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Texas State University packs about 37,800 Bobcats into San Marcos, a hill-country town that sits right between Austin and San Antonio and runs on its river. The spring-fed San Marcos River cuts straight through town at a steady 72 degrees, so tubing isn't a special occasion here, it's a Tuesday. Downtown clusters around The Square, where you'll find vintage shops, live music in Kissing Alley, and the Saturday farmers market. When fall hits, Bobcat Stadium fills up, and every December Sights and Sounds of Christmas takes over the plaza with lights and a carnival. Campus climbs a hill, so most students walk or grab the Bobcat Tram, and Austin's only 30 minutes up I-35 when you want a bigger night out.
Texas State requires new freshmen under 20 with fewer than 30 credit hours to live on campus, and the rule also applies to anyone who finished high school within the past year regardless of credit count. Most first-year Bobcats spend that year in the residence halls before considering other options.
The main exemption is distance: you can commute from home if your parent or guardian lives within 50 miles driving distance of campus. After year one, students at Texas State are free to move off, and most Bobcats head to apartments along Sessom, Post Road, or out toward Old Ranch Road 12.
Most purpose-built student complexes near campus lease by the bed with individual leases, so you are not on the hook if a roommate bails. Older houses near downtown often lease by the unit on one joint lease for the whole group. Read which type you are signing and check whether utilities are capped or billed straight through.
Housing policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with Texas State University before signing a lease.
San Marcos runs on an early calendar and the good places go fast. Preleasing for the next August kicks off as soon as students get back from winter break, so searches start climbing in January. The smart move is to have a signed lease before spring break, because the by-the-bed complexes near campus and the houses downtown thin out quickly after that. Starting early gives you the widest pick of locations.
Demand peaks through February and March as the bulk of students lock in places for the next year. Fall classes start in late August, and most leases line up to begin that month. The by-the-bed complexes near campus and the houses downtown are the first to clear out during this window. Tour and sign before spring break for the best selection.
If you are searching late, adjust your expectations: you will be looking at whatever is left, often further from the hill or in older units, and you may pay more for less. Summer sublets open up as students leave for internships or head home, which is your best fallback for a spring arrival or a short-term gap. Spring move-ins exist but inventory is thin, so flexibility on location and roommate setup helps a lot.
This puts you in the middle of the bars, coffee, and live music, ideal if you want to walk everywhere and don't mind some noise.
Sessom Drive hugs the north edge of campus, so it is the short-walk-to-class crowd's first pick.
Near Bobcat Stadium, Post Road is stacked with newer by-the-bed complexes and sits on a bus route into campus.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
A shared room in a by-the-bed complex near campus typically runs $600-$900/month per person. Splitting an older house downtown or out toward Old Ranch Road 12 can land at the lower end, while newer places on Post Road sit near the top. Budget another $40-$120/month for utilities depending on whether the complex caps them.