Village at Collinwood Apartments Austin Review: Senior Tax Credit Housing in North Austin (78753) For Rent

If you’re a senior in Austin who qualifies for income restricted housing and you keep hitting dead ends with rent that eats your fixed income alive, Village at Collinwood deserves a hard look. This 174-unit community in the Windsor Hills area of North Austin is one of the few senior tax credit properties where all utilities are included in your rent. I track pricing across 1,000+ Austin properties through ApartmentData.com and direct property contacts. An all bills paid setup on an income restricted property? That’s rare.

But here’s what the listing sites won’t tell you: the elevators break down regularly, the gates don’t always work, and the pet rules on the books aren’t the pet rules being enforced. Those trade-offs matter when you’re committing to a 12-month lease.

This review breaks down the real costs, screening requirements, and what 104 resident reviews across seven platforms actually say about living here.

Quick Facts: Village at Collinwood

I pulled reviews from Google, ApartmentRatings, Yelp, Apartments.com, ApartmentList, After55.com, and ApartmentHomeLiving. About 104 reviews total across all platforms. The Google score of 3.9 looks decent, but the smaller platforms tell a harder story. Apartments.com sits at 2.3. After55.com is a 2.0, with a May 2026 review about mold and unsafe conditions. The good ones are about staff. The bad ones are about elevators, gates, and conditions that matter a lot in a senior community. I’ll break down both below.

Who This Property Works For

You qualify for income restricted housing and want predictable monthly costs. The all bills paid setup means no surprise utility bills. That’s a big deal on a fixed income. Your rent covers electricity, water, gas, trash, and sewer. At a regular apartment charging $1,200, you’d add $150–200 a month in utilities on top. At the current asking rent of $895, that’s your total monthly number. Nothing else on top.

The 2x income requirement is lower than almost anything else in Austin. Most properties want 3x monthly rent. Here it’s 2x. At $895, that means you need $1,790 a month in household income. That’s $21,480 a year. At a 3x property charging $1,200, you’d need $3,600 a month. Big difference if you’re living on Social Security, a pension, or part-time income.

Renovated finishes at income restricted pricing. The 2024 renovation brought quartz countertops, black and stainless appliances, walk-in showers, and laminate flooring. You’d normally pay $1,400–1,700 a month for these finishes at a place without income restrictions. Here you’re getting them for $895 all-in.

Cats and small dogs are fine. Two pets max, 50 pounds each. Breed restrictions apply, and they require a pet interview plus proof of spay or neuter.

Who Should Skip This Property

Make too much money? You’re out. This is a tax credit property. For a single person, the income cap falls in the $54,480–$57,840 range (I’ve seen two different numbers on listing sites; confirm with the property). Two person households cap around $62,220–$66,120. That’s the ceiling, not the floor. You can be denied for earning too much.

The elevator track record is a real concern. I counted elevator breakdown complaints across multiple platforms and time periods. One says they were down “for around a year.” Three-story buildings with elevator access sounds great on paper, but that track record is a real problem for anyone with mobility needs. Biggest red flag I found.

Large dogs won’t work here. The 50-pound weight limit rules out most large breeds. Breed restrictions add another filter. If your pet situation is complicated, keep looking.

Weekend office hours are limited. My listing data shows the office is closed Saturday and Sunday, though Yelp lists Saturday hours of 10 AM – 2 PM. Either way, Sunday is out. If you work weekdays and need to handle paperwork in person, check with the office on their current schedule before you plan around it.

Ready to See If Village at Collinwood Fits Your Situation?

I can tell you whether your income and background match this property’s screening before you spend the $18 application fee. If it doesn’t work, I know which nearby senior and income restricted communities will.

Location: What’s Actually Around You

Village at Collinwood sits at 1001 Collinwood West Dr in the Windsor Hills area, about 10 miles north of downtown Austin off I-35. The 78753 zip code puts you between North Lamar Boulevard and Rundberg Lane.

