The Highlands Apartments Austin Review: Sub-$1,000 Rent in a 2016 Build, But Read the Fine Print

When I track Pflugerville apartment pricing across my database, The Highlands keeps showing up for a combination you almost never see: one bedrooms starting at $980 in a building from 2016 that also accepts misdemeanors, foreclosures, and bankruptcies. As a licensed apartment locator (TX #679806) who tracks screening at 1,000+ Austin-area communities, that combo catches my eye.

Most properties in this price range are from the ’80s or ’90s. And most 2016 builds in Pflugerville want 650+ credit with a clean record.

The Highlands sits in a weird middle ground. It works for a specific type of renter.

But here’s what the listing sites won’t tell you: residents keep reporting roach problems, and you’re paying a mandatory $5/month pest control fee on top of $62 in other required monthly fees. The “gated” community has a gate that residents say doesn’t work half the time. And the “luxury” in the name doesn’t match the price point or the experience. That’s the stuff this review covers.

Quick Facts: The Highlands at a Glance

That 4.0 Google rating looks solid on paper. Yelp tells a different story: 2.0 stars from 22 reviews. When two platforms split that hard on the same property, you need to look at both. Google’s recent reviews are mostly positive, almost all praising the maintenance team. Yelp’s reviews tend to be longer, more detailed, and a lot less flattering. I’ll break this down in the Resident Reviews section below.

Best For / Skip If

Best For

You have a misdemeanor, foreclosure, or bankruptcy and want something newer than 2005. Most properties that accept these backgrounds are Class C builds from the ’80s and ’90s. The Highlands was built in 2016 with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and 9-foot ceilings. That’s a big upgrade from your typical second chance option. They confirm they’ll look at misdemeanors individually (not auto-decline), and discharged bankruptcies within 4 years can get approved with an additional deposit. If your background is making it tough to get approved and you don’t want to live in a building older than you are, this is one of the few options in the Pflugerville market.

You need to stay under $1,000/month for a one bedroom. The A2 floor plan starts at $980 for 695 square feet. That’s below the Pflugerville average of $1,340 for a one bedroom. For renters working hourly jobs or juggling tight budgets, that $360/month difference adds up to $4,320 a year. But read the Pricing section carefully because the mandatory monthly fees change the real number.

You have a dog between 50 and 100 pounds. Most Austin area apartments cap pet weight at 50 or 75 pounds. The Highlands allows up to 100 pounds per pet with a max of two pets. If you have a Lab, a Husky, or any breed that tips the scales past 75 pounds, your options just got wider. Breed restrictions still apply, so call the leasing office at 512-598-6436 to make sure your breed isn’t on the restricted list before you apply.

Skip If

You’re sensitive to pest issues. Residents have been reporting roach problems here for years. One reviewer from about a month ago said roaches got so bad they killed the dishwasher. Another had the same issue for months and pest control sprays didn’t fix it. This isn’t a one-off complaint. And you’re paying a mandatory $5/month pest control fee regardless.

You need the gate to actually work. One reviewer called the gate “open or broken more often than not.” Google’s review tags show 11 mentions of “gated” but only 2 for “working gates.” If gated access is a real requirement for you and not just a bonus, ask the leasing office about the current gate status before signing anything.

Noise bothers you. A June 2026 Yelp reviewer called the noise “unbearable.” This is a 292 unit garden style community with three stories and shared walls. If you’re on a middle or lower floor, plan on hearing your neighbors. Tour the specific unit you’d be living in and visit in the evening when the building is full.

You owe money to any Westwood Residential or Taylor Land Two property. Their rules are clear on this: property debt to any community in their portfolio is an automatic decline unless the balance is paid in full. No exceptions, no workarounds.

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Location Deep Dive

What’s Actually Nearby

The Highlands sits on the south end of Heatherwilde Boulevard in Pflugerville’s 78660 ZIP code. It’s a suburban location, and you’ll need a car for just about everything.

The nearest full grocery store is H-E-B on Wells Branch Parkway, about 1.5 miles north (5-minute drive). There’s a Dollar General directly across the street at 1500 S Heatherwilde for quick grab items, but that’s not real grocery shopping. ALDI, Target, and Costco are all within a 10-minute drive along FM 685 or Pflugerville Parkway.

For dining, most of your options are clustered along Pflugerville Parkway and Pecan Street, roughly 1.5 to 3 miles north. You’re in Pflugerville ISD here. Ruth Barron Elementary is 0.7 miles away (GreatSchools rating: 5/10), and Harmony Science Academy is 0.9 miles away with a 7/10 rating.

