Townhome or apartment: which is right for you?

What's the difference between a Barracks townhome and a student apartment?

A Barracks townhome is an actual house in a real neighborhood. You get your own front door, a full kitchen, a large living room, a patio and backyard, and private parking, with no one living above or below you. A student apartment usually puts you in a larger building closer to campus, with smaller living spaces and shared hallways.

What doesn't change is the community. Every neighbor at The Barracks is a college student, so you get the space of a house without giving up student life.

Is The Barracks a gated community?

No. The Barracks is an actual neighborhood, not a gated complex. The roads and sidewalks are public, and the neighborhood has eight community parks, two dog parks, and more than 13 miles of paved walking and running trails. A courtesy officer lives in the neighborhood and patrols regularly, with extra patrols over winter and spring break.

How much space will I have?

Bedrooms at The Barracks comfortably fit a queen bed, and our common areas are comparable to or bigger than a typical student apartment's. Kitchens are large, living rooms are spacious, and every home has a patio and backyard.

• 2×2 Townhome: 1,184 sq ft
• 3×3 Townhome: 1,256 sq ft
• 3×3 House: 1,350 sq ft
• 4×4 Townhome: 1,745 sq ft
• 4×4.5 House: 1,760 sq ft
• 4×4.5 Townhome: 1,830 sq ft
• 5×5 Townhome: 2,040 sq ft

See every layout on our floor plans page.

Will I have neighbors above or below me?

No. Every home at The Barracks is a townhome or house, so no one lives above or below you. If you're in an interior townhome, you'll share a wall with neighbors on your left and right.

Do I get my own bedroom and bathroom?

Yes. Every resident gets their own private bedroom and their own private bathroom.

Can I have a yard and a dog?

Yes. Every home comes with a private backyard, with grass, concrete, and lakeside options, and The Barracks is pet-friendly. Having a dog in an apartment is hard. Here, your dog has a backyard, two dog parks, and miles of sidewalks and trails. See pet costs on our monthly cost page.

Where do I park?

Every resident has a reserved parking space directly outside their home, included in rent. Many floor plans also have a garage. Garage parking is tandem, so you may park behind a roommate. Because the roads are public, you and your guests can also park on the street.

Is the lease individual, like an apartment?

Yes. Every bedroom has its own individual lease, so you're only responsible for your own rent. That's rare for a house. Most house rentals in College Station use a joint lease, where you're responsible for your roommates' rent if they don't pay.

Are the townhomes furnished?

No. Barracks townhomes are unfurnished, so you can bring your own furniture and set up your home the way you want. Every home includes a washer and dryer.

What do I give up compared to an apartment complex?

A gym. The Barracks doesn't have an indoor fitness center the way many apartment complexes do. Instead, you have an outdoor fitness park, sand volleyball and basketball courts, eight parks, and miles of trails. Residents also get a Cove at BearX membership, included in rent, with a lazy river, surf machine, and swim-up bar, plus a discounted $45/month membership at Stone Co. Climbing, about 5 minutes away.

How far is The Barracks from campus?

The Barracks is about 2.5 miles from Texas A&M's campus, on the south side of College Station and close to H-E-B. You can drive or take Texas A&M bus Route 40 (Century Tree) from the stop in The Cove parking lot. Students choose The Barracks knowing they'll live a little farther from campus in exchange for more space, privacy, and comfort.

Why not just rent a house in a regular College Station neighborhood?

You'd get similar space, but your neighbors would usually be young families or retired professors, and you'd likely sign a joint lease. At The Barracks you get the same kind of home with an individual lease, in a neighborhood where everyone around you is at the same stage of life. It's the best of both worlds: the privacy and space of a real house, in a community built for students.

Who is a townhome best for, and who should choose an apartment?

A Barracks townhome is a great fit if you want privacy, comfort, and lots of space, maybe a backyard grill or room for a pet, and still want to be plugged into student life. An apartment is a better fit if being within walking distance of campus is your top priority.