What’s nearby: Braker Hills Shopping Center and Walnut Ridge Center are both a short drive for groceries and errands. H-E-B and Walmart are both within a couple of miles. Dollar Tree and Family Dollar are even closer. For dining, Rundberg and North Lamar have dozens of options, heavy on Mexican, Salvadoran, Vietnamese, and Chinese food. Food-wise, it’s one of the most diverse stretches in Austin.

The property sits on a Capital Metro bus route, which matters if you don’t drive. Kramer Station on the MetroRail Red Line is about 3.5 miles away.

There’s an on-site food pantry for seniors that runs on Fridays from 11 AM to noon. That’s a resource you won’t find listed on Apartments.com.

Commute Times

The I-35 commute south is the rough one during rush hour. If you need to go north toward Round Rock or south toward downtown regularly, plan for traffic on that stretch.

The Neighborhood

Windsor Hills is residential and relatively quiet. The property backs up to wooded areas. I’ve seen that come up again and again in reviews from people who’ve lived here a while. It’s part of why they picked the place. There’s no nightlife or entertainment within walking distance, but for most people looking at a senior community, that’s the whole point. Rundberg Lane has a reputation that makes some people hesitate, but the property is tucked back on Collinwood West Drive, not on Rundberg itself.

Schools zoned here fall under Austin ISD: Graham Elementary, Dobie Middle School, and Northeast Early College High School. I checked home listings on the same street and they all show AISD. The property’s listing in ApartmentData.com shows Pflugerville ISD schools, but that’s wrong for this address.

Pricing and True Cost

Floor Plans

All units are flat layouts at 60% AMI. Here’s why two rent columns: my source file (ApartmentData.com) lists the max rent the program allows at $1,428 and $1,709. But Zillow, ApartmentFinder, and Trulia all show current asking rents of $895 and $1,095–$1,195, with 33 units available out of 174. The property has slashed rents and is running 2 months free to fill vacancies. Confirm the current asking rent with the leasing office before you budget around either number.

Net Effective Rent: The Math

The property is running 2 months free on a 12-month lease. Here’s what that actually saves you on the one bedroom at the current asking rent:

• Current asking rent: $895/month
• Lease term: 12 months (365 days)
• Free rent: 2 months (60 days)
• Daily multiplier: (365 – 60) ÷ 365 = 0.8356
• Net effective rent: $895 × 0.8356 = $748/month
• Monthly savings: $147
• Annual savings: $1,790

For the two bedroom at $1,095:

• Current asking rent: $1,095/month
• Net effective rent: $1,095 × 0.8356 = $915/month
• Monthly savings: $180
• Annual savings: $2,190

$748 a month for a renovated one bedroom with all utilities included. That’s the number. The concession spreads across the full lease, so your effective cost drops for all 12 months.

Fee Breakdown

Required Fees (everyone pays):

Optional Fees (only if applicable):

True Monthly Cost: A Real Scenario

Here’s what a one bedroom actually costs for a senior with one small dog and covered parking, using the current asking rent:

Compare that to a regular one bedroom in North Austin at $1,200 base rent. Add $175 in utilities, $50 parking, $25 pet rent, and your real cost is $1,450. Village at Collinwood at $803 a month with no utility bills is about half that. Even without the concession, $950 all-in is hard to match anywhere in Austin for a renovated unit.

Why are the rents this low? The property has 33 open units out of 174. That’s a 19% vacancy rate. When a property drops rents this hard and offers 2 months free, they need to fill units. That’s good news for you as a renter, but it also tells you something about demand. And that ties back to the elevator and maintenance issues I covered above.

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

I run the numbers on every property I recommend. If Village at Collinwood’s pricing doesn’t work for your situation, I know which income restricted and senior communities in North Austin offer better deals right now. And if you’re dealing with a broken lease on your record, I can tell you which properties will still work with your situation.

Screening Criteria

Village at Collinwood is a tax credit property, which means screening works differently than at a regular apartment.

Income Requirements

The income requirement is 2x monthly rent in total household income before taxes. But because this is income restricted housing, there’s also a maximum income cap based on 60% of the area median income.

