February 24, 2026
Choosing where to live as a University of Utah student, faculty member, or staff means balancing convenience, cost, and lifestyle. Downtown Salt Lake City, specifically from aQui 35, offers a compelling option: modern living in the city's cultural heart with a surprisingly easy commute to campus.
The University of Utah sits in the foothills east of Salt Lake City, while downtown pulses with restaurants, entertainment, and urban energy. Thousands of students and university employees make this choice for good reason.
Recent data shows UTA ended 2024 with significant ridership gains, reflecting growing confidence in public transit. The average Salt Lake City commute time is about 22.5 minutes, which means your U commute falls right in the city average.
Living downtown at aQui 355 means you're steps from TRAX stations, surrounded by coffee shops for study sessions, and immersed in the city's walkable living in downtown SLC.
The star of your commute is the UTA TRAX Red Line, Salt Lake City's light rail that connects downtown directly to the University of Utah campus. This dedicated rail line runs on schedule regardless of road conditions.
The TRAX Red Line serves the University with frequent service running every 15 minutes during peak times. From aQui 355, you'll board at nearby downtown stations, then ride directly to campus stops including Stadium Station, South Campus Station, Fort Douglas Station, and University Medical Center Station.
University of Utah students receive free UTA transit passes included with student fees. Faculty and staff can access discounted University of Utah Commuter Services programs. UTA's fare cap system means you'll pay a maximum of $5 per day regardless of how many trips you make.
Beyond TRAX, multiple UTA bus routes connect downtown to the University. Key routes include Route 2, and Route 4, taking 20-35 minutes depending on traffic. The University has over 60 UTA bus stops on campus for convenient access.
For the fitness-minded, biking from downtown to the University is feasible at 4-5 miles with elevation gain. Most cyclists make the trip in 20-30 minutes. Many aQui 355 residents can use e-bikes, which transform the uphill commute. Salt Lake City's improving bike infrastructure includes dedicated lanes on major routes.
While driving takes 10-15 minutes in ideal conditions, parking at the University is expensive and competitive. Student permits cost several hundred dollars per semester, and lots fill quickly. Between permits, gas, and parking stress, many students switch to transit for cost savings and convenience.
Students and staff who commute from downtown share these insights:
aQui 355's prime downtown location puts you within a short walk of multiple TRAX stations and bus stops. You're not adding extra time just to reach transit, you step out your door and you're there.
Our efficient studio apartments are designed for students and young professionals who value efficiency. Smart layouts maximize space, built-in storage keeps you organized, and modern amenities mean you have everything you need.
After a long day at the U, coming home means returning to the vibrant downtown scene, grab dinner at nearby restaurants, meet friends at coffee shops, or enjoy entertainment options that campus neighborhoods can't match.
The decision to live downtown while attending or working at the University of Utah comes down to priorities. If you want urban lifestyle, reliable transit, cost savings from reduced car dependency, professional networking downtown, and post-graduation flexibility, then downtown living makes perfect sense.
Current residents emphasize that your commute isn't dead time, it's a daily transition between the academic environment of the U and urban life. That 20-minute TRAX ride creates healthy separation between studying and living.
If you're considering moving to downtown Salt Lake City for your University of Utah experience, the commute should be seen not as a drawback, but as a feature giving you the best of both worlds: top-tier education and Salt Lake City's most dynamic neighborhood.
Discover how aQui 355's location, modern studios, and urban amenities create the perfect home base for your University of Utah journey. Schedule a tour today and see why students, faculty, and staff choose downtown living.
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