The Amethyst Apartments Austin Review: $976/Month After Specials, But Read the Fine Print First

Two months free rent on a 1997 North Austin property with washers and dryers in every unit. That’s the number that keeps pulling renters toward The Amethyst on Metric Boulevard. I track rental pricing across North Austin daily. A net effective rent under $1,000 for a one bedroom with in-unit laundry is hard to find anywhere in North Austin, let alone in a gated community near the tech corridor. As a licensed apartment locator (TX #679806), I’ve learned to ask what the listing sites don’t show you.

The answer starts with two words: water intrusion.

Eight of 182 Google reviewers mention mold. Others describe leaks in kitchens, dining areas, and around sinks. That’s a pattern you won’t find on Apartments.com or Zillow, and it should make you think twice about signing a year-long lease here. I’ll walk you through the actual math, what the screening looks like, and whether the downsides are worth it for your situation.

Quick Facts: The Amethyst at a Glance

The 3.0 Google rating and 3.5 ApartmentRatings score are both below average. That’s 324 reviews across two platforms. Here’s what’s actually behind those numbers: water and mold complaints show up on both, parking is the single most repeated complaint on ApartmentRatings, and vehicle theft keeps coming up despite the gated entry. I’ll break all of it down below.

Best For / Skip If

This Property Makes Sense If…

You need a one bedroom under $1,000/month net effective in North Austin. With 2 months free on a 12-month lease, the Conroe floor plan drops from $1,168 to about $976/month net effective. That’s hard to beat anywhere along the Metric/Parmer corridor. Nearby options like The Kelsey at Scofield Farm start at $1,385 before any specials, and that’s a 2024 build. If you’re watching every dollar and need to stay in this part of town, The Amethyst beats most of what’s nearby on first-year pricing. For more options in this area, check out our North Austin apartments breakdown.

You have a pet under 70 pounds and want laundry in your apartment. Every unit here comes with a full-size washer and dryer. That’s not standard for properties built in the late ’90s. Most of them have shared laundry rooms. If you have a dog, having W/D in your unit plus a dog park, walking trail, and a gated community makes life a lot easier. Heads up on breeds, though: the restriction list includes Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Cane Corsos, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Bull Terriers, and American Bulldogs. Any cross breeds related to those are also restricted.

You want renovated finishes without new construction pricing. The 2019 renovation added quartz countertops, stainless appliances, tile backsplashes, vinyl plank flooring, and USB outlets. You’re getting finishes that look like a newer build at prices 20–30% below what actual new construction charges nearby.

You play tennis. This sounds minor but it comes up constantly. Six Google reviewers praise the tennis court, with one calling it the best in Austin. If that’s your thing, you won’t find many apartment complexes that can compete.

Skip This Property If…

You’re sensitive to moisture or mold. I’ll get into this more below, but 8 of 182 Google reviewers call out mold or water intrusion by name. One reviewer posted photos. Another described water flooding through a dining area light fixture. That’s not a one-off. It’s a pattern. If you have respiratory issues, allergies, or just low tolerance for moisture problems, this property is a risk.

You need fast, reliable maintenance response. Several reviewers describe waiting days or weeks for repairs. One resident waited 45 days for a washing machine fix. Forty-five days. Another made multiple daily calls just to get someone out. The 2019 renovation updated the finishes, but the pipes and the building itself are still 1997.

You get home after 9 PM regularly. Parking is the single most repeated complaint on ApartmentRatings. If you work evenings or nights, you’ll be circling the lot. The spaces are compact, so if you drive a truck or SUV, good luck. Reserved parking ($25/month) or detached parking ($85/month) solves this, but that’s an added cost most renters don’t plan for.

You have a restricted breed or a dog over 70 pounds. The weight limit and breed list are firm. If you have a dog that won’t pass those requirements, check out our list of Austin apartments that accept large dogs or reach out and I can match you with communities that have fewer restrictions.

Wondering if The Amethyst 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 $75 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.

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Location Breakdown

What’s Actually Nearby

The Amethyst sits on Metric Boulevard in the Scofield Farms area of North Austin, in the 78727 zip code. You need a car here. You can walk to Scofield Farms Neighborhood Park (about a mile, 20-minute walk), but that’s about it for walking.

Grocery runs mean driving to H-E-B on West Parmer Lane (about 1.5 miles, 5-minute drive) or the Walmart Supercenter off I-35 (roughly 2 miles). Parmer Lane has the usual strip of chains: Whataburger, Chick-fil-A, Panda Express. For something better, Jack Allen’s Kitchen is about 3 miles south on Burnet Road, and The Domain’s restaurant row is roughly 4.5 miles south.

