Crest at Pearl Apartments Austin Review: Per-Bed Student Housing Near UT Austin, For Rent
Crest at Pearl shows up constantly in West Campus apartment searches. The pricing by the bed looks competitive. The photos show granite counters and furnished units. And the address puts you within walking distance of UT. As a licensed apartment locator (TX #679806) who tracks pricing across 1,000+ Austin properties, I’ve watched this building generate the same question from parents and students every leasing season: is it worth it?
Here’s what the listing sites won’t tell you. Crest at Pearl has a 3.3 Google rating across 161 reviews, and one issue dominates: 43 of those reviews specifically mention elevator problems. That’s not a one-time inconvenience. That’s a pattern you need to understand before signing an individual lease that locks you in through the academic year.
This review breaks down the real costs, the approval process, and the uncomfortable truths that ACC’s marketing won’t mention.
Quick Facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Address | 706 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, Austin, TX 78701 |
| Year Built | 2014 |
| Total Units | 141 |
| Management | American Campus Communities (ACC) |
| Housing Type | Student housing (individual leases, priced by the bed) |
| Rent Range | $989 – $2,589/bed |
| Lease Term | ~11.5 months (academic calendar, Aug – Jul) |
| Guarantor | Required for all residents |
| Pet Policy | 1 pet max, 40 lbs, $200 deposit + $20/mo pet rent |
| Current Special | $200 off rent for 1 month on 12-month lease; additional concessions up to $415/mo (terms vary by floor plan, contact leasing office) |
| Application Fee | $125 per person |
| Admin Fee | $0 per MLS data (third-party sites list $200; confirm with leasing office) |
| Google Rating | 3.3 stars (161 reviews) |
| Yelp | 22 reviews |
That 3.3 rating sits below most West Campus competitors. The 43 elevator mentions in Google’s own review filters tell you where the complaints pile up. You can also check the ApartmentRatings page for more reviews. I’ll break down whether that pattern should change your decision.
Best For
You’re a UT student who wants to walk to class. Crest at Pearl sits on MLK Blvd at the southern edge of West Campus. UT’s main campus is a 10 to 13 minute walk. The UT shuttle route runs through the area. If cutting your commute to zero is the priority, this location delivers.
You want furnished apartments with individual leases. Every unit comes furnished: full-size bed, sofa, entertainment center, dresser, granite counters, stainless appliances. Individual leases mean you’re only responsible for your own rent, not your roommate’s. If someone skips out, that’s ACC’s problem, not yours. That protection matters more than most students realize until it’s too late.
You’re looking for pricing under $1,100 per bed. A bed in a 4BR/4BA starts at $989/month. A 3BR/3BA runs $1,014 to $1,044/bed. Those are competitive numbers for furnished West Campus housing within walking distance of campus.
You’re a parent who wants gated access and staff on the property. Access gates, gate attendant, fenced community, smoke-free building, on-site manager (Paige P.), and ACC’s corporate team behind it all. That matters if you’re checking on your kid’s living situation from out of state.
Skip If
You have mobility concerns or live on a high floor. The elevator situation at Crest at Pearl is not a minor inconvenience. Outages last days to weeks, sometimes both elevators at the same time. ADA issues come up in the reviews. If stairs are difficult for you, this building has a pattern of forcing you to use them.
You need reliable WiFi for coursework. Multiple reviews describe WiFi outages lasting a full week or longer, with no clear timeline from management on when it’s getting fixed. If your academic work depends on consistent internet access, that’s worth thinking about.
You’re noise-sensitive and might end up facing MLK Blvd. One resident put it directly: “Do not live on the side facing MLK, super loud traffic noise.” Thin walls between units make it worse. West Campus isn’t quiet to begin with, and sitting on a major boulevard adds extra noise that interior units don’t deal with.
Wondering if Crest at Pearl fits your situation?
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Location Deep Dive
What’s Actually Nearby
Crest at Pearl sits at 706 W. MLK Blvd, right where West Campus meets the northern edge of downtown Austin. UT’s campus is the whole point of this location, and almost everything a student needs is within walking distance.
Under 10-minute walk: UT main campus, Guadalupe Street (“The Drag”) with restaurants and shops, Fresh Plus Grocery on San Gabriel, multiple coffee shops including Medici Roasting, UT shuttle stops.
