<p>So after hearing straight from UT that housing contracts are no longer being offered because current space is full, i'm looking at Dobie and the Castilian. I've heard different things about both dorms... and honestly all I am looking for is something that is at minimum average, on campus,and liveable.</p>
<p>So opinions please? and does anyone know if room is available at either?</p>
<p>I toured dobie, utowers, && castillian during memorial day weekend, && I ended up choosing to live in castillian.</p>
<p>it’s much nicer than either dobie or utowers, && it’s closer to the college of natural sciences. it’s as close to “on campus” as an off-campus dorm can get.
inside it’s really nice, almost hotel-like in appearance. there’s an exercise room, game room, indoor pool, computer room, piano lounge, && movie theatre. according to people who’ve lived there before, the food in the cafeteria is amazing~ there are huge windows everywhere, so it really feels open && bright, unlike dobie && utowers.
the dorm rooms themselves are a little small, but not small enough to make you want to kill your roomie. you’ll share a connecting bathroom with one or three other people, depending on whether you live in a single or double. </p>
<p>the pricing is about the same for all three dorms, but I’d recommend castillian if you’re looking for the convenience of an on-campus dorm && the live-ability of an off-campus dorm.</p>
<p>but whatever you do, DON’T PICK GOODALL-WOOTEN.
that place is hell on earth && smells worse than jester.</p>
<p>One of the good people here should be along soon who can answer your questions but if you’re antsy do a forum search for Dobie, Castillian, Towers, or dorm. I know there have been several posts in the past concerning private dorms. S was supposed to have stayed in Dobie a couple years ago for a summer thing but was placed at Jester. Some of his friends who were at Dobie said he got the better deal. I haven’t heard many positive things about either, especially Castillian. I think University Towers is better but all I know is hearsay. Google for austin dorms.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input! I think I saw photos on Castilian’s website, but Dobie has zero pictures whatsoever, and that makes me nervous. I’ve heard several things about both dorms, mostly negative comments, but this could be coming from people who expect a 5* living experience. I’m not expecting luxury, but I don’t want to live in something comparable to a dump. </p>
<p>Is there space still available at Dobie and the Castilian?</p>
<p>We received a mailer yesterday for Dobie. They are running a special. They had a few different types of rooms avail. It is cheaper than the UT dorms. We checked out all three for my daughter. She chose Towers. She liked that each 2 bedroom suite had a living room and small kitchen. She wants to be able to make breakfast when she has early classes. All three have pluses and minuses. You will be with mostly freshmen. Towers has a lot of frat/sor. pledges living there. Good Luck</p>
<p>I would pick Dobie but the Castle isn’t a bad choice at all.</p>
<p>However, if you are an upperclassman I would just get an apartment. The dorms at UT are very freshman-centric.</p>
<p>I was just in Austin dropping off D at orientation and toured Towers. Accomodations were nicest I have ever seen in a college dorm setting, though I have never been in Castillian. Towers has both “updated” and non-updated rooms. Both were far nicer than anything I’ve seen in a college dorm. Don’t know much about Dobie - have not been inside since 1982. Folks at front desk of Towers seemed friendly and accommodating. Good luck with your choice!</p>
<p>Hoosierfriend, the rooms of Towers are nice, but the place is LOUD, the elevators are often in disrepair, and beer and urine are often on floors for days at a time before they are cleaned. It’s the definition of a party dorm.</p>
<p>In terms of choosing an apartment, what are some nice options that anyone can recommend and is this really a good option for the last three years in terms of price and convenience? I am looking for something very close to campus, relatively cheap, clean, quiet, and at least with separate rooms and a tiny kitchen.</p>
<p>“Very close to campus” and “relatively cheap” can be oxymoronic.</p>
<p>Anything within walking distance is going to cost at LEAST $500/month plus utilities per bedroom.</p>
<p>Well, I meant relatively cheap for being close to campus. 
I realize proximity equals extortion. And I might add $500/month plus utilities sounds quite cheap.</p>
<p>Good, because an apartment is likely going to set you back even more in West Campus!</p>
<p>The Quarters, for example, just lowered their starting rates to $725.</p>
<p>I applied to Dobie last night, fingers crossed I get a good room - or a room, period.</p>
<p>Dobie looks like a nice & tall hotel like building…makes me wana apply but I’ll hold on until I visit all three dorms: Dobie, Castillian, Towers</p>
<p>Castilian is the nicest - i am partial to it since I live there now. Go visit all the dorms you are thinking of and make your choice – Castilian though has nicest setup and best location. also the cleanest.</p>
<p>if that is true about castillian, then I wouldn’t take long before making a choice. However, I wanted to know if there is anything that goes wrong in any of the dorms at nights or at day times (weird noises, loud music, rats, bad staff, etc ). I know I’ll be able to make a choice based on the setting and locality of the place, but will have no idea of finding out what really goes down. Also a ratio of gender and ethnicity for each of the three dorms I listed above, based on observation or stories, would also be helpful.</p>
<p>Well good news - I have a studio room at Dobie. I will have a roommate, and all rooms have a private bath. I also like the free weekly housecleaning, lol. But I have asked around and my friends at UT say that Dobie is a nice place to live. I still haven’t visited Dobie, but I trust my friends if they say its good.</p>
<p>“I still haven’t visited Dobie, but I trust my friends if they say its good.” You made a decision without visiting Dobie!? You must have damn good friends, lol. I am planning to visit Dobie, Castillian, and Towers this Sunday. Ill post my pov’s when i return.</p>
<p>Yep my friends are very trustworthy, and they know my personality and so if they say i’ll like it, then I trust them. I don’t have the time to drive back to Austin, and when I did, I didn’t know I wasn’t going to receive a housing contract unfortunately.</p>
<p>What was your conclusion after visiting the 3 dorms? I have a daughter entering Fall 2010 and she thinks she is sold on The Towers. Just wondered what you thought.</p>