The Best Off-Campus Neighborhoods for UT College Students

Are you a college student trying to find an apartment for rent near UT Austin?

As you probably know by now, there’s plenty to do, try, eat, and see in a city as vibrant as Austin. In fact, with its wonderful weather, unique venues, amazing food, and outstanding nightlife, it’s no surprise that thousands of students aspire to call the city home. Unfortunately–finding a place to live that’s not only close to campus, but also affordable, appealing and close to things to do, is easier said than done.

Which is why this post is full of helpful hints on how to find one.

Follow along as we reveal some of the best neighborhoods for finding apartments near UT Austin, and discover how a professional Austin realtor can help you get one you’ll absolutely love.

East Austin Apartments

As one of the fastest growing neighborhoods in Austin, the trendy and eclectic East Austin neighborhood is quickly on its way to becoming a hotspot for UT Austin grads and undergrads alike. Featuring a robust restaurant scene filled with hip eateries (like Franklin’s Barbecue) and bustling breweries (like Zilker Brewing), as well as a terrific nightlife scene, you’ll find there’s plenty to do with your friends.

Located just east of Interstate 35–East Austin is home to an assortment of apartments—including luxury condos, lofts, and many single-bedroom apartments—just minutes away from UT Austin. And, if you work with an Austin realtor, you may even find one that’s closer, or more convenient—such as one along Manor Road, which offers bike lanes on either side of the street, as well as convenient access to bus routes that go to and from campus.

Fun fact: Forbes has called East Austin one of America’s “hippest hipster neighborhoods”, based on its walkability, proximity to food trucks and farmers’ markets, and number of coffee shops per capita.

Cherrywood Apartments

Looking for UT Austin West Campus Apartments? Cherrywood (also known as French Place) is another popular destination for UT Austin students. Bordered by Airport Boulevard to the north and Manor Road to the south, it’s a charming, pedestrian friendly neighborhood filled with trees and plenty to do. You can find an assortment of 1950’s and 60’s style apartments (as well as modern ones) for rent, many of which with either park-like landscaped settings or outdoor pools.

Fun fact: Cherrywood is known for its many outdoor spaces—including the famous Mueller Lake Park—perfect for studying, relaxing, or sunbathing.

Zilker Apartments

If you’re looking for off campus apartments near UT Austin—but, perhaps a little ways south—Zilker is a popular choice. Located in South Austin, Zilker is a beautiful neighborhood that’s filled with apartments and condos that are especially trendy among UT Austin students. In fact, with its laid-back yet eccentric vibe, close proximity to downtown Austin, and abundance of late-night hotspots, one might call it one of the most popular destinations around.

Outdoor enthusiasts will fall in love with the proximity to Zilker’s namesake park (just south of Lady Bird Lake, and east of Barton Creek), and foodie’s will fall in love with its outstanding dining scene (you can thank South Lamar Boulevard for that.) Moreover, with numerous bus routes that go directly to UT Austin, you’ll have no trouble getting around town.

Pro tip: Planning on commuting to UT Austin via public transit? Your best bet is to live close to South Lamar Blvd or South Congress Ave, so you can ride one of the next generation MetroRapid buses, which offer rapid rides to UT, as well as free onboard Wi-Fi.

Mueller Apartments

Mueller is a 700+ acre neighborhood in East-Central Austin, located on the former site of the Robert Mueller Municipal Airport. Made to be a mixed-use, mixed-income community, it’s home to hundreds of apartments perfect for UT college students. In fact, given that most residences were built sometime after 2007—you’ll find many of Mueller’s apartments to be not only affordable, but ultra-modern, featuring the very best appliances available.

Mueller’s great in that there's plenty to do both within and outside the community. Being just 1 or 2 miles north of UT Austin and 3 miles from downtown, you’ll always be close to whatever’s going on in your circle. And with the ever popular HEB at Mueller grocery store, Mueller Retail Center, as well as dozens other local attractions nearby, you’ll almost never run out of fun activities to see or do.

Downtown Austin Apartments

We’d be remiss if we wrote a blog about the best apartments near UT Austin without mentioning the many apartments in downtown Austin. Just a few blocks away from UT Austin, downtown Austin features some of the most modern apartments and convenient commuting routes available in the city. Moreover, as the central hub for all things Austin, it’s also home to the city’s best collection of restaurants, bars, shops, and stores—all within walking distance.

Most condos and apartments for rent in downtown Austin are either recently-renovated digs from the 1960’s to 80’s, or newly-built flats built after 2010. While a tad pricey, they do come with many amenities (including study lounges, gyms, coffee bars, and more), and often feature some of the best views of the city available anywhere.

Want to pursue your education, and a social life, job, or hobby? You can’t go wrong by choosing to live in Downtown Austin. With hundreds of activities, festivities, and attractions just minutes away, you can pursue nearly any hobby, activity or side-hustle imaginable.

Get Professional Help Finding An Apartment in Austin Near UT Austin!

Need a hand finding apartments for rent near UT Austin that meet all your needs? Whether you want to experience the best of Austin or live just steps away from campus, we can help find and score some of the best apartments in Austin.

Whether you’re looking for a short term or long-term lease, we can provide the very latest listings in whatever neighborhood(s) you’re interested in, and vet them too according to your preferences and requirements. Paired with our expert insider knowledge and bona-fide connections, we’ll make the entire process of finding an apartment near UT Austin easier, so that you can worry less and enjoy the ride!

Prefer to buy instead?

Check out our UT Housing home search tool to find houses for sale near West Campus, and many of the other neighborhoods listed above!