10 to 15 minute walk: Whole Foods on North Lamar (0.7 miles), Waterloo Records, BookPeople, Central Market.
You’ll need a car or rideshare for: H-E-B (the full-size ones are further out), Target, anything in South Austin, East Austin restaurants, The Domain.
Walk Scores near campus in West Campus run 85+. For students without cars, daily life works. For anything beyond the UT orbit, you’re depending on rides or Cap Metro.
The Commute Math
| Destination | Distance | Off-Peak | Rush Hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| UT Main Campus | 0.5 mi | 10-13 min walk | Same |
| Texas Capitol | 1.2 mi | 5 min | 10-15 min |
| Downtown Austin (6th St) | 1.5 mi | 7 min | 15-20 min |
| Austin-Bergstrom Airport | 9 mi | 15-18 min | 30-40 min |
| The Domain | 10 mi | 18-22 min | 35-50 min |
| Apple Parmer Campus | 13 mi | 20-25 min | 40-55 min |
Route notes: MLK to I-35 gets congested during UT events and rush hour. If you’re heading north, Guadalupe or Lamar work better. Southbound to the airport, take I-35 south directly from MLK. Game day traffic on Saturdays can add 20+ minutes to anything.
Neighborhood Vibe
This is West Campus. That means college energy: Thursday night parties, game day chaos, bars on Guadalupe, and students everywhere. The building sits right on MLK Blvd, which is a four-lane road with steady traffic. If you’re expecting quiet residential streets, that’s Hyde Park, not here.
You’re in the middle of student life in Austin. Everything runs on UT’s calendar. But noise comes with that. Especially on the MLK side of the building. And parking gets competitive on weekends and game days.
Pricing and True Cost
How Pricing by the Bed Works
Crest at Pearl uses individual leases. The rent listed is what you pay for your bed and private bathroom in a shared unit. You sign your own lease, responsible only for your portion. Standard for ACC.
Floor Plans and Rents
| Floor Plan | Bed/Bath | Sq Ft (total unit) | Rent Per Bed | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4BR/4BA | 4/4 | 1,520-1,736 | $989-$1,314 | Unavailable |
| 3BR/3BA | 3/3 | 1,164-1,287 | $1,014-$1,234 (garage unit at top end) | Unavailable |
| 2BR/2BA | 2/2 | 890-1,120 | $1,119-$1,544 | Unavailable |
| 2BR/1BA | 2/1 | 872-986 | $1,069-$1,344 | Unavailable |
| 1BR/1BA | 1/1 | 405-862 | $1,029-$2,589 | Unavailable |
Note: All units currently show unavailable. ACC student housing fills up on the school calendar, with most units locked down months before the fall semester. If you’re reading this in spring or summer, availability may have already closed for the upcoming year. Contact the leasing office at (737) 279-3599 to check.
The 1BR range is wide for a reason. A 405 sqft studio-style 1BR runs $1,029. An 862 sqft 1BR with more space runs $2,589. That’s a $1,560 spread within the same bedroom count. Ask which specific floor plan you’re looking at before you get attached to the low end of the range.
Net Effective Rent Calculation
The current listed special is $200 off rent for one month on a 12-month lease.
Example: 1BR at $1,549/month (mid-range)
Base rent: $1,549 x 12 months = $18,588 Minus $200 one-month concession = $18,388 Divided by 12 months = $1,532/month net effective
Monthly savings: $17/month. That’s a small concession by Austin standards right now.
ACC also lists “up to $303 off per month” and “up to $415 off per month” as extra deals when you sign, but the terms aren’t broken down by floor plan anywhere online. Those larger numbers would change the math a lot. Call the leasing office at (737) 279-3599 and ask which concession applies to the specific unit you’re looking at.
Example: 4BR/4BA at $989/bed (lowest available)
$989 x 12 = $11,868 Minus $200 = $11,668 Divided by 12 = $972/month net effective
All the Fees
| Fee | Amount | Required? |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | $125/person | Yes |
| Admin Fee | Listed as $0 in MLS data, but $200 on third-party listing sites. Confirm with leasing office before applying. | Unclear |
| Security Deposit | Not published (ACC student housing typically doesn’t charge a separate deposit) | N/A |
| Pet Deposit | $200 | If applicable |
| Pet Rent | $20/month | If applicable |
| Renter’s Insurance | $100,000 liability coverage required | Yes |
| Parking (Tandem) | $75/month | Optional |
| Parking (Garage) | $150/month | Optional |
What’s included: Furnished units (bed, sofa, entertainment center, dresser), washer and dryer in unit (supplied by ACC), WiFi [when it works], shuttle route access.
