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The 11 Best Overall Student Apartments Near University of Alabama (September 2026)

The University of Alabama·Tuscaloosa, AL·Updated Monthly

By the FMP Data Team · Reviewed September 1, 2026

11 properties reviewed
55+ reviews analyzed
updated September 2026
independent·no pay-to-rank
the short answer

Union on Frank leads our September 2026 ranking of the 11 Best Overall student apartments near University of Alabama with a 5.0/5 FMP Score, followed by Hillside Commons and The Bluff at Waterworks Landing. Across the 11 properties reviewed, students keep coming back to amenities & shared spaces and management & maintenance: the overall signals that move a property up this ranking. Browse all off-campus housing near The University of Alabama for every option.

  • winnerUnion on Frank
  • FMP Score range1.4–5.0 / 5
  • avg walk0 min to campus
  • rent range$499–$2059 /person
the ranking

The 11 Best Overall Student Apartments Near University of Alabama

Sorted by FMP Score from verified University of Alabama reviews, high to low. Scores reflect current University of Alabama reviews only.

  1. Union on Frank
    5.0(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Union on Frank stands out as the top overall choice near UA because residents consistently praise the genuine care and professionalism of the management team. Students highlight how Mrs. Amber, Tarlisha, and the entire staff go above and beyond responding quickly to requests, maintaining the property to a high standard, and creating a warm, welcoming environment. As one long-time resident put it, "The staff of the complex does everything they can to ensure residents are taken care of." It's the kind of place where you feel at home from day one.

    $750/person/mo
  2. Hillside Commons
    5.0(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Hillside Commons earns its ranking with a combination of stunning amenities and staff who genuinely want you to succeed. The fire pit and pool area are standout features that make the property feel like more than just a place to sleep, and the leasing team especially Jacob and Nicole takes time to answer questions and showcase what makes the community special. As one prospective resident noted after their tour, "Jacob did a phenomenal job of leading the tour and showcasing what Hillside Commons has to offer." You're getting both the social spaces and the people to back them up.

    $675/person/mo
  3. The Bluff at Waterworks Landing
    4.4(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: The Bluff at Waterworks Landing attracts students who value spacious layouts and a genuinely positive living experience. Most residents report strong satisfaction with their time here, and the leasing staff like Lauren earn praise for being informative and thorough during tours. That said, some residents have encountered challenges with noise management and maintenance responsiveness that affected their quality of life. For many, though, the spacious floor plans and overall community vibe make it a solid choice for your college years.

    $799/person/mo
  4. Broadstreet Village
    4.4(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Broadstreet Village offers a convenient location for students and responsive maintenance when things work smoothly. The office staff earn consistent praise for being helpful and professional. However, the property struggles with soundproofing residents report hearing neighbors through thin walls across multiple units and management has been inconsistent in addressing noise complaints. As one frustrated resident shared, "You can hear every single one of your neighbors all the time." It's a location play with some real livability trade-offs to weigh carefully.

    $850/person/mo
  5. Hub on Campus Tuscaloosa
    4.2(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Hub on Campus Tuscaloosa stands out for delivering a genuinely student-centered living experience, with management that actually listens and goes the extra mile. Residents consistently praise Danielle, the new manager, for her professionalism, knowledge, and willingness to work with students on everything from unit transfers to exploring amenities like private hot tubs. The complex itself offers solid space and location, and the office team has earned a reputation for being genuinely helpful rather than just transactional. As one resident put it, "The new manager, Danielle, has been great and seems to really care." It's the kind of place where you feel like someone's actually invested in your year.

    $899/person/mo
  6. Old Row at Cloverdale
    4.2(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Old Row at Cloverdale earns its spot for unbeatable location if you're in Greek life and want to stay close to campus without living in the house. Mr. Randolph, the management contact, gets genuine praise from residents who value his responsiveness and approachability. The property's strength lies in its positioning rather than luxury amenities, making it a solid choice for students prioritizing proximity and community. As one resident noted, "Mr Randolph is awesome," which speaks to the kind of straightforward, personal management style that matters when you need something fixed. Just know what you're signing up for: a no-frills location play, not a resort.

    $1225/person/mo
  7. Redpoint Tuscaloosa
    2.6(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Redpoint Tuscaloosa's recent management change has brought a glimmer of hope to a property that has struggled with serious maintenance and security issues. The new Assistant Manager Eric has earned genuine appreciation for his kindness and willingness to help residents navigate problems, which matters when you're dealing with a complex that has faced mold, pest infestations, broken gates, and utility bills that can hit $1,000 per unit monthly. The property's infrastructure challenges from non-functioning security gates to inadequate cameras remain real concerns that affect daily life. As one long-term resident reflected, "After three long years at red point I have never met someone as kind as eric the new AM." If you're considering Redpoint, the new management direction is encouraging, but go in with eyes open about the building's track record.

    $499/person/mo
  8. East Edge
    2.6(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: East Edge struggles to justify its premium pricing and has earned consistent criticism from residents frustrated by cost, connectivity, and maintenance issues that shouldn't exist at a University-owned property. Students report paying $1,200+ monthly for studios even at discounted rates, while dealing with unreliable wifi that blacks out for days, mold problems, and a train noise that makes the location feel less desirable than the rent suggests. The billing practices charging four times more in fees for credit card payments add insult to injury, and residents report difficulty reaching anyone who can actually help. The combination of high cost, poor infrastructure, and unresponsive management makes this a tough sell when better options exist nearby.

