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12 Best College Neighborhoods in Austin, TX 2025

July 17, 2025

Are you looking to make the most of your time in college? Learn about the best college neighborhoods in Austin.

The best college neighborhoods in Austin are West Campus for walkability, Riverside for nightlife, and Hyde Park for a quieter, residential feel close to campus. This guide will help you dig deeper into what makes each neighborhood unique so you can find the right fit for your lifestyle, budget, and academic goals.

If you’re not sure where or how to start your search, we’ve got you covered. We collected our most recent data from July 2025 to explore some of Austin’s best college neighborhoods and how to choose the right one.

What Makes a Good College Neighborhood?

A good college neighborhood offers easy transportation, affordable rent, and plenty of things to do nearby. Factors including convenience, cost, and lifestyle are essential when choosing where to live during school. We'll take a deep dive into the characteristics that make a good college neighborhood.

Walkability

The most walkable college neighborhood in Austin is West Campus, thanks to its close proximity to UT, bike-friendly streets, and dense mix of shops, restaurants, and student housing. However, not all of Austin’s neighborhoods are considered walkable.

If you're looking for true walkability in Austin, you’ll want to stray away from traditionally residential neighborhoods. These neighborhoods generally lack easy access to amenities, attractions, and public transit. So, you’ll need a car to enjoy everything Austin has to offer.

If you don’t want to deal with the hassle of owning a car, check out neighborhoods that offer a solid mix of residential and commercial areas. Downtown Austin and many close by neighborhoods offer grocery stores, laundromats, gyms, and eateries within walking distance. You’ll also find that these neighborhoods are well-served by public transit routes, so getting around will be a breeze.

Entertainment

Riverside is one of the best college neighborhoods in Austin for entertainment, offering a mix of live music venues, bars, food trucks, and late-night spots popular with students. While you don’t need to attend every party, you should take the time to explore the city and engage in some solid rest and relaxation.

So, whether you have fun walking around parks or nursing a drink while listening to live music, find a neighborhood that puts the fun within walking distance.

Take the time to research offerings that match your recreation and entertainment preferences. For example, if you enjoy outdoor recreation, like running or cycling, the neighborhood surrounding Austin’s Zilker Park might be a great fit for you.

If your classes are being held virtually or you don’t mind a lengthy commute, you may find that some of the cities near Austin better meet your entertainment and recreation preferences.

Discounts

The best Austin neighborhoods for student discounts are West Campus, North Campus, and Dawson, where many rentals are geared toward college students. If you’re strapped for cash or simply love a good deal, narrow down your neighborhood search options to those that are known as student neighborhoods.

These neighborhoods will often have apartments that are commonly rented to students, so landlords advertise student discounts to attract more student applicants. If you focus on finding student discounts, you may end up saving on rent or enjoying waived fees or deposits on your new home.

If you can’t find any student discounts, broaden your search to include move-in specials which offer the same benefits.

SXSW South by Southwest Annual music, film, and interactive conference and festival.

12 Best College Neighborhoods in Austin

Austin is a large city with tons of unique neighborhoods, so it’s essential to narrow down your options early on. That way, you’ll avoid becoming overwhelmed by the sheer volume of viable neighborhoods.

We’ve got you covered! Here’s a look at the best college neighborhoods in Austin.

Neighborhood	2‑Bedroom Avg Rent	Walk Score	Transit Score	Crime Grade	Proximity to Campus	Best For
West Campus	$2,300	92	65	C‑ (low violent crime, minor non‑violent incidents)	Adjacent to UT	Students wanting walkable, campus-adjacent living
Riverside	$1,800	63–79	50–52	D – 17th–20th percentile	2–3 mi south of UT	Nightlife and mixed-use living
Hyde Park	$1,900	78–79	54–56	Mixed—mostly safe, some concerns	1 mi north of UT	Quiet residential, grad students & pros
Bouldin Creek	$1,700	70	40–45	B	2 mi south of Downtown	Young professionals, historic charm
Clarksville	$2,000	75	45	B–C	Adjacent to Downtown	Trendy, historic, walkable mix
Dawson	$1,650	55–60	62	35–40	4 mi south of UT	Students (esp. St. Edward's) wanting budget
Downtown	$2,500	90	70	B–C	Central	Urban, nightlife, transit users
East Riverside-Oltorf	$1,600	63–79	45–50	C-D	3 mi south of Downtown	Budget renters, mixed-use space
North Campus	$2,200	89	65	B	Adjacent to UT	Students wanting quieter campus proximity
Rosedale	$2,000	65	45	B–C (≈60th percentile)	Adjacent to UT Austin campus	Families, grad students seeking community

1. Bouldin Creek

If you’re looking for a bit of Austin history, Bouldin Creek is a quiet little neighborhood that doubles as one of the oldest parts of the city.

