Here’s the thing about South Congress Square: it’s one of the few properties on South Congress Avenue where the rent actually matches the location. I analyzed 49+ reviews across Google, ApartmentRatings, Apartments.com, VeryApt, and Yelp—and the pattern is clear. This is a value play in one of Austin’s most expensive corridors.
But there’s a trade-off you need to know about before you sign. We’ll get there.
First, let me show you why this property consistently draws long-term residents—some who’ve stayed 10+ years—and whether it’s actually worth your time.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 500 South Congress Avenue, Austin, TX 78704 |
| Year Built | 1971 |
| Units | 115 |
| Management | RPM Living |
| Walk Score | 83 (Very Walkable) |
| Transit Score | 61 (Good Transit) |
| Pet Policy | Dogs & cats welcome, 2 max, $400 non-refundable + $20/month |
| Parking | Surface lot included, covered available |
| Utilities | Gas, trash, electric INCLUDED |
| Current Special | 1 month free on 12-month lease |
Best For / Skip If
Best for:
- Remote workers who want walkable SoCo access
- Budget-conscious professionals prioritizing location over finishes
- People comfortable with shared laundry
- Anyone who values quiet, long-term resident communities
Look elsewhere if:
- In-unit laundry is non-negotiable
- You want brand-new construction with modern amenities
- You prefer guaranteed resident-only buildings (one Airbnb concern noted)
Location: The Real Selling Point
Let’s be honest: you’re paying for the address. And at South Congress Square, that address delivers.
Walk Score gives this spot an 83—Very Walkable. That means Jo’s Coffee is a 7-minute walk. Home Slice Pizza is 8 minutes. Güero’s Taco Bar, Bouldin Creek Cafe, and a dozen other SoCo staples are all on foot.
For groceries, you’ve got options. The H-E-B on Oltorf is a 5-minute drive and less chaotic than the S Congress location—better for weeknight runs. Trader Joe’s on W. Oltorf works if that’s more your speed.
The MetroRapid 801 runs down Congress, which gets you downtown in about 15 minutes without dealing with parking. If you’re commuting to the Capitol, UT, or anywhere along the Congress corridor, this is a legitimate car-free option.
Commute reality:
- Downtown: 10-15 minutes
- UT Austin: 15-20 minutes
- The Domain: 25-35 minutes (depends on MoPac traffic)
- Tesla Gigafactory: 25-30 minutes
Worth the walk: Gibson Street Bar is about 8 minutes on foot—solid cocktails, laid-back vibe, and a nice patio when the weather cooperates. In summer, beat the heat at Lick Honest Ice Creams on S Congress (10 minutes). The goat cheese with fig flavor is weirdly amazing.
Crime data: CrimeGrade rates zip code 78704 as a D for violent crime (22nd percentile) and B- for property crime. This is typical for urban South Austin—I’m presenting the data, not editorializing. You can check their breakdown by category yourself.
For more options in this area, see our full list of luxury South Austin apartments you might like better.
Pricing & Net Effective Rent
Here’s where South Congress Square gets interesting. The sticker price looks like any other SoCo apartment. But once you factor in the current special AND the utilities included, the math changes.
Current Pricing (January 2026)
| Floor Plan | Sq Ft | Base Rent | Net Effective (1 mo free) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR/1BA | 713 | $1,226-$1,296 | $1,124-$1,188 |
| 2BR/1BA | 925 | $1,478-$1,538 | $1,355-$1,410 |
The math: $1,226 × 0.9167 (1 month free on select 1BR, 12-month lease) = $1,124 net effective rent
My pick: The 1BR at $1,226 base/$1,124 net effective. At 713 square feet with utilities included, this is genuinely one of the best values on South Congress—and way below what I expected for this location.
