The Park At Clear Lake: A Balanced Look at a Houston Apartment
Finding the right student apartment in Houston means weighing location, price, and the day-to-day experience. The Park At Clear Lake, located at Houston, TX 77058, offers a mix of one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartment-style units with a monthly price range of USD 799 to USD 1,025 (indicative — confirm with the operator). This property is positioned in the Clear Lake area, near NASA and several corporate employers, and is about a 30-minute drive from the main campuses of Rice University and the University of Houston. It does not cater specifically to students, but is open to any tenant meeting lease requirements. Below we break down what kind of resident this property works for, what current tenants actually report, how it compares to the wider Houston market, and practical aspects of room choice and booking timing.
Who This Residence Suits
Residents who need a car and value space. The property includes parking — a significant advantage in a city where most students rely on driving. Units are apartments (not dorm-style) with kitchens and separate living areas, suitable for those who prefer cooking, studying at home, and having a quiet environment. The presence of a business center is a plus for students who need computer or printer access.
Budget-conscious residents who want more room than a shared house. At USD 799 per month for the cheapest unit, this is above Houston’s city-wide from-price of USD 649 for student housing listings, but still moderate compared to purpose-built student residences near campuses. The minimum lease of three months gives flexibility for summer interns, exchange semesters, or residents who are testing the area before a longer commitment. Availability begins 7 June 2026, which aligns well with summer or fall semester start dates.
People who prefer a suburban, less intense environment. Clear Lake is a quieter, more residential area than Midtown or the Medical Center. If you don’t need to be within walking distance of nightlife or campus events, and you’re okay with a commute, this location can feel more spacious and less crowded.
Who This Residence Does Not Suit
Students without a car. Public transit from Clear Lake to the main university campuses is limited. A bicycle won’t cover the distance. Rideshares add up quickly. This property is practical only if you have reliable personal transportation.
Those expecting high-touch maintenance and reliable utilities. The most recent detailed Google review (by Chris Burnett, rating 1 out of 5) describes ongoing serious plumbing problems, repeated water shut-offs, and hot water outages. The reviewer states: “the worst instance? No hot” (text is cut off in the provided data, but the clear pattern is dissatisfaction with maintenance quality. While one negative review doesn’t define a whole complex, it’s a risk factor for anyone who cannot tolerate intermittent water service.
Students looking for a strong social student community. The Park At Clear Lake is not marketed as a student-only building. There is no mention of resident events, study lounges, or roommate matching. If you want to easily meet other students in common areas, a dedicated student housing property would be a better fit.
Budget-maximisers who want the absolute lowest rent in Houston. The city from-price is USD 649, which is USD 150 less than the cheapest unit here. If your priority is minimising rent, you can find rooms or shared apartments for less, though possibly with fewer amenities or longer leases.
What Residents Actually Say: Quoted Reviews
We have three reviews from Google (total 326 reviews, average 3.6 stars). They offer a mixed but instructive picture:
Positive experience focused on value and location (rating 4, author Justin Morton):
“I’ve had a very positive experience with these apartments, especially considering the price point. Jessica was exceptional throughout the process—she answered all of my questions thoroughly and made the move-in experience smooth and efficient. One of the standout features of this property is its location. It is conveni”
Another positive but early-stage review (rating 5, author Brittany Randall16):
“After searching for an apartment complex for a while. I came across one that stood out to me. I had a great experience with The Park at Clear Lake and would definitely recommend adding it to your list. As I have not yet moved here I will keep this apartments to my list. One of the biggest highlights is the location—it’”
A critical review highlighting maintenance failures (rating 1, author Chris Burnett):
“Updated Review: This apartment complex continues to prove it cuts corners at every level. In addition to the issues I originally mentioned, there are ongoing serious plumbing problems. Our water has been shut off multiple times for “repairs,” and there have been repeated outages of hot water. The worst instance? No hot”
Key takeaways: the location is consistently praised. The move-in process and leasing staff get positive remarks. However, maintenance quality appears to be a real concern — and for a property at this price point, unreliable hot water is a serious drawback. It’s worth asking management directly about recent plumbing repairs and maintenance response times before signing.