At the current asking rent of $895, the 2x minimum means you only need $1,790 a month. That’s $21,480 a year, or about $10.33 an hour. Most Social Security recipients clear that. At a regular apartment charging $1,200 with a 3x requirement, you’d need $3,600 a month. The gap between what you need here and what you’d need elsewhere is huge.

The paperwork is more involved than at a regular apartment. Expect to hand over tax returns, Social Security benefit statements, pension records, bank statements, and any other proof of income. Tax credit properties verify everything because the program requires it.

Credit and Background

The source data doesn’t list a specific credit score minimum or say how they handle background checks at Village at Collinwood. [VERIFY: Contact the property to confirm credit minimum, eviction lookback period, and criminal background policy.]

What I can tell you from working with tax credit properties across Austin: they tend to be more flexible on credit than regular apartments, but stricter on the income paperwork. Most tax credit communities work with scores in the 550+ range when other factors line up. If your situation involves an eviction, here’s how apartments that accept evictions in Austin actually work.

Every property sets its own policy, though. I’d want to check this one’s numbers before you apply.

Denial Triggers (Tax Credit Properties Generally)

• Household income exceeds 60% AMI limits
• Income docs they can’t confirm or that are missing
• Active property debt to a previous landlord [VERIFY]
• Recent eviction filings [VERIFY: lookback period]
• Lying on the application
• Failed pet screening (breed restrictions, weight limit)

Application Process

1. Apply: $18 per person. Turn in your income paperwork.
2. Income check: The property checks that your household income is in the right range (above the minimum, below the cap). This step takes longer than at a regular apartment because tax credit properties have to document everything.
3. Screening: Credit and background check.
4. Decision: Approval, conditional approval (higher deposit), or denial.

Here’s what working with a locator does for you here: I can tell you whether your income, credit, and rental history are likely to pass Village at Collinwood’s screening before you spend $18 finding out. If this property looks tight for your situation, I know which nearby communities have more flexibility, including second chance apartments in Austin that work with challenging backgrounds. Text Ross: (512) 865-4672

What 104 Reviews Across 7 Platforms Actually Tell You

Review Pattern Analysis

The Good

Staff names keep coming up across reviews and across different time periods. Keno. Franshawn. Isabel. Abby. Richard in maintenance. All of them got named in multiple reviews. You can’t fake that. When the same leasing consultant gets praised five separate times over different months, it tells you something real about the office.

The 2024 renovation is getting good feedback from people who actually lived through the construction. One resident who was here for three years (2022–2025) said their “only regret is we won’t get to enjoy the newly renovated units.” That kind of praise from someone who’s been there three years means more than a five-star review written the day someone moved in.

And the new management under Isabel is getting credit for making things better. One review says she “made some much-needed changes to make this Senior Living safer” and “stays on top of things getting done.” That’s from about two months ago, so it’s fresh enough to trust.

The Bad

The elevator situation is the biggest red flag across every platform I checked. On Google, one reviewer wrote that elevators “broke down including for around a year.” Another says “Elevator is broken again. This happens way too much!” A verified resident on Apartments.com (November 2025) put it this way: “The elevator doesn’t work and I need it.” That’s three different people, on three different platforms, across different time periods. For a three-story senior community, that’s a serious problem.

The most alarming thing I found was a May 2026 review on After55.com. The exact words: “moldy, unsafe.” The person said they were “medically advised to vacate.” They also said staff ignored repeated requests for help with their unit and a letter from their doctor, and that belongings and medications went missing. That’s one review, and I can’t verify the details, but those are specific claims from a recent date.

Then there are the gates and cameras. I found one Google review where a person’s mother had her “car repeatedly vandalized” while “the gates and cameras were not in working order.” Over on ApartmentHomeLiving, a 2019 review says “broken gates for months and months.” Same complaint in 2019, 2025, and 2026. It hasn’t been fixed through the management change.