TRUE MONTHLY COST (1BR)
This is what you’ll actually pay each month:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Net Effective Rent | $1,124 |
| Pet Rent (if applicable) | $20 |
| Renter’s Insurance | ~$15 |
| Internet | ~$60 |
| Electric/Gas/Trash | INCLUDED |
| ALL-IN ESTIMATE | $1,199-$1,219/month |
Why this matters: For a 1971-era building (Class C), you’d normally budget $140-190/month for electric in summer. That’s baked into the rent here. When you compare to similar-priced properties where you’re paying utilities separately, South Congress Square saves you real money./month for electric in summer. That’s baked into the rent here. When you compare to similar-priced properties where you’re paying utilities separately, South Congress Square saves you real money.
What Residents Actually Say
I analyzed 49+ reviews across 5 platforms. Here’s what the patterns show—not cherry-picked quotes, but genuine themes that appear 3+ times.
Ratings Overview
| Platform | Rating | Reviews | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4.3/5 | 24 | Most recent, most neutral | |
| ApartmentRatings | Positive | 24 | Strong on value/management themes |
| VeryApt | 5.0/5 | 1 | Limited sample |
| Apartments.com | 4.0/5 | 2 | Verified residents |
| Yelp | N/A | 0 | No reviews |
Rating consistency note: Unusually, ratings are consistent across platforms. ApartmentRatings typically skews negative (attracts complainers), but South Congress Square has mostly positive reviews there too. That tells me residents genuinely like living here.
What Residents Love
Location (10+ mentions)
“You can not beat the location. I literally walk to downtown.” “Right in the middle of everything.”
This is the #1 theme. Residents consistently cite walkability to SoCo restaurants, proximity to downtown, and the Bouldin Creek neighborhood vibe.
Value (5+ mentions)
“Best apartment for the price in town!!! Less than a mile from places that charge TWICE as much.” “Price and location you won’t find a better place.”
Multiple long-term residents specifically mention the price-to-location ratio as why they stay.
Management & Staff (4+ mentions)
“Manager of this place is TOPS. Friendly, yet professional. Goes above and beyond.” “Responsive management, pet friendly and great location.”
The current management team under RPM Living gets consistent praise. Our team has worked with RPM properties before—they’re generally solid operators.
Maintenance (4+ mentions)
“Maintenance fixes everything the same day you report a problem.” “The maintenance guy lives on site and is always quick to respond.”
Same-day maintenance is mentioned multiple times. For a 1971 building, that’s critical.
Quiet Community (3+ mentions)
“Complex itself is actually pretty quiet.” “Spacious apartments in a peaceful setting.”
Despite the SoCo location, residents report the interior of the complex is calm.
Long-Term Residents (3+ mentions) Multiple reviews mention neighbors who’ve lived there 10+ years. High retention = good sign.
Common Concerns
No In-Unit Laundry (4+ mentions)
“Only negative is no laundry in units.”
This is the most frequently mentioned downside. The property has two shared laundry rooms—not ideal if you’re used to in-unit washer/dryer.
Older Construction (3+ mentions) Residents acknowledge the 1971 bones. The “SoCo boho-chic” aesthetic (stained concrete floors, exposed brick) appeals to some, not others. No pest complaints, which matters for older buildings.
The Uncomfortable Truth
This is a 1971 property. That’s 54 years old.
The shared laundry is the obvious trade-off—two rooms serve 115 units. Plan your life around laundry room availability, and hope your neighbors don’t leave wet clothes in the washer for hours.
The building itself shows its age in places. Stained concrete floors and exposed brick are marketed as “character,” but some people just want modern finishes. If that’s you, look at newer construction like Crescent (2008) or The Catherine (2015) nearby—but expect to pay $500+ more per month.
One Google review mentioned Airbnb units in the building. Management disputed this, and I couldn’t confirm it’s a pattern. Worth asking about during your tour.
The silver lining: utilities included means you’re not paying $150-190/month extra for an inefficient HVAC system. The management team is responsive, and maintenance is same-day. For this price point in this location, the trade-offs may be worth it.
