It’s finally time to wave goodbye to your RA, take the extra-long sheets off your lofted single bed and kiss Sodexho brunch goodbye. Moving off campus offers students a wealth of independence and new opportunities, as well as the chance to finally have a single room and – gasp! -a full-sized refrigerator, but the question at DU is: where to move?
Spring quarter every year, eager juniors begin the hunt for an apartment or house to rent only to find the situation is a nightmare.
The reality of finding an affordable housing close to campus that caters to a student lifestyle is slim to none, causing many to turn to apartments built specifically for students. Problem is, sometimes these so-called deals are really not the most cost-effective options for unassuming college students.
Many students have been considering the new high-rise at 1920 University Blvd., built just for DU students. Vistaloft, managed by university-friendly Campus Living Villages, claims affordable rates with all utilities included.
The nine-floor concrete building plans to open in the fall and offers a number of services and specials just for students.
Vistaloft provides a roommate matching service, but private bedrooms and bathrooms for each resident, furniture that includes a leather sofa, mountain views, individual leases, laundry facilities that will e-mail you when your load is done and a 37 inch LCD flat panel TV in some units.
Prices vary from about $985 a month per person to $1275 for one bed in a two bedroom two bath 773 square foot apartment, although there are currently introductory specials from $795.
While this may seem like an ideal choice, Vistaloft’s innovative look is deceiving. Although Vistaloft claims to work with DU’s study abroad schedule, their Web site only advertises 10-and-12-month leases. That mountain view will also cost you $15 more a month if you want to live on floors five or six and $50 more if you choose to live on floors seven through nine. Oh, and if you want a parking spot? It’ll run you $90 a month. Turns out student-friendly Vistaloft may be less accommodating to students than they advertise, especially for those on a budget.
While Vistaloft may be a viable option for financially comfortable students, others may have to think twice.
The option? Look a few blocks away for a student-friendly – not student only – apartment.
For example, the Lakes at Monaco Pointe, located about three miles from Nelson Hall at 6165 E. Iliff Ave., offer a theater, garages, heated pool and spa, patios, fireplaces and a fitness center and charge only $645 to $800 for a 775-square-foot, two bedroom one bath apartment.
In other words, the student-friendly Lakes only charge between $320 and $400 per person a month plus utilities – a possible $665 savings a month over Vistaloft.
Web sites like www.forrent.com and www.apartmentfinder.com can help locate other affordable, comfortable options for students not far from campus, many of which are located on or near light rail stations that can bring students directly to the north side of campus.
So go ahead and pick up a free copy of For Rent magazine or the Apartment Blue Book, found outside many major retailers, jump on the light rail and feel confident waving goodbye to your RA and the restrictive world of student-only living.