St. David’s North Austin Medical Center is 2.6 miles away. Austin Community College’s Northridge Campus is about 2.5 miles. CapMetro bus routes 240 and 392 run nearby, but public transit from here is slow and unreliable for a daily commute.

The Commute Math

Route notes: You’ll use Metric Boulevard to Parmer Lane for most nearby destinations. Getting downtown means I-35 south or MoPac, and both get congested during rush hour. MoPac’s variable toll lanes can save 10–15 minutes but cost $3–8 depending on traffic. If you work at any of the tech campuses along Parmer (Apple, Dell, Samsung, IBM), you’re looking at 10–15 minutes each way off-peak.

Neighborhood Vibe

Scofield Farms is quiet and suburban. It’s not walkable in any meaningful sense, and there’s no nightlife within walking distance. What you get is a residential feel with easy access to Parmer Lane shopping and a quick shot to The Domain when you want something more. Scofield Farms Neighborhood Park is 20 acres with trails, and Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park (hiking, BMX track, pool) is about 3 miles south. Schools are Pflugerville ISD: Parmer Lane Elementary, Westview Middle, John B. Connally High.

Pricing & True Cost

Floor Plans

*With current special on 12-month lease. Live pricing can vary by unit and move-in date. All floor plans include full-size washer/dryer.

A note on pricing: The price ranges for these floor plans go much higher than the base rents listed above (up to $2,905 for a two bedroom). That’s live pricing, which changes daily based on which specific unit you’re looking at, when you move in, and how long the lease term is. The base rents above are the starting price for each floor plan. Always ask which specific unit you’re being quoted on.

Net Effective Rent Calculation

Here’s the math on the most popular floor plan. The Conroe one bedroom at $1,168/month:

Current special: 2 months free on a 12-month lease

Using the daily multiplier method:

• Lease term: 365 days
• 2 months free = 60 days
• Multiplier: (365 – 60) ÷ 365 = 0.8356
• $1,168 × 0.8356 = $976/month net effective
• Monthly savings: $1,168 – $976 = $192/month

That’s real money. Over 12 months, you’re saving $2,304 compared to paying full price every month. And here’s the part nobody mentions upfront: when your lease renews, that special goes away. Your Year 2 rent will be at or above the current base rent.

Net effective by floor plan:

All the Fees

True Monthly Cost: A Real Scenario

Let’s say you’re renting the Conroe one bedroom with one dog and you want a reserved parking spot:

• Net effective rent: $976
• Amenity fee: $25
• Pest control: $9
• Pet rent: $20
• Reserved parking: $25
• True monthly cost: $1,055

Move-in costs (first month):

• First month’s rent: $976 (net effective)
• Application fee: $75
• Admin fee: $175
• Pet fee: $400
• Total move-in: ~$1,626

Specials change. What’s listed above was accurate as of July 2026, but I talk to leasing teams regularly, and offers shift. If you want to know what’s actually available right now, fill out the form below.

Want to know what specials are actually available right now?

I track specials across North Austin communities weekly. Current offers shift faster than listing sites can keep up. Fill out a quick form and I’ll send you what’s live today, including anything not posted online.

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Screening Criteria

The Amethyst doesn’t publish credit score minimums or income multiplier requirements anywhere online. That means I’m working from what I know about Waterton’s portfolio and how properties like this typically screen.

What I Know About Screening Here

A 1997 build with a 2019 renovation charging $1,168–$1,545 puts The Amethyst squarely in Class B territory. Here’s what that typically means:

Income requirement: Most likely 3x monthly rent based on base (listed) rent, not net effective. So for the Conroe at $1,168/month, you’d need to show at least $3,504/month.

Credit expectations: Properties like this typically look for 580+ credit for standard approval. Scores between 550–579 may get approved with a higher deposit. Below 550, you’re looking at denial or needing a third-party guarantee. I’d call ahead and ask before spending $75 to find out.

What likely gets you denied:

• Active property debt on your rental history
• Eviction judgment within the past 5 years (if unpaid)
• Multiple evictions regardless of age
• Registered sex offenses
• Violent felonies within 7 years

The Application Process

1. Apply online or in person. Fee is $75 per applicant (you don’t get it back if denied).
2. Waterton runs credit, criminal background, and rental history screening.
3. You’ll usually hear back within 2–3 business days.
4. If approved, you’ll sign your lease and pay your admin fee ($175) plus whatever deposit they require.

To get the 2 months free special, you need a lease of at least 12 months.

Here’s what separates working with a locator from applying blind

I can tell you whether you’re likely to qualify before you spend $75 finding out. If The Amethyst’s screening looks tight for your situation, I know which nearby properties have more flexibility and which ones will definitely say no. For renters with credit or background concerns, that alone can save you hundreds in wasted application fees.