Pet rules are on the books but not on the ground. I found a review naming a specific unit with three dogs and three cats in a one bedroom. Three years running, according to that reviewer, and nobody’s done anything about it.

One more thing: that same Apartments.com review says “there is no laundry room, something I need.” But the property’s amenity list shows laundry rooms. Either the laundry was out of service or the resident couldn’t get to it. Worth asking about during your tour.

Management Response Pattern

RPM Living responds to almost every Google review. But it’s template language. Positive reviews get “we are so happy you left us 5-stars! We think you are 5-stars too!” Negative reviews get a “please call the office” response, which is the right call for privacy.

Here’s the miss that stuck with me: someone left a complaint about movers damaging property with no follow-through on repairs. Management responded with “we appreciate you! It is experiences like this that make us LOVE what we do!” Whoever posted that reply didn’t read the review.

Here’s context that matters: RPM Living isn’t the only company to run this property. Older listings show Allied Orion Group as a previous manager. The BBB has the property at a C+ with one unanswered complaint.

Put it all together and I see a property where the leasing office is friendly, but the follow-through on serious maintenance problems has been hit or miss over the years.

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.

Elevator Outages Are a Pattern, Not a One-Off

This isn’t a one-time breakdown. I found elevator complaints across different people, different platforms, and different time periods, including one claim of a year-long outage. For a property that markets itself as senior housing with elevator access, this is the first thing you should ask about. Before you sign, ask the leasing office directly: when was the last elevator outage, how long did it last, and what’s the plan when it happens again?

“Gated Community” Is Doing a Lot of Heavy Lifting

A gated community is only gated when the gates actually close. I’ve seen several reviews about gates being open or broken, and cameras that weren’t working when things happened. If safety matters to you or a family member moving here, ask to see the gates working during your tour. Don’t take the amenity list at face value.

One Review From May 2026 Should Be on Your Radar

A May 2026 review on After55.com uses the words “moldy, unsafe” and says the person was “medically advised to vacate.” The same review says staff didn’t respond to requests for help or to a letter from their doctor. They also said belongings and medications disappeared from the unit. I can’t confirm any of that on my own. But those are specific claims from a recent date, and they’re the kind of thing that should make you ask hard questions during your tour. Ask what the property does about mold. Ask what happens when someone puts in a maintenance request about a health issue. And if you or a family member has respiratory or immune issues, do that homework before you sign.

The Rent Story Is More Complicated Than It Looks

The rent picture here is confusing, and that’s worth talking about. My source file lists $1,428 for a one bedroom, but Zillow, ApartmentFinder, and Trulia all have it at $895. Both figures are for the same 60% AMI tier. The difference is that the property has cut asking rents hard to fill vacancies. When I see 33 open units out of 174, that explains it. Ask the leasing office what you’ll actually pay, and get it in writing before you sign. Rent reductions can disappear when the building fills back up.

New Management Means a Short Track Record

I covered the management history above, so I won’t repeat it. What I want you to take away from it is this: when a senior community goes through management changes, what the old team knew about their residents doesn’t always carry over. The current team under Isabel is getting good early feedback, but “early” is the key word. Ask the leasing office how long the current team has been in place. Ask what’s changed since the transition. And pay attention to whether the person giving you the tour can answer specific questions about the building, or whether they’re reading from a script.

Ready to Move Forward, or Want to See Alternatives?

If Village at Collinwood checks enough boxes, I can walk you through the application. If the elevator situation or income cap is a dealbreaker, I know which other senior and income restricted properties in North Austin have openings right now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Village at Collinwood income restricted?

Yes. This is a Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) property. Your household income needs to be at or under 60% of the area median income for Travis County. For a single person, that cap falls between $54,480 and $57,840 depending on which listing site you check. For two people, it’s $62,220 to $66,120. The numbers change when HUD updates them, so confirm the current cap with the leasing office.

Is Village at Collinwood a senior community?

Yes. The property markets itself as 55+ senior living, but After55.com lists the actual policy as “intended and operated for occupancy by persons 40 years of age or older.” If you’re between 40 and 54, call the leasing office and ask whether you qualify.