Wells Point Park is nearby for outdoor time, and Harris Ridge Dog Park is within a short drive if your dog needs more room than the on-site dog run provides.

Commute Math

Samsung is the closest big employer, so The Highlands makes sense if you’re working shifts over there. The I-35 on-ramp is about 2 miles west, and 130 Toll is roughly 3 miles east. Rush hour heading south toward downtown gets ugly at the I-35/SH-45 merge.

The Neighborhood Reality

This stretch of Heatherwilde is residential and quiet. You’re surrounded by other apartment complexes and single family homes. There’s no walkable nightlife, no coffee shops you can stroll to. That’s either a positive or a negative depending on what you want.

Capital Metro runs limited bus service near the Wells Branch and Heatherwilde intersection. No car means this location will be tough.

Pricing and True Cost

Floor Plans

Net Effective Rent

There are no concessions running at The Highlands right now. No weeks free, no months free, no move-in specials beyond the reduced admin fee. That means your net effective rent equals your base rent.

For context, many Pflugerville competitors are running 4 to 8 weeks free right now. At a property offering 6 weeks free on a $1,000/month unit on a 12-month lease, you’d actually be paying about $885/month. The Highlands doesn’t offer that, so you’re paying full sticker price from day one.

The one exception: the admin fee is currently $100 instead of the standard $200. That saves you $100 at move-in, but it doesn’t change your monthly rent.

Required Fees (Everyone Pays)

Important: If your credit or rental history comes back with issues, you could owe an additional deposit of up to two months’ rent on top of the base deposit. So if you get approved with conditions on a 1BR, you could be looking at $250 + $1,960 (2x $980) = $2,210 in deposits alone.

Optional Fees

True Monthly Cost: What You’re Really Paying

Here’s what a realistic month looks like for a renter in the A2 one bedroom (the most affordable plan) with one pet and covered parking:

That’s $127 more than the advertised $980. Over a 12-month lease, that’s $1,524 in fees beyond what you see on the listing. Without the pet and parking, you’re still looking at $1,047/month after required fees.

Want to Compare This Property’s True Cost to Nearby Options?

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Screening Criteria

Income Requirement

The 3x income requirement is standard for this property class. You’ll need your last four pay stubs as proof. Self employed applicants need last year’s tax return plus six months of bank statements. If you’re starting a new job, a signed offer letter works if management can verify it through HR.

If your income falls short, a guarantor is an option, but the guarantor must make 5x the monthly rent and pass the same screening. And any bankruptcy on a guarantor’s record will get them denied.

Credit Expectations

The Highlands doesn’t publish a hard credit score minimum. Instead, they use a pass/conditional/fail system. Here’s how that works in practice:

Clean credit (650+): Standard deposit ($250 for 1BR), smooth approval, no conditions.

Moderate credit issues (580-649): Likely approved with conditions. Expect an additional deposit. Their criteria say unfavorable credit can mean up to two months’ rent in additional deposit.

Rental debt over $2,000 within 4 years: Additional deposit of two months’ rent required. So on the A2 plan, that’s $1,960 on top of the $250 base deposit.

Discharged bankruptcy within 4 years: Approved with conditions and an additional deposit of one month’s base rent, if all other criteria pass.

Undischarged bankruptcy within 4 years: Denied.

What Gets You Denied

Here’s what gets you auto-denied based on their published criteria:

Always denied:

• Violent crimes against people or law enforcement (assault, sexual offenses, crimes against children/elderly, kidnapping)
• Drug manufacturing, distribution, or trafficking convictions
• Misdemeanor drug possession within 1 year of offense date
• Active (undischarged) bankruptcy within 4 years
• Any outstanding debt to a Westwood Residential or Taylor Land Two property
• Getting kicked out, not renewed, or ending your lease early for rule violations at any Westwood or Taylor Land Two property

Conditional (case by case):

• Foreclosure within 4 years (additional deposit of one month’s rent)
• Eviction judgment or broken lease with money owed within 4 years (additional deposit possible)
• Other felony and misdemeanor offenses (reviewed based on degree and time from offense)
• Rental collection balances over $2,000 within 4 years (additional deposit of two months’ rent)

They do allow misdemeanors (other than the specific exclusions above), accept foreclosures, and accept bankruptcies. That’s more flexibility than most Class B properties in Pflugerville. If you’re dealing with bad credit or a broken lease, this is a property worth looking at.

Here’s what separates working with a locator from applying blind: I can tell you whether your income, credit, and rental history are likely to pass The Highlands’ screening before you spend $75 finding out. If The Highlands looks tight for your situation, I know which nearby communities have more flexibility. Call me.

