Park Place Apartments Austin Review: Is the Clarksville Location Worth the Trade-Offs?

When you look at as many Austin apartments as I do, certain properties stand out for reasons that don’t show up on listing sites. Park Place keeps appearing in my client searches for one reason: Clarksville address, $1,299 starting rent. That combination almost doesn’t exist in 78703. As a licensed Texas REALTOR (TX #679806) who’s toured over 500 apartment communities across Austin, I’ve learned to ask the obvious follow-up: what are you giving up for that price point?

It starts with a year: 1962.

That’s when this building went up. The 2011 renovation gave Park Place updated finishes, but renovations don’t replace old pipes or soundproof walls that were built during the Kennedy administration. The new construction surrounding this property (Pressler, The Clark, 5th Street Commons) starts at $1,473 to $1,670 for a 1BR. Park Place undercuts them all. Here’s what listing sites won’t tell you: why that gap exists, what it actually costs you in daily quality of life, and whether the math still works once you factor in everything.

Quick Facts: Park Place Apartments

Park Place has one of the thinnest review profiles I’ve seen: 9 total reviews across every platform, with only 4 containing actual text. Google has 8 reviews (3 with text). ApartmentRatings has one verified resident review. Yelp, ApartmentList, and Rent.com all show zero. I’ll break down what those few reviews actually say, and what Rainier Properties’ track record across their other buildings tells us, below.

Best For

You want a Clarksville address without Clarksville prices. The new builds within a quarter mile charge $1,473 to $1,670+ for a 1BR. Park Place starts at $1,299 for a 1BR with 530 square feet. You save $174 to $371 per month, or $2,088 to $4,452 over a 12 month lease. If the address and walkability matter more than building age, this is one of the few ways to make 78703 work on a tighter budget. For more options in this part of Austin, check out the downtown Austin apartments guide.

You have a larger dog. No weight limit, no breed restrictions, two pets max. Most Austin apartments cap at 50 to 75 pounds. If you have a German Shepherd, a Lab, a Great Dane, or any breed that gets turned away elsewhere, Park Place will work with you. The $300 deposit and $20/month pet rent per pet are reasonable for this area.

You need a short lease. A six month minimum lease is hard to find in Austin. Most properties require 12 months. If you’re in between jobs, waiting to buy a home, or just not ready to commit for a full year, that flexibility is worth noting.

You prioritize walkability over amenities. Walk Score of 92. Josephine House, Jeffrey’s, Cipollina, and Clark’s Oyster Bar are all within walking distance. Lady Bird Lake Trail is less than a mile south. The UT shuttle route runs through the property. If being able to walk to good restaurants and the lake trail matters more than having a pool and fitness center in your building, this property makes sense.

Skip If

You need in-unit laundry. Park Place has washer/dryer connections in units, but they don’t include machines. There’s an on-site laundry room. If hauling clothes to a shared laundry facility is a dealbreaker, look elsewhere.

You’re noise sensitive. This is a 1962 building. That means the walls between units are thinner than anything built in the last 20 years. Nobody’s mentioned noise in the reviews yet (only 8 Google reviews), but with a 1962 build, noise is a real risk. If you’re a light sleeper or work from home on calls all day, tour a unit and listen carefully.

You want modern amenities. No pool. No gym. No package lockers. No coworking space. What you get: bike storage, an outdoor kitchen/BBQ area, a picnic area, and recycling. That’s it. If a fitness center or pool are part of your daily routine, this isn’t your building.

You’ve had trouble with security deposit disputes. One of three Google reviews mentions a security deposit being withheld after move out even though they left the place in good shape. Rainier Properties also has multiple BBB complaints about security deposits at their other Austin properties. I’ll cover this in detail below.

Wondering if Park Place 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 $55 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

Park Place sits on W 9th Street in the Clarksville neighborhood, one of the oldest and most walkable parts of Austin. Clarksville goes back to 1871. It was one of the first freedmen’s towns in Texas, and it’s on the National Register of Historic Places. The neighborhood has tree lined streets, a mix of historic homes, and some of Austin’s best restaurants within walking distance.

Under 10 minutes on foot: Josephine House (0.3 mi), Cipollina (0.4 mi), Clark’s Oyster Bar (0.5 mi), Caffe Medici (0.4 mi), Mean Eyed Cat (0.3 mi). West Austin Park is a few blocks away.

10 to 15 minutes on foot: Whole Foods at 5th and Lamar (0.5 mi), Republic Square Park (0.8 mi), Lady Bird Lake Trail access at the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge (0.7 mi).

