Highlands Hill Country Apartments Review: The 2.2x Income Property Most Austin Renters Miss

Most Austin apartments require you to earn 3x the monthly rent to qualify. That math locks out a lot of people. Highlands Hill Country only requires 2.2x. On a 1BR starting at $1,196, that means you need roughly $2,631/month in gross income instead of $3,588. That’s a $957/month difference in what you need to earn, not what you pay, just to get your foot in the door.

I track pricing and screening criteria across 1,000+ Austin apartment communities. That 2.2x threshold is rare. I can count the properties offering it on one hand, and most are older or in less convenient locations. Highlands Hill Country sits in a different spot: 444 units on William Cannon Drive in 78745, renovated in 2018, with six weeks free right now that drops effective rent below $1,100 for a 1BR.

But here’s what listing sites won’t tell you: this is a 1999 building where 107 of 565 ApartmentRatings reviews mention noise, the front gate breaks regularly, and Berkshire recently switched to an AI phone system that frustrates residents trying to reach a human. Those trade-offs matter.

Quick Facts: Highlands Hill Country

The 4.2 on ApartmentRatings is solid for a 444-unit property. The Google 3.9 tells a different story. I’ll break down why those numbers don’t line up and what 107 noise complaints actually mean for daily life below.

Best For

You earn enough to pay rent but not enough to clear the 3x income bar elsewhere. This is the big one. If you make $15/hour full-time, your gross monthly income is roughly $2,600. At most Austin apartments requiring 3x rent, you max out around $867/month in rent. That doesn’t exist. At Highlands Hill Country’s 2.2x, that same income qualifies you for rent up to $1,182. That gets you into a real 1BR in a renovated South Austin property.

You have a pet over 50 pounds. No weight limit here. Most Austin apartments cap at 50 or 75 pounds. If you have a lab, a Great Pyrenees, a Goldendoodle, or any large breed that isn’t on the restricted list, your South Austin options just got a lot wider. The breed restriction list still applies (Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Chows, Dobermans, Great Danes, Huskies, and several others are prohibited), but the weight flexibility is real for approved breeds.

You want a South Austin location without paying $1,800 for a 1BR. After the six weeks free special, a 1BR here nets out below $1,100/month. The Sunset Valley shopping corridor with H-E-B, Costco, and Torchy’s is minutes away. You’re 15 minutes from downtown off-peak.

You work from home and want space. A few floor plans come with sunrooms and dens. The 2BR/1BA B1 at 926 square feet has both, starting at $1,386 before the special.

Skip If

You have any eviction or broken lease on your record. Highlands Hill Country doesn’t work with rental history issues. This isn’t a second-chance property. You need a clean rental history.

You have a felony conviction in the past 10 years. No exceptions on this one. No felony convictions in the last 10 years.

You’re sensitive to noise from above. This is a 1999 wood-frame build. Reviews mention hearing upstairs neighbors walking, dogs running across hardwood floors, and noise coming through the ceilings. If you’re a light sleeper on a lower floor, this will bother you. It comes up constantly in the reviews.

You want to reach a human being on the phone quickly. Berkshire has switched to an AI phone system called “Bri” and uses Bilt for rent payments. Recent reviews from 2025 and 2026 say the system makes it nearly impossible to get real help. One resident wrote that getting a human on the line is “impossible.”

Wondering if Highlands Hill Country fits your situation?

Fill out a quick form and I’ll reach out to go over your specifics: income, credit, pets, timeline. I can check whether you’ll likely qualify before you spend $65 on an application, and I’ll share any current specials that might not be listed online. You’ll hear from a real person (me), not an automated system.

Location Deep Dive

What’s Actually Nearby

Highlands Hill Country sits on William Cannon Drive just west of Brodie Lane, in the Cherry Creek neighborhood. The Sunset Valley shopping corridor is the anchor here, and it’s close.

H-E-B at Brodie and William Cannon is about 1 mile (3-minute drive). Costco on Brodie is 1.2 miles. Torchy’s Tacos, Kerbey Lane Cafe, and the Arbor Trails shopping center with Whole Foods are all within 2 miles. For a quick pharmacy run, Walgreens sits less than a mile east on William Cannon.

The property backs up to nature preserves, and residents talk about seeing deer, roadrunners, and coyotes on the walking trails. Longview Park is nearby for outdoor space beyond the community’s own dog park and trail system.

What you won’t find within walking distance: much of anything. This is a car-dependent location. Walk Score is in the low 40s. There’s a Capital Metro bus route on William Cannon, but it’s not practical for most commutes. Sunset Valley Elementary, Covington Middle School, and Crockett High School serve this address through Austin ISD.

