Best Neighborhoods for Your UT Austin Student Housing
It’s no surprise that Austin, Texas is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States. Austin is experiencing an ongoing influx of students choosing to relocate to the area from around the U.S. and the rest of the world so they can take advantage of the lively city and all the great Austin student housing options in the best neighbourhoods in Austin. Why? Simply put, Austin offers the best of the best.
Sure, Austin is the live music capital of the world, but that’s not all it’s known for! The city also touts a diverse culinary scene, moderate weather, tons to do outdoors, a booming real estate market, top-notch universities, jobs, and super-friendly people. Not to mention, the city is home to great events like the media and music festival SXSW, which always has an impressive and eclectic lineup.
Now that you’re attending school in the Lone Star State, have you given your Austin student home options any thought? The greater Austin area has something for everyone, so let’s look at some of the best neighbourhoods in Austin for students.
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1. West Campus
West Campus is aptly named for its proximity to the University of Texas at Austin (UT). It’s a prime choice for undergraduate housing because of its walkability to UT and lively energy. But don’t feel like you can’t escape the day-to-day academic hustle if you choose to live in West Campus. This area is close to the beautiful outdoors making it the perfect way to up your Instagram aesthetic. Take Pease District Park, for example. This outdoor mecca is a student favourite for sand volleyball games and hangouts.
We’re all guilty of splurging on Uber rides, but for optimum, no-car-needed convenience, you can secure an apartment near the University of Texas at Austin at Signature 1909, Axis West Campus or Skyloft. West Campus Apartments Austin has been a student favourite for years! Both options offer multiple floor plans with luxury amenities and metro access, all within blocks of UT.
Dobie Twenty21 Student Spaces is another great option in the neighbourhood if you’re looking for a more traditional dorm-like setting instead of Austin off-campus housing. Dobie is the only private dorm in Austin that’s part of UT and has been an undergrad and grad student favourite for years thanks to its A+ living experience. If you’d like to stick close to the university and absorb all college life has to offer, this could be the location for you!
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Signature 1909
Axis West Campus
Dobie Twenty21 Student Spaces
Skyloft
2. North Campus
West Campus might be an undergrad favourite since it’s located in the hustle and bustle of university life, but North Campus is generally preferred among the University of Texas at Austin and Austin Community College students. Those pursuing advanced degrees in engineering, law, and psychology usually opt for living in North Campus because it’s just minutes away from those schools.
If you’re going for your master’s or Ph.D., then North Campus is where you’ll want to seek your future student home. This area is much quieter than West Campus and offers many affordable housing options whether you’re looking for a studio or an apartment to split with friends. This is a good location for peace and quiet if you’d like to get away from those crazy college frat parties too.
3. Hyde Park
Hyde Park is located just north of North Campus and is a favourite among the best neighbourhoods in Austin that offer ideal student housing choices. This historic neighbourhood offers students the convenience of being located close to UT, but without the total college “vibe.” Hyde Park is located just minutes from campus but has a suburban quality thanks to its tree-lined streets and charming architecture.
Students can enjoy a variety of dining opportunities too, like local-favourites Hyde Park Bar & Grill and Mother’s Café. And if you have a four-legged friend, this is the place for you and Fido. Hyde Park locals are often seen walking their dogs outside and we can’t think of a better icebreaker than to stop and pet a pooch. Who knows? You might meet your new best friend in Hyde Park.
4. Rosedale
The neighbourhood of Rosedale is located adjacent to Hyde Park. Not only is this community one of the safest places to live in Austin, but its historical neighbourhood also offers students the nostalgia of the suburbs with the closeness to UT.
When it comes to Austin student home, Rosedale is a top pick for students. For starters, rent tends to be around 10% lower than the rest of Austin, but the area still offers nightlife, outdoor, and dining opportunities for young people, which will come in handy if you’ll be hosting a dinner for your frat or sorority.
5. Downtown
If you’re looking for an urban vibe, Downtown Austin is the place for you. Downtown is located just about 5 minutes from UT, making it a great choice for students who want to live close to the entertaining scene of Austin’s famed 6th Street.
As for housing options choices, there are plenty of apartments for rent; however, renting comes at a premium to live in the heart of Austin. If you’re into city living, with a side of nightlife, the arts, food trucks, and an occasional farmer’s market or Whole Foods run, then downtown sounds like a good idea to us!
6. Clarksville
If you’re an aspiring homebody, Clarksville is calling your name. Students, young professionals, and new families alike love this Austin neighbourhood because it feels like, well, a quintessential neighbourhood. Its streets are lined with mature trees, and residents prefer walking and biking to driving any day so you can live out your sitcom fantasy (just hold the drama).
Stop into quirky shops, restaurants, and cafes or waltz downtown in just a matter of minutes, it’s all up to you. Student apartments are available and starting rates are super affordable per month for a studio. This is a great location for UT students and Austin Community College students since their Rio Grande campus is near Clarksville.
