Austin is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, experiencing a huge influx of students and young professionals – and this is no surprise. Austin is home to a diverse food scene, warm weather, events and festivals, outdoor activities and excellent universities.
If you are one of the many people coming to Austin, TX, and plan to attend the University of Texas at Austin, you’ll want to consider the various student living options near UT.
Read Next: What Types of Housing Are Available for UT Austin Students?
At Rambler, we’ve helped hundreds of students find housing near UT Austin, and we understand that there are a lot of options to choose from.
In this article, we will discuss the most popular neighborhoods for UT students to live off-campus, as well as on-campus housing options.
Where Do Students Live Near UT Austin?
On-Campus Living at UT Austin
Traditionally, when you think of a typical college freshman housing experience, you might envision a student living in an on-campus dorm, eating ramen noodles for dinner, and sharing a community bathroom.
Residence halls, also known as dormitories, are the on-campus housing option for UT Austin students. Some universities require freshmen students to live in on-campus dorms during their first year, however, the University of Texas at Austin does not require this. Only about 8% of the UT student population lives on-campus.
Residence hall rates for the long session, including the Fall and Spring semesters, are offered as a nine-month contract. All residence hall rates at the University of Texas include your room, a meal plan, internet service, and access to laundry. They come furnished, but typically furnishings are limited to a desk and chair, dresser, extra-long twin bed, microwave, mini-refrigerator/freezer, closet space and shelving.
While it may sound nice to save money on a few months of rent with a nine-month lease, you’ll want to keep in mind that residence halls close between the Fall and Spring semesters during winter break. If you’d like to stay in Austin during winter break and the summer, you may want to consider off-campus housing.
To learn more about residence halls and their pricing, see UT Austin’s page detailing Rates and Billing.
Since on-campus housing can be limiting in terms of freedom, grocery budget, and length of stay, many students opt to live in neighborhoods near the University of Texas rather than on-campus. In the following section, we will discuss the areas in which students typically live near UT Austin.
Off-Campus Living Near UT Austin
Representative unit interior featuring Rambler’s standard furniture and finishes.
The neighborhood where you reside has a huge impact on your daily lifestyle, so be sure to explore your options and find what best suits you.
We’ll explore the three most popular neighborhoods near UT Austin for students:
West Campus
Location: Bound by Guadalupe, 29th St, MLK Blvd, and Lamar
Are you a social butterfly who prefers to live steps away from campus? If so, the West Campus neighborhood is perfect for you!
The West Campus neighborhood is home to a variety of newer developments specifically crafted for students. In West Campus, you will generally find large amenity packages and fully furnished units with updated appliances.
These developments are typically purpose-built student housing apartments, which usually come furnished, but you will also find a variety of traditional apartments and homes in West Campus.
West Campus is also home to the UT Greek life scene, so you will find most sorority and fraternity houses in this neighborhood. Living in your Greek house is another student housing option if you are or would like to become a member of Greek life.
If you’re not bringing a car to school with you, no worries – West Campus is conveniently located with easy access to campus (connecting directly to the West Mall), coffee shops, bars, restaurants and more.
If you’re in need of a roommate, you’re also in luck! Most apartments in West Campus, especially purpose-built student housing apartments, conveniently provide roommate matching to find your perfect living match.
North Campus
Location: I-35 to Lamar, 29th St to 38th St.
If you are an upperclassman, graduate student, or just prefer a bit of peace and quiet over a bustling social scene, then North Campus is a great option for you to consider.
North Campus is a bit calmer than West Campus, and it caters to students who enjoy living on their own or with one other roommate due to budget-friendly pricing. And, it is great for those looking to live a bit more affordably regardless of roommate count. Apartments located in the North Campus neighborhood are often traditional, older developments with limited amenities, making them a great option to save a bit of cash.
North Campus also has many houses available for rent, an excellent option for those looking to live with a larger group. This can be more or less budget-friendly depending on how many roommates you choose to have. For example, if you’re willing to share a bedroom or bathroom with another roommate rather than everyone having their own bed and bath, houses can be an extremely affordable choice.
Keep in mind that most spots in North Campus are not easily walkable, so if you do not have a car or bike, or don’t prefer taking public transportation, apartments in North Campus may not be for you. North Campus does, however, provide easy access to the UT Austin School of Law and the UT Cockrell School of Engineering.
Riverside
Location: East of I-35, bound by E Oltorf St and S Pleasant Valley Rd
Do you want to be away from the busy campus atmosphere, and don’t mind a commute? If so, you’ll want to check out properties in the Riverside neighborhood.
Apartments in Riverside generally consist of older properties with older amenities but they offer budget-friendly pricing. If your goal is to spend less on rent than in West Campus or North Campus, this neighborhood is definitely worth your attention.
Most UT students who choose Riverside opt to live in purpose-built student housing apartments, with leases by the bed, and these usually come furnished (though some have an unfurnished option if you prefer). Roommate matching is also available at certain properties if you’re looking to be matched.
By car, it’s about a 10-15 minute drive outside of rush hour, straight up I-35. UT also provides shuttles to-and-from the campus.
Riverside’s population consists of a diverse mix of college students, young professionals, and families.
While Riverside properties tend to offer older amenities, the neighborhood provides an urban feel without the West Campus prices.
Comparison of Neighborhoods
To summarize the typical offerings of each neighborhood, we have put together this convenient table to help you compare your options:
| West Campus | North Campus | Riverside | |
| Roommate Matching | Yes | No | Yes |
| Affordability | $$$ | $$ | $ |
| Proximity to Campus | 5-20 minute walk | 15-45 minute walk, ~10-minute bike ride, or 5-10 minute drive | 10-20 minute drive/bus ride (not walkable) |
| Population | Mostly students; large Greek presence | Mostly students; large upperclassmen and grad student presence | Students, young professionals, and families |
| Purpose-built student housing | Yes | Minimal | Yes |
Overall, students have a wide variety when it comes to housing near UT Austin.
Whether you’re looking for the hustle and bustle of West Campus, a quieter spot in North Campus, an on-campus residence hall, or an affordable apartment in Riverside, you are not short of options. We hope that this article helps you determine which neighborhood near UT is right for you.
If you want to learn more about Rambler, visit our amenities and floor plans pages for more information, or contact our leasing staff, who are more than happy to answer any questions you may have during your student housing search.