Resident Reviews Decoded

Review Pattern Analysis

The Google vs. Yelp Split

This is the most important thing to understand about The Highlands’ review profile. Google shows 4.0 stars from 222 reviews. Yelp shows 2.0 stars from 22 reviews. That’s not a rounding difference. That’s two completely different pictures of the same property. So which one do you trust?

On Google, recent reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with about a dozen landing in a two-week window. Most praise the maintenance team by name (Kendrick, Adal, Damian). That looks like the property asked residents to leave reviews, which isn’t unusual and isn’t shady on its own. But it does mean the recent Google rating came from a push rather than people leaving reviews on their own.

On Yelp, the reviews are longer and more detailed. A June 2026 reviewer said the noise was unbearable and that the “luxury” branding was misleading. A July 2026 reviewer said someone on a golf cart threatened them. A July 2025 reviewer wrote in all caps that good reviews were paid for. Yelp also has a March 2023 review describing a roach infestation lasting over a year, with pest control making it worse.

Neither platform tells the complete story alone. But when Google is 4.0 and Yelp is 2.0, the truth is probably somewhere in between. The Yelp complaints matter because they cover stuff (noise, safety, pest control failures) that the positive Google reviews don’t touch.

What’s Working

The maintenance team gets called out by name more than at almost any property I track. Kendrick, Adal, and Damian each appear in multiple Google reviews. Residents say they respond fast, show up after hours, and have good attitudes. One reviewer noted Kendrick came out on a weekend evening to unclog a kitchen drain. Another praised Damian for getting work orders done fast and right. That kind of consistent, named praise across months tells you the maintenance operation is solid.

The office staff also gets positive mentions. Esmeralda, Angela, and Kara are named as helpful. Long term residents (one has been here 8 years, another 2 years) continue leaving positive reviews, which says something about retention.

What’s Not Working

The roach complaints go back three years and show up on both Google and Yelp. One Yelp reviewer (Rafael G.) lived with roaches for over a year. Pest control sprays made things worse, not better. On Google, Trinity described an infestation bad enough to kill a dishwasher. Marisa had the same problem 11 months earlier in a different unit. And Geo Reyes was blunt: “full of cockroaches.” This is the most consistent negative pattern across all the property’s reviews.

Noise is a newer concern. Sara M.’s June 2026 Yelp review called the noise “unbearable.” This is a 292 unit community with three floors and shared walls. Sound travels. If you’re on a middle or lower floor, expect to hear your neighbors.

Safety concerns have also escalated recently. TK’s Google review described fights in stairwells, car break-ins, and pit bulls off leash. Mike T.’s July 2026 Yelp review reported being threatened by someone on a golf cart who claimed to live there.

That’s not typical for a 2016 build in Pflugerville.

Management responds to nearly every Google review, but the responses are mostly templated. Some people who left bad reviews were told “we don’t recognize you as a resident,” which either means the reviewer doesn’t live there or management can’t connect their Google name to a unit number.

The Uncomfortable Truth

No listing site will write this section. I’m not trying to kill the deal. I want you to know what you’re signing up for.

You’re Paying for Pest Control That Isn’t Solving the Problem

Every resident pays $5/month for pest control as a mandatory fee. That’s $60 a year per unit, times 292 units. But roach complaints go back at least three years across Google and Yelp.

Here’s the pattern: Rafael G. on Yelp spent over a year dealing with roaches, said the pest control company actually made it worse, and had the maintenance crew spray for five minutes twice. Trinity on Google said roaches got bad enough to kill the dishwasher. Marisa on Google had the same problem in a different unit. Three reviewers, same story, different years.

Garden style buildings with three stories have shared walls where bugs move between apartments. If neighboring units aren’t clean, your unit gets affected no matter what you do. Ask the leasing office what pest control company they use, how often they spray, and whether they treat the whole building or only units that put in requests.

The “Luxury” Label Doesn’t Match

The Highlands markets itself as “The Highlands Luxury Apartments.” Their website says luxury over and over. But one bedrooms start at $980, the community accepts misdemeanors and bankruptcies, and the finishes (granite counters, stainless appliances) are standard for any 2016 build. There’s nothing wrong with what this property is. It’s a solid Class B community with decent amenities and good pricing. But if you’re coming in expecting a luxury experience based on the branding, you’ll be disappointed. Sara M.’s June 2026 Yelp review said it bluntly: “There is absolutely nothing luxury about these apartments.” An ApartmentRatings reviewer said the same thing — they couldn’t understand how the property uses “LUXURY APARTMENTS” in its name.

