What's housing like for the UT students?

[EzPeterson]

$300 in 1985 is actually over $620 today.

Unless that same apartment is renting for $2500 per month (it's not), it's actually cheaper and easier to live near campus than it was in 1985.

[wehotex]

Originally Posted by EzPeterson

$300 in 1985 is actually over $620 today.

Unless that same apartment is renting for $2500 per month (it's not), it's actually cheaper and easier to live near campus than it was in 1985.

As I mentioned, we were gouged! We all knew it. That's why i only stayed there one year.

[Westerner92]

I actually live in West Campus, and though I'm not exactly fond of it, its convenience to campus has kept me there for the time being since I like to be involved. I split a bedroom in an older complex to keep costs down since I don't come from a background that allows me to drop $1000/month/bedroom on rent, other bills, and parking in a brand new building (about half of West Campus is like that). According to a recruiter I know, because of the top X% rule and general increased competitiveness, UT has had a demographic shift where the average income of students' families has skyrocketed, so luxury apartments near campus don't have a problem filling up. Plenty of people on a smaller budget like me can live there with a little forethought. You just have to start looking 8-10 months in advance and/or get a good property finder. North Campus and Hyde Park are less convenient, but plenty of students live there at a relatively reasonable price. As far as Riverside goes, students that live there seem to avoid doing anything there except sleeping. You pray your apartment never has any problems because they won't be fixed by the slumlords.

[wehotex]

Originally Posted by Westerner92

I actually live in West Campus, and though I'm not exactly fond of it, its convenience to campus has kept me there for the time being since I like to be involved. I split a bedroom in an older complex to keep costs down since I don't come from a background that allows me to drop $1000/month/bedroom on rent, other bills, and parking in a brand new building (about half of West Campus is like that). According to a recruiter I know, because of the top X% rule and general increased competitiveness, UT has had a demographic shift where the average income of students' families has skyrocketed, so luxury apartments near campus don't have a problem filling up. Plenty of people on a smaller budget like me can live there with a little forethought. You just have to start looking 8-10 months in advance and/or get a good property finder. North Campus and Hyde Park are less convenient, but plenty of students live there at a relatively reasonable price. As far as Riverside goes, students that live there seem to avoid doing anything there except sleeping. You pray your apartment never has any problems because they won't be fixed by the slumlords.

How much is your monthly rent? Has the "austin hype" affected rents in your opinion? My roommates were from high income Connecticut, high income Chicago and low income Arkansas, pretty demographically spread. We were the exception. Back then, the in-state tuition and fees was about $350-400 per semester for 12-15 hours. The out-of-state tuition and fees was about $1,200 or so, much higher but still competitive with the tuition of their home states. They all really liked Austin and it wasn't nearly as heavily promoted as it is now. I can't imagine that it's gotten any easier with the factors that you mentioned.

[Westerner92]

Originally Posted by wehotex

How much is your monthly rent? Has the "austin hype" affected rents in your opinion? My roommates were from high income Connecticut, high income Chicago and low income Arkansas, pretty demographically spread. We were the exception. Back then, the in-state tuition and fees was about $350-400 per semester for 12-15 hours. The out-of-state tuition and fees was about $1,200 or so, much higher but still competitive with the tuition of their home states. They all really liked Austin and it wasn't nearly as heavily promoted as it is now. I can't imagine that it's gotten any easier with the factors that you mentioned.

I pay less than $400, but most pay $750-1000 (the low end is for an individual bedroom in a four bedroom apartment, high end is a one bedroom apartment). I can't imagine the areas neighboring campus have much appeal to non-students, so I don't think any hype around Austin has affected prices per se. If UT were in downtown San Antonio with limited space, I could see there being similar prices. Granted, I'm still new to paying bills, so I could be completely off.

I'm very fortunate in that I got tuition covered through scholarships, but those tuition prices still make me envious.

[MtnLion512]

Originally Posted by wehotex

Outrageous!!! When I lived at 801 W 24th in 1985, it was $1,200/mo for a 2 BR for 4 people ($300 each). Of course, a dollar went a lot further back then. It was considered overpriced back then and roach infested to boot, but we were paying for the convenience of walking to campus and being in the middle of everything. I suppose that it's relative since $500 now is probably what $300 was then. Hyde Park/No campus in 1985 was where the graduate students lived (more serious). I guess that they're probably priced out by now .

Nope, that is indeed still where most of them live. I was a grad student there last year. Also had friends in Far West (too far!), the Triangle, Clarksville and Tarrytown.

[wehotex]

Originally Posted by MtnLion512

Nope, that is indeed still where most of them live. I was a grad student there last year. Also had friends in Far West (too far!), the Triangle, Clarksville and Tarrytown.

Glad to hear it.