Top 10 Student Apartments Near University of Utah, Ranked by Actual Residents (2026)
If you search “best student apartments near the University of Utah,” you’ll find polished websites, staged photos, and bold claims. What you won’t easily find is what current and past residents actually say once the lease is signed.
This list is different.
At Find My Place, we look at consistent resident feedback patterns, not paid placements or marketing language. These rankings reflect what students repeatedly mention in reviews, tours, and lease experiences, including management quality, location, pricing reality, and day-to-day livability.
This is not about perfection. Every apartment has tradeoffs. This list shows which properties students still choose, renew, or recommend despite those tradeoffs in 2026.
How these apartments were ranked
Rankings are based on:
- Repeated themes in resident reviews
- Lease structure and flexibility
- Proximity to campus and transit
- Price relative to value
- Management responsiveness over time
Not every resident loves these places. But these are the apartments students consistently choose anyway.
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The Landing Apartments
Best overall for balance of price, location, and lease flexibility
Why residents rank it high:
- Walkable or short transit commute to campus
- Individual leases reduce roommate risk
- Consistent maintenance response compared to competitors
Common tradeoffs:
- Parking costs extra
- Units are not luxury-level
Students choose The Landing because it works without major surprises.
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University Gardens
Best for proximity and simplicity
Why residents rank it high:
- Extremely close to campus
- Quiet, academic-focused environment
- Lower turnover than many student complexes
Common tradeoffs:
- Older units
- Fewer amenities
University Gardens appeals to students who prioritize location over flashy features.
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Red Cliff Condominiums
Best for independence near campus
Why residents rank it high:
- Feels less like student housing
- Close to campus without heavy party culture
- More privacy than large complexes
Common tradeoffs:
- Limited availability
- Fewer shared amenities
This is popular with upperclassmen and graduate students.
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Bonneville Tower
Best for downtown access and transit
Why residents rank it high:
- Direct access to TRAX lines
- Strong city access while remaining student-friendly
- Good for students without cars
Common tradeoffs:
- Noise depending on unit location
- Rent can rise at renewal
Bonneville Tower is often chosen by students who want city life with a manageable commute.
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Axis at Sugar House
Best for vibe and neighborhood lifestyle
Why residents rank it high:
- Popular Sugar House location
- Walkable to restaurants and cafes
- Younger, social resident base
Common tradeoffs:
- Not walkable to campus
- Parking and rent add up quickly
Axis is chosen more for lifestyle than proximity.
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The Vue at Sugar House Crossing
Best for modern units and amenities
Why residents rank it high:
- Newer finishes and layouts
- Strong amenity package
- Professional management structure
Common tradeoffs:
- Higher base rent
- Commute required
Residents like The Vue for comfort, not affordability.
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21st & 21st Apartments
Best for quiet living near student areas
Why residents rank it high:
- Residential neighborhood feel
- Lower noise levels
- Good balance of access and calm
Common tradeoffs:
- Smaller buildings mean limited availability
- Less student-focused support
This is popular with students who want fewer parties and more predictability.
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Liberty Gateway
Best for affordability close to downtown
Why residents rank it high:
- Competitive pricing for location
- Transit access
- Flexible unit options
Common tradeoffs:
- Older infrastructure
- Mixed resident population
Liberty Gateway works for budget-focused students comfortable with tradeoffs.
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Foothill Place
Best for safety perception and proximity
Why residents rank it high:
- Close to campus
- Feels safer than many west-side areas
- Quieter environment
Common tradeoffs:
- Higher rent for size
- Limited nightlife
Foothill Place is often chosen by students prioritizing safety and routine.
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The Charles on University
Best for newer student housing near campus
Why residents rank it high:
- Purpose-built student housing
- Modern interiors
- Individual leases
Common tradeoffs:
- Amenity and technology fees
- Parking costs
Residents like the structure, even if the price is higher.
Why “best” depends on the student
Students rank apartments differently based on priorities.
Students who value:
- Walkability choose University Gardens or Foothill Place
- Lease safety choose individual-lease properties
- Lifestyle and vibe choose Sugar House locations
- Budget choose Central City and Liberty Park-adjacent options
There is no universal best apartment. There is only the best fit.
What resident reviews consistently reveal
Across nearly all student apartments near U of U, residents care most about:
- Maintenance response time
- Total monthly cost, not advertised rent
- Noise and roommate issues
- Move-out charges and deposit handling
Amenities matter far less than expected after move-in.
Why some popular apartments did not make this list
Some heavily advertised student apartments did not rank well because residents repeatedly mentioned:
- Poor communication
- Aggressive fees
- Slow maintenance
- Difficult move-out processes
High marketing visibility does not equal resident satisfaction.
How to use this list the right way
Do not treat this as a final answer.
Use it to:
- Narrow your shortlist
- Ask better questions
- Compare tradeoffs realistically
Always:
- Read recent reviews
- Ask about total cost
- Understand lease structure
- Tour or video-walkthrough the actual unit
How Find My Place helps students go beyond rankings
Find My Place was built because rankings alone are not enough.
- We focus on real costs, not base rent
- We explain lease risk clearly
- We support contract takeovers and flexibility
Our goal is to help students avoid regret, not just choose popular buildings.
Final takeaway
The top student apartments near the University of Utah in 2026 are not the ones with the flashiest websites. They are the ones students still recommend after living there.
The best apartment for you depends on:
- Budget tolerance
- Lease risk comfort
- Commute preferences
- Lifestyle needs
Use resident experience as your filter, not marketing claims. That is how students actually end up satisfied with where they live.
