6.5 out of 10

University of Texas

Ranked 32nd best neighborhood in Austin
30.2844016129384 -97.7328569102568
Great for
  • Internet Access
  • Eating Out
  • Nightlife
  • Public Transport
  • Gym & Fitness
Not great for
  • Lack of Traffic
  • Parking
  • Childcare
  • Peace & Quiet
  • Resale or Rental Value
Who lives here?
  • Students
  • Singles
  • Tourists
  • Hipsters
  • Trendy & Stylish

Reviews

3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 2/5
  • Eating Out 4/5
  • Nightlife 4/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 1/5
  • Parking 1/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 5/5
  • Childcare 3/5
2yrs+

"Having a city as your campus is a unique but fulfilling experience!"

I went to college in New York City, myself, and it was a strange experience compared to that of my friends who'd gone to smaller schools with more traditional, closed campuses. UT reminds me a lot of that experience, and if the 50,000 (give or take) students enrolled at any given time are any indication, it's a surprisingly popular way to get your education on while exploring and taking advantage of everything a great city has to offer.

You’re going to want to ditch the automobile and get a bike or a transit pass for getting around easily. Parking and traffic are both a nightmare in the neighborhood, but it’s an easy place for a commuter to live, with ample access to shopping, nightlife, restaurants, and entertainment. Some students might prefer to commute in from other parts of town, but part of the college experience is living as close to the center of the action as you can manage. On the other hand, once you’re through with your own college days, you’ll probably find yourself wanting to move into a more adult neighborhood—and hopefully, you’ll have had the opportunity to explore Austin well enough to find the best fit for you.
Pros
  • Walking distance to everything
  • Wonderful public transportation
Cons
  • Practically no parking
  • Little reason to be there if you're not a UT student
Recommended for
  • Students
3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 1/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 5/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 3/5
  • Gym & Fitness 5/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 1/5
  • Parking 1/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 1/5
  • Public Transport 4/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 2/5
2yrs+

"Living at the Flagship University of the State of Texas"

Located in the heart of the city of Austin, the University of Texas at Austin is the flagship institution of higher learning in the state and home to large percentage of the 50,000+ students from all over the world who attend school here. There are a number of options for students living here including dorms, apartments, and other options that are generally much lower in price than surrounding areas, but you also don't have the quiet or privacy of those areas either. Most of the living quarters are designed for singles, though there are some accommodations for single parents and small families attending the university. Inquire at least a year ahead of time as these living quarters are difficult to get.

You don't need a car if you live here, there is public transportation either by bus or rail with Capitol Metro, and fact is if you have a car you probably will not be able to find a parking space anyway. It's close to some of the best entertainment in the entire state with the clubs and live music venues of 6th Street close by and lots of dining options. Taking a trip down Guadalupe Street also know as “The Drag” and you'll find Tex-Mex, Chinese, and fine dining options along with the usual burgers, pizzas, and hot dogs you'll find near almost any college campus in the country.
Pros
  • great live music venues close by
  • Everything within walking distance
  • Unique restaurants and shops
  • Walking distance to everything
  • Wonderful public transportation
  • Quirky stores and restaurants
Cons
  • Practically no parking
  • Good only fo students
  • Little reason to be there if you're not a UT student
  • Loud student living
  • Parking is horrible
Recommended for
  • Singles
  • Tourists
  • Students
3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 2/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 1/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 5/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 4/5
  • Gym & Fitness 5/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 1/5
  • Parking 1/5
  • Cost of Living 1/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
2yrs+

"Full-blown college experience"

The University of Texas (UT) is located in the heart of central Austin and contributes significantly to the nature and personality of this town. The campus comprises over 350 acres in the center, and with about 50,000 students attending school here, back in the day, the university contributed a significant portion of the population of Austin.

The neighborhood surrounding UT is dominated by, not surprisingly, students and student housing. On-campus housing is available in the numerous dormitories located throughout the campus, and approximately 20 percent of students choose to live in them. Opinions vary widely about which are the best, but several have distinct characteristics. Jester is the most well-known and the largest dormitory; it occupies an entire city block and houses around 3,000 students. San Jacinto and Duren are the newest dorms, and therefore most popular. Two dormitories (Kinsolving and Littlefield) are women only, and Creekside is male only. Its best to take the tours offered and talk to other students to determine which is the best fit.

