Rise on Apache Review: Pros, Cons, and Student Tips
Honest student review of Rise on Apache near ASU Tempe. What's good, what's not, and tips for getting the most out of living there.
Rise on Apache: The Real Student Take
Rise on Apache is one of the most popular student apartment complexes near ASU Tempe, and it comes up in basically every housing conversation. It's not the cheapest option and it's not the most luxurious — it occupies that mid-range sweet spot that a lot of students land on.
Here's what it's actually like to live there, based on what current and former residents report.
Location
Rise is on Apache Boulevard, which puts it in a convenient spot. The Light Rail runs along Apache, so getting to Mill Avenue, Tempe Transportation Center, or downtown Phoenix is straightforward without a car. Campus is walkable or bikeable depending on where your classes are. Tempe Marketplace is a short drive or Light Rail ride away.
The downside: Apache Blvd is busy and loud. Light rail noise is real — it's not constant, but it's frequent enough that light sleepers should request an interior-facing unit.
Apartments and Layouts
Rise offers several configurations: shared units with private bedrooms, and studio/1-bedroom options. Furnished units are standard. The furniture is functional without being impressive — it's student apartment furniture.
Unit quality is solid but not exceptional. Some units have better layouts than others. Kitchens are usable, bathrooms are fine. The newer floors tend to be in better shape, so if you have a choice, ask for a higher floor.
Amenities
The pool deck at Rise is a social hub, especially during the first few weeks of the semester and in spring. The gym is functional — not huge, but has enough equipment for a solid workout. Study rooms exist and are useful. Package lockers work.
Where Rise falls short: the amenity spaces get overcrowded during peak times, and some residents have reported that equipment (in the gym, laundry rooms) isn't always maintained quickly when it breaks.
Management and Maintenance
This is the most consistent criticism of Rise. Management responsiveness gets mixed reviews. Routine maintenance (a broken fixture, an appliance issue) can take longer than it should. If you're someone who needs issues resolved quickly, this might frustrate you.
That said, serious issues — HVAC in summer, for example — tend to get addressed faster. And the front desk staff are generally described as friendly even when the back-end management is slow.
Pricing
Rise is more affordable than Vertex or Oliv but not the cheapest thing near campus. A private bedroom in a shared unit runs roughly $900–$1,150/month depending on configuration and when you sign. Signing early (spring for the following fall) typically gets you a better rate.
Parking is additional — budget another $100+/month if you have a car.
Noise and Social Life
Rise has a social, undergrad-heavy vibe. If you want community, it's there. If you want quiet, it's harder to find, especially on weekends. The pool deck and common areas get loud. Walls between units are not thick.
Grad students and people in their final year who want peace and quiet tend to find Rise less suitable as time goes on.
Student Tips
- Sign early: Rates go up as fall semester approaches. Spring signings for the next fall save money.
- Request interior-facing units: Less street and Light Rail noise.
- Document everything at move-in: Photos of any existing damage, submitted in writing to management on day one.
- Learn the pool schedule: Certain hours are quieter. If you actually want to swim laps rather than socialize, mid-morning on weekdays is your window.
Bottom Line
Rise on Apache is a solid, above-average student apartment near ASU. The location is great, the pool is fun, and the price is more reasonable than the top-tier complexes. The management inconsistency and noise are the real trade-offs. If you go in knowing that, you won't be disappointed.
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