UA residence halls house over 6,600 undergraduates in 23 designated halls scattered around campus, but a majority of Wildcats will find suitable homes elsewhere.
“Quiet, Safe, and Secure”
Sahara Apartments are described as “quiet, safe, and secure.”
Its location on Stone Avenue provides convenient access to entertainment districts like downtown Congress Street and Fourth Avenue.
Sahara’s owner and manager, Ted Mehr, said, “[Sahara Apartments] are aimed at students who are more studious, and those who want to get away from the party lifestyle.” Sahara’s website refers to the apartments as an “oasis for quiet student living.”
According to Mehr, this isn’t to say that residents at Sahara don’t have fun.
“We have a social director, and we sponsor many activities for student on and off of the site,” he said.
Mehr detailed that one of the most unique features that Sahara offers is being owner-operated, and adding a family feel to student living.
“Hometown Homes”
Casa Bonita Rentals, a Tucson real estate company located on Campbell Avenue north of Grant Road, features 96 homes ranging from one to two bedrooms, to seven-plus person houses.
“What separates us from other student housing is our close location to campus, and our low prices,” said Chris Villela, manager of Casa Bonita. “With an apartment, maybe you can fit a desk and a couple beds, but with the Casa Bonita homes, you can fit an incredible amount of furniture.”
A large selling point of Casa Bonita is the independence and personalization you get with renting a house.
“On Point”
Luxury student high-rises have sprouted up over the past couple of years, but these high-rises are not the only places to live in luxury student housing. Built in 2005, the Sahuaro Point Villas are located about two miles from the UA, just north of Mansfield Park.
These five-bed, two-bath houses start at $399 per person for five tenants, and features free cable, internet and trash collection.
According to manager Melinda Robbins, one unique feature of the Sahuaro Point Villas is the renting of individual beds. This way students are not legally bound to other roommates on the lease, meaning those who room at Sahuaro Point Villas do not have to rely on others to pay their share of the rent for the house.
Even though tenants would have four other roommates, Robbins noted that the individual lease option creates a sense of having personal space.
Most students will sign a 12-month lease at various apartment complexes, studios and houses. Where students will differ are the reasons why they chose their new homes.
Tucson offers a wide range of housing options, from large apartment complexes that host annual pool parties to intimate Southwestern-style studios, or the newest high-rise luxury student apartment complexes like the Hub At Tucson and Next Level.
Sahara Apartments:
919 N. Stone Ave.
Tucson, Ariz., 85705
Total Student Housing Units: 173
Prices: Starting at $305 for double
occupancy, $525 for single occupancy
Casa Bonita:
2751 N. Campbell Ave.
Tucson, Ariz., 85719
Total Homes: 96
Price: Starting at $375 for studio
apartments, $5,000 for 8-bedroom
house
Sahuaro Point Villas:
2326-2366 N. Sixth Ave.
Tucson, Ariz., 85705
Total Homes: 20
Total Bedrooms: 100
Price: $399 per person