The Commute Math

Route notes: MoPac is your primary north-south highway. The variable toll lanes on MoPac can save 10-15 minutes during rush hour but cost $3-8. William Cannon connects to I-35 heading east, which helps for airport runs and Tesla commutes. Going north to The Domain or Apple’s Parmer Lane campus is a haul during rush hour regardless of route.

Neighborhood Vibe

This stretch of William Cannon is suburban South Austin. Quiet residential streets, established trees, shopping plazas. It’s not the walkable taco-truck South Austin you see in travel magazines. That’s closer in, around SoCo and South Lamar in 78704 (see our South Austin apartments guide for that area). What you get here is a calmer pace, easy retail access, and nature preserves out your back window. William Cannon itself carries steady traffic, especially during commute hours. Fair warning: road congestion and fast drivers entering and exiting the complex are a common complaint.

Pricing and True Cost

Floor Plans

Highlands Hill Country has both classic (original) and renovated units. The renovated ones got updated finishes in 2018 and come with washer/dryer connections instead of the supplied machines in classic units. That split shows up in the pricing.

*Net effective with 6 weeks free on a one year lease

The renovated vs. classic pricing gap is worth paying attention to. A classic 1BR A1 starts at $1,196. The same floor plan renovated runs $1,356. That’s $160/month more for updated finishes and washer/dryer connections instead of supplied machines. Whether that’s worth it depends on how much you care about countertops vs. cash in your pocket. The classic units still come with a full-size washer and dryer included.

Fair warning on classic units: reviews mention peeling vinyl laminate on kitchen cabinets, overpainted bathtubs and sinks where the rust shows through after a few cleanings, and dated carpet. These are 1999 materials showing their age. The savings are real, but so is the wear.

Net Effective Rent Calculation

Current special: Up to 6 weeks free on a 12-month lease.

Here’s how the math works for the most popular floor plan, the 1BR A1 classic at $1,196/month:

• Lease term: 12 months = 365 days
• Free rent: 6 weeks = 42 days
• Daily multiplier: (365 – 42) / 365 = 0.8849
• Net effective rent: $1,196 × 0.8849 = $1,058/month
• Monthly savings: $1,196 – $1,058 = $138/month
• Total savings over the lease: $1,656

That $1,656 is real money. And a 1BR in South Austin for $1,058/month is competitive with properties a decade older that never got a renovation.

All The Fees

Required Fees (everyone pays):

Optional/Conditional Fees:

You’ll pay water, sewer, electricity, trash, pest control, and valet trash (if applicable). My records show water as property-paid, but the property’s own FAQ says residents cover it, likely through a utility billing service. Confirm the setup before signing. Gas water heaters and heating mean a lower electricity bill than all-electric properties, but you’ll have a separate gas bill.

True Monthly Cost: What You Actually Pay

Here’s a realistic scenario for a 1BR classic with one dog:

Move-in costs for this scenario: first month’s rent ($1,196), security deposit ($750), admin fee ($185), application fee ($65), pet fee ($500, not refunded), renter’s insurance setup. Budget roughly $2,700-2,800 at signing, depending on your move-in date proration.

Specials change. What’s listed above was accurate as of June 2026, but these offers shift fast. I can confirm what’s actually live right now before you spend any money on an application.

Want to know what specials are actually available right now?

Deals shift weekly. Fill out a quick form and I’ll confirm current specials, availability on specific floor plans, and whether the eight weeks free unit is still on the table.

Screening Criteria

The Income Advantage

Highlands Hill Country requires 2.2x monthly rent in gross household income. That’s the lowest multiplier I track across any comparable property in South Austin. Here’s what that means in real dollars:

At most Austin properties requiring 3x rent, that same $1,196 unit needs $3,588/month in income, or $20.70/hour. Here, you qualify at $15.18/hour. If you can’t meet the 2.2x on your own, the property allows one guarantor per unit who must earn 4x the monthly rent.

Credit Expectations

Highlands Hill Country doesn’t publish a minimum credit score. That’s not unusual for Berkshire communities. They look at the full picture: income, credit history, rental history, and background. Credit alone won’t get you auto-declined. Stronger credit gets you the standard $750 deposit (1-2BR) or $1,000 (3BR). Weaker credit may trigger a conditional approval with one month’s rent as the deposit instead.

What Gets You Denied

Let me be direct about what triggers automatic decline here:

• Felony convictions within the past 10 years
• Any eviction on your record
• Any broken lease on your record
• Insufficient or unverifiable income
• Housing vouchers (the property doesn’t accept them)

This is strict for a property at this price point. The 2.2x income threshold is flexible, but everything else requires a clean record. If you have rental history issues, this isn’t your property. I have other South Austin options that are more flexible on background, and I’m happy to walk you through those.