The Gate Creates a False Sense of Security

The property is marketed as gated. But TK’s detailed Google review (with photos) describes the gate as “open or broken more often than not.” The same review mentions car break-ins inside the gated lot. That’s the problem with a broken gate: people assume they’re protected when they’re not. If you’re counting on gated access, verify the current status during your tour and walk the parking area yourself.

The Google Rating Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story

A 4.0 on Google feels reassuring. But Yelp shows 2.0 stars, and one Yelp reviewer explicitly claimed positive reviews were paid incentives. I can’t verify that claim, and asking happy residents to leave reviews isn’t shady. But when a dozen positive Google reviews land in the same two-week window and Yelp’s longer, more detailed reviews describe roaches, noise, and safety issues, you should read both platforms before deciding. Don’t rely on a single rating number.

Ready to Move Forward, or Want to See Alternatives?

Whether The Highlands is the right fit or you want to compare options across Pflugerville and the north suburbs, I can pull current pricing and availability for properties that match your situation.

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FAQ

Does The Highlands accept felonies?

It depends on the type and how long ago. Violent crimes, sexual offenses, and drug manufacturing/distribution/trafficking charges are automatic declines. Other felonies and misdemeanors get looked at based on the charge and how long ago it happened. The property has a specific list available on request. Call the leasing office at 512-598-6436 to ask about your situation, or reach out to me and I can tell you whether it’s worth applying.

Does The Highlands accept evictions?

Evictions within the last 4 years can get you denied, but conditional approval with an additional deposit is possible if the rest of your application is strong. If you have an eviction on your record, check out our guide to apartments that accept evictions in Austin for more options.

What credit score do I need for The Highlands?

There’s no published minimum. They look at credit, rental history, income, and background together and score you as pass, conditional, or fail. Lower scores mean bigger deposits — up to two months’ rent on top of the base.

Are utilities included at The Highlands?

No. Electric is in the resident’s name (with a $35 meter read fee when you sign the lease). Water and sewer are sub-metered and billed back to you monthly. You’ll also pay $67/month in mandatory fees (amenity, pest control, liability, trash) on top of rent.

Does The Highlands have washer and dryer in unit?

The units have W/D connections, not actual machines. You’ll need to buy or rent your own washer and dryer.

Is The Highlands really gated?

On paper, yes. In practice, resident reviews say it’s broken more often than it works. Check for yourself during your tour.

How much is parking at The Highlands?

Surface lot parking is included. Covered parking runs $40/month, and garage parking is $125/month.

Are there any move-in specials at The Highlands right now?

No rent concessions as of August 2026. The admin fee is $100 (normally $200). That’s the only current discount.

The Bottom Line

The Highlands works if you need a 2016 building with sub-$1,000 one bedrooms and your background doesn’t fit the typical Class A or B criteria. That combination — newer construction, 100-pound pet limit, willingness to work with misdemeanors, foreclosures, and bankruptcies — is genuinely hard to find in one property. The maintenance team gets some of the strongest named praise I’ve seen in Pflugerville reviews. And the location works well for anyone commuting to Samsung, Dell, or Apple.

But the mandatory monthly fees push that $980 base rent to $1,047 before you add parking or pets. The pest issues are documented across Google and Yelp over multiple years. The gate doesn’t reliably work. And there are no rent concessions right now, which means you’re paying full price while competitors offer 4 to 8 weeks free.

This property makes sense if:

• You have a misdemeanor, foreclosure, or discharged bankruptcy and need newer construction
• Your budget is tight and sub-$1,000 base rent in a 2016 build matters to you
• You have a larger dog (50-100 lbs) and need a property that won’t auto-decline your pet
• You work at Samsung, Dell, or another north side employer and want a short commute

This property doesn’t make sense if:

• You can’t handle the possibility of roaches in a garden-style building
• You’re counting on a functioning gate for security
• You’re comparing total cost including fees and want the best net effective rent (competitors with concessions will beat this)
• You owe money to any Westwood Residential or Taylor Land Two managed property

My honest take: The Highlands is a practical option for a specific renter. If your background limits your choices, this is one of the better buildings you’ll qualify for. If you have clean credit and a clean record, compare before committing, especially since other Pflugerville properties are running real concessions right now.

Need Help Deciding?

My service is free. I’m paid a referral fee from the property’s marketing budget, and your rent is the same whether you use a locator or apply on your own.

If you want help: Fill out the quick intake form and I’ll text you within a few hours with a straight answer on whether The Highlands works for you, plus 2-3 alternatives worth comparing.

If you want to go solo: Apply directly through The Highlands website or call their leasing office at 512-598-6436. 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.