What’s not included: Electricity, renter’s insurance, parking ($75/mo tandem or $150/mo garage).
True Monthly Cost: 4BR/4BA Scenario
A student taking a bed in the cheapest 4BR/4BA unit:
| Item | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Net effective rent (with $200 concession) | $972 |
| Renter’s insurance (estimated) | $15-25 |
| Electricity (your share of 4BR, estimated) | $30-50 |
| Total without pet or parking | $1,017-$1,047 |
| Pet rent (if applicable) | +$20 |
| Tandem parking (if applicable) | +$75 |
| Garage parking (if applicable) | +$150 |
Want to know what specials are actually available right now?
ACC’s advertised concessions can be confusing. Multiple offers overlap and the terms aren’t always clear from the website. Fill out the form and I’ll contact the leasing team directly to get you the current numbers for your specific floor plan and move-in date.
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Screening and Approval
How ACC Student Housing Screening Works
Crest at Pearl doesn’t screen the way a conventional apartment does. ACC’s student housing approval runs through guarantors, not traditional credit checks on the student.
The key rule: all residents need a guarantor. A parent or guardian co-signs the lease. This is standard across ACC’s portfolio. The guarantor takes financial responsibility if you stop paying.
You can be your own guarantor if you can prove income of 3x the monthly installment. That means for a $989/bed unit, you’d need to show $2,967/month in documented income. For a $1,549 1BR, that’s $4,647/month. Most traditional college students can’t clear that bar, which is why the parent guarantor route is the default.
Income Requirement Table (Acting as Your Own Guarantor)
| Rent Per Bed | Monthly Income Needed (3x) | Annual Income | Hourly Wage (40 hrs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $989 | $2,967 | $35,604 | $17.12 |
| $1,029 | $3,087 | $37,044 | $17.81 |
| $1,159 | $3,477 | $41,724 | $20.06 |
| $1,549 | $4,647 | $55,764 | $26.81 |
Credit Expectations
ACC’s student housing model relies on the guarantor’s financial standing, not the student’s credit score. Most UT students don’t have established credit. The guarantor’s credit and income are what matter for approval.
If you’re a non-traditional student or working professional trying to lease here without a guarantor, expect ACC to review your credit, income, and rental history more closely. No published minimum credit score exists for this property, and ACC doesn’t list one on any platform I checked. The 3x income requirement is the only number they put out there.
What Could Get You Denied
Based on ACC’s general policies and how their leases work:
- Guarantor refuses to sign or doesn’t meet financial requirements
- Self-guarantor applicant can’t document 3x rent income
- Outstanding debt to a previous ACC property
- Incomplete application or missing documentation
The Application Process
- Apply online through ACC’s portal ($125 application fee, non-refundable)
- Guarantor signs the guaranty agreement (required for all residents)
- Approval is typically fast once guarantor documentation is complete
- Lease signing locks in your unit and rate for the academic year
S.M.A.R.T. Housing note: Crest at Pearl participates in Austin’s S.M.A.R.T. Housing program for students receiving need-based financial aid or paying through student loans. Parental support counts toward income but can’t be the only source. This might help you qualify for lower pricing.
What a locator provides here: I can tell you whether Crest at Pearl’s pricing is competitive with other West Campus options for your specific bedroom count and budget. If the specials here don’t make sense, I know which nearby ACC and non-ACC properties are running better deals on the same lease timeline. If you have credit or background concerns, I can also point you toward properties with more flexible screening. The service is free to you. No extra fees, no catch.
Resident Reviews Decoded
I read through 161 Google reviews and checked Yelp (22 reviews), ApartmentRatings, and student apartment sites like Amber and Student.com for Crest at Pearl. Here’s what the patterns tell you.