Bouldin Creek is brimming with youthful residents. The neighborhood is a great match for college students looking to expand their circle and meet other students and young professionals. The neighborhood is adjacent to South Congress Avenue and within walking distance to many of Downtown Austin’s top attractions.

So, whether you’re looking to enjoy a night of bar-hopping or spend a day exploring the city’s main attractions, Bouldin Creek provides the perfect starting position.

2. Clarksville

Clarksville sits right next to Austin’s bustling downtown center but is a quiet, little enclave that keeps its residents shielded from the hustle and bustle.

The neighborhood boasts a rich history and can be found on the National Register of Historic Places. That said, Clarksville has undergone significant gentrification in recent years, with many older structures removed in favor of new developments.

Today, the neighborhood has a trendy vibe, with plenty of bars, restaurants, and cafés to keep residents entertained.

Students will appreciate the neighborhood’s diversity, architecture, and prime location. Getting some fresh air in Clarksville is as simple as heading out to the nearby Zilker Park, a beautiful green space to bask in the Austin sun.

3. Dawson

Situated in South Austin, Dawson is a bit of a blast from the past. The neighborhood is bursting with architecture from a bygone era, though a few touches of modernism peeking through.

Dawson brings many of Austin’s young professionals and students to mix with long-term residents and families. So, you’ll find a little bit of everything around Austin.

You can enjoy some time perusing some of the neighborhood’s dining options — there are quite a few.

If you’ll be renting as a student in this Dawson, you’ll likely find a few student discounts as the neighborhood is near St. Edward's University. Every little bit can help to keep your cost of living in Austin lower.

That said, you’ll need to consider your commute, especially if you attend a different university in the city. It’s a good idea to have a car when living in this neighborhood, but you can also get around pretty easily on a bike.

4. Downtown

Like pretty much every downtown center, Downtown Austin offers renters the best of the best when it comes to amenities, nightlife, attractions, and housing options.

As a student, you’ll find the neighborhood puts you right in the middle of all the action, so you’ll never have to stray too far away to find a good time. It is more expensive, and also filled with young professionals settling into the Austin lifestyle.

Moreover, Downtown Austin is one of the city’s best-served neighborhoods when it comes to public transit options. You’ll appreciate this when you’re running late for your 8 am classes.

Outside of school, you’ll enjoy proximity to live music venues, art galleries, museums, restaurants, shops, and much more. While you’ll pay a little more for rent, the price will be well worth it to live in one of the best neighborhoods in Austin.

Austin, Texas, USA downtown skyline over the Colorado River.

5. East Riverside - Oltorf

East Riverside – Oltorf is one of Austin’s more expansive neighborhoods, located in the city’s south quarter, not too far from Downtown.

As a student, you’ll need to exercise some caution if you choose to live in East Riverside. Although the neighborhood has undergone extensive development and will likely become one of Austin’s premier neighborhoods in the coming decade, it’s still a little rough around the edges. The area is also seeing ongoing redevelopment with new shops, apartments, and bike lanes.

Disclaimer aside, East Riverside – Oltorf boasts lower rent prices, access to main highways, and close proximity to Austin’s Zilker Park.

On your off days, you can enjoy some of the neighborhood’s ethnic restaurants, shops, and other local small businesses.

6. Hyde Park

Hyde Park is an Austin neighborhood that plays host to many University of Texas students, alongside long-term residents and families.

The neighborhood is the classic residential sort with white picket fences, single-family homes, and professors strolling along Hyde Park’s streets. Some new rentals have popped up, which are appealing to grad students or professionals.

You won’t find many shops or a thriving nightlife scene in Hyde Park, as the historic neighborhood is residential to its core. Fortunately, a short walk, bike, or bus ride will get you to nearby attractions.

As a student living in the neighborhood, you’ll enjoy Hyde Park’s quiet and unrushed feel. It’s very much a small town located within a big city.

7. North Campus

Considered one of the best Austin neighborhoods, North Campus is filled with University of Texas students. It’s considered one of the quieter, less competitive housing options for students who want to live near the university.

The neighborhood is walkable, bikeable, and has a few shuttle and bus routes to help students get around. For the most part, there’s no real need to own a vehicle if you live in this neighborhood and attend UT. North Campus also offers a ton of housing options, including some in new developments that boast some impressive amenities.

You really can’t go wrong with North Campus as a college neighborhood, as parks, grocery stores, restaurants, and entertainment options are all easily accessible. Not to mention, you’ll be surrounded by other UT students and staff, so it’s a great place to make some connections.

