SoCo at Alpine Apartments Review: $699 Studios in 78704 (What’s the Catch?)

A studio apartment in Austin’s 78704 zip code for $699. That number gets people’s attention, and I understand why. I track rental pricing across South Austin daily, and that kind of price point in this zip code is almost nonexistent. SoCo at Alpine is one of the few properties where a renter earning around $12 an hour can actually get approved in one of Austin’s most sought after neighborhoods.

But that number doesn’t tell the whole story. As a licensed apartment locator (TX #679806) who’s tracked this property through its 2018 renovation and management changes, I can tell you there’s a reason studios in 78704 don’t usually start at $699. I’ll walk you through the pricing math, the screening reality, and the uncomfortable truths about daily life here that no listing site will mention.

Quick Facts: SoCo at Alpine

That 2.7 Google rating is the lowest I’ve seen in this immediate area. Nearby properties like Alma Soco and The Debut SoCo both sit above 3.5. But 15 reviews is a small sample, so I dug into every other platform too. I’ll break down what’s driving those numbers below.

Best For / Skip If

This Property Makes Sense If…

You need a 78704 address on a tight budget. There’s no other way to say it. Studios from $699 and one bedrooms from $799 in this zip code don’t exist anywhere else right now. If you work in the South Congress corridor, Zilker, or downtown and you’re trying to keep rent under $1,000, SoCo at Alpine is one of a very small number of options. Check out my South Austin apartments guide if you want to see what else is out there in this part of the city.

You’re willing to take a classic unit to save money. The unrenovated units are where the real savings happen. You won’t get washer/dryer connections, and the finishes are dated. But if keeping your monthly cost low matters more than granite counters, the classic units deliver.

You have a pet under 175 pounds. That weight limit covers most breeds. At $25 per month in pet rent and a $250 to $500 deposit, pet costs here are lower than most other apartments nearby. If your dog is over 175 pounds or a restricted breed, take a look at our guide to apartments that accept large dogs in Austin.

You’re looking at a renovated unit with W/D hookups. The 2018 renovation added washer/dryer connections, granite counters, and newer finishes in some of the units. A renovated one bedroom at $1,250 with W/D connections in 78704 is still competitive.

Skip If…

You need responsive maintenance. Reviewers on Google and other sites keep saying the same thing: maintenance is slow or nonexistent. One described submitting requests that went completely ignored for a week. Another said emergency maintenance was unavailable and staff simply gave out a phone number. If a broken AC in August or a plumbing issue at midnight would be a crisis for you, think about that before you sign.

Pest issues are a dealbreaker. The most recent Google review (June 2026) specifically calls out roaches. Older reviews on other platforms mention mice. This is a 1974 wood frame building, and keeping pests out of something this old takes serious, consistent work. The review pattern says that’s not happening.

You want reliable communication from the office. “Staff never answers phone” and “horrible communication” keep coming up in reviews. If you need things handled quickly and confirmed in writing, you’re going to be frustrated here.

Wondering if SoCo at Alpine Fits Your Situation?

Fill out a quick form and I’ll reach out to go over your specifics: income, credit, pets, timeline. I can tell you if you’d get approved here before you spend $50 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

SoCo at Alpine sits on Alpine Circle, a small cul-de-sac just off South 1st Street between Oltorf and Ben White. This isn’t the walkable, tourist heavy stretch of South Congress. It’s a quieter residential area a few blocks west of the SoCo strip.

Walking distance (under 15 minutes): Food trucks and small restaurants along South 1st, a few coffee spots, and neighborhood shops. The property marketing mentions Hopdoddy, Pei Wei, and Amy’s Ice Cream, and those are all within a short drive or bike ride.

Short drive (under 10 minutes): H-E-B on Oltorf (about a mile north), South Congress Avenue shopping and dining, Zilker Park, and Barton Springs Pool.

Longer drive: Barton Creek Mall (about 4 miles), anything north of the river during rush hour.

Walk Score puts this address at 71, which they call “somewhat walkable.” That’s about right. You can walk to food and coffee on your block, but you’ll drive for groceries and most other errands.