Resident Reviews Decoded

Listing sites show you a 3.0 rating and call it a day. That number doesn’t tell you anything useful on its own. I read through the Google reviews and the 142 reviews on ApartmentRatings to find the patterns that actually tell you what living here is like.

Review Pattern Analysis

What People Like About Living Here

People like the staff here. Joel (onsite manager) and Randi are named as standouts on Google, and Nikki (leasing consultant) gets called out by name on ApartmentRatings as “one of the BEST leasing consultants in Austin.” A three-year Google reviewer praised the management team, a six-year resident gave 5 stars, and an ApartmentHomeLiving reviewer has been here five years and keeps renewing.

The 2019 renovation did its job on the kitchens. Nine Google reviewers bring up the appliances and like what they see. One ApartmentHomeLiving reviewer called the layouts “one of the best I have had” and said the apartments “still have character and feel more like a home.” ApartmentRatings reviewers call out the spacious floor plans, crown molding, and built-in bookshelves.

And then there’s the tennis court. Six Google reviewers mention it, one called it the best in Austin, and ApartmentRatings reviewers back that up. The pool and court both get love.

What People Complain About

Parking is the number one complaint on ApartmentRatings. Multiple reviewers call it horrible. One broke their lease over it. Another says if you get home after 9 PM, expect to spend 15 minutes circling for a spot. The lot has compact spaces that can’t fit trucks or SUVs, so larger vehicles squeeze in and take up multiple spots. If you work evenings or nights, this is a real problem.

Water and mold are a close second. Eight of 182 Google reviewers bring up mold by name. Chris H. posted photos and wrote (in all caps) about “HEAVY WATER INTRUSION AND MOLD.” Amelia called it the worst renting experience of her life. Felicia described water flooding through a light fixture. On ApartmentRatings, another reviewer says mold constantly grows in the walk-in showers. It’s been showing up on both platforms for years.

This isn’t random bad luck. It’s a 1997 building. The renovation in 2019 updated the look of the units but didn’t replace the plumbing, the seals around windows, or the roofing. That’s where the water is coming from.

Car break-ins keep coming up on ApartmentRatings. One reviewer reports their car windows broken twice overnight. Another had hubcaps stolen. A third saw several break-ins and mail theft. One ApartmentRatings reviewer says 16 parking lot lights were out, creating dark spots at night. Despite the gated entry, several reviewers say the gates were broken or open for months at a time.

Maintenance is slow. Leandro waited 45 days for a washing machine repair. Candice described making multiple calls daily just to get someone out. Felicia listed AC motor failure, a broken dryer, and a ceiling leak all within three months. An ApartmentHomeLiving reviewer says they called the office over and over for six months about the same issue and never got a reply.

Pest issues pop up too. Zoe described ants everywhere in her first week, lost $50 in groceries, and didn’t feel like the office took it seriously enough.

How Management Responds

Waterton responds to almost every Google review, positive and negative. The responses are mostly copy-paste: thanks for the review, sorry to hear about the issue, email us at TheAmethyst@waterton.com. They answer, but they don’t really answer. That’s how big management companies work, but it doesn’t make you feel great about whether anyone is actually following up.

Worth knowing: this property used to be called Madison at Scofield Farms. Waterton bought it in 2019, did the renovation, and rebranded it. Some of the older ApartmentRatings reviews still reference the old name. The management responses from that era mention different managers (Kelly, Shelley Johnson, Hope, Carolyn Nguyen), so there’s been real turnover.

The Uncomfortable Truth

No listing site will write this section. That’s kind of the point. I’m not trying to kill the deal. I just want you to know exactly what you’re signing up for.

The Water Problem Isn’t Going Away

The 2019 renovation gave The Amethyst new countertops, appliances, and flooring. It didn’t touch the plumbing, the seals around windows and doors, or the roof. Those are the parts that let water in, and they’re all original 1997. Eight mold mentions out of 182 reviews is a lot. Before you sign, inspect the unit yourself. Check under every sink, look at the ceiling around light fixtures, and check the bathroom caulking. If you see anything, document it before you move in.

Your Year 2 Rent Will Look Very Different

Two months free on a one-year lease brings a $1,168 one bedroom down to $976/month. That’s a great first-year deal. But when your lease renews, the concession disappears. Your rent jumps back to at least $1,168, and probably higher with a renewal increase. Budget for that jump now. If you can’t cover $1,168+ in Year 2, this property is a 12 month stop, not a home.