You’ll need a car or bus for: The Lake Austin H-E-B at 2652 Lake Austin Blvd is about a mile west (4 to 5 minute drive). Target, big box retail, and anything beyond Whole Foods and H-E-B will mean a longer drive.

The Walk Score of 92 is legitimate here. You can handle daily errands, dining, and fun on foot. For groceries beyond Whole Foods, you’ll need a car.

Commute Math

Route notes: You’re right between MoPac and Lamar Boulevard. Both get heavy during rush hour. MoPac has variable toll lanes that can save 10 to 15 minutes heading north, but you’ll pay $3 to $8 depending on traffic. CapMetro bus routes serve the area, and the UT shuttle stops at the property. If you work near The Domain or Apple and the 35 to 50 minute rush hour commute is a dealbreaker, North Austin apartments will cut that drive way down.

The Neighborhood Reality

Clarksville is one of Austin’s most desirable neighborhoods, and every other property nearby charges like it. The streets are quiet, the restaurants are good, and the lake trail is close. But this is also an area where new development is constant. You might hear construction from nearby projects. And Clarksville itself is small. You’ll run out of grocery options fast if Whole Foods isn’t your main store.

The area sits on the edge of the West 6th bar district. Depending on your unit, weekend noise from that direction is possible. Ask about unit placement during your tour.

Pricing and True Cost

Floor Plans

Based on Rainier’s website and what I see on the listing sites, Park Place offers two confirmed floor plans:

A note on pricing data: The source listing shows a broader $809 to $3,200 range, but that looks like it pulls in units from other Rainier buildings in the area. Rainier manages 17 communities across Central Austin, and their listing systems sometimes lump inventory together. The prices above are what I can confirm for Park Place at 1301 W 9th St.

Net Effective Rent Calculation

Park Place isn’t running concessions right now. Their listing says “no ongoing concessions other than reduced rents,” which means the listed prices already have any discounts baked in. What you see is what you pay.

For a 1BR at $1,299/month on a 12 month lease:

• Base rent: $1,299 x 12 months = $15,588
• Concessions: $0
• Net effective: $15,588 / 12 = $1,299/month

No discount to calculate here. But here’s something most renters miss: most properties surrounding Park Place are running 6 to 10 weeks free right now. When you compare Park Place’s $1,299 to a competitor’s advertised $1,670 with 8 weeks free, the competitor’s net effective drops to about $1,413. That gap shrinks fast once you factor in concessions.

The exception: Police, first responders, and education/ISD employees get the $250 admin fee waived. That saves you $250 at move in, though it doesn’t change monthly rent.

All the Fees

At $55, the application fee is below Austin’s average ($50 to $75 range). The $250 admin fee is standard. And $500 for the security deposit is typical for a property like this. No valet trash fee is a small win. Many Austin apartments charge $25 to $35/month for mandatory valet trash.

The real savings here are for first responders and education employees. ApartmentGuide lists 10% off market rent for police, first responders, and Education/ISD employees. The AISD Housing Program waives the app fee and drops the deposit to $250. If you qualify, that 10% off turns a $1,299 rent into roughly $1,169. Yelp also mentions a military discount, though specifics aren’t published.

True Monthly Cost: What You’ll Actually Pay

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

Move in costs (estimated):

Fair warning: older buildings typically run higher utility costs. 1962 construction means less insulation and older heating and cooling. Budget $120 to $160/month for electric, water, and gas rather than the $80 to $120 you’d expect in newer construction.

Want to know what specials are actually available right now?

I talk to leasing teams weekly, and offers change fast. Fill out the form and I’ll send you current pricing for Park Place and similar properties in Clarksville, including any deals that aren’t posted online. My service is free to you.

Screening Criteria

Income Requirement

Park Place requires 3x the monthly rent in total household gross income. I confirmed this on RentDeals.com, and it’s the standard for Austin properties in this price range.

Here’s what that looks like at current rents:

If you earn less than 3x rent, some properties accept a co-signer or third-party guarantee service. Whether Park Place does is something I can check before you apply.

Credit Expectations

Park Place doesn’t list a specific credit score minimum. But ApartmentAdvisor tags this property as “Accepts low credit,” which tells you something. That tag usually means the property will work with scores that other communities in this price range won’t. Based on that and what I see from similar Rainier communities:

650+ credit: Smooth approval. Lowest deposit.

600 to 649: Likely approved. Standard $500 deposit.

550 to 599: Likely approved given the “Accepts low credit” tag. May require additional deposit or proof of income.

Below 550: Worth applying here. The low credit tag from ApartmentAdvisor suggests Park Place may work with scores in this range if your income is solid. If your credit is very low and you also have rental history issues, reach out before applying. I can tell you whether it’s worth the $55 or whether a second chance apartment is a better fit.