8. Rosedale

Rosedale is another one of Austin’s older neighborhoods. You won’t find tons of high-rises or hipster cafes in the area, but Rosedale’s excellent safety rating, sprawling parks, and beautiful architecture make it a great option for college students looking to become a part of a community.

Although you won’t find a ton of undergraduate students in Rosedale, graduate students and young professionals who are looking to establish themselves in the area tend to make the neighborhood their home.

While you don’t need a car in Rosedale, it would certainly make getting around easier. Rosedale’s location provides easy access to some of Austin’s most prominent highways, so you won’t have to add too much time to your commute.

9. South Congress

If you’re moving to Austin, you’ve probably heard of South Congress or SoCo, as it is known as the city’s premier neighborhood. It’s known for its trendiness and laid-back vibe. It’s not surprising that SoCo regularly rates as one of the most popular neighborhoods in Austin, so you’ll need to have a large rent budget and some time to land an apartment in this neighborhood.

You’ll find no shortage of food trucks, restaurants, and other delectable food venues. If you enjoy a good night out on the town, SoCo offers a ton of bars and late-night eateries to choose from, but many residents choose to take a quick walk to Downtown Austin for late-night shenanigans.

On the upside, you’ll be able to burn some additional calories walking through this thriving neighborhood. Just be aware that South Congress is pretty congested during the day, so you’ll need to take that into account when planning your commute to and from campus.

10. St. Edwards

St Edwards is a popular neighborhood for young professionals, students, and an arts community. Most students in St. Edwards attend the nearby St. Edward's University, so it’s a great place to live if you attend the university and are interested in meeting other students off-campus.

The neighborhood is beautiful, as most residents take pride in maintaining their homes. Even the streets look as if they could be used in a magazine shoot. You’ll find St. Edwards residents taking full advantage of their gorgeous streets walking, running, or cycling around.

It’s also pretty easy to get around, as St. Edwards is near enough to one of Austin’s major interstates and highways. Additionally, students can be found riding buses on one of the neighborhood’s many public transit routes.

11. West Campus

West Campus is the result of city zoning changes in the past two decades. The relatively new neighborhood was designed to offer University of Texas students and staff a residential neighborhood near the main campus. There's also high-end student housing, including Inspire on 22nd and The Nine.

West Campus offers tons of housing options, from bungalows to new-builds, so be sure to take your time during your apartment hunt.

As a student living in the neighborhood, you’ll enjoy living within walking distance to many campus buildings and Texas attractions. If you prefer to get around on your own two wheels, the neighborhood is notably bike-friendly with designated bike lanes.

However, you’ll be living near many of the university’s fraternity and sorority houses, so you may not get a ton of peace and quiet.

12. Zilker

One of Zilker’s most notable features is its sprawling parks and green spaces. It’s a great neighborhood for students who enjoy the outdoors and want to take advantage of Austin’s warm weather.

Zilker Park plays host to the Austin City Limits Music Festival, Trail of Lights, and the Zilker Holiday Tree, so there’s fun for every season. Moreover, you’ll be located within walking distance, so there’s no need to worry about parking or transportation when you attend these events.

As a student, you may enjoy Zilker’s nightlife scene, shopping options, and restaurants. Though you may not find the neighborhood’s high rent prices as enjoyable, but renting with roommates can help you keep costs down.

Music bar on Sixth Street in Austin Texas during St Patricks day in March 2019

Final Thoughts

Of course, finding an apartment doesn’t have to be all work. In fact, if you use the right strategy, finding an apartment in a safe area and great college neighborhood can be simple. Start your apartment search with Apartment List to learn firsthand how easy finding your dream home can be.

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If Austin doesn't seem like the right place for you, consider other places to live in Texas.

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FAQs About Best College Neighborhoods in Austin

Which Austin neighborhood is best for students without a car?

West Campus is the top choice for car-free students. With a Walk Score of 88 and excellent transit access to UT Austin, it’s easy to get around on foot, by bike, or via MetroBus.

What’s the most affordable college neighborhood in Austin with decent amenities?

Riverside offers below-average rents and still scores well for parks, food options, and bus access to campus. It’s especially popular with students at Austin Community College and those splitting rent with roommates.

Are there quiet neighborhoods close to Austin colleges?

Hyde Park is known for its quieter vibe while still being close to UT Austin. It’s ideal for grad students or undergrads who prioritize sleep and study over nightlife.

How do I avoid student-heavy party zones in Austin?

If you’re not into the party scene, avoid housing close to Guadalupe Street in West Campus. Instead, check out neighborhoods like North Loop or East MLK—still convenient to campus but calmer after dark.