If you still want to live on campus but get the experience of being on your own, Colorado Mesa University (CMU) provides apartment-style dorms like Lucero, Orchard, Walnut and Aspen for sophomores and older.

Living in Aspen Apartments is one of the best resident buildings if you are transitioning from living on campus to living off-campus.

I enjoyed Aspen’s location because it was on campus but didn’t feel like it. For me, most of my classes were in Escalante or Dominguez Halls so it was not too far from my classes. But if a majority of your classes are in Houston and you like living close to where your classes are, then Aspen may not be the right choice for you.

The rooms are probably some of the nicest dorm rooms we have on campus. The resident hall is brand new as it just opened to residents in the fall of 2020. The rooms have four bedrooms, a living area, a kitchenette, a shower room, and a bathroom with two sinks and cubbies.

I enjoyed the style of the rooms because it gave me my own room and privacy, but I also had a place where my roommates and I could socialize and hang out. It was also nice that the bathroom and shower were separate because you did have to worry about walking in on someone using the shower when you needed to go to the bathroom or vice versa.

Each floor has a full kitchen with stoves and ovens so you can make your own meals. Living in Aspen you do not get a full meal plan, but typically get seven swipes a week, which is beneficial if you do not want to cook all the time.

My experience in Aspen Apartments was unique because there were many rules applied during the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, you could not have people that lived outside of the building in your room.

If you are looking for a solid on-campus living option that has a feel of independence as well, Aspen is definitely the choice for you. Overall Rating: 9/10.