<p>Seeing as I only recently signed up for on-campus housing, I'm looking at it on a worse-case-scenario basis and accepting that I probably won't get a place. What are the best private housing alternatives? I've heard of Dobie quite a lot, but very conflicting views. Also, when should I sign up for private housing (hoping that it isn't already taken up as well).</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Bump</p>
<p>Dobie is a nice complex; I just applied for a spot there last weekend and was sent a lease agreement yesterday, with my first choice of room style, which should mean that there is a good amount of space left. But I didn’t take them up on it, and signed on with the Castilian instead. Castilian is the other “off-campus” private dorm that seems to get talked about a lot. It’s in West Campus so there’s always a good amount of activity from what I understand; Dobie’s on The Drag so it’s a nice area and probably as close to campus as the Castilian is, but I think there’s just slightly less activity. Good Luck!</p>
<p>What is parking like around the University?</p>
<p>I wouldn’t call the Dobie side of The Drag a “nice area” (the small mall below it is pretty dirty), but Dobie itself is nice. Also, I have had several current UT students claim that the Castilian is one of the worst private dorms available</p>