    $1409/person/mo
  9. Houndstooth Condominiums
    2.6(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Houndstooth Condominiums stands out for its gated, well-secured property and visible commitment to ongoing improvements a real draw for students and parents alike. The building prioritizes safety and has been actively upgrading the complex, which shows genuine investment in the living experience. That said, residents have raised serious concerns about maintenance responsiveness and deposit practices that deserve careful consideration before committing. As one parent noted, they have "piece of mind leaving my son & driving away" knowing the property is gated and secure, though other experiences suggest you'll want to clarify maintenance guarantees upfront.

    $775/person/mo
  10. Ion Tuscaloosa
    2.4(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Ion Tuscaloosa has the bones of a solid community residents' first-year experiences were strong, with reliable amenities and minimal issues but consistency has become a real problem. Management responsiveness and maintenance capacity have struggled to keep pace with the building's wear and tear, and billing practices around shared utilities have frustrated residents. The property's biggest challenge isn't the facility itself but keeping up with upkeep and handling resident concerns promptly. One long-term resident summed it up: "Our first year was great! We had little to no problems with the facility and its amenities. However our second year was a huge disappointment."

    $969/person/mo
  11. The Cottages at Lake Tamaha
    1.4(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: The Cottages at Lake Tamaha nails the home-like feel that appeals to students wanting something beyond a standard dorm, and the maintenance team genuinely goes the extra mile to support residents. Unfortunately, chronic wifi outages and frequent amenity closures undermine that promise, especially during high-stakes times like midterms and finals when you need connectivity most. Office responsiveness and move-in conditions have also been inconsistent, creating friction when you're trying to settle in. As one resident put it, "WiFi always goes out during important times like midterms and finals, which is insane for a student housing complex."

    $770/person/mo

The Full Ranking, One Table

Click any column to sort. The rank stays with the property.
The full ranking of every listed apartment, sortable by any column.
1Union on Frank5.0/55–$750/mo
2Hillside Commons5.0/55–$675/mo
3The Bluff at Waterworks Landing4.4/55–$799/mo
4Broadstreet Village4.4/55–$850/mo
5Hub on Campus Tuscaloosa4.2/55–$899/mo
6Old Row at Cloverdale4.2/55–$1225/mo
7Redpoint Tuscaloosa2.6/55–$499/mo
8East Edge2.6/55–$1409/mo
9Houndstooth Condominiums2.6/55–$775/mo
10Ion Tuscaloosa2.4/55–$969/mo
11The Cottages at Lake Tamaha1.4/55–$770/mo

Walk times are door-to-door to University of Alabama campus. Rent is per person, per month.

FMP award criteria

How We Ranked These Apartments

1

Ranked by the FMP Score

FMP Score, high to low. That’s the whole ranking. It’s our overall measure of a property, combining verified review scores with signals reviews miss, like how current the listing is kept and how responsive management is. Ties go to the property with more verified reviews.

2

Who Makes the List

Every property near University of Alabama can appear, but it takes a minimum number of verified reviews before we score and rank it. Properties under that bar sit below every ranked property and move up automatically as reviews come in.

3

How We Calculate the FMP Score

The FMP Score blends the social, management, and quality scores from verified reviews with signals that a place is actively and well run, like how up to date its listing is kept and how consistently management responds to residents. It’s built to surface genuinely well-run properties, not just the highest raw review average.

by the numbers

What Makes an Apartment ‘well-rounded’ Near University of Alabama

We ran every verified overall review for University of Alabama-area apartments through theme analysis. These are the themes students bring up most when a place feels well-rounded, by share of the reviews that mention them.

poor maintenance and repairs
24%
responsive caring staff
21%
unreliable wifi and amenities
5%

Based on AI analysis of verified University of Alabama overall reviews, refreshed monthly. Percentages show the share of reviews that mention each theme; most reviews mention more than one. See our complete University of Alabama review data →

faqs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best overall student apartment near University of Alabama?

Union on Frank leads our September 2026 ranking of the 11 Best Overall student apartments near University of Alabama with a 5.0/5 FMP Score, followed by Hillside Commons and The Bluff at Waterworks Landing.

How is this ranking calculated?

This list is ranked by one number: each property's overall score from verified reviews. Students rate a property's overall 1 to 5, and we average those scores, counting recent reviews more heavily than older ones. No self-reported data from landlords.

What makes an apartment the best overall?

The best overall apartments score highly across everything students rate (social scene, management, and unit quality), not just one. This ranking uses each property's overall rating from verified reviews.

How often is this ranking updated?

Monthly. We re-pull verified reviews and re-score every property at the start of each month, so the order reflects the most recent 24 months of student feedback. The “updated” date at the top of the page shows the latest refresh.

How many reviews does a property need to be included?

There's a minimum number of verified reviews to rank by score, and we don't publish the exact bar so it can't be gamed. Properties under it still appear, below every qualified property and ordered by review count, so a 5.0 from one review never outranks a 4.5 from thirty. Once a property collects enough reviews, it moves into the scored ranking automatically.

Is this ranking independent, or can properties pay to rank higher?

It's fully independent. There's no pay-to-rank. Position is set by verified reviews alone. Property managers can't buy placement, remove reviews, or influence the score.

for property managers

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Find My Place Award2026
11st place

Best Overall

student apartments near University of Alabama

Verified & independentThe University of Alabama · Tuscaloosa, AL
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