Different housing situations mean different prices for students

Cost is a main factor when hunting for student housing options in Bloomington.

Smallwood Plaza, a popular living community for students, is located at 455 N. College Ave. Living at Smallwood, however, means paying a more expensive monthly rate than at other apartments farther away from campus. The cheapest room at Smallwood is the Soho style at $1,350 per month.

Millennium Property Management, which has five different apartment communities for students to rent, offers a monthly rate that is cheaper than $1,000 for all of its housing options.

Millennium’s apartments are located farther away from campus than many others.
Audra Boesen, senior leasing and marketing manager of Millennium and Bloom Apartments, said the contrast in distance gives the two housing communities different atmospheres.

“Walk-to-campus locations typically include a heavy atmosphere that meets the needs of only a select few,” she said. “Here at Millennium and Bloom Apartments, you have a choice. We offer a Resident Life Program that is filled with community activities, personal service and resources that are focused on meeting the needs of students.”

The Millennium apartment communities have more property room and offer a wide variety of amenities at a cheaper price because of their distance from campus. Boesen said there are biweekly activities for students and the community. Workout centers, tanning, a pool and basketball courts are also available to residents.

Distance from campus is also a factor for The Village  at Mueller Park apartments. The Village is another popular housing option for students, located about a mile and a half away from campus.

Danie Leatherman, a leasing agent for The Village apartments, said distance works in the complex’s favor.

“We’re more spread out, and because we are farther out, we can provide a lot more room and amenities for our residents at a cheaper price,” she said.

Leatherman said The Village offers its residents a shuttle to and from campus, two fitness centers open 24 hours, a spa area, tanning beds and a spa bed.

Leatherman said that because the apartments are basically brand-new, the prices are very reasonable for what the customer is getting.

Sophomore Liza Masih, a resident of The Village, said she agrees.

“The price is really reasonable for how nice it is,” she said.

However, Masih said the distance is hard for her. Without a car, she and other students can’t make it to many weekend events or late-night study groups.

Masih said she feels that location is the key to cost.

“Student housing fluctuates on a huge spectrum in terms of the cost,” she said. “Expensive doesn’t always mean nice. It could just be about location.”