If you do not want to live in an apartment, there are also townhomes available in Overton, such as U Club Townhomes at Overton Park. Overton is also close to many restaurants and stores.

Next to Overton, you will find the Downtown Lubbock neighborhood. Although not as close to the university, there are many things to do in downtown, such as visiting the Buddy Holly Center Museum. You can find many conveniently located apartment complexes here, like The Que Apartments.

Tech Terrace is another neighborhood adjacent to Texas Tech. Unlike Overton and Downtown, this is a more residential neighborhood. Instead of apartments and townhomes, you will find single-family homes here. It is also not as close to restaurants and stores, so you will need a car to get around the city if you choose to live in this neighborhood. However, Tech Terrace is home to two parks: Tech Terrace Park and Wagner Park, which are great if you need a dose of nature.

Dining

As a college town, Lubbock has a wide variety of dining options to choose from. If you are in the mood for something deep-fried, visit Spanky's, a restaurant known for their fried mozzarella sticks (which go great with one of their burgers!). If you are craving Italian food, consider eating at One Guy Pizza. Many people who eat there also recommend their calzones and cheese bread.

On the other hand, a delicious Mexican restaurant in the area is Torchy's Tacos, which serves many different types of tacos (even shrimp tacos!). They even offer breakfast tacos, too.

As far as coffee shops, there are a couple of locations of Einstein Bagels nearby campus. If you would like to try a different coffee shop, you can try Monomyth Coffee, which has a great selection of coffees, teas, and pastries.

Transportation

There are many ways for TTU students to get around the Texas Tech campus. You can choose to take the bus or to ride your bike. Citibus serves areas on and off-campus. Their three campus routes are Red Raider Route and Double T Route (which circle campus in opposite directions), and the Masked Rider Route, which takes you to and from commuter satellite lots. If you need to get to a store or mall off-campus, there are also routes that can take you there.

Another way to get around campus is to ride your bike. There are multiple bike racks throughout campus where you can securely lock your bike (with a bike lock!). You should also register your bike with Texas Tech Transportation and Parking Services. If you ever run into a problem with your bike, you can visit Texas Tech's Bike Clinic. At this event, a mechanic will inspect your bike and can tune it up if needed. If you do not yet own a bike but are in the market for one, consider participating in Bike Sales program, where you can buy a used bicycle at a low cost.

Parking

If you plan to drive to campus, you will need to pay for a commuter parking permit. There are five parking lots/garages available to commuters. A permit allows you to park in your assigned lot on weekdays from 7:30 AM to 5:30 PM, or any other commuter lot on weekdays from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM. Once you park, you can take a bus, ride your bike, or walk from the lot to the heart of campus. Visit the Transportation and Parking Services website for more details.

Safety

As in any city, it is important to be aware of your surroundings, always travel with a friend, and do not leave valuables in plain sight. Also, Texas Tech University has its own police department where officers are always patrolling campus to provide TTU students with as much protection as possible.

Shopping

There are many places to shop in Lubbock. For groceries, you can shop at Food King or United Supermarkets, which have multiple locations throughout the city. There is also a Walmart Supercenter and a Costco.

If you need to go to a mall, consider the South Plains Mall, which has a movie theater, restaurants, and stores. For example, they have a Forever 21, American Eagle, Dillard's, Express Factory Outlet, and a JCPenney. Additionally, Kingsgate Center is an outdoor mall that also has great stores and restaurants (such as Ann Taylor, Bath and Body Works, and Lululemon.)