What Typically Gets You Denied

So what actually stops an application here? Without published screening criteria from Park Place, here’s what typically kills an application at properties like this across Austin:

• Active eviction on your record (especially within 2 to 3 years)
• Property debt you still owe a past landlord
• Not enough income paperwork
• Recent felony conviction (lookback period varies)
• Multiple broken leases

The Application Process

1. Apply: $55 per person, non-refundable. Put in your application on Rainier’s website or in person.
2. Screening: Standard background, credit, and rental history check. This usually takes 24 to 72 hours.
3. Approval or denial: You’ll get a decision and, if approved, your deposit and lease terms.
4. Lease signing: Minimum 6 month lease required. Longer leases may have better pricing.

Here’s what working with a locator gets you here: I can call ahead and check if your specific situation (credit, background, rental history) is likely to get approved at Park Place before you spend $55 finding out. If their screening looks tight for your situation, I know which nearby properties have more flexibility. Get in touch and I’ll check for you.

Resident Reviews Decoded

Listing sites show you a 3.8 Google rating and move on. I went through every review on every platform. That’s 9 total across the entire internet, and only 4 have actual text. With a sample this small, each one matters more.

Review Pattern Analysis

What Residents Say They Like

Location is the number one theme across every review with text. On Google, one resident called out “the location is incredible as well as the walking.” The ApartmentRatings reviewer, who lived here four years, put it this way: “It’s easy to walk downtown, enjoy the bars and restaurants, and go back to a home tucked away in a residential area that doesn’t feel like downtown.” That tracks with the Walk Score of 92. The location praise isn’t marketing. It’s genuine.

Maintenance responds quickly. On Google, one resident wrote that “maintenance has always come to fix any problems I’ve had and are extremely kind.” The ApartmentRatings reviewer backed this up after living here longer: “There were a number of maintenance problems over the years, but maintenance almost always came within 24 hours to fix the problems.” For a 50-unit older building, that’s a strong signal.

Community feel. The ApartmentRatings reviewer mentioned having great neighbors who looked out for each other. That’s harder to find at larger properties. The small scale (50 units) helps here.

What Residents Complain About

Security deposit handling is a split story. The Google 1-star reviewer says their deposit was withheld after move out. But the ApartmentRatings reviewer wrote that their deposit charges were fair. Two different stories. The BBB complaints about Rainier’s deposit practices at their other buildings suggest that kind of outcome isn’t unusual, but it’s not universal either.

Renovation noise and water interruptions. The ApartmentRatings reviewer said unit renovations were creating noise and cutting off water, and that Rainier wasn’t great about giving advance notice. The 2011 renovation is now 15 years old, so another round is likely. Ask the leasing office about planned renovation work when you tour.

Staff turnover. The resident who lived here four years said he saw “a lot of property managers and staff at Rainier come and go.” That means the person you build a relationship with at the leasing office may not be there in six months.

How Management Responds

Rainier responds to Google reviews, but the responses are clearly templated. The 5-star reviews get “We are thrilled to learn that you had a positive experience!” The 1-star deposit complaint gets a professional but generic “Thank you for your feedback” response directing the reviewer to call the office. They don’t actually address what the person complained about.

Template responses aren’t unusual for management companies. But put that together with the BBB deposit complaints, and it tells you something about a company that watches what they say online instead of dealing with issues head-on.

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.

You’re Living in a 64 Year Old Building

Park Place was built in 1962 and got a cosmetic renovation in 2011. That renovation is now 15 years old. Cosmetic renovations mean updated kitchens, new flooring, and fresh paint. They don’t mean new plumbing, new electrical, new insulation, or any work on the actual structure.

The wood floors and stainless appliances look good in photos. But the bones of this building are original. Expect thinner walls than anything built after 2000, potentially higher utility bills from weaker insulation, and the kind of maintenance quirks that come with a building this old. Gas appliances are a nice touch for cooking, but gas lines in a building this old need regular attention.

Security Deposits Are a Mixed Bag With This Management Company

The ApartmentRatings reviewer said their deposit charges were fair. The Google reviewer says the opposite. Two stories, two outcomes.

What makes me lean toward caution: the Better Business Bureau shows multiple complaints about Rainier Properties withholding security deposits at their other buildings. Texas law requires landlords to return deposits within 30 days with an itemized statement. Multiple former Rainier residents at other properties say that didn’t happen for them.