The Commute Math

Route notes: South 1st and South Congress are your main north/south arteries. Both get congested during rush hour between Oltorf and the river. MoPac is accessible via Ben White (about 1.5 miles south), and I-35 is roughly the same distance east. CapMetro Route 10 (South 1st/Red River) is a high frequency bus that runs along South 1st with stops near the property.

Neighborhood Vibe

This stretch of South Austin is working class with newer buildings going up between the older ones. It’s not the polished SoCo from the travel blogs. You’re close enough to walk to food and coffee, but the immediate surroundings are modest. A recent Google reviewer mentioned a homeless encampment across the street, and that’s something to know about.

The tradeoff is real proximity to everything that makes 78704 desirable at a price point that’s $300 to $500 below what you’d pay at newer properties like The Debut SoCo or Tree just a few blocks away.

Pricing and True Cost

Floor Plans

The price gap between classic and renovated units tells the whole story.

A classic one bedroom starts at $799. The same floor plan in a renovated unit runs $1,250. That’s $451 more per month for granite counters, updated appliances, and washer/dryer connections. Over a 12 month lease, going classic saves you $5,412.

Net Effective Rent

Here’s where it gets interesting. The property’s own website and every major listing site confirm a current special: one month free on select units. The data they send to locator systems says “no ongoing concessions other than reduced rents,” but the one month free deal is right there on their website as of June 2026.

So let’s do the math. Classic one bedroom at $799, 12 month lease, one month free:

• Base rent: $799 per month x 12 months = $9,588
• Minus 1 month free: $9,588 – $799 = $8,789
• Divided by 12 months = $732 per month net effective
• Monthly savings: $67 per month vs. listed rent

That’s a one bedroom in 78704 for $732 a month. It’s one of the lowest net effective rents in this zip code.

All the Fees

What’s missing from this list: No valet trash fee, no technology fee, no package locker fee. For a 59 unit property, the fee structure is simple. That’s actually a plus. A lot of Austin apartments tack on $50 to $100 in mandatory monthly fees that push your actual payment way beyond the listed rent.

Security deposit: Not published on any listing site or the property website. Call the leasing office at (737) 210-4552 to confirm before applying.

True Monthly Cost Example

Here’s what you’d actually pay each month in a classic one bedroom with one dog:

Move-in costs:

$829 per month all-in for a one bedroom with a dog in 78704. That’s the real number. Compare that to nearby properties like The Debut SoCo ($1,017+) or Tree ($1,190+) and you can see why SoCo at Alpine stays at 98% occupancy despite the reviews.

Want to Know What Specials Are Actually Available Right Now?

Specials change constantly. What’s listed above was accurate as of June 2026, but I talk to leasing teams regularly and offers shift. Fill out the quick form and I’ll confirm current pricing and any deals that aren’t posted online.

Screening Criteria

Income Requirement

SoCo at Alpine doesn’t publish an income multiplier anywhere. Based on how Cirrus manages similar properties at this price point, expect 3x rent. They do verify income through direct employer contact and third party checks, so have your pay stubs ready.

If 3x applies:

At $12.10 an hour for a studio, this is one of the few 78704 properties where someone working a minimum wage or entry level service job can actually get in. Most properties in this zip code need $16 to $20 an hour minimum.

Credit Expectations

SoCo at Alpine doesn’t publish a credit minimum either. For a Class C property at this price point, here’s what I’d expect based on how similar properties screen:

600+ credit: Likely smooth approval with standard deposit.

570 to 599: You’d probably get approved, but expect a higher deposit. Clean rental history helps.

550 to 569: Possible with strong income and no other red flags. Expect a higher deposit.

Below 550: Limited. You’d likely need a co-signer or third party guarantee service. Contact me before applying to confirm current screening criteria.

What Will Get You Denied

Without published criteria, I’m working from how Cirrus screens at similar properties. Typical denial triggers at this level:

• Active eviction on your record (within 2 to 3 years)
• Outstanding property debt owed to a previous landlord
• Felony conviction within the last 5 years (varies by offense type)
• Income below the minimum multiplier with no co-signer
• Providing false information on the application

The Application Process

1. Submit your application with the $50 fee (non-refundable)
2. Screening runs through a third party service (typically 24 to 72 hours)
3. Approval, conditional approval (higher deposit), or denial
4. If approved, sign the lease and pay move-in costs

Why a locator matters here: SoCo at Alpine’s screening criteria aren’t published anywhere online. I can call the leasing office, ask the specific questions about your situation, and tell you whether it’s worth the $50 application fee before you apply. That’s the whole point of what I do. I’ve helped renters avoid wasting hundreds of dollars on applications at properties that were never going to approve them.

