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ASU apartment comparison tips for students
- Ong Ogaslert
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Introduction
In Tempe, it’s common to compare older and newer apartment communities during a housing search—especially near ASU, where options range from older walk-ups to modern student-focused buildings with heavy amenity packages. Newer doesn’t always mean better, and older doesn’t always mean cheaper once fees and utilities are added. The key is comparing communities using the factors that actually affect monthly cost and daily comfort.
That’s why students use ASU apartment comparison tips to evaluate building age, amenities, fees, and lease terms side by side. This guide breaks down how ASU students compare older vs. newer communities in a realistic way, so they can choose the best fit—not just the newest listing.
Why “older vs. newer” is a real Tempe decision
Tempe leasing options often split into two categories:
Newer communities: modern finishes, amenity-heavy, higher fees
Older communities: simpler buildings, fewer fees, more variation in upkeep
Students compare these categories because they affect:
Comfort in extreme heat
Utility costs
Noise levels
Management systems
Total monthly price after add-ons
ASU apartment comparison tips: compare total cost, not advertised rent
Newer communities often advertise rent that doesn’t include major add-ons.
Students compare:
Base rent
Mandatory amenity fees
Technology/media fees
Parking fees
Utilities setup and average costs
A newer building with multiple fees can be significantly more expensive than it looks.
Building age vs. maintenance quality
Age alone doesn’t determine quality.
Students evaluate maintenance quality by checking:
Condition of common areas
Cleanliness of halls, stairwells, trash zones
Management communication clarity
Reviews mentioning maintenance responsiveness
A well-maintained older building can feel better than a newer one with poor operations.
Amenities: which ones matter in Tempe
Tempe heat changes amenity value.
High-value amenities students prioritize
Reliable A/C performance
Good insulation and window quality
Shaded parking (if available)
Laundry convenience
Package handling (secure lockers)
Lower-value amenities for many students
Rooftop lounges you rarely use
“Resort” features with mandatory fees
Over-marketed community events
Students focus on amenities that affect daily comfort and cost.
A/C and utility cost comparison
A/C reliability can be the biggest difference between communities.
Students verify:
Whether A/C is central or window-based
Typical summer electricity costs
How well the unit stays cool
Whether the building has hot spots (top floors)
Older buildings sometimes have weaker insulation, raising summer utility costs.
Parking differences: older vs. newer
Parking can shift cost and convenience.
Students compare:
Assigned vs. open parking
Monthly parking fees
Garage vs. surface parking
Guest parking rules
Newer communities may charge more but offer more predictable parking.
Lease terms: flexibility vs. strictness
Lease structure often differs by community type.
Students compare:
9–12 month lease options
Early termination policies
Sublease or assignment rules
Renewal terms and rent increases
Newer student-focused buildings may offer more standardized leases, while older communities vary.
Noise and density comparison
Newer buildings can be denser and louder.
Students evaluate:
Wall thickness and sound insulation
Party culture within the building
Hallway traffic and shared space pressure
Older buildings may be quieter—or may have thin walls. Students test during tours.
Management style differences
Newer communities often have larger leasing operations.
Students compare:
Speed and clarity of responses
Transparency about fees
Maintenance request systems
After-hours support
A strong management system can outweigh minor unit differences.
A side-by-side comparison method students use
Students score each community 1–10 in four categories:
True monthly cost (rent + required fees + utilities estimate)
Comfort essentials (A/C, insulation, laundry)
Lease fit (timing + flexibility)
Risk factors (noise + management quality)
The higher total score usually reflects the better long-term choice.
Common Tempe comparison traps
Trap 1: Choosing newer without calculating fees
Trap 2: Assuming older means cheaper without utility estimates
Trap 3: Ignoring A/C quality during tours
Trap 4: Underestimating noise in dense student buildings
Trap 5: Not reading lease flexibility terms
Avoiding these leads to a better decision.
Conclusion
In Tempe, the best apartment isn’t automatically the newest one. By applying these ASU apartment comparison tips—comparing total cost, A/C and utility realities, amenity value, parking, and lease terms—students choose housing that fits their budget and comfort needs through the full year.
A smart comparison beats a shiny listing every time.
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