It’s not guaranteed you’ll have a problem. But if you rent here, document everything at move in (and I mean everything). Take photos and video of every wall, floor, appliance, and fixture. Email those photos to yourself so they’re time stamped. Do the same at move out. That paper trail is your best protection anywhere you rent, but it matters more with a management company that has complaints about this on file.

The 86% Occupancy Tells a Story

Park Place is at 86% occupancy. For a 50-unit property, that means roughly 7 units sitting vacant. In a neighborhood where location is supposedly the biggest draw, 14% vacancy is worth asking about. Maybe Rainier’s pricing hasn’t adjusted enough to fill units. Or renters are choosing the newer buildings nearby despite higher asking rents, because concessions bring those prices closer to Park Place’s range than you’d expect. Turnover could be higher than you’d want. Whatever the reason, ask the leasing office about that when you tour.

Ready to move forward, or want to look at alternatives?

You’ve seen the whole story now. If Park Place fits, fill out the form and I’ll help you move forward. If you want to compare similar properties in Central Austin or downtown without those trade-offs, I can build you a list of options. My service is free. The apartment community pays me, not you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Park Place allow pets?

Yes. Two pets max with no weight limit and no breed restrictions. Pet deposit is $300 per pet with $20/month pet rent. You don’t need third-party pet screening. That’s one of the most flexible pet policies in Austin’s 78703 zip code.

What credit score do I need for Park Place?

Park Place doesn’t list a minimum score, but ApartmentAdvisor tags the property as “Accepts low credit.” That means you likely have more flexibility here than at most 78703 properties. For straightforward approval, aim for 600+. Below that, the property may still work with you if your income is solid. Reach out before applying if you’re unsure.

How much is the security deposit at Park Place?

$500 for standard applicants. AISD Housing Program employees get it lowered to $250. The deposit is separate from the $300 per pet deposit if you have animals.

Does Park Place have in-unit washer and dryer?

Machines aren’t included, but units have full size washer/dryer connections. You’d need to bring your own machines or use the on-site shared laundry room.

What utilities are included in rent?

You’re responsible for all utilities. Expect to pay separately for electric, water, gas, internet, and renter’s insurance. Budget $120 to $160/month for a 1BR in a building this age.

Is Park Place a good location for commuting?

Yes, if you work downtown or near UT Austin. You’re about a mile from downtown and the UT shuttle stops at the property. Commutes to North Austin employers (Apple, The Domain area) run 35 to 50 minutes during rush hour via MoPac. Airport is about 25 minutes without traffic.

What is parking like at Park Place?

Surface lot, reserved spaces, and covered parking are available. Nobody lists what reserved or covered spots cost online, so ask about pricing on your tour. Street parking in Clarksville can be limited, especially on weekends when the restaurants are busy.

Who manages Park Place?

Rainier Properties manages Park Place along with 16 other communities across Central Austin. They’ve been around since 1993 and focus on smaller properties under 200 units.

The Bottom Line: Is Park Place Worth It?

Park Place gives you something that’s getting harder to find: a Clarksville address starting at $1,299/month for a 1BR. No weight limit pet policy. Six month lease minimum. Walk Score of 92. Those are real advantages, and in a zip code where new construction starts at $1,473+, the savings are meaningful.

The trade-off is clear: you’re getting 1962 construction with a 15 year old cosmetic renovation, no pool, no gym, no laundry machines provided, and a management company with a track record of security deposit complaints.

This property makes sense if:

• You prioritize the Clarksville location and walkability over building age and amenities
• You have a larger dog that gets rejected at properties with weight limits
• You need a short lease (6 month minimum)
• You’re comfortable in an older building and aren’t sensitive to noise between units

This property doesn’t make sense if:

• In-unit laundry is something you can’t live without
• You want a pool, gym, or modern common areas
• You’re comparing net effective rents and the newer buildings nearby are running 6 to 10 weeks free
• You’re worried about security deposit fights at move out

My verdict: Park Place is a location play. You’re paying for the Clarksville address, the walkability, and the pet flexibility. Everything else is a compromise. If those three things top your list, this is one of the most affordable ways into 78703. If they don’t, the newer buildings nearby will work better for daily life once you factor in their current concessions.

If you want help figuring out whether Park Place fits your situation, or if you’d rather see similar properties without those compromises, fill out the form and I’ll text you within a few hours.

Need Help Deciding?

You’ve got everything you need to size up Park Place on your own. But if you want help:

Fill out the form and I’ll reach out to answer questions, check if you’ll get approved, and share current specials. You’ll talk to me directly. Not an automated system, not a call center. I can also compare similar Clarksville and downtown Austin properties to make sure you’re seeing everything that’s out there.

Going solo? No problem. 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.