For students at the University of Texas, choosing a location in Austin to live can be a daunting task. Austin is a huge city, and the area where you plant your roots can have a big impact on your experience here.
Read Next: Where Do Students Live Near UT Austin?
At Rambler, we’ve helped hundreds of students find their home away from home at UT, so we know how important it is to make a well-informed student housing decision to make the best out of your college years. That’s why we’ve compiled this list of five things to consider about living in West Campus near the University of Texas at Austin.
@rambleratx Looking for a place to live this fall? Here are five reasons why West Campus is the place to call home #UT #UTexas #westcampus ♬ FEEL THE GROOVE – Queens Road, Fabian Graetz
5 Benefits of Living in West Campus as a Student at the University of Texas
1. You can walk everywhere
The walkability of UT’s campus and the surrounding areas is easily one of my favorite parts of being a Longhorn.
At other schools, you sometimes need to take a shuttle or drive just to get from class to class. But here in Austin, walking is the number one way to get to campus. Many students even choose not to bring a car because they find it’s possible to get around just fine without one.
Especially if you live in West Campus, restaurants, bars, boutiques and convenience stores are easily accessible by foot.
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2. If you can’t walk, you can probably get there for free
While the West Campus area has virtually anything you could need, that doesn’t mean you won’t want to venture out from time to time!
Luckily, UT makes transportation around Austin affordable and accessible.
By swiping your UT ID, students can ride for free on Capital Metro buses. Whether you need to catch a flight, head downtown, or do some grocery shopping, these buses can take you nearly anywhere in the city of Austin.
While daytime shuttles can take you to and from campus, UT also partnered with Lyft to begin the Night Rides program. Mirroring the daytime shuttle routes, this rideshare service offers free rides from campus between midnight and 4 a.m. to get you home safely after a late night of studying. The map above outlines the Main Campus area where you can be picked up in purple, and designated areas you can be dropped off in include both pink and purple.
3. Most West Campus housing is catered toward students
Another convenient aspect of living in West Campus is that most housing options are student-focused.
Not only does this boost your sense of community by being surrounded by other students, but it includes a few logistical perks:
- Many apartments offer individual leases (by-the-bed), meaning you can live with your friends without worrying about the financial liability of splitting rent.
- Most leases begin in early August, aligning with the academic term of a university student.
- Numerous complexes in West Campus have luxurious amenities like high-tech study spaces and resort-style pool decks that will elevate your college experience.
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4. You’re more likely to be involved
It’s a no-brainer that the closer you are to campus, the more likely you are to spend time there.
Living in an area surrounded by students immerses you in college culture. Not only is it easier to make friends, but it’s easier to stay connected when you’re in such close proximity.
It’s also important to remember that commute time makes all the difference when it comes to joining organizations or attending a study group. A five-minute walk versus a twenty-minute drive can be the deciding factor on whether or not you get involved on campus.
5. You’re right at the center of it all
Luckily for students, the University of Texas is centrally located within Austin. This means that when you live in West Campus, you have a great home base if you’re excited to explore the city.
Those that live in West Campus are within walking distance of dozens of locally-owned coffee shops, thrift stores, and a variety of restaurants with cuisine from around the globe. Downtown is also less than a ten-minute car ride away, making it extremely convenient to enjoy a stroll around Lady Bird Lake or explore Austin’s nightlife.
We hope that this article helped you visualize how living in West Campus near UT Austin can be one of the most rewarding parts of university life.
If you have any more questions about West Campus living or choosing student housing in general, contact the Rambler leasing team, who is happy to assist you in your housing search!