Nearby Alternatives
If South Congress Square isn’t quite right, here are other options in the same area:
| Property | 1BR Price | Net Effective | Built | Key Differentiator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Congress Square | $1,226-$1,296 | $1,124-$1,188 | 1971 | Utilities included, prime SoCo |
| The Willows | $1,340-$1,750 | ~$1,340 | 1969 | Budget-friendly, similar vintage |
| Crescent | $1,325-$2,920 | Varies | 2008 | Newer construction, wider range |
| SoCo On The Lake | $1,205-$2,305 | ~$1,100-$2,100 | 1972 | Lake views available |
| The Lola | $2,143-$4,716 | ~$2,000+ | 1997 | Higher-end renovated |
The value leader: South Congress Square wins on net effective rent when you factor in utilities included. The Willows is cheaper on paper, but you’ll pay utilities separately.or in utilities included. The Willows is cheaper on paper, but you’ll pay utilities separately.
For more options, check our full list of apartments offering up to 2 months free.
Bottom Line
South Congress Square is the rare SoCo property where you’re not getting fleeced for the zip code.
At $1,124 net effective with utilities included, this is genuinely among the best values on South Congress Avenue. The management team gets consistent praise, maintenance is same-day, and the location is walkable to everything that makes SoCo worth living in.
The catch is the 1971 construction. No in-unit laundry. Shared rooms. Older building character. If you can live with that—or if you genuinely prefer the vintage Austin vibe to cookie-cutter new construction—this property delivers.
My verdict: Strong option for budget-conscious professionals who prioritize location and don’t mind the quirks of older buildings. Skip if in-unit laundry is a dealbreaker.
FAQs
Does South Congress Square have in-unit laundry?
No. There are two shared laundry rooms for 115 units. This is the most common resident complaint. If in-unit washer/dryer is non-negotiable, look elsewhere.
What utilities are included at South Congress Square?
Gas, trash, and electric are all included in rent. This is unusual and saves approximately $140-190/month compared to similar 1970s-era properties where you’d pay utilities separately.
Is South Congress Square pet-friendly?
es. Dogs and cats welcome, maximum 2 pets. There’s a $400 non-refundable pet fee plus $20/month pet rent. No weight limit and no breed restrictions apply.
Pro tip: If you qualify for an ESA designation, you can avoid both the pet deposit and monthly pet rent—that’s $640+ in savings over a 12-month lease.
What is the net effective rent at South Congress Square?
With the current 1-month-free special on a 12-month lease:
2BR: $1,355-$1,410/month net effective
1BR: $1,124-$1,188/month net effective
How is the management at South Congress Square?
Consistently praised across reviews. RPM Living manages the property, and multiple residents mention the manager by name positively. Same-day maintenance response is a common theme.
Is South Congress Square walkable?
Very. Walk Score is 83. Jo’s Coffee, Home Slice Pizza, Güero’s, and dozens of SoCo restaurants are within walking distance. The MetroRapid 801 runs down Congress for downtown commutes.
Are there Airbnbs at South Congress Square?
One Google review mentioned short-term rentals in the building; management disputed this characterization. Worth asking about during your tour if this concerns you.
How does parking work at South Congress Square?
Surface lot parking is included. Covered parking is available for an additional fee. Ask about current availability—covered spots may have a waitlist.
Questions to Ask on Your Tour
Based on the review patterns, here’s what to ask:
- [ ] How many washers/dryers are in the laundry rooms, and what are the busiest times?
- [ ] What’s your policy on short-term rentals like Airbnb?
- [ ] What’s the average maintenance response time currently?
- [ ] What did current residents see at their last lease renewal? What’s a typical increase?
- [ ] Can I see the actual unit I’ll be signing for, not a model?
- [ ] Can you confirm utilities included (gas, trash, electric)?
- [ ] Is covered parking currently available, or is there a waitlist?
Ready to Tour?
South Congress Square could be the right fit—but every renter’s situation is different.
Some people try to navigate Austin apartments on their own and end up spending $500-1,000 on application fees before finding a place that actually works. We know which properties work with specific situations dealing with credit concerns, income requirements, background questions—and our service doesn’t cost you anything. Properties pay us; your rent stays the same.
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