The Application Process

1. Apply online through the property’s portal. Have your government-issued ID and two recent pay stubs or bank statements ready.
2. Screening runs through Berkshire’s third-party service. Processing typically takes 2-3 business days.
3. Approval or denial notification via email.
4. If approved, sign your lease and pay upfront costs. The current special requires a 12-month lease term.

You don’t get the $65 application fee back. If you’re applying with a roommate, that’s $130 out the door before you know the answer.

What a locator can do here: I can tell you whether you’re likely to qualify before you spend $65 finding out. If Highlands Hill Country’s screening looks tight for your situation, I know which nearby South Austin communities have more flexibility. If it’s a strong fit, I can get your tour and application moving faster.

Resident Reviews Decoded

I went through all 565 ApartmentRatings reviews and 148 Google reviews to find the patterns. Individual complaints aren’t that useful. Repeated themes are.

Review Pattern Analysis

What Residents Consistently Praise

The staff. Not generically. Specific names come up again and again across both platforms. Niko (also spelled “Nico”) gets mentioned in dozens of reviews for being helpful, friendly, and going beyond the standard leasing office script. JP gets credit for being informative and thorough. Rylee, the onsite manager, shows up in reviews from residents who needed something escalated and fixed.

Maintenance response times get positive marks across the board. Same-day service on routine requests is common from what I see in the reviews, and several residents who’ve been there for years (one since 2010, another since 2014) credit the maintenance team by name.

The location and green space earn steady praise too. Nature trail, preserve views, two pools, dog park. A resident who’s lived there for several years mentioned seeing deer and roadrunners on the walking trail. Several reviews call it one of the best values in South Austin.

What Residents Consistently Criticize

Noise transfer between units is one of the two dominant complaints (tied with parking at 107 AR mentions each). Upstairs neighbors’ footsteps, dogs running on hard floors, noise coming through walls and ceilings. That’s what 1999 construction sounds like. The 2018 renovation updated finishes but didn’t touch the structural bones. One ApartmentRatings reviewer wrote that the floors were “very squeaky” and they could hear “EVERY footstep” from above. Another put it bluntly: the walls were so thin they felt like “part of his neighbor’s sex life.”

Parking is the other persistent complaint. Across ApartmentRatings, Google, Yelp, and ForRent, the pattern holds: not enough open spots, especially late at night. One resident called it “complete and utter hell.” Another said the layout feels “designed to force tenants to purchase carports.” Come home after 9 PM and expect a long walk to your building.

The AI communication system is a growing sore point. Since Berkshire introduced “Bri” and shifted rent payments to the Bilt platform, 2025 and 2026 reviews keep circling the same complaint: it’s hard to reach a human. One resident said Bilt is “purposefully obfuscating billing.” Another said the AI has made communication “nearly impossible.” The onsite staff (Niko, JP, Rylee) still gets praised when you show up in person. But if you need to resolve something by phone or email? Expect friction.

Gate reliability and vehicle security show up in several recent reviews. The access gate breaks often according to residents, and at least two 2025 reviews mention car theft or break-ins with inadequate camera coverage. This is a newer trend. Older reviews (pre-2024) from residents who’d been there for years talk about feeling safe. That tells me it’s a real change, not just perception.

How Management Responds

Berkshire responds to most reviews across both platforms, usually within 1-4 weeks. The replies follow a pattern: thank the resident, acknowledge the concern, direct them to email highlands@berkshireresi.com. Polite but rarely specific. They read like a policy, not a conversation. That said, the onsite team (Rylee, Niko, JP) gets singled out for real, personalized service in practice, even if the corporate review responses feel generic.

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 Noise Is Structural, Not Fixable

When 107 of 565 reviews mention noise, that’s not a few sensitive people complaining. That’s a pattern baked into the building. The 1999 wood-frame construction means sound travels through floors and walls in ways that a 2018 cosmetic renovation doesn’t fix. If you end up below an active household with dogs on hard flooring, you’ll hear it. Every night. Requesting a top-floor unit helps, but availability is limited and the property doesn’t guarantee specific locations.

Berkshire’s AI Pivot Is Real and Getting Worse

I covered the review complaints about “Bri” and Bilt above. Here’s why it matters beyond annoyance. If your AC goes out on a Friday night in August and you can’t get past the AI to reach someone, that’s not minor. If your billing looks wrong and you can’t get a human to explain the charges, trust erodes fast. The onsite team is solid when you walk into the office. But Berkshire’s corporate direction is clearly toward less human contact, not more. That’s the trend line you’re signing up for.

The Gate Breaks and Cars Get Stolen

Reviews mention the access gate being broken “every other month.” One resident who lived there from 2014 to 2025 cited “multiple car thefts over the last 6-8 months” with gates open or broken. Another 2025 review mentioned break-ins that the property doesn’t proactively communicate to residents. Think about that. A gated community that isn’t consistently gated is the same as an ungated one. If vehicle security matters, ask about gate status and camera coverage on your tour.

