Cost of apartment in Ames now?

**HuddleUp** · 02-11-2012, 02:19 PM

Question for current/recent students. What's the going rate now for an average apartment in Ames? Something decent...not too nice but not a dump either.

**cloneswereall** · 02-11-2012, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by HuddleUp

Question for current/recent students. What's the going rate now for an average apartment in Ames? Something decent...not too nice but not a dump either.

Not necessarily Ames prices, but 1BR in Iowa are running between 400-600 a month in terms of rent.

**HuddleUp** · 02-11-2012, 02:39 PM

Originally Posted by cloneswereall

Not necessarily Ames prices, but 1BR in Iowa are running between 400-600 a month in terms of rent.

Does that include utilities?

**DistrictCyclone** · 02-11-2012, 02:55 PM

Originally Posted by HuddleUp

Question for current/recent students. What's the going rate now for an average apartment in Ames? Something decent...not too nice but not a dump either.

It varies by neighborhood. This was 7-8 years ago, but I found a 1BR over by the Hy-Vee in west Ames for $435, while comparable places in Campustown were anywhere from $60-$100 more per month.

Oh, what I'd do to have rent that cheap again; even a room the size of a closet in a house with 5 other people in DC usually runs over a grand.

**burn587** · 02-11-2012, 03:06 PM

I haven't lived in Ames for about five years but here is what I remember. Prices seemed to run around 500 to 700 for a two bedroom/ two bath apartment. Utilities were not included but Cable and internet was, and most places gave free memberships to all Ames Racquet and Fitness for the time of your lease.

I just remember that Ames allowed an extreme over saturation of apartment buildings with nowhere near that much demand. So they were basically doing anything possible to get you rent.

I rented from Haverkamp and Jensen, and stay away from Jensen, they are pretty shady in their practices.

**iahawkhunter** · 02-11-2012, 03:08 PM

Originally Posted by burn587

I haven't lived in Ames for about five years but here is what I remember. Prices seemed to run around 500 to 700 for a two bedroom/ two bath apartment. Utilities were not included but Cable and internet was, and most places gave free memberships to all Ames Racquet and Fitness for the time of your lease.

I just remember that Ames allowed an extreme over saturation of apartment buildings with nowhere near that much demand. So they were basically doing anything possible to get you rent.

I rented from Haverkamp and Jensen, and stay away from Jensen, they are pretty shady in their practices.

$500-700 seems to cover the range of 1 bedroom now. The supply/demand is now flipped due to record-breaking attendance at ISU the past few years.

**CyDude16** · 02-11-2012, 03:50 PM

It depends, the further away from campus you are the less expensive.

I currently live in a four bedroom in the thick of campustown and pay $485 a month plus utilities.

**cloneswereall** · 02-11-2012, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by CyDude16

It depends, the further away from campus you are the less expensive.

I currently live in a four bedroom in the thick of campustown and pay $485 a month plus utilities.

Is that per person, so that it's about 1700/mo. in rent?

**cowgirl836** · 02-13-2012, 10:20 AM

I lived in a Haverkamp property out on Mortenson senior year and wish I'd done it sooner. Rent was $930 ($310/person) for a 3bd/2ba...like 800-900 sq feet. Utilities were ranged from $100-$150 month. This would have been the 09-10 school year. Haverkamp was great to deal with, and we really liked living there.

Edit: that price for utilities was divided 3 ways as well.

**acgclone** · 02-13-2012, 10:23 AM

Originally Posted by cloneswereall

Not necessarily Ames prices, but 1BR in Iowa are running between 400-600 a month in terms of rent.

Iowa prices will not be very applicative to Ames. Iowa City would even be more of a discrepancy.

**TheAdmiral** · 02-13-2012, 10:26 AM

I lived just west of campus last year and payed about 275 a month for a 3br/1ba. Place was a pretty average. Much better than paying double that and living in campustown. Pretty much anything off west street is still relatively cheap.

**Rhoadhoused** · 02-13-2012, 10:32 AM

If it isn't a 1br, probably between $300 and $400, plus utilities.

**Beerbrat** · 02-13-2012, 10:34 AM

We have a four bedroom in West Ames through University West that is 300/month, but I believe the rate is going up to 375/month or something along those lines.

**Trainer** · 02-13-2012, 10:38 AM

2 years ago lived in a 3/br 1.5 bath for 700 total. utilities were usually 150. It was out off of Ontario. Honestly, living close to campus has its perks, but you can save a lot of money living a ways away and just taking the bus. I took the bus every day. There was one that stopped a block away every 15 min. Best decision I ever made. The apartment was in great shape too.

**BCClone** · 02-13-2012, 10:42 AM

Question for the older folks here. Has anyone ever bought a house for their kids to live in while attending ISU. I have 3 kids spread out over 7 years. The first one is most likely attending ISU and can see all three possibly going.

I knew a guy whose parents did this when he went back in the 90s, made off very well. Has this worked for anyone else. At 350/person/month, thats around 18K for just housing there for 4 years. If they find 2 roommates, this looks like something that will pan out if housing doesn't take a total dive.

Just checking to see if anyone has done this and if it was a bigger headache than what is was worth.