The resources ASU students should know about if they live off campus

If you’re looking for off-campus housing, ASU has several resources to help you not only find your new home but also stay connected to your fellow Sun Devils and student services.

The Off-Campus Housing Fair took place March 20–21 on ASU’s Tempe campus and included representatives from on- and off-campus residential communities, and local businesses providing services, resources and amenities relevant to students.

More than 20 ASU community ambassadors live in 13 off-campus residential communities around the Tempe campus who partner with the university. They offer peer-to-peer support and engage with student residents within the community, connecting them back to services on campus and organizing community events for Sun Devils. A cadre of community ambassadors were at the fair to offer their assistance.

The Off-Campus Housing Fair at the Tempe campus

Students Michael Bergstrom and Britni Farley are ASU community ambassadors who advise Sun Devils living off-campus. They tabled at the fair to share their experience and provide information regarding resources for students preparing to live off-campus.

Bergstrom, a graduate student at ASU studying marriage and family therapy, recommends that students consult the housing guide when considering where to live.

“It has a breakdown of all of the apartment complexes [available near each] campus,” Bergstrom said.

The guide lists apartment complexes along with their prices, what amenities are available and more.

Bergstrom has lived in a few different apartment complexes off campus and now resides at the Cottages of Tempe. He loves the layout of his community and enjoys having access to a shuttle to campus and organizing group outings with residents to enjoy Sun Devil football and basketball games. He said the best advice he would give to someone making the move would be to do their homework.

“[Do your research] right now before spaces fill up and before rent increases,” he said. “The sooner you find a spot and sign a lease, the better, but make sure you factor in things that you don’t even know to factor in. I would say look at the housing guide, ask people, take tours at apartment complexes. Go there and make sure you like it before you commit to living there.”

Farley is a junior at ASU studying business law. She is also a community ambassador and lives at the Villas on Apache. She said students should pick the option that suits the convenience, lifestyle and price they’re looking for.

“Take into account the distance from campus. If you’re going to be walking, try to find an apartment that’s closer,” she said.

Farley said it’s also helpful to know the move-in process.

DeDe Grogan, services and marketing coordinator with ASU’s Off-Campus Housing office said one of the things she advises all students to do when deciding where to move is to come up with a list of four or five things that they absolutely have to have no matter where they live.

“That will help you narrow down some of those places,” Grogan said. “One of the things I always like to say is make sure you ask about all fees. Make sure you read those small little fine-prints because there are other things inside there. Before you sign anything, make sure that you understand all things that are in the lease agreement that you are looking at,” Grogan added.

She also emphasized that ASU students have access to university resources regardless of where they reside.

“We want to make sure off-campus students know that we have resources and services for them as well, because they are a part of the ASU community,” she said.