This school year is officially over, and some students have decided enough is enough when it comes to living on campus. Dorm life undoubtedly has its perks, but the idea of being out from under ASU’s metaphorical thumb has many appeals.
Adjusting from sharing a small dorm with a roommate to being in an apartment or house with a lot more space is a drastic change, but an important step in becoming an adult and something every college student should consider if they are able.
When I decided to move, I was so sick of the dorms that I had built up my dream apartment in my head with the help of my Pinterest board. As I made my way around Phoenix hunting for my next home, I started to feel like I was actually in the process of making real adult decisions. Realizing that I was finally going to have my own space and privacy without parents or a roommate gave me a sense of freedom.
To me, leaving the dorms meant no more shared laundry rooms, my own private bathroom, and a kitchen to show off my ever evolving cooking skills.
As the search went on, I had to learn how to lower my expectations about a few things. After all, I was looking for my first apartment ever. The hardwood floors and luxury appliances could be saved for a future dream home.
Fortunately, there are many student housing opportunities across all campuses for students to get used to living on their own. One apartment I came across is Rise on Apache. Rise in Tempe is a new, fully furnished off-campus student housing community that stands as a median living option for students without completely isolating themselves from campus.
Whitney Cabral, the lease–up specialist for Rise on Apache, has worked with Asset Campus Housing for six years.
“I’ve been a regional marketing director for them so I’ve seen properties across the country and this is a very unique property," Cabral said. "The developers definitely took a lot of time to plan this building and there’re so many different amenity areas for the kids to come out and really use."
Some apartments make rent payments less stressful by allowing residents to only be accountable for their portion of the rent, so college students don't have to rely on their roommates.
“Typically regular apartments have a conventional lease contract, which means that you and multiple other people are on the same lease agreement meaning you’re all responsible for a lump sum of rent each month," Cabral explained. "The individual lease structure that we have is you’re only responsible for your rent and your portion of the utilities."
I wanted an apartment that was my style and in my budget but that didn't completely shut me out from campus. Living in an apartment instead of a dorm allows students to get out of their bubble and really get to know people.
“You don’t have to stay in your apartment all day,” Cabral said. “You can come out and if you don’t necessarily want to go up to the pool on the roof deck, go to the tenth floor. There’s a study lounge and a sauna and a golf and ski simulator. There’s an outdoor running track with fire pits and corn hole boards... I think we’ve just tried to hit every amenity on the head.”
Although these types of amenities sound amazing, I wanted to know what the real benefits were. How would this apartment make me feel independent from my dorm era yet give me the community that I wasn't quite ready to give up?
It turns out many student living communities are pretty similar to dorms in the way that they arrange events for residents to meet each other. Rise on Apache even has events at ASU all so that students feel included and happy with their living choice.
“We try to partner with campus as much as possible so that they still feel a part of campus while living off campus," Cabral said.
Despite the advantages of living on campus, being off campus, whether it's in a house or an apartment, undoubtedly gives students the space to learn how to be on their own. They may end up hating where they choose to live or absolutely love it. Either way, everyone should know their options when it comes to student housing and what is right for each individual.
Being in a student-based apartment makes connections to campus a little easier and creates more inclusion than isolation. It's something all college students should consider as they start making more decisions about their future.
Reach the columnist at dziegle2@asu.edu or follow @thedominiquez on Twitter.
Editor’s note: The opinions presented in this column are the author’s and do not imply any endorsement from The State Press or its editors.
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