<p>I got an amaaazing scholarship at the Ballpark at Austin for a 4 room, 4 bathroom thingg. It has its own kitchen, and everythinggg.</p>
<p>Rumor has it that buses go every 15 minutes too..so it seems really nice.</p>
<p>But I wanted someone who has lived in Austin's opinion.</p>
<p>Should I go with it? Or go for normal dorm housing?</p>
<p>I'm not really concerned about missing "social events" on the campus at night or anythingg. I just want to clarify: is the Ballpark seriously in a sketchyy area? I'm getting mixed reviews from the rating websites ..but the pictures seem really nice?</p>
<p>Your opinions would seriously be appreciateddd :)</p>
<p>I am staying next door to the ballpark next semester. My uncle who lives in Austin said it is a good place to stay. The surrounding area isn’t really great, but if you have been up there (and I have) those apartments are surrounded by another set of student apartments, that are surrounded by ANOTHER set of student apartments, etc. It is like a very large block of student housing together that isn’t going to be bothered by the thugs who live 5 miles east.</p>
<p>I would recommend a dorm for freshman year if at all possible, so you don’t have to worry about buying groceries and cooking and cleaning and can split your time between studying/classes and socializing.</p>
<p>Honestly, you should really try to live on campus, just for the first year. No matter how prepared or dedicated you are to your studies, this is usually a huge adjustment for people, and the last thing you want is to be away from other people who are going through the same thing that you could bond with and learn from. Being on campus means you can socialize and have limited responsibilities as Midwest said, but you are also close to your classes in the event you wake up late, close to the libraries and tutoring center should you have large projects or be struggling with a class, etc. Take the year to get acclimated, find roommates, and then move off campus - shoot for West or North campus if you can.</p>
<p>If you have to live in the Riverside area, the Ballpark is really the only one I would say yes to - something about being further off Riverside Drive seems to insulate it from the crap that happens, but Longhorn Landing doesn’t seem to fair as well.</p>
<p>On the other side of their arguments, living off campus is much cheaper. Living on campus doesn’t make you study, you make you study. Bottom line is, do what you think is best for you. For me, I will get my school work done and enjoy the $3000 I am saving by staying off campus. (and you have housing over the summer when you want to get a job or take summer classes… you pay EVEN MORE for the dorm to stay for the summer)</p>
<p>I guess we got the same scholarship, is it TSHA? 4 Bed 4 Bath at Ballpark.
Honestly, I’m regretful about living off campus the first year, especially without a car.
I moved to West Campus the second semester, and felt much better.</p>