, giving residents a convenient place for their pets to play and get exercise.
Residents have access to an expansive dog park on the property. This makes it easier to give dogs outdoor time without leaving the community.
North 116 Flats provides a PetScreening process for applicants and residents. Residents must create a PetScreening profile, choose the appropriate profile type, submit the requested pet or animal information, and renew the profile annually.
For household pets, the PetScreening setup asks for pet photos plus breed information, vaccination details, and behavioral history. Assistance-animal profiles may also require animal photos and medical documentation, depending on the situation.
Yes. The PetScreening materials include an assistance-animal profile option for support or service animals. That profile is listed separately from a standard household-pet profile.
Yes. North 116 Flats does not allow aggressive breeds. Residents should contact the leasing office for full pet guidelines and any breed-related requirements before bringing a dog to the community.
No. Exotic animals are not allowed at North 116 Flats. Residents should reach out to the leasing team with any questions about approved household pets before move-in.
9. Safety and Security Features
North 116 Flats uses FOB-controlled building access for resident and amenity spaces.
Yes, bedrooms at North 116 Flats are individually keyed and include individual locks within the unit. This added privacy feature gives residents a more personal living space.
Yes, security cameras are located throughout the property.
10. On-Site Management and Maintenance
Yes, North 116 Flats has an on-site management team that focuses on creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for residents. The team is positioned to support students throughout their time in the community.
North 116 Flats has a friendly, knowledgeable on-site maintenance team available to assist with work order requests. Residents can submit work orders through the online resident portal, by calling the leasing office, or by visiting the front desk in person. For emergencies such as broken AC or heat, apartment lock-outs, or leaks, residents should notify the front office immediately.
11. Community Events and Resident Programming
Yes, North 116 Flats hosts resident events as part of its residence life programming, which is designed to help students feel connected, supported, and engaged throughout the year. The community’s programming model, P.A.W.S., focuses on philanthropic, academic, wellness, and social growth, so events are intended to do more than just entertain. They help residents build friendships, get involved, find balance, and feel a stronger sense of belonging in their home environment.
This kind of resident programming can be especially valuable for students at every stage of college. For freshmen, it can make the transition to independent living feel less overwhelming and create opportunities to meet new people. For upperclassmen, it helps maintain community, reduce stress, and support a more well-rounded lifestyle, while graduate students can also benefit from having a welcoming place to connect, recharge, and feel part of a broader residential community.
12. General Property Information
North 116 Flats was built in 2020.
The community includes 150 units and 390 beds. This gives North 116 Flats the scale to offer a wide mix of apartment options and shared amenities.
North 116 Flats is located at 653 Amherst Rd in Sunderland, Massachusetts. This location places residents near UMass Amherst.