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Waco, TX sits on the Brazos River halfway between Dallas and Austin, and Baylor University gives the city a green-and-gold heartbeat that shapes whole neighborhoods. Baylor's campus hugs the river, and students spill into the surrounding streets, from the residential blocks along South 11th and Bagby south of campus to the walkable Speight Avenue corridor just north. Further out, the Elm Avenue area and the revived district near the river underpass pull students wanting variety. For the outdoors, the city stretches a seven-mile riverwalk along the Brazos, and Cameron Park packs 416 acres of trails and limestone bluffs right in town. Waco has shed its sleepy reputation, with a buzzing downtown, a strong civic events calendar, and a real sense of momentum.
Just south of campus, where most off-campus students end up, with quiet residential streets that stay walkable to class.
The strip north of campus, known for its walkable storefronts and quick access to campus life.
A little further out, it draws students who want more room and a calmer pace.
Here's what you need to know about getting around Waco.
The Baylor University Shuttle is free for students and covers several routes linking campus to off-campus apartments and neighborhoods, with late service on weeknights. The Waco Transit System adds citywide bus routes that serve the Baylor area, and students with a valid ID ride at a discount. Between the two, students near campus can get around without a car. Plan around the schedules for trips farther out.
If you live within a mile of campus, along South 11th, Bagby, or the Speight corridor, you can handle class, groceries, and downtown on foot or by bike. The Brazos riverwalk and Cameron Park give you car-free routes for recreation. The walkable streets near campus keep daily life on foot. The riverwalk doubles as a long path for rides and strolls.
Further out, a car helps, especially for the Dallas-to-Austin road trips, but plenty of students near campus skip one entirely. Keep campus parking in mind if you bring a vehicle. A car covers the distances the shuttle and walking can't. Budget for parking only if your housing sits outside the walkable core.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Off-campus rentals near Baylor often start around $400-$800 a month for a shared room, while full apartments average roughly $1,031 for a one-bedroom and $1,262 for a two-bedroom. Splitting a place with roommates is the standard move to keep it manageable.
Browse student housing near each Waco-area university.