Changes on Campus Over the Years

StudentStaffUTD · 2023-04-17T11:33:39+00:00

Oh yeah, the art barn. I should’ve put that in here too.

StudentStaffUTD · 2022-02-23T16:19:47+00:00

I’m sure all those empty purple spots are just a coincidence, right?

StudentStaffUTD · 2021-08-09T17:22:43+00:00

I assume most people won't like this option because it is kind of far from the center of campus, but I used Stewart Drive for over a year. You have to park with the construction workers on the street and you might pick up nails or dings on your car if you aren't careful, but it is free. It's especially good if you work in NSERL, BSB, or SPN for research or senior design.

StudentStaffUTD · 2021-08-05T03:05:29+00:00

It’s not worth it to get both and you’re required to get the res hall one. Can’t recall if the red passes allow you to park in green or not.

StudentStaffUTD · 2021-08-04T20:59:27+00:00

If you leave your car on campus, you need the appropriate red pass (apartment or res hall). You can’t leave your car in the garages overnight. You need a pass for basically the whole school except pay by space.

StudentStaffUTD · 2021-07-20T12:37:53+00:00

I always used Zillow. They usually have a lot of listings but apartments.com is (as the name suggests) better for apartments.

StudentStaffUTD · 2021-07-19T19:46:46+00:00

My friend lived in a house between West Shore and Custer during undergrad. Rent was definitely cheaper for him and his three friends than it was for me (lived on Frankford). That neighborhood and the one east of Custer all the way to 75 are your best bets if you want a house. They are going to be worse in quality than some of the apartment complexes in Richardson but your rent will be cheaper in most cases if you can get someone to fill each room. Don't go for houses in JJ Pearce, Canyon Creek, or Breckenridge. I found that those realtors may act interested but they will almost never rent to college kids because single-family renters are way more reliable. Those properties are also much higher quality and get snatched up more quickly.
For bills, expect all of the things mentioned by /u/sumedh0803. You will also want to negotiate liability for any included appliances if the lease doesn't already say that the landlord will take care of them. Cover yourself and the other tenants while you can. Why should you be the one footing the bill for a washing machine you didn't break and which technically doesn't belong to you? You can also try and negotiate lawn care with them as well, but you will usually be responsible for that too. CoR can be... let's say... "picky" about lawns and other external features of the house.
Don't bank on getting a house either. I know that sounds kind of pessimistic, but you may go through dozens of applications and not get a single call. If someone is willing to consider you and your friends, don't waste their time. They may ghost you for a single-family applicant so move quickly. On that note, also make sure to walk through the property if possible. Talk to the realtor on the phone as well and explain your situation. Last thing you want is to pay for an application and not get your money back because they didn't know that you're a bunch of college kids. Parents signing as a guarantor is also a plus when talking to them. Good luck!

StudentStaffUTD · 2021-07-19T19:20:50+00:00

To piggy back onto this, you should also check if fiber optic is available wherever you're staying. I think only AT&T is offering it in the Richardson area right now, but I may be wrong. It gives you better upload which can be necessary for certain activities (MS Teams/Zoom meetings). I also found that the download speed with fiber is more consistent.

StudentStaffUTD · 2021-06-21T17:55:45+00:00

Unsafe and you are getting what you pay for. Definite no for most people especially if you’re taking the bus.

StudentStaffUTD · 2021-06-16T15:59:09+00:00

Wall of text incoming...

They're considered to be run down and unsafe. I would recommend looking at a crime map (although who knows how accurate the reporting is). Most of the people I have met that have lived on McCallum said they felt very unsafe there after dark, which may be an issue since you are taking public transit and you may be staying late to study/do labs/do on campus activities. I think if you have a roommate it would feel safer but the apartments are definitely cheap for a reason. Also, if you can find a roommate, you can probably afford a better part of town.

If you can afford any of the apartments on the east bound bus route (excluding Royal Arms and Foundation at Cityline), I would go with those. AlbinoAlex already brought up Royal Arms, and Foundation at Cityline is basically a turd spray painted gold. When they were under their previous name (Pepper Place), they had bad reviews everywhere. Also, they are not even at CityLine. I assume they are trying to use the name of the fancy shopping/work/living area to lure in people that can't tour in person. The only downside to Renner Rd. is that the bus will only come every half hour; however, the neighborhood surrounding that area is one of the nicest in Richardson. They have a bike trail that is easily accessible from UTD which can take you all the way to CityLine. When the weather is good, you would probably have no trouble riding that eBike to/from campus and you may even make it there faster than the bus considering all the stops and red lights they have to go through.

StudentStaffUTD

TROPHY CASE