The 91% Occupancy and Heavy Specials Tell a Story

A 260-unit property at 91% occupancy has 23 empty units. On top of that, they’re giving away 2 months free — roughly 16% off annual rent. That’s not a sign of confidence. That kind of deal usually means the property is competing against newer options nearby. The Kelsey at Scofield Farm opened in 2024 and is 0.35 miles away. Or it’s trying to offset the reputation you can see in the reviews. None of that means you shouldn’t rent here. But it does mean you have more bargaining power than you think when negotiating lease terms.

“Gated Community” Is Generous

The Amethyst markets itself as a gated community with access gates and perimeter fencing. But ApartmentRatings reviewers keep saying the gates are broken, sometimes for months at a time. One noted 16 parking lot lights out, creating dark areas at night. Several reviewers report vehicle crime, stolen hubcaps, and mail theft. The gates look good on paper, but they haven’t been able to keep them working or the lot well lit. If the gated entry is part of why you’re looking at this property, ask when the gates were last fixed and walk the lot at night before signing.

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

You’ve got the full picture now. If The Amethyst fits your situation, I can help you get your application moving. If you’d rather look at other North Austin communities without the water concerns, I know which ones are offering similar specials right now.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does The Amethyst allow pets?

Yes. Up to 2 pets are allowed with a 70-pound weight limit per pet. One pet costs a $400 fee (you don’t get it back) plus $20/month pet rent. Two pets cost $600 upfront plus $20/month per pet. The breed restriction list covers Pit Bulls, Rottweilers, Cane Corsos, and several related breeds. Cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, and reptiles are accepted.

What credit score do I need for The Amethyst?

The property doesn’t publish a credit score minimum. Based on how Waterton typically screens, expect 580+ for standard approval. Lower scores might still work with a higher deposit or third-party guarantee.

Does The Amethyst have in-unit washer and dryer?

Yes. Every unit includes its own washer and dryer. That’s unusual for a property this age and a real advantage over competitors in this price range.

What utilities are included at The Amethyst?

Utilities are not included. You’ll pay electric, water, and trash on your own. Water and trash may come through a billing service like Conservice rather than directly from the utility company. Call the leasing office at (512) 252-5000 to get the exact breakdown.

What is parking like at The Amethyst?

Surface lot parking is included at no extra cost. Reserved spots are $25/month and detached parking runs $85/month. Parking is the most repeated complaint on ApartmentRatings. If you get home after 9 PM, budget for reserved parking.

When was The Amethyst built and renovated?

Built in 1997. Renovated in 2019 with updated unit interiors: quartz countertops, stainless appliances, tile backsplashes, vinyl plank flooring, and USB outlets. The renovation made the units look newer, but it didn’t touch the building’s bones.

Is The Amethyst gated?

Yes, technically. The community has access gates and perimeter fencing. But multiple ApartmentRatings reviewers say the gates are frequently broken or left open. One said they were down for four months straight. “Gated” is the plan, but the execution has been hit or miss.

What move-in specials does The Amethyst currently offer?

As of July 2026, The Amethyst is offering 2 months free on a one-year lease. That brings the Conroe one bedroom from $1,168 to roughly $976/month net effective. Specials change often. Fill out our form to confirm what’s live today.

What school district serves The Amethyst?

Pflugerville ISD. Assigned schools are Parmer Lane Elementary, Westview Middle School, and John B. Connally High School.

The Bottom Line: Is The Amethyst Worth It?

The Year 1 math works. A one bedroom at $976/month net effective with laundry in your apartment, a gated community, and 2019 finishes is hard to match in North Austin. The tennis court is a real bonus if that’s your thing, the dog park and walking trail are useful if you have a pet, and the Parmer Lane tech corridor commute is short.

The trade-off is the building itself. 1997 construction means water intrusion risk, and the reviews confirm it’s real and ongoing. Maintenance can drag. And your Year 2 rent jumps back to full price when the concession expires.

This property makes sense if:

• You need the lowest net effective rent in this part of North Austin
• You can handle a 1997 building with cosmetic renovations
• You want your own washer and dryer without paying 2020s pricing for it
• Your commute runs along the Parmer Lane tech corridor

This property doesn’t make sense if:

• Moisture or mold sensitivity is a factor for you
• You expect quick, consistent maintenance response
• You plan to stay longer than one year without budgeting for a rent increase
• You need a breed or weight exception for your pet

The Amethyst is a good deal with real catches. The first year is strong on value. Go in with your eyes open about the building’s age, inspect your specific unit before signing, and document everything.

Need Help?

You’ve got everything you need to make a call on The Amethyst. But if you want a second opinion:

Fill out the form above and I’ll text you. We can go over your application, talk specials, and figure out next steps. You’ll talk to me directly. Not a bot. My service is free. I’m paid a referral fee from the community’s marketing budget, so you pay the same rent whether you use me or walk in on your own.

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.