Austin Apartment Reviews Guide
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The Barstow

Updated 2026-07-17 · 2,441 reviewed · 401 listed · Scored from 422 Google reviews · How we rank ›

3.7(422) 63 composite score See reviews on Google ✓ Google-verified
Affordable & Section 8 HousingStudent Housing
The Barstow
Services
Affordable & Section 8 Housing, Student Housing
Reviews
422

The honest read

Staff at the front desk and leasing office earn consistent praise for responsiveness and kindness; Marco, Jaslyn, Katherine, and Carolina are named often. Maintenance teams repair work orders on time. Apartments are described as clean, modern, and comfortable, with good amenities like the pool.

One senior resident's recent complaint details critical failures: a broken central AC left unfixed for weeks, carpet damage from a leaking portable unit, and undisclosed monthly fees contradicting the signed lease. Management allegedly lacked transparency on billing and failed to help the tenant navigate technology. The complaint cites Texas Property Code violations and threatened escalation to city code enforcement.

Praised for
  • responsive office staff and leasing team
  • fast, professional maintenance service
  • clean and comfortable apartments
  • welcoming atmosphere and friendly environment
Watch-outs
  • broken HVAC and water-damaged units left unrepaired
  • hidden and undisclosed fees (washer/dryer charges)
  • lack of transparency in billing and lease terms
  • poor communication with elderly tenants on amenities and payment
responsive-managementfriendly-staffwell-maintainedclean-common-areasunresponsive-maintenance
Best for: Renters who value responsive staff and prefer communities where maintenance teams are known and responsive.
Think twice if: Tenants with serious HVAC or plumbing issues, or those requiring clear lease terms and transparent billing practices, should verify maintenance guarantees and fee disclosures carefully.

What this place gets right

  • Office and maintenance staff known by name and praised for quick response
  • Amenities including pool, dog park, and Wi-Fi clubroom
  • Work orders typically completed on time

Worth knowing

  • Named staff praised: Jas, Marco (maintenance), Frank, Sandi (door repair), Carolina (leasing), Jaslyn (leasing), Katherine (tours/leasing)
  • Complaint details: Unit 1314 had non-functional central AC, flooded carpet from portable unit, and undisclosed $50/month washer-dryer fee
  • Maintenance typically completes work orders on time

Reviews by category

Affordable & Section 8 Housing
Senior resident reported broken AC, water damage, and hidden fees despite advertising two months free rent.
Student Housing
Staff praised for helpful tours and leasing support; amenities and location near restaurants appeal to younger renters.

How it stacks up

  • Rated 3.7 against a 3.92 average across the 197 affordable & section 8 housing businesses listed here.
  • Has more Google reviews than 96% of the businesses in this directory.

How we scored this

How We Score
Star rating 14
Review volume 100
Review recency 100
Review sentiment 48
Profile completeness 100
Verification 30

Rating breakdown

5
270
4
13
3
8
2
11
1
120

Quick answers

What amenities does The Barstow offer?
Swimming pool, dog park, business center, Wi-Fi clubroom, private patios or balconies, and dishwashers in units.
Are there hidden fees I should know about?
One recent complaint detailed an undisclosed $50 monthly fee for washer-dryer service that was not in the original lease. Verify all fees in writing before signing.
How quickly does maintenance respond?
Most recent reviews report work orders completed on time, with named technicians (Marco, Frank, Sandi) praised for swift, professional service.

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Staff like Velma, Rosa, and Alonso handle work orders quickly and treat residents kindly, keeping some tenants comfortable for years. The location near downtown appeals to commuters, but persistent break-ins (vans, cars stolen), roaches, and garbage-bin access problems anger residents; rent has jumped sharply, and security patrols remain inadequate despite long-standing complaints. Evidence is mixed: some tenants stay for years, while others leave after 9 months. Newer praise (past 7 months) mentions improvements, but recent break-ins and pest complaints persist.

Affordable & Section 8 Housing
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Staff members like Jose, Kim, and Becca stand out for answering questions clearly and handling lease paperwork without the runaround. Maintenance crew keeps grounds neat and responds quickly. Pet owners value the no-breed restrictions. One tenant reported being charged valet trash fees that don't exist and felt blindsided by extra charges not shown in the lease. Phone lines go unanswered sometimes. Most newcomers say it beats their last place, though early impressions carry more weight than long-term tests.

Student Housing
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Folio presents a tale of two experiences: leasing staff are friendly during sign-up, but management becomes dismissive and unresponsive once residents move in. Common frustrations include noise complaints ignored, security issues unaddressed (break-ins, fence gaps), soundproofing so poor upper-floor residents sound like they are stomping directly overhead, inadequate air conditioning that drives summer electric bills up, and billing disputes handled through third-party vendors that create confusion and late-fee traps. Some residents praise individual staff members like Christina May, but structural problems with maintenance response times, pest control no-shows, and deposit withholding persist for years. The complex appears built cheaply and managed by Greystar with a pattern of friendly-before-signing, dismissive-after-signing treatment.

Student HousingAffordable & Section 8 Housing

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Last updated 2026-07-17