Price Positioning vs. Houston’s From-Price
Houston’s lowest available student housing price across current listings is USD 649 per month. The Park At Clear Lake starts at USD 799 (indicative — confirm with the operator), which is a USD 150 premium above that floor. That gap likely reflects the larger unit sizes, inclusion of parking, and the Clear Lake neighbourhood, which is not as densely populated with student units as areas near Rice or UH. For comparison, many student-dedicated buildings in the Medical Center area list between USD 750 and USD 1,100 per month for a private bedroom in a shared unit. So this property sits in the middle-lower part of the market for independent apartments.
If you value a private apartment without a shared bedroom, USD 799 for a one-bedroom unit is competitive in the Clear Lake area, where standalone apartment rents often start around USD 900. But if you are willing to have a roommate, you could find two-bedroom units here (price not separately listed but the total monthly range covers both unit types) and split the cost, potentially bringing your share below USD 600 — though we do not have a guaranteed lowest per-person price.
Room-Type Guidance
The property offers 1-bedroom apartments, 2-bedroom apartments, and general “apartment” units (likely studios or convertible layouts, not specified). Here is how to think about each:
- 1-bedroom (likely lower end of price range): Best for solo residents who want full privacy. If the unit is listed at USD 799, that is one of the cheapest private apartments in Houston. Confirm exactly what is included (utilities? water?) because a low base rent may mean separate bills.
- 2-bedroom: Ideal for two roommates. Assuming the higher end of the price range (USD 1,025) for a 2-bedroom, each person would pay roughly USD 512.50 per month — significantly less than the cheapest 1-bedroom. However, you need a compatible roommate and both must pass the lease screening.
- General “apartment”: Could be a studio or a one-bedroom with a different layout. Ask the operator for floor plans and square footage before deciding.
All unit types require a minimum 3-month lease, which is shorter than typical 12-month leases — useful for summer stays or semester projects.
Booking Timing
Availability starts 7 June 2026. For a move-in around that date, we recommend starting your search at least 2–3 months before, i.e., by March or April 2026. The property has 326 reviews, suggesting it is well-established, so units may not fill up extremely quickly, but the better-priced 1-bedroom units could be claimed earlier. If you need to secure a specific floor plan (e.g., a 2-bedroom for you and a roommate), it is safer to inquire by early 2026.
If your semester begins in late August 2026, you could also target a move-in around June–July to settle in before classes. The June availability matches well with a summer start. Keep in mind that Houston summers are hot, and if the plumbing issues mentioned in reviews are ongoing, you may prefer a unit that has been recently renovated. Ask the office about the building’s maintenance history — particularly water reliability — before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the total move-in costs besides the monthly rent?
The provided data does not include a deposit amount, nor does it list utility fees, parking fees, or application fees. You should contact the operator directly to get a breakdown: typically you will need first month’s rent plus a security deposit (often equal to one month’s rent). Some apartments charge an amenity fee or parking fee even if parking is listed as a tag — confirm whether parking is included in the rent.
How long is the commute to Rice University or the University of Houston?
By car, Rice University is approximately 30–40 minutes via I-45 (depends on traffic). The University of Houston main campus is roughly 35–45 minutes. There is no direct public transit option that takes less than 1.5 hours. If you have classes multiple times per week, factor in fuel and parking costs. The location is better suited for students who also work near Clear Lake or have a hybrid schedule with fewer campus visits.
Are the units furnished?
The property tags and reviews do not mention furnishings. It is typical for apartment complexes in this price range in Houston to be unfurnished. Confirm with the operator whether any furniture is included. If not, budget for buying or renting furniture — especially for a short 3-month lease, you may want to rent from a local furniture rental company.
Sources & Data Date
The data used for this article comes from the property listing on a global student-housing platform, accessed on 2026-07. Prices, availability, and unit types are indicative — confirm with the operator. Google reviews are quoted from publicly posted reviews as of the same date.
For real-time unit availability and exact pricing, please use the on-site assistant to check current listings.
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