Question 1

What's the difference between a University Heights home and a student apartment?

Accepted Answer

A University Heights home is an actual house or townhome. You get your own front door, a full kitchen with a pantry, a large living room, a backyard, and a 2-car garage, with no one living above or below you. A student apartment usually puts you in a larger building closer to campus, with smaller living spaces and shared hallways. You still get student life at University Heights, with a pool, courts, a dog park, and about 30 resident events a year.

Question 2

How is it different from renting a house from a private landlord closer to campus?

Accepted Answer

You'd get a similar amount of space and maybe a shorter commute, but most house rentals in College Station use a joint lease, so you can be responsible for a roommate's rent if they don't pay. Maintenance depends on that one landlord, and there's usually no leasing office, no after-hours emergency line, and no amenities. University Heights is professionally managed by The Arena Group, with an on-site leasing office at 3612 Kenyon Drive. You get an individual lease, an in-house maintenance team that averages under 2 business days per work order, and an after-hours emergency line at (979) 243-5124.

Question 3

Do I get my own bedroom and bathroom?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every resident has a private bedroom. Every floor plan has a private bathroom for each bedroom except the 4x3 House, where two bedrooms have private bathrooms and two bedrooms share the third.

Question 4

How much space will I have?

Accepted Answer

University Heights homes range from 1,514 to 1,974 square feet for three or four residents, with 10-foot ceilings, a full kitchen with a pantry, a living room, and covered patios. That's the whole home, not each bedroom, but it's typically much more shared space than a student apartment.

Question 5

Can I have a yard and a dog?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every home has a backyard, and University Heights is pet-friendly, with a dog park in the neighborhood. Pets have a $25 PetScreening fee, a one-time $325 pet fee, and $25 a month in pet rent.

Question 6

Where do I park?

Accepted Answer

Every home has a 2-car garage, so you won't be circling a parking lot or paying for a parking garage.

Question 7

Is the lease individual, like an apartment?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every bedroom has its own individual lease, so you're only responsible for your own rent. That's rare for a house. Leases run 12 months, from August 10 through July 31.

Question 8

Are the homes furnished?

Accepted Answer

No. University Heights homes are unfurnished, so you can bring your own bedroom furniture. Every home includes a 55-inch TV, a refrigerator, stove, microwave, dishwasher, and a full-size washer and dryer.

Question 9

What do I give up compared to an apartment complex?

Accepted Answer

Mainly walking to class and an indoor gym. University Heights is 2.8 miles from campus, so you'll drive or take the bus. Instead of an on-site gym, residents get a discounted $45-a-month all-inclusive membership at Stone Co. Climbing, with a fitness center, bouldering walls, and 16 weekly yoga classes.

Question 10

How far is University Heights from campus?

Accepted Answer

University Heights is 2.8 miles from Texas A&M, about 8 minutes by car. University Heights has its own stop on Texas A&M bus Route 41 (Good Bull), and Route 40-41 runs on breaks, nights, and weekends. H-E-B and Chick-fil-A at Jones Crossing are about 5 minutes away.

Question 11

Is it more expensive than an apartment?

Accepted Answer

Rent at University Heights is $670 to $740 per bedroom, with basic cable and internet included. Most residents pay about $756 to $856 a month in total, including utilities and the Resident Benefits Package. See the full breakdown on our monthly cost page.

Question 12

Who is University Heights best for, and who should choose an apartment?

Accepted Answer

University Heights is best for students who want space, a yard, a garage, room for a pet, and an individual lease, and who are fine driving or taking the bus to campus. Groups of friends who want to live together in a real house usually love it. If walking to class every day or having an indoor gym downstairs matters most, an apartment near campus may be a better fit.

	University Heights home	Student apartment near campus	Privately rented house near campus
Setting	A neighborhood of student houses and townhomes, 2.8 miles from campus	An apartment building or complex, often walkable to campus	A house in an established neighborhood, often with families and long-time residents
Neighbors	Nobody above or below you	Students above, below, and beside you	Nobody above or below you
Space	1,514–1,974 sq. ft. homes with full kitchens, pantries, and 10-foot ceilings	Often more compact	Varies by house
Yard, garage, and pets	A backyard and 2-car garage with every home. Pet-friendly.	Usually no yard or garage. Dogs are harder.	Often a yard. Pet rules vary by landlord.
Lease	Individual lease for every bedroom	Individual lease	Usually a joint lease
Furnished	Unfurnished, with a 55-inch TV and all major appliances	Often furnished	Usually unfurnished
Management and maintenance	On-site leasing office, in-house maintenance team, after-hours emergency line	On-site staff	Depends on the landlord. Often no on-site office or after-hours line.
Amenities	Pool, basketball court, lit pickleball court, dog park, pond, and about 30 resident events a year	Often a pool, indoor gym, and study rooms	Usually none
Getting to campus	2.8 miles. Drive or take Route 41 (Good Bull) from the neighborhood's own stop.	Often closest, sometimes walkable	Varies
Rent	$670–$740 per bedroom, with cable and internet included	Varies by location. Often higher closer to campus.	Varies by house and landlord

House or apartment: which is right for you?

University Heights vs. a student apartment vs. a privately rented house