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San Marcos, TX sits in the Texas Hill Country between Austin and San Antonio and revolves around Texas State University and its many thousands of Bobcats. The spring-fed San Marcos River runs through town, and on a warm day half the student body is floating it or hanging out at Sewell Park on the edge of campus. The Square downtown is the social heart, a historic district packed with restaurants, music venues, and coffee houses where students gather after class. Texas State climbs a hill above it all, and student apartments fan out along Aquarena Springs Drive, Old Ranch Road 12, and the blocks near downtown. With the river, the Hill Country setting, and an easy shot up I-35 to Austin, San Marcos has one of the liveliest college-town vibes in the state.
The walkable historic core steps from campus, ideal if you want nightlife and class within an easy walking distance.
A popular upperclassman strip of apartments close to campus and the river, a classic landing spot for students.
The west-side neighborhoods near major campus buildings, convenient for getting to class and well served by the shuttle.
Here's what you need to know about getting around San Marcos.
San Marcos is one of the more transit-friendly college towns in Texas thanks to the Bobcat Shuttle, which runs free routes serving campus, Sewell Park, the stadium, and student communities like Bobcat Village. The city also runs local bus service. Between the shuttle and city routes, students can get around without a car. Just note the shuttle scales back on weekends.
Downtown and the blocks near the Square are genuinely walkable, with a high walk score, so if you live there you can get to class and nightlife on foot. Biking is popular too on the relatively compact campus side. The compact layout makes pedaling practical close in. Students near downtown can cover daily life on foot.
Plenty of students still keep a car for grocery runs and the quick I-35 trip to Austin or San Antonio. Between the shuttle and walkable downtown you can live here without one. Keep campus parking in mind if you bring a vehicle. A car adds flexibility for trips beyond town.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Hill Country demand makes it pricier than smaller Texas towns. Off-campus apartments typically run $600 to $1,200 a month per person, often with roommates, and downtown studios near the Square sit toward the higher end. By-the-bed complexes price per bedroom, which helps with budgeting.
Browse student housing near each San Marcos-area university.