Parkwest has new management this year. Depending on what wing of the buildings you live on, will depend how much noise you'll have to deal with...management will tell you where its quiet, where its not, and for what reasons....it's not a big stress factor. It's a toss up with the rent costs...if you want to live within walking or biking distance to campus you're going to have to pay more...its inevitable. The apartment location is conveinent.