Every year, student housing complexes advertise a familiar lineup of flashy amenities: resort-style pools, fully equipped gyms, game rooms, and sometimes even things like tanning beds. While these features look great on brochures and social media ads, many students report that they rarely use them. Instead, they wish these complexes had amenities that are far more practical, such as free wifi, quiet study rooms, or accessible parking, which support their daily lives.
For many students, the housing search starts with basic needs. “I looked for a good bedroom, and a built-in washer and dryer,” said Samantha Neal, a junior who has just started her second year living in off-campus housing. Her roommate, Madi Maguire, added that natural light and good parking were also factors.
Although many of these buildings take pride in their amenities, many students admit to hardly using them. Samantha mentions that her building features perks such as the pool and a clubhouse, which houses the volleyball and basketball courts. “We never go to the clubhouse,” she says, “and the pool is only nice for the last three weeks of school.”
Lucy McMahon, a senior, shares a similar experience. Her complex hosts frequent events where attendance is often low. “It’s a great idea, but often it seems as though these events don’t quite live up to their expectations,” she said.
Students also acknowledge how their priorities shift throughout college. Bella Thomas, a current senior, said that her freshman year housing search was about finding the best deal, but her junior and senior years became about “building a home.” Living in a townhouse has allowed her to buy furniture and create a space that feels more personal. “I got to buy the furniture and build it from its bare bones,” she said. “It gave my space a lot more individuality than where I was living sophomore year, which had all these cool amenities that I realized I never used.”
Property managers are quick to acknowledge this disconnect. PTLA, a company that manages 25 student-focused properties near campus, said proximity to the University of Oregon is one of its biggest selling points. Location is what they look for when looking at properties to take on because they know students want this. They also offer accessible parking as this is a recurring need of new student renters.
PTLA has a range of different properties, many of which are townhouses or smaller buildings when compared to the common Eugene apartment complex.
Sarah Sly, a PTLA Property Manager, acknowledges this difference and points to the “trade-offs” that come with smaller properties. She highlights accessible parking, proximity, and a personable, understanding team as key advantages.
Curiosity arose about the competitive side of managing smaller properties compared to larger ones with newer, and flashier features. She was asked whether there was pressure to offer these amenities because competitors do. “If we had all the land in the world, of course, we would love to have all these amenities,” Sly said without hesitation. She added that novelty amenities often aren’t used as much as expected. “We have a game room at one of our properties, and it doesn’t get used nearly as much as it did when it was first installed.”
Jimmy Rimmerman, a property manager at Sky Box, a local mid-rise complex, also noted the tension between marketing and practicality. “The market is saturated with options, and students are price-conscious,” he said. “Amenities often come second to price. They usually ask to see the apartment and rate first before the amenities.” Sky Box offers a fitness center, terrace and game room, but Rimmerman acknowledges that most students don’t spend as much time in these spaces.
Still, managers recognize that amenities attract attention, with constant renovations and new additions, housing companies that include these will do everything they can to appeal to students.
While luxury amenities may grab headlines, the reality is clear: students use the more practical features before using the ones they saw in the magazines. For property managers, the challenge remains in finding the right balance between the amenities that market the best and the amenities that meet students’ priorities like comfort, affordability, and convenience.