Review Pattern Analysis
| Theme | Mentions | Trend | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevator outages | 43 tagged, 10+ detailed complaints | → Persistent across multiple years | |
| Staff praise (Lily/Lilly, leasing) | 12+ | → Consistent | |
| Maintenance staff (Jorge, Norge) | 15+ | → Consistently positive | |
| WiFi outages | 5+ detailed complaints | → Recurring | |
| Noise (MLK traffic, thin walls, courtyard parties) | 9 tagged + aggregator reports | → Steady | Google, Amber |
| Garage safety and open access | Flagged as pattern | → Noted | Amber |
| Pest issues (roaches, bed bugs mentioned) | 3+ | → Sporadic | |
| Move-out charges | 3+ | ↑ Recent complaints |
What Residents Consistently Praise
The maintenance team stands out. Jorge and Norge get called out by name repeatedly across reviews going back over a year. Phrases like “came the very next day,” “super professional,” “always polite and gets things done on time” keep coming up. When maintenance requests get put in, this team responds fast.
Lily (sometimes spelled Lilly) dominates tour reviews. At least 12 reviews specifically praise her as a tour guide, describing her as knowledgeable, patient, and detailed. That many reviews about one tour guide tells me ACC probably encourages guests to leave reviews, but the praise is real.
Residents who avoid the elevator problem and noise issue are generally happy. Study rooms on every floor, the pool, gym, and overall unit quality all get good feedback.
What Keeps Coming Up
Elevators. This is the defining complaint. Both elevators go down at the same time for days and sometimes weeks. One reviewer wrote about “4 weeks without working elevators.” Another noted “day 3 without elevators. How is that even ADA compliant?” This goes back years in the reviews, pointing to a building problem that’s never been fixed, not a one-time breakdown.
WiFi reliability is the second major complaint. One reviewer wrote about WiFi being “down for 5/7 days” with “no daily updates telling us a timeline,” and it had been down the previous week too. For a student housing property where WiFi is a marketed amenity, that’s a real problem.
Two things came up on other review sites that you won’t find as much on Google.
First, garage safety. The building is gated, but reviews on Amber say the garage and gates are easier to get past than you’d expect from the marketing. Ask the leasing office about current security measures during your tour.
Second, courtyard noise. West Campus is a party neighborhood, and common areas at Crest at Pearl see that energy too. If your unit faces the courtyard, expect weekend noise.
How Management Responds
ACC responds to most reviews. The responses follow a clear template. Positive reviews get identical copy: “Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us. Your support encourages our team to continue ACC’s commitment in putting students first!” That exact sentence appears on 10+ reviews.
Negative reviews get directed to corporate customer service at 512-732-1099. The responses rarely address what the resident actually complained about. Template replies and real frustration don’t match, and that tells you how this place handles problems.
The Uncomfortable Truth
No listing site will write this section. I’m not trying to kill the deal. I just want you to know exactly what you’re signing up for.
The Elevator Problem Isn’t Getting Fixed
43 Google reviews mention elevators. That’s over a quarter of all reviews.
Outages last days and weeks, not hours. Multiple reviews report both elevators failing at the same time in a mid-rise building. One resident updated their review three times over four weeks and nothing changed. This isn’t a maintenance backlog. This is a problem that keeps happening, year after year, through multiple management teams. If you live above the third floor, this will affect your daily life.
WiFi Is a Marketed Amenity That Doesn’t Consistently Work
ACC sells WiFi as an included feature. But outages lasting a week or more show up in multiple reviews, and management doesn’t reach out with updates. For a building specifically designed for college students, unreliable internet isn’t a minor annoyance. It affects coursework, exams, and everything else you need internet for. Bring a personal hotspot as backup, or confirm the current WiFi situation before you sign.
Early Signing Pressure Is Real
One review described ACC representatives visiting UT campus events and telling students that if they didn’t sign early, they couldn’t get a unit. This is a common ACC tactic across their portfolio. That pressure can push you into signing before you’ve compared other West Campus options. There are 20+ competing properties within a quarter-mile of Crest at Pearl. You have options. Take the time to compare before a leasing rep tells you the clock is running out.
Move-Out Charges Can Surprise You
Several reviews mention unexpected charges after the lease ends. One resident said they were billed two months after moving out. ACC’s lease agreements can include charges for cleaning, damages, and early termination that aren’t always spelled out when you sign. Read every page of the lease and ask about the checkout process in writing before you sign.
