<p>I'm interested in living at a co-op next year, but have no clue which ones to look into. Any advice on the specific co-ops, people there, ect. would be greatly appreciated! Thanks and hook 'em!</p>
<p>Well, here is a directory:
<a href=“http://www.nasco.coop/guide/coop_members_list?filter0=TX&filter1=**ALL**&filter2=**ALL**&x=36&y=16[/url]”>http://www.nasco.coop/guide/coop_members_list?filter0=TX&filter1=**ALL**&filter2=**ALL**&x=36&y=16</a></p>
<p>College Houses - [College</a> Houses Cooperatives: Student Owned and Student Run](<a href=“http://www.collegehouses.org/]College”>http://www.collegehouses.org/)</p>
<p>ICC Co-ops - [ICC</a> Austin: Affordable Co-operative Student Housing](<a href=“Affordable Student Housing - ICC Austin”>http://iccaustin.coop/)</p>
<p>These are the ones situated in West Campus. PM if you have any questions about the co-ops you’re interested in. Each one is really different! :)</p>
<p>I hear a lot about 21st street? Is it totally awesome?</p>
<p>ah yeah it is. haha. </p>
<p>it gets a little messy after parties, but they’re a good bunch.</p>
<p>Co-op living around here can be really great. I live in an ICC co-op in West Campus, and I have to say, the familial environment is great and it’s nice to live in such an eclectic ecosystem of people. The prices are great and the labor is both reasonable and potentially enjoyable, depending on your duties.</p>
<p>I know a few people that have lived at 21st street, and they say that although it’s enjoyable, it’s much more like apartment living due to the expensive facility and more divided suites (in comparison to living in one house). A lot of the other College House co-ops have similar apartmental environments. </p>
<p>There are some other independent housing options (Whitehall, Sunflower, Deusches), but I can’t personally voice an opinion about them; I’ve never met anyone who’s lived in one of them.</p>
<p>Bottom line, I’d recommend an ICC-operated coop. The houses are diverse and facilitate many different lifestyles and living environments. There are quieter houses and rowdier houses (pretty much directly proportional to how many people live in the house). It’s cheap, cozy, welcoming, fun, and presents the opportunity to live with people who could be extremely different than yourself. It’s great.</p>
<p>On the contrary on what I’ve heard from 21st streeters on it feeling like an apartment facility. They’re divided up into suites, therefore giving group of people a chance to feel more tight knit! Historically, it was the first co-op in America BUILT to be a co-op. Check it!</p>
<p>Now where I live - @ the Pearl Co-op. It is more like a dorm because I only get my one suite mate where as 21st Streeters get I think like 15-20 suitemates per suite. Originally Pearl was an all girls dorm for UT before it was converted into a co-op. That’s why it’s different. </p>
<p>But yeah anyway, ICC is good too. They’re all definitely more of a ‘‘house’’ like feel. I’m 50/50 going to one next year!</p>
<p>My son lives in Taos. It is super convenient to campus. The price is very affordable. Meals are great (one of the co-opers is a trained chef). Its on the corner of 27th and Guadalupe. He is a freshman and says he can’t imagine living anywhere else. He has a huge private room plus 14 meals a week and a kitchen that is open 24 hours for $715 a month. There are lots of common areas to hang out with friends. Its a great balance of quiet when he wants it and social time when he has time. He is one of the few freshman at Taos.</p>
<p>I am both really excited and tentative about living in a coop house next year, my first year off campus!</p>
<p>If I apply now, what are the chances of me actually receiving the contract? On campus dorm applications close on Jan 17, should I apply there too just in case coop doesn’t have spots and I’ll be left with no choice in the last few months?</p>
<p>To whomever that lived in a coop house before, can you elaborate on the living situation there? I’ve heard of all the obvious pros and cons, but what about the reputation? Academic atmosphere vs. party scene? </p>
<p>THANKS A TON IN ADVANCE! (:</p>