On Oct. 13, The Vista Student Housing, California State University, Stanislaus’ (Stan State’s) new neighbor across the street, finally opened its office doors to start leasing dorms to students for fall 2017.
In the summer of 2015, the Turlock Planning Commission unanimously voted to allow The Vista apartment complex to be constructed and this summer, ideas were brought to life when construction began on what will be the tallest buildings in Turlock.
The gated community is scheduled to be completed by May 2017, but apartments can be leased as early as today.
Dormitories range from 490 to 1,510 square feet. The community will only be able to accommodate 660 students, so space is limited.
Unlike Stan State’s traditional student housing, The Vista rooms will come with a variety of new amenities. The lucky students who manage to snag a lease will enjoy a computer lab with printing, a resort-style pool, a cyber café, a 24-hour fitness center, and much more.
Monthly rent covers parking on the complex, a private bathroom for each student, water, and electricity. Each apartment will also come fully furnished with a full size bed, living room furniture, a desk in each room, a flat-screen television, a dining room table with chairs, a refrigerator, a dishwasher, a washer, and a dryer.
All of these amenities come at a cost, of course. To find out about how prices vary, visit The Vista office.  Some units can accommodate up to five students, while others are more private and similar to studio apartments.
Although The Vista does cater to the needs of students, it is not associated with Stan State, which means that there is no supervision of minors and there are no personal guides available to assist new college students.
Courtney Jurasko, The Vista’s new lease-up specialist, explained that students will be hired as community assistants.
“A community assistant is different [from a resident assistant] in that they’re going to be more in the office available to the resident if they need us, but they’re not to be imposed on the residents,” said Jurasko.
“Their job duties are marketing on campus, passing out flyers. In the office they’re answering phones, giving tours, taking applications.”
As of Oct. 13, positions for community assistants are still available. It is recommended that interested parties apply within.
Those who are on a budget while attending college will be pleased to learn that they can participate in various contests and giveaways held weekly that offer prizes such as groceries.
Greek organizations and other student clubs are encouraged to apply at The Vista for a group of apartments located together on the same floor so that the organization’s members can live near one another.
“We have a really good special going on right now [where] if 10 or more people want to come in and they all apply for a dorm, they will receive $1,000, and if they bring in 20 they get $2,000 for whatever they want. [Also,] if a resident refers a friend to live here, they get $100 for every friend that signs with us.”
The Vista’s office is located next to Pizza Factory on Monte Vista Avenue. Prospective residents can get a sneak peak of what the dorms will look like, as furniture and a kitchen mock-up are currently on display.
To apply for a lease, visit during their office hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m.
For more information on The Vista, visit their website.