Local Expert's Guide To the Best Student Friendly Neighborhoods to Rent Near Colleges in Austin

For many people the College years are some of the best years of your life. And you can certainly make the most of those years by finding the perfect place around your campus to call home. With an abundance of exciting and fun neighborhoods all around Austin that offer affordable options in apartments and rental homes, picking out the perfect place you love right around the corner from your school can be a breeze.

As your resident ApartmentHomeLiving.com Austin expert, here are a few of my favorite neighborhoods around the local colleges in the Austin area. Class is in session!

University of Texas at Austin

Located at the center of the "Keep It Weird" city, the main UT campus has what I believe is the best location of any campus in Austin and perhaps anywhere. Within minutes, there are plenty of options in shopping centers, fantastic restaurants, exciting nightlife and the bustling downtown area to keep UT students busy when they are not in class or at 'Horns games.

West University

I consider West University to be the heartbeat of student life around the UT Austin campus. Buzzing with energy thanks to the thousands of new students that flow into the college each year, you might have to wait at a streetlight a little longer due to the foot traffic. I worked at a coffee shop off Guadalupe Street, and it was exciting but could get overwhelming at times.

I found a ton of affordable apartments for rent next to the famous Drag Street. I recommend looking for a place well before peak season because competition is fierce when all the students are moving simultaneously.

Central Austin

A blend of historic charm with modern amenities, Central Austin is a place college kids move into after a couple of years in school. The atmosphere is a bit more mature, but you still have the infamous 6th Street for bars and restaurants.

Rates are slightly higher in this area of town since you'll be competing with professionals and college students, but its where you'll find a diamond in the rough. I think this is the best opportunity in the city to live in the heart of everything while getting an affordable place.

North University

A quieter, more residential area, North University is a short 10-15-minute walk from the main campus. I always loved this part of town because it's still close enough to campus to have boutique shops and restaurants, but you don't have to deal with heavy foot traffic all day long.

You'll notice more houses popping up in this area of town, so it's a great opportunity to move into a more stable living environment without paying the high prices of Zilker Park.

St. Edwards University

Located south of Austin in a quiet and sleepy part of town, St. Edwards University has several nearby neighborhoods that provide plenty of amenities and rental opportunities.

St. Edwards Neighborhood

Immediately surrounding the university is the St. Edwards Neighborhood, which is quieter and more tranquil than the bustling UT campus. Here, you'll find serene tree-lined streets and close-knit communities.

You'll have a mix of historic homes and modern apartments in the area to choose from when moving nearby. Rates here should be more affordable than downtown and offer larger square footage on average.

Dawson

About a mile west of the St. Edwards neighborhood is the interesting Dawson residential neighborhood. The area is known for an electric vibe, artistic flair, and some of the more unique local gems in town like Cosmic Coffee and Austin Bouldering Project.

You'll find an even blend of residential homes and apartments in the area for rent. I think the tranquility of the neighborhoods while still being full of unique Austin charm makes this area one of the more underrated in the area.

SoCo (South Congress)

Trendy and vibrant, you'd catch the eyes of many fellow colleagues and students by moving into the SoCo area. Here is where you'll find the iconic Austin vibe the city is known for with vintage boutiques, popular restaurants, and live music venues.

You'll pay a bit more in this area because it's competitive and highly coveted but if you can find something that works, there are few other places you'll want to be.

Austin Community College - Riverside Campus

Austin Community College has several campuses around town, but Riverside One has a unique location on the east side of town where no other colleges reside. The neighborhoods are full of culture and the down-to-earth communities that the city was known for decades ago.

Pleasant Valley

Surrounded by rare urban green spaces like Roy G. Guerrero Park and Mabel Davis District Park, Pleasant Valley is perfect for those looking to live close to the Riverside Campus but still get the nature of Zilker Park.

There are still a few eateries and restaurants in this part of town, even though you're getting toward the more barren airport area of the city. You'll find some of the best rental rates here because of the location and a good mix of apartments and residential homes.

Montopolis

About as far away from downtown as you can get on the Eastside, I always recommend Montopolis for those who want to live in Austin, want great, affordable rental rates, but aren't picky about the location.

I think this is where some of the best rental rates are in the city at this time. North, South, and central east location are getting revamped but this area has been slower to keep up, making it a great place to start in Austin.

East Riverside-Oltorf

One of the bustling and busiest neighborhoods in the city, East Riverside Oltorf is just a few minutes from the ACC Riverside campus. It's the hub of of the east side when you get lower than Lady Bird Lake and has all the restaurants, live music venues, and bars you could want.

Famous venues like Emos and The Buzz Mill make it a college favorite, and you get trails and scenery from Lady Bird Lake. Traffic here can be a problem on weekends and big events in the city so make sure you're planning accordingly.

Austin Community College - Northridge Campus

At the far north end of Austin is ACC Northridge Campus. Most of the neighborhoods in this area of town are more residential and quieter than anything on this list so far.

The Domain

One of the newer additions to the city of Austin, The Domain has made a big impact as an outdoor mall and is the only one in town. I worked briefly at the Domain and its filled with boutique shops, luxury brands, and more accessible stores.

Even for the excitement the area might get on weekends, its still a fairly tranquil neighborhood filled with most apartments and condos. The only real consideration I recommend making is the cost since this is a high-income neighborhood and most prices reflect a wealthier resident.

Balcones Park

Peaceful and mainly residential, Balcones Park is just 10 minutes west of the ACC Northridge campus. I always say this is a perfect place for those who love nature and live a quieter lifestyle. It's almost exclusively residential, so you'll be surrounded by plenty of families and professionals.

Dining options may be slightly limited, and you won't get the same weird Austin atmosphere, but the area is more safe and stable. Traffic is generally light, and the serene atmosphere makes it easy to unwind after a busy day on campus.

Gracy Woods

A hidden gem nestled between ACC Northridge and The Domain, Gracy Woods is another quiet, suburban neighborhood with some urban convenience. You'll find peaceful residential homes here with plenty of housing opportunities.

The area is an eclectic mix of parks, trails, restaurants, and outdoor activities. I never had any problems with traffic in this part of town and parking is all relatively easy.

Austin Community College - South Campus

Highway 290 is what most locals and I consider the south border of the main part of Austin, and ACC South Campus is just below it. You're slightly away from all the hustle and bustle and get access to quiet and peaceful neighborhoods while being close enough to all the action.

South Manchaca

I always felt a stronger sense of community when I was in the South Manchaca neighborhood. There aren't as many people or amenities, so the people tend to stick together and care more about their neighbors.

You'll find mostly residential homes for rent here with a few apartments mixed in. The walkability and bike-friendly streets make transportation easy and convenient.

Westgate

Even further west, Westgate has a mix of ranch-style homes and modern apartments. The diverse housing options makes it easy to pick something you like. I enjoyed the quiet and relaxing atmosphere of Westgate and I could still find local restaurants and coffee shops. This area is family friendly and a great place to stay if you're looking for safe and secure environment.

Living Around Local Colleges in Austin

The vibrant and growing city of Austin has changed a lot even since I first moved here. These days, you'll find great, affordable apartments, condos, and residential homes for rent, whether you're attending ACC, UT, or St. Edwards.