Quick Answer: Living near Dallas College Richland Campus means finding your own place, because the college has no dorms. Living near Dallas College Richland Campus from west Garland puts you roughly four miles from class along Walnut Street, with DART bus and rail options that eligible students can ride free with a Student GoPass.
Dallas College Richland Campus sits at 12800 Abrams Road, right where Dallas meets Richardson and Garland. Living near Dallas College Richland Campus is mostly a commute decision, since every student and staff member rents or lives off campus. Crestridge Apartments, serving west-central Garland from 3200 W Walnut Street, is one of the closer options on the Garland side, and you can explore the Crestridge community before you plan a visit.
What Is Living Near Dallas College Richland Campus Like?
Living near Dallas College Richland Campus puts you beside the college's largest campus, a 240-plus-acre site near I-635 and US 75 that touches Richardson and Garland. There's no campus housing anywhere in the Dallas College system, so renters pick a neighborhood based on drive time, transit access and monthly cost rather than a residence hall lottery.
That gives you real choice. It also means the homework is on you.
Richland draws students taking full course loads, part-timers who work days, dual credit high schoolers and adults going back for certificates. A lot of them hold jobs in Richardson's Telecom Corridor or along LBJ Freeway, so a home that shortens both trips is worth more than one that's simply cheap.
Why Off Campus Housing Is the Only Option
Dallas College states plainly that it does not offer on-campus housing. Off campus housing is the default for every Thunderduck, which is why apartment searches around Abrams Road spike before each fall and spring term. Start looking 60 to 90 days before classes so you have time to tour, compare and apply without rushing.
Which Neighborhoods Work Best for Richland Commuters?
Three areas cover most of the realistic options. Each has a different mix of rent, traffic and transit, and the right pick depends on whether you drive, ride DART, or do a little of both.
North Dallas Apartments West of Abrams
North Dallas apartments along Forest Lane, Skillman and the LBJ corridor sit close to campus, but LBJ Freeway traffic can turn a two-mile trip into a 20-minute crawl at rush hour. Many complexes here are older and large, so quality varies a lot from one building to the next. Listings tagged as student apartments Dallas can also carry roommate-style leases, so read the terms closely.
Apartments in Richardson TX
Plenty of renters start by searching apartments in Richardson TX because the city line is close to campus. Richardson offers solid transit and quick access to employers on its north side, though newer buildings near UT Dallas and CityLine often price above what part-time students budget.
West Garland and the Walnut Street Corridor
West Garland is the quiet value play. Walnut Street runs west toward the campus's southern edge, so many trips from the 75042 ZIP code skip LBJ Freeway entirely. The U.S. Census Bureau's QuickFacts profile for Garland lists a median gross rent of $1,525 for the 2019 to 2023 survey period, a useful baseline when you compare listings.
A Quick Note on Richland Hills Apartments
Search results for Richland Hills apartments can be misleading. Richland Hills is a separate city in Tarrant County on the Fort Worth side of the Metroplex, nowhere near this campus. If a listing says "Richland," check the ZIP code before you book a tour.
How Do You Get to Richland Campus Without a Car?
Dallas College runs a free DART Student GoPass for eligible credit students: six or more credit hours in fall or spring, or three or more in summer. The pass covers DART buses, light rail and GoLink zones, which makes Dallas apartments near DART a serious way to cut monthly costs.
| Commute Option | How It Works From West Garland | What to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Driving | About four miles west on Walnut Street | Usually 10 to 15 minutes outside rush hour |
| DART Blue Line plus bus | Board at Forest/Jupiter Station, ride one stop to LBJ/Skillman | DART lists Richland Campus as a destination from LBJ/Skillman; check the bus connection in the trip planner |
| DART bus only | Local routes link Garland and Richardson stations to campus | DART rolled out a new bus network in 2026, so confirm current route numbers |
| Best fit | Drive on heavy class days, ride DART on the rest | The GoPass is free for eligible students, so mixing modes costs little |
Forest/Jupiter Station sits near Forest Lane and Jupiter Road in Garland, a short drive from the Walnut Street corridor. Bus schedules shift with each DART service change, so treat any route list you find online as a starting point. For transit riders, living near Dallas College Richland Campus is easiest when your home sits close to a Blue Line station.
Budgeting for Affordable Apartments in Dallas Suburbs
Tuition shapes how much rent you can carry. As of July 2026, Dallas College lists $99 per credit hour for Dallas County residents, or $1,188 for a 12-hour semester. Out-of-county Texans pay $169 per hour. Hunting for affordable apartments in Dallas often leads renters a few miles east into Garland, where rent tends to stretch further.
Run the full monthly number, not just base rent. Utilities, renter's insurance, parking and pet fees add up quickly. Comparing Crestridge floor plans and current pricing side by side with Richardson listings shows where the real gap sits.
A Student Apartment Guide Checklist
A good student apartment guide comes down to a few questions. How long is the commute at 8 a.m.? Is the lease length flexible around semesters? Does the property require a co-signer for limited income? Those answers matter more than a pool or a gym.
Dallas Pet Friendly Apartments: What to Ask
If you're bringing a dog or cat, ask each leasing office for its written pet policy. Dallas pet friendly apartments vary widely on breed limits, deposits and monthly pet rent, and those charges belong in your budget from day one.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does Dallas College Richland Campus have dorms?
No. Dallas College does not offer on-campus housing at Richland or any other campus. Students live at home or rent nearby in Dallas, Richardson or Garland. Starting your search two to three months before the term gives you time to compare commutes, lease terms and total monthly costs without pressure.
2. Where is Dallas College Richland Campus located?
The campus is at 12800 Abrams Road in Dallas, ZIP code 75243, near the I-635 and US 75 interchange. It borders Richardson and Garland, which is why renters on all three sides of the campus can reach class in a short drive or DART trip on most weekdays.
3. Can Richland students ride DART for free?
Yes, if they qualify. Credit students enrolled in six or more hours in fall or spring, or three or more in summer, can request a free DART Student GoPass. It works on buses, light rail and GoLink, and it's valid through the end of each semester before renewing.
4. What should I look for in off-campus housing near Richland?
- Commute time at your actual class hours, not just mileage
- Access to a DART station or bus stop for GoPass savings
- Lease lengths that line up with semester dates
- The full monthly cost, including utilities and fees
5. Is west Garland a good area for Richland commuters?
For many renters, yes. West Garland sits about four miles east of campus along Walnut Street, so drivers often avoid LBJ Freeway. Forest/Jupiter Station on the DART Blue Line is close by, and Census data puts Garland's median gross rent at $1,525 for 2019 to 2023.
Conclusion: Find Your Spot Near Richland
Living near Dallas College Richland Campus works best when you weigh the commute, the GoPass and your full budget together. West Garland gives renters a short Walnut Street drive and a nearby Blue Line station. Ready to see the space in person first? Take the Crestridge photo tour, then start your rental application online when you're set on living near Dallas College Richland Campus from Garland.