Move-Out Charges Can Sting

Reviews across Google and ApartmentRatings mention unexpected charges at move-out. One Google reviewer was charged nearly $300 for “dust on a ceiling fan.” An ApartmentRatings reviewer called the process inflexible, with management charging for “minor damages and lots of fees.” The 60-day notice requirement is also stricter than the 30 days most renters expect. And if you received a concession (like the 6 weeks free), breaking your lease early means repaying that concession in full on top of a two months’ rent termination fee. Document everything at move-in with dated photos. Seriously.

Ready to move forward, or want to compare alternatives?

You’ve seen the full picture. If Highlands Hill Country fits your situation, I can confirm current availability and specials. If the noise or security concerns are dealbreakers, I know every comparable property in South Austin and can point you toward options without those trade-offs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Highlands Hill Country allow large dogs?

Yes. No weight limit, which is rare in Austin. Up to 2 pets allowed. Breed restrictions apply (Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Chows, Dobermans, Great Danes, Huskies/Malamutes, wolf hybrids are prohibited). Pet screening through PetScreening.com is required. Fee is $500/pet non-refundable, plus $15-20/month pet rent (the property website lists both, so confirm at signing).

What credit score do I need?

Highlands Hill Country doesn’t publish a minimum credit score. Berkshire looks at the whole picture: income, credit history, rental history, and background. No single number gets you auto-declined. Stronger credit gets the standard deposit ($750 for 1-2BR); weaker credit may mean a conditional approval with a higher deposit of one month’s rent.

What utilities are included in rent?

You pay water, sewer, electricity, gas, trash, and pest control. My records show water as property-paid, but the property’s own FAQ says you cover it. Confirm the billing setup before signing. Units use gas water heaters and gas heating.

How much is the security deposit?

$750 for one and two bedroom units, $1,000 for three bedrooms. Fully refundable. If you get a conditional approval, the deposit increases to one month’s rent.

What is the current move-in special?

Up to 6 weeks free on a one year lease as of June 2026. One remaining unit was advertised with 8 weeks free, but availability changes daily. Confirm directly before applying.

Does Highlands Hill Country have in-unit washer and dryer?

Classic units come with a full-size washer and dryer supplied by the property. Renovated units have washer/dryer connections only, meaning you supply your own machines.

Is parking free?

Surface lot parking is included. Covered/reserved spaces and garage parking ($100/month) are optional upgrades.

What are the biggest complaints from current residents?

Noise transfer between floors (107 ApartmentRatings mentions), the AI communication system (“Bri”), and gate reliability and vehicle security. The staff themselves get praised across the board.

When was Highlands Hill Country built and last renovated?

Built in 1999, renovated in 2018. The renovation updated interior finishes (counters, flooring, appliances) but didn’t touch the building’s structural framework or sound insulation.

Can I break my lease early?

Yes, with 30 days written notice and a termination fee equal to two months’ rent. Any concessions received (like the 6 weeks free) must be repaid.

The Bottom Line: Is Highlands Hill Country Worth It?

The 2.2x income requirement is the real story here. At $1,058/month net effective for a 1BR in South Austin’s 78745, the first-year math is strong. No pet weight limit, supplied washer/dryer in classic units, nature trails, and a maintenance team that residents praise by name in review after review. That’s a lot going right for the price.

The main trade-off is the building itself. It’s a 1999 wood-frame structure where sound travels, gates break, and the corporate owner is leaning harder into AI systems that frustrate residents. Those are real compromises.

This property makes sense if:

• Your income clears 2.2x rent but falls short of 3x
• You have a clean rental and criminal record
• You have a larger dog and want South Austin
• You work from home and prioritize space and nature access over nightlife and walkability

This property doesn’t make sense if:

• You have any eviction, broken lease, or recent felony
• You’re noise-sensitive and likely to end up on a lower floor
• You need responsive phone or email support from management
• You want walkability to restaurants and entertainment (this is car-dependent South Austin, not SoCo)

Here’s where I land: Highlands Hill Country is one of the better values in South Austin for renters with clean records and moderate incomes. The 2.2x income requirement alone makes it worth a look. Just go in with your eyes open about what a 1999 building sounds like when you live in it, and how Berkshire’s AI push is changing the resident experience.

If you want help figuring out whether Highlands Hill Country fits, or you’d rather look at similar properties without the noise or security concerns, fill out the form above and I’ll text you within a few hours.

Need Help Deciding?

You’ve got everything here to evaluate Highlands Hill Country on your own. But if you want me to run your situation against this property’s criteria before you pay the $65 app fee, I’m here.

Fill out the form and I’ll reach out to talk specifics, check whether you’ll qualify, and share current specials. You’ll talk to me directly. Not an AI phone system.

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.