Housing Info
Download a printable PDF file of this page.

Looking for a place to live in Austin?
We have put together a few resources to help you get started on your search. Included are some great apartment locators:

ApartmentWIZ Austin Apartment Locators
Apartment Experts, 800-972-4411
Austin Apartment Finders, 800-435-7368
Craig's List

Austin is a small city with ample housing. Unfortunately, students dominate the renting market, and most are looking for the same thing. If you decide to live near campus you will be paying considerably more for considerably less. In the event that you have a car or are willing to take the bus to class, you will find yourself a great place relatively close to everything by living a bit further away from school.


Here are a few neighborhoods where students tend to live:

North Campus/Hyde Park. This area is the area between Guadalupe and I-35, north of 26th street and south of 45th. For the most part, these apartments and houses are within walking distance of school. This is your standard all-American quiet neighborhood. Lots of law students and grad students live here. It is more expensive than other areas in town, but it is clean and safe.

West Campus. Can you crush a beer can on your head? Is your nickname “Duuuuude!”? Perhaps this is the place for you. This area of town is located immediately west of Guadalupe street. It is characterized by countless fraternity houses and pizza parlors. This area is almost entirely populated by undergrads. Expect to pay way too much money for a noisy small place if you live here. The advantage is in location - you can walk to school very quickly and easily.

Riverside. Not the place to live if you want to keep your car stereo. This is the area immediately south of the river and somewhat near the airport. It is populated by undergraduate students and criminals. As I write this, a friend behind me is reminding me, “You do not want to live there." Listen to him. Every single grad student that I know has reported a negative experience living in this area, and has moved as soon as possible. Although rates are somewhat cheaper here, we must warn – rent at your own risk!

Far West. It’s funny. This area is not that far, and not really west. It should be renamed “Close North”. This is where the majority of students in our program have lived. It is well served by the shuttle bus system and has all the creature comforts one would expect from a somewhat suburban neighborhood. There are many apartment complexes here that are affordable, well maintained and nice. If you choose to live here, it might be a good idea to have a car but it is not entirely necessary.

Arboretum. This area of town is very close to, and very similar to Far West, but it’s a bit more upscale. The dot-com crash has created a large amount of remarkably inexpensive luxury apartment complexes here. The area is named for the large upscale shopping district that is located here. Easily accessible by the major freeways in town, this is where you clearly get the most bang for your buck. You would need a car if you are considering living in this area. The commute to school is around 20 minutes. It’s well worth the drive.

Barton Creek. South of the river on the west side of town, the Barton Creek area is convenient to the local highway Mopac and also close to the mall. This area is mostly occupied by young professionals, and you can expect to pay slightly more for a spacious unit. Depending on which complex, you'll probably still want a car to drive to the closest park and ride to take the bus to campus.

Find an apartment early…they go fast (slim pickin’s after June)