Resident Reviews Decoded

What Residents Are Actually Saying

I went through every review platform I could find. Here’s what exists:

• Google: 2.7 stars (15 reviews)
• ForRent/Apartments.com: 2.9 stars (6 reviews)
• RentCafe: 4.0 stars (5 verified resident reviews)
• Yelp: 0 reviews (unclaimed listing)
• ApartmentRatings: No listing
• Birdeye: No listing

So about 26 reviews total. Not a huge sample. But the RentCafe reviews run positive (4.0), while Google and ForRent paint a very different picture. When the same complaints keep showing up across different platforms from different people over multiple years, pay attention.

The Good

The positive reviews all land on the same points. RentCafe’s verified residents praise the location, updated decor, appliances, and the quiet cul-de-sac. One resident in 2024 called it “the best decision I’ve made.” Another in 2021 said they loved the location, decor, and appliances. People like the parking, and most say the neighbors are friendly.

When this property clicks for someone, the reason is always the same: cheap rent, good location, nice finishes. That equation is hard to argue with.

The Bad

The negative reviews aren’t vague complaints. They’re specific. And they’re brutal.

One ForRent review from 2022 runs nine numbered points: mailboxes don’t lock (mail theft), hundreds of dog waste piles, management lied about in-unit W/D availability, laundry costs $4 per load, building uncleaned for years, doors don’t seal properly (drafts and roach entry), aggressive off leash dogs, and front office staff disappearing after lease signing. That’s not a disgruntled tenant venting. That’s a checklist of real problems.

Then there’s a 2017 review from someone in a renovated unit. Slanting floors that prevent the front door from opening fully. Cracking interior walls where the building is shifting. Doors that won’t close because the structure is moving. Same reviewer reported rats, roaches, and black mold.

Security comes up too. A 2023 reviewer flagged no locks or cameras on outer doors, no lights in parking areas, and water shut offs multiple times per month.

And the most recent? A 2024 review that calls the building “mouse infested” and says maintenance requests go unanswered.

Management Response Pattern

Zero. I checked Google, ForRent, and RentCafe. Not a single reply from the property or Cirrus Asset Management to any review on any platform. For a property sitting at 2.7 stars, that tells you something about how they handle feedback. If they won’t respond to a public review, what happens when you submit a maintenance request?

The Uncomfortable Truth

No listing site will write this section. Here’s what you need to know before you sign a lease.

The Leasing Office Isn’t Even at This Property

Here’s something no listing site mentions: the leasing office for SoCo at Alpine isn’t at SoCo at Alpine. It’s at Fashionaire Apartments, 1405 W. N. Loop Blvd, Austin 78756. That’s a different Cirrus property in North Austin, roughly 8 miles away. Need to talk to someone in person about a maintenance issue or billing question? You’re driving across town. This explains a lot about the communication complaints.

The Renovation Didn’t Fix the Building’s Bones

The 2018 renovation added granite counters, new appliances, and washer/dryer connections to select units. Real upgrades. But a 2017 reviewer in a renovated unit described floors so slanted the front door wouldn’t open fully, massive wall cracks from the building shifting, and bathroom doors that won’t close. The countertops are new. The building underneath is still 1974 wood frame on Texas clay soil, and reviewers say it shows.

The Pest and Security Problems Keep Coming Back

This isn’t one angry reviewer. Pest complaints (roaches, mice, rats, black mold) show up in reviews from 2017, 2022, 2024, and 2026. That’s a problem that has persisted through a renovation and what appears to be multiple staff changes. A 2023 reviewer also flagged no locks or cameras on outer doors and no lighting in the parking areas. You’re paying $5 per month in mandatory pest control fees. The review pattern says you’re not getting $5 worth of results.