On campus housing is popular with students who enjoy living immersed in the college experience. Keep in mind that dormitory living is often loud, not particularly clean, there are often drunken fools on the weekends (well, mostly on the weekends) and you generally do not get to choose who you live with. But it is convenient, many have dining halls, and all come with a meal plan. While most students chose not to live in a dormitory for their entire college experience, many hold the opinion that it is important to experience it for at least one’s freshman year.

Of course, UT being in the center of Austin means every possible amenity is close by, almost all within walking distance. Guadalupe, or “the Drag” as the stretch along campus is known, contains restaurants, retail shops, bars, coffee shops, tattoo parlors…you name it. It’s easy to get around without a car in this area (and anyway, parking is VERY scarce) and the buses run regularly if you need to get farther afield. Convenience does come at a price, however, with monthly rates averaging around $1,000 – and that’s with a shared community bathroom. Still, you only get to experience college once, so it may be worth it just for the memories.
Pros
  • Everything within walking distance
  • Unique restaurants and shops
  • Walking distance to everything
  • Wonderful public transportation
Cons
  • Loud student living
  • Traffic on Guadalupe
  • Practically no parking
Recommended for
  • Students
3/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 3/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 3/5
  • Peace & Quiet 2/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 5/5
  • Parks & Recreation 3/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 1/5
  • Parking 1/5
  • Cost of Living 4/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 3/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 4/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 1/5
2yrs+

"The University and its Dorms"

The University of Texas neighborhood is pretty much the sum of its name. It is the campus, which includes its dorms. Living here is pretty much impossible and to be avoided if you are not a student. During and outside of the rush hour, Guadalupe and Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd. become congested with traffic and the tons of student pedestrians that do not follow the crosswalk laws do not help the situation. The Drag is along Guadalupe and contains many shops, stores bars, restaurants and music venues. Some local favorites include Hole in the Wall, Kerby Lane Cafe and the Mellow Mushroom. Don't bother bringing your car here as there is no place to park.

Getting a room in the dorms is hard even for enrolled students as there is not enough on campus space for all 50,000 or so students. Many have to get onto a waiting list and if they have no luck they have to look elsewhere in the surrounding neighborhoods. Along MLK is the Blanton Museum of Art, Austin largest museum, which has an impressive permanent collection and hosts some truly amazing exhibits. The Bob Bullock State History Museum across the street has an IMAX theater that attracts residents from all over the city and the Mike Meyers Stadium hosts football games that draw crowds of up to 50,000 people. Safe to say, the University of Texas community is a student's world.
Pros
  • Walking distance to everything
  • Unique restaurants and shops
  • Wonderful public transportation
Cons
  • Good only fo students
  • Practically no parking
Recommended for
  • Students
4/5 rating details
  • Neighborly Spirit 4/5
  • Safe & Sound 4/5
  • Clean & Green 4/5
  • Pest Free 4/5
  • Peace & Quiet 2/5
  • Eating Out 5/5
  • Nightlife 5/5
  • Parks & Recreation 4/5
  • Shopping Options 5/5
  • Gym & Fitness 4/5
  • Internet Access 5/5
  • Lack of Traffic 1/5
  • Parking 1/5
  • Cost of Living 3/5
  • Resale or Rental Value 2/5
  • Public Transport 5/5
  • Medical Facilities 3/5
  • Schools 4/5
  • Childcare 1/5
2yrs+

"Mostly UT campus"

This is UT central—where all the students are. And if you’re not a student, you probably want to avoid this area at all costs. Parking is limited, as are residential options (unless you’re in the dorms, of course). There are a lot of fun, quirky restaurants and stores along Guadalupe (aka The Drag), including the Dobie Mall. There used to be an awesome movie theater here with three themed screening rooms, but alas, they closed in 2010. Every semester, the area seems to get more and more corporate, and then you look back two semesters ago and long for the “good times.” On the corner of Guadalupe and 21st, you’ll find an iconic mural painted by indie rocker Daniel Johnston. A big, primitive line drawing of a alien-ish frog with “Hi, how are you” painted underneath, it’s become the cause célèbre for locals who want to preserve it from the ever-changing commerce that resides inside of the building. It used to be an awesome independent record store, but now it’s a chain sushi bar. The times, they are a changin’. However, there is hope that no matter what turn for the worse the economy takes or how mainstream brainwashed the new crop of UT freshmen are, this area will always remain one of the hippest areas in Austin.
Pros
  • Everything within walking distance
  • Quirky stores and restaurants
Cons
  • Little reason to be there if you're not a UT student
  • Parking is horrible
Recommended for
  • Singles
  • Tourists
  • Hipsters
  • Students
  • Trendy & Stylish

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