Off-Campus Housing Fair presents accommodation options for students

With the fall semester around the corner, some University of Memphis students will need to find new places to live, and the Off-Campus Housing Fair this March featured several off-campus living options for students.

Brenda Aaron, a property manager of Audubon Downs, said Audubon Downs is a nice option for students looking to live off campus in private.

“It’s very secluded,†Aaron said, “It’s completely fenced in. The owners do a very good job of maintaining it. They replaced the roof, windows, porch awnings and the fencing.â€

Travis Thompson, the property manager at Stratum on Highland, said the Stratum is offering several new deals for incoming applicants.

“So right now, we are doing a $300 special if you lease your apartment within 24 hours of your tour, so that could be a gift card or a discount off your rent,†Thompson said. “We are waving parking and the application fee, then our cable and internet are also free.â€

Thompson said students need to apply soon because many rooms are already leased.

“We are out of one bedrooms completely, and we are running out of two bedrooms right now.†Thompson said. “So four bedrooms we have the majority of, and (we are) basically just limited on everything else.â€

Thompson said the Stratum has several advantages for students to use.

“I would say our biggest advantage we have over our competitors would be the fact that we have gated and covered parking, and right now, that is free of charge,†Thompson said. “Directly next door to us is the Nine, and theirs is $75 a month. Every thing is controlled access at Stratum, so you can’t access your floor without a key fob.â€

Tracy Jameson, the property manager for Tiger Estates, said Tiger Estates will offer something new and focus on privacy for UofM students looking for off-campus housing.

“We have a 72-room apartment community,†Jameson said. “We are building for student housing, and we are here to get some of the students’ information on what is important to them when looking for a place to live. We will be new, and we are focused on what is important to the students. One thing is, of course, their privacy, so this is what we are trying to key in on for students.â€

Robby Sams, a community intern and leasing intern for the Gather on Southern, said the Gather offers several different opportunities for students.

“We are less than five minutes away from campus, and we offer four bedrooms, three bedrooms, two bedrooms and a studio apartment,†Sams said. “On top of that, all of our utilities are included and access to all the amenities as well. Right now, we are offering a $200 gift card for when you sign your lease until the end of March.â€

Sams said the Gather has stepped up its security after the two incidents this semester.

“We have had incidents in the past, but since then, we have upped our security on both of our properties,†Sams said. “We have two security guards on duty from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m., seven days a week.â€

The University of Memphis held a housing fair Tuesday afternoon. Several groups were represented at the housing fair, including MLGW, the Gather on Southern as well as the Stratum and many others.