Classic Units Come With Hidden Costs

The $699 studio and $799 one bedroom prices are real, but classic units don’t have in-unit laundry. The shared laundry room costs $4 per load according to a 2022 reviewer. If you’re doing 2 loads per week, that’s roughly $32 per month, or $384 per year. Keep that in mind when you’re comparing a classic unit here to a slightly pricier place down the street that includes W/D connections.

Want Help Weighing Your Options?

SoCo at Alpine might be the right fit, or there might be a property down the street that solves the same budget problem without the downsides. Fill out a quick form and I’ll put together a comparison based on your specific situation, credit, income, pets, and timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SoCo at Alpine a good apartment?

Depends on what you’re optimizing for. If budget is the priority and you want a 78704 address, this property does something almost nothing else in the zip code can do at this price. But if responsive management and solid infrastructure matter more to you, the downsides here are real. Read the Uncomfortable Truth section before you decide.

What’s the cheapest rent at SoCo at Alpine?

$699 for a classic studio. $799 for a classic one bedroom. Those are the unrenovated units without washer/dryer connections.

Does SoCo at Alpine allow dogs?

Yes. Two pets max, 175 pound weight limit, $25 per month per pet, $250 to $500 deposit. Breed restrictions apply, so ask the leasing office about your specific breed before applying.

Are the renovated units worth the extra cost?

That’s a $451 per month question. The renovated one bedroom runs $1,250 vs. $799 for classic. You get granite counters, updated appliances, and W/D connections. Run the math: $451 x 12 = $5,412 per year. For some renters, the in-unit laundry alone justifies it. For others, that $5,400 is better off in savings.

What school district is SoCo at Alpine in?

Austin ISD. Zoned for Galindo Elementary, Fulmore Middle School, and Travis High School.

Is SoCo at Alpine gated?

The property lists access gates and a fenced perimeter in its amenities. But reviewers say the gates are frequently open or broken, and a 2023 reviewer reported no locks on outer doors. Worth asking about during your tour.

What’s parking like at SoCo at Alpine?

Surface lot, open parking. No covered or garage option. Residents on RentCafe say parking is usually fine, though guest parking can get tight.

Does SoCo at Alpine have in-unit laundry?

Renovated units have washer/dryer connections. Classic units don’t. If you’re in a classic unit, there are shared laundry rooms on the property.

Who manages SoCo at Alpine?

Cirrus Asset Management Inc, headquartered in Woodland Hills, California. They manage over 22,000 units across seven states. The onsite manager listed is Lydia C., though the leasing office is actually located at a different Cirrus property in North Austin.

The Bottom Line

SoCo at Alpine delivers something rare: sub-$800 rent in Austin’s 78704 zip code. The renovated units still make sense at $1,250 for a one bedroom with W/D connections. And the location, while not the polished SoCo strip, puts you close enough to enjoy what makes this part of South Austin worth the premium.

The main tradeoff is management quality. A 2.7 Google rating backed by years of consistent complaints about maintenance, pest control, and communication? That’s not noise. That’s signal.

This property makes sense if you’re prioritizing budget above everything else, you’re OK with older construction and what comes with it, you want a 78704 address at prices that disappeared from most of this zip code years ago, or you have a pet under 175 pounds and want to keep pet costs low.

Skip it if responsive maintenance is a must. Or if pest issues are something you can’t live with. Or if you need a management team that actually picks up the phone.

Here’s my honest take: SoCo at Alpine works for renters who understand exactly what they’re getting. It’s not for everyone, and it shouldn’t be. But for the right person with the right expectations, the value you get for this location is hard to beat anywhere in Austin.

Need Help Deciding?

Work with me: I’m Ross Quade, a licensed Texas REALTOR® and the founder of Austin Apartment Team. My service is free. The apartment community pays my fee from their marketing budget. I can call SoCo at Alpine’s leasing office, ask about your specific situation, and tell you whether it’s worth the $50 application fee before you apply. That alone could save you from a wasted app.

Call 512-360-0852 or fill out the quick form and I’ll get back to you within 24 hours.

Going solo? No problem. Just tell the leasing office “Ross Quade with Austin Apartment Team referred me” when you tour or apply. That way I can follow up on your behalf if anything goes sideways during the application process.