Are utilities included at Village at Collinwood?

Yes. Village at Collinwood is an all bills paid property. Electricity, water, gas, sewer, and trash are included in your rent.

What is the income requirement at Village at Collinwood?

You need at least 2x your monthly rent in total household income before taxes. At the current asking rent of $895 for a one bedroom, that’s $1,790 per month. Your income also can’t go over the 60% AMI cap for your household size.

Does Village at Collinwood allow pets?

Yes, with restrictions. Two pets maximum, 50 pounds each, breed restrictions apply. You’ll pay a $300 deposit, $150 non-refundable fee, and $25 per month pet rent. They’ll want a pet interview and proof of spay/neuter.

Is Village at Collinwood in a good location?

The property is in the Windsor Hills area of North Austin, about 10 miles from downtown off I-35. H-E-B and Walmart are within 2 miles. The area is car dependent (Walk Score 46–50) but there’s a Capital Metro bus route on site. It’s residential and quiet, set back from Rundberg.

What’s included in the 2024 renovation at Village at Collinwood?

Renovated units got quartz countertops, black and stainless appliances, laminate flooring, and walk-in showers. The property is still marketing units as “NEWLY RENOVATED” as of October 2026. People who were here during the work say the new finishes are worth it. Ask the leasing office how many units are finished and whether the one you’d move into has the new finishes.

How much is parking at Village at Collinwood?

Open parking is included. Covered parking is $30 per month.

What school district is Village at Collinwood in?

Austin ISD. The zoned schools are Graham Elementary, Dobie Middle School, and Northeast Early College High School. The property’s listing in ApartmentData.com shows Pflugerville ISD schools, but I checked home listings on the same street and they all show Austin ISD.

The Bottom Line

Village at Collinwood is a good deal for seniors who qualify for the income restrictions and want to know exactly what they’re paying each month. All bills paid, a 2x income requirement, and 2024 renovations are three things you don’t usually see together at income restricted properties in North Austin.

At the current asking rent with the 2 months free concession, your one bedroom net effective rent drops to about $748 a month with zero utility bills on top. Even at the posted rate without the concession, $895 all-in for a renovated unit is hard to beat anywhere in Austin.

The main trade-off is the maintenance. The elevator problems are a real concern for a senior community, and the gate and camera issues undercut the “gated community” promise. The new management under Isabel is getting positive early reviews, but it’s too soon to say whether the elevator and gate problems will actually get fixed under RPM Living’s current team.

This property makes sense if:

• Your income falls between the 2x minimum and the 60% AMI cap
• Predictable monthly costs matter more to you than brand-new construction
• You’re comfortable in North Austin and don’t need walkable entertainment
• You can tolerate occasional elevator outages (or live on the first floor)

This property doesn’t make sense if:

• Your income exceeds the 60% AMI cap (roughly $54K–$58K single / $62K–$66K couple)
• You need reliable daily elevator access and can’t risk outages
• You have a dog over 50 pounds or a restricted breed
• You want weekend leasing office hours

My honest take: if you qualify on income and you can get a first-floor unit, Village at Collinwood is one of the better income restricted senior deals in North Austin right now. A renovated one bedroom for $895 with all utilities included, a 2x income requirement, and 2 months free on top of that? I don’t see that combination often.

The 19% vacancy rate tells you there are real issues here. The elevator and gate problems are what’s driving people away. But if you go in with your eyes open and ask the hard questions during your tour, the value is real. Just ask about the elevators before you sign anything.

Need Help?

Path 1: Work with me. My service is free. I’m paid a small referral fee from the property’s advertising budget. Your rent is the same whether you use a locator or apply on your own. I can pre-screen your income and background against Village at Collinwood’s criteria before you apply, compare the true cost to other income restricted properties nearby, and save you from wasting application fees at places that won’t approve you.

Path 2: Go solo. If you’d rather apply directly, call the leasing office at (737) 372-5688. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. Closed weekends.

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.