Why I like College Houses Cooperatives
1906 Pearl St.
Austin, TX 78705
Get directions
(512) 476-5678
https://collegehouses.org/
College Houses is a registered 501c3 nonprofit that provides affordable student housing near UT Austin and Austin Community College. Our mission is to serve as a transformative environment that empowers students through democratic, cooperative living.
College Houses offers rooms in seven vibrant student communities located in Central Austin's West Campus neighborhood. Co-op living is a one-of-a-kind student experience -- Find out if it's right for you!
Read Reviews
May 05, 2021
Chase Eakins
Pretty good food, nice pool, great parties, even better family.
Best place to live in West Campus.
Apr 25, 2021
Jeremy Padgett
Pearl Street
Living here was the most rewarding experience that I have ever had. This place is so much more that a home, it's a cooperative society, packed with friends and fun. If you desire more than a formal education from the university/college systems and are also looking for lessons in real life, you should apply to live here.
Apr 19, 2021
Maddy Braat
Pearl street is a magical establishment. It’s a very safe space for students to experience communal living and what it means to have a truly Democratic society. There can be wild parties, and things can get dirty, but one of the core values is respect. So everything gets cleaned and people are afforded a safe space to party. It’s old, but there’s dedicated maintenance people to fix what needs fixin.
If you’re looking for a quiet house, it’s probably safer to choose another college houses or if coop, but pearl isn’t super loud every day or anything.
The pool is easily the best part. All your lunches and dinners are cooked for you by your housemates. You can make rules and host your own events. And the friends that you make are for life!!!
Highly recommend living here.
Dec 29, 2020
Joshua Kahlenberg
I've lived here in Laurel for four years. Great place to practice democracy and meet new people! Within walking/biking/skating distance of classes at UT
Oct 09, 2020
Taylor Vu
great place to live, had a family, a community there! many wonderful memories were made there
Jun 21, 2020
Ivan Tadeu Ferreira Antunes Filho
Great place to live at during the summer if you are in Austin for a summer internship
Jun 02, 2020
richard rossadillo
Always interesting to go back to visit one of the few places that does not change a lot in West Campus
Feb 28, 2025
Crystal Math
Living here changed my life. A lot of these reviews need to get off their high horse - this building has been around since the 60s! Of course the facilities are outdated but it’s truly a once in a lifetime experience to live here and I’m proud to have been a small part of its massive and beautiful history.
Also ! Get a clue that noise problems are present in west campus everywhere! Move to north campus or Hyde park if you can’t get a grip.
Dec 24, 2024
Dennis Brezinski
While Taos does have its flaws, it is an amazing place filled with some really amazing people. This is not a place run by a major corporation, but instead by a community. It is a place unlike any I have lived at, for I have never seen so many people participate in community events and be active in the common areas. Board games are played practically every night, with movie nights and other game nights thrown in throughout the week. These games are not run by an RA, but by someone who just wanted to play a game so set it up and people joined. People can be super friendly and amazingly helpful. The place may not be the cleanest, for it is maintained by 20 year olds, but it is still pretty good and I personally haven't had any major issues and I have serious issues with germs. It is nice that we have control of our common areas, as we decide when to paint and what color, or if a wall should be knocked down. The meals are amazing and an absolute gift for someone like me who hates cooking. I do not know what people are talking about with the noise, it is super quiet 99% of the time. Taos has become a home to me, a flawed home, but a home nonetheless. Co-ops are not for everyone, but for those that are willing to work a little bit (4 hours a week) it is an amazing place.
Nov 20, 2024
Em Ball
There’s a lot to say after living at Pearl for 3 years, but to sum it up, Pearl has helped me become comfortable with who I am. Pearlies have each other’s backs. Pearl is family. Having a community who accepts me means everything to me
Apr 06, 2024
Amanda Petrik
a beacon of hope in a neighborhood that needs it. the community that you can build here is irreplaceable and incomparable! pearl st rolls deep