7. Zilker
If you’ve haven’t chilled at the Barton Springs Pool at Zilker Park, what are you waiting for? Barton Springs is just one of the many things that attract people to the Zilker neighbourhood. Students, young families, and older generations love Zilker for its proximity to the park, restaurants, shops, cafes, and more. This neighbourhood is also host to the annual Austin City Limits music festival held each fall.
Zilker has generous options in the student housing realm, which again, come at a premium with the average rent being 17% above the Austin average. But with all you get in the Zilker neighbourhood, maybe consider living with roommates to split the cost of renting and splurge on a bicycle to make the 4.5-mile commute to the UT campus.
8. Bouldin Creek
If you’re moving to Austin, then you may have heard the saying, “Keep Austin Weird.” Well, residents of Bouldin Creek take that quite literally with the eclectic feel of the neighbourhood. This is prime territory for tattoo parlours (shhh, don’t tell mom), hip cafes, food trucks, cycle shops, and small businesses galore. This area is great for young people—both professionals and students—who want to experience a cool social scene and rent in an older and more ‘chill’ part of Austin, while remaining close to campus. Plus, since most Bouldin residents rent, there’s no shortage of Austin off-campus housing.
9. Travis Heights
Travis Heights is located near exciting South Congress (affectionately known by locals as “SoCo”). This area sits just below Lady Bird Lake and is a highly sought-after area to live in Austin. It’s close to schools, downtown, and SoCo while retaining its charm with bungalows and gorgeous apartment buildings.
If you’re a student at St. Edwards University, UT, or some of Austin’s other institutions of higher education, Travis Heights makes for a great location for Austin student rooms.
10. Dawson
Dawson is exploding with unassuming charisma. This neighbourhood is a front runner for students attending St. Edwards because it’s safe and close to SoCo for nightlife but remains relatively quiet itself.
Students 21 and older flock to Dawson Cosmic Coffee + Beer Garden for their local brews, awesome food truck eats, coffee, and live music. But don’t just let us tell you, see for yourself all the things that make Dawson uniquely Dawson.
11. St. Edwards
Known to students, young professionals, and long-time residents as “St. Eds,” this neighbourhood is where St. Edwards University is located. But don’t jump to any conclusions here—St. Eds is a rather subdued area despite being home to many college students.
St. Eds is a great place to live because it’s rather mellow, but still located near bustling SoCo for choice nightlife and not too far off from Downtown Austin.
12. South Congress
Finally, let’s talk SoCo! South Congress is located south of Lady Bird Lake and is a local favourite thanks to a variety of small businesses, restaurants, bars, and live music. SoCo is home to the famed Continental Club, the self-proclaimed “granddaddy of live music venues.”Beyond enjoying live music, students and young professionals love to beat the Austin heat by spending a day at trendy hotel pools.
Students are attracted to SoCo because it’s fueled by young energy. There are also plentiful housing options with a range of apartments that come with all the bells and whistles for a great student living experience. SoCo isn’t too far from any of the major universities and has convenient transit options.
13. East Riverside—Oltorf
The East Riverside—Oltorf neighbourhood is located right on the lake and offers a plethora of outdoor activities like bike riding and outdoor trails. This area has seen a major boom in real estate development in recent years and that includes cool student housing options.
The University Estates at Austin is a great option for students looking to secure housing close to UT and has two, three, and four-bedroom floor plans to choose from. The University Estates is outfitted with luxury amenities including a pool, resident clubhouse, media lounge, and so much more. This complex is located just 5miles from UT and has a shuttle that runs to and from campus for all residents.
The University Village at Austin is another excellent option for students seeking Austin student housing that’s close to Austin’s universities. This complex serves students who attend UT, St. Eds, Texas State, Huston-Tillotson, and Austin Community College. Rest easy knowing you’ll be in the presence of your peers at this awesome apartment community.
University Estates at Austin
University Village at Austin
Choose from two, three, and four-bedroom layouts and then enjoy your school year at the University Village at Austin. This complex also boasts a resort-style pool, clubhouse, state-of-the-art gym, and so much more. The East Riverside—Oltorf area is super student-oriented too, so if you’re relocating to Austin and don’t know anyone yet, you soon will!
Austin Is Full of Student Housing Options, Now Which Neighborhood Will You Choose?
Congratulations on your big move to attend university in Austin, Texas! We at Unilodgers have every confidence that you’ll absolutely love your experience in one of America’s greatest cities. There’s so much to do, see, and hear in Austin (yay for live music!), so we’re sure you’ll never be bored.
Whether you’re looking for apartments near the University of Texas at Austin or want something on campus, Unilodgers offers lots of great Austin student apartments. As you decide which neighbourhood you’d like to lease in, check out our list of items to make sure you pack before heading to the Lone Star State. Cheers!
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