Ready to move forward, or want to explore alternatives?
You’ve seen the pricing, the screening process, and the uncomfortable truths. If Crest at Pearl still looks right for your situation, I can help you confirm current availability and specials. If the elevator situation or WiFi issues give you pause, I know which West Campus properties avoid those problems. Either way, the help is free.
Get Help Now →
FAQ
Does Crest at Pearl allow pets?
Yes. One pet per unit, 40 pounds max, small dogs and cats only. Expect a $200 deposit plus $20/month pet rent. No breed restrictions are listed, but the weight limit rules out most medium and large dogs.
What credit score do I need for Crest at Pearl?
ACC student housing works differently from conventional apartments. All residents need a guarantor (usually a parent). The guarantor’s financial standing matters more than the student’s credit score. No published credit minimum exists for students with guarantors.
Are utilities included at Crest at Pearl?
WiFi is included (though it hasn’t been reliable based on reviews). Electricity is not included and gets split among roommates in shared units. You’re required to carry renter’s insurance with at least $100,000 in liability coverage. Check with the leasing office about water and trash.
How much is parking at Crest at Pearl?
Parking options include tandem spots ($75/month) and garage parking ($150/month). You can’t reserve a specific spot in the garage. Surface lot parking may also be available. Contact the leasing office at (737) 279-3599 to check current availability.
What are the biggest complaints about Crest at Pearl?
Elevator outages dominate. 43 of 161 Google reviews mention elevators. WiFi outages, thin walls, traffic noise from MLK Blvd, and sporadic pest issues are the other big ones.
When was Crest at Pearl built?
- The building is 12 years old with no listed renovation date. Units have granite counters, stainless appliances, and in-unit washer/dryer. The elevators have been a recurring problem despite the building not being that old.
Is Crest at Pearl only for UT students?
It’s marketed as student housing through American Campus Communities and is listed on UT’s off-campus housing marketplace. ACC properties also mention Austin Community College, St. Edward’s University, Huston-Tillotson University, and Concordia University. Non-students may be able to lease, but the property is designed around the academic calendar and student lifestyle.
What is S.M.A.R.T. Housing at Crest at Pearl?
S.M.A.R.T. Housing is a City of Austin program for students receiving need-based financial aid or paying through student loans. It helps those working to cover living expenses. Parental support counts as income but can’t be the sole source. Ask the leasing office about eligibility requirements.
How long is the lease at Crest at Pearl?
The typical lease is about 11.5 months, tied to the school year. Rent is divided into 12 equal installments due August 1 through July 1. The minimum lease listed is 5 months, though availability for short-term leases varies.
The Bottom Line: Is Crest at Pearl Worth It?
Crest at Pearl delivers on the basics that matter for UT student housing. The location is walkable to campus. $989/bed in a furnished 4BR/4BA is competitive for West Campus, and individual leases protect you from roommate financial problems. The maintenance team (Jorge, Norge) gets consistent praise. And the amenities (study rooms on every floor, pool, fitness center, cinema room) cover what students actually use.
Here’s the catch. A 3.3 Google rating driven by constant elevator problems is a red flag for a mid-rise building. And WiFi outages at a student housing property built around internet access? That’s a problem ACC hasn’t fixed.
This property makes sense if:
- Walking to UT campus is your top priority
- You want furnished, individual-lease housing under $1,100/bed
- You’re on a lower floor and stairs don’t bother you
- You have a guarantor lined up and want a straightforward approval process
This property doesn’t make sense if:
- You have any mobility limitations
- You live above the third floor and reliable elevator access matters
- Your coursework depends on stable internet and you don’t have a backup plan
- You haven’t compared pricing at the 20+ competing properties within West Campus
The first-year math works at the 4BR price point. The location is hard to beat for UT access. But go in with your eyes open about what a 3.3 rating and 43 elevator complaints actually mean for your daily life.
Need Help?
You’ve got everything you need to make your decision on Crest at Pearl. But if you want help:
Fill out the form and I’ll text you to answer questions, compare West Campus options, check current specials, and coordinate next steps. You’ll talk to me directly, not a phone tree.
Going solo? Just tell them “Ross Quade from Austin Apartment Team” referred you on your tour and application. Text me at 512-360-0852 when you apply so I can make sure everything’s on track.
