Buttercup Creek Apartments: 80 Units, $1,150, and the Oldest Property in Cedar Park (2026 Review)

Buttercup Creek starts at $1,150 for a 1BR. The Cedar Park average for a one bedroom runs closer to $1,237, so this is priced well below the middle of the market. Built in 1984, this is a Class C+ community and the oldest apartment property in our tracked inventory. We track pricing, screening criteria, and resident feedback across 60+ communities in the Cedar Park area, and no other property in our system goes back further than 1990. That gap makes Buttercup Creek a genuine outlier. Whether it’s a value play or a red flag depends on what’s behind the price.

We’re going to tell you what works, what doesn’t, and who it’s a realistic fit for. This review covers every detail the listing page leaves out: the true monthly cost after fees, what residents actually say about living here, the screening criteria you’ll need to clear, and the uncomfortable truths that no listing site will publish.

Quick Facts

Eighty units. That makes Buttercup Creek one of the smallest apartment communities in our service area. Celadon Properties runs this property independently, so it operates differently from the national management companies behind most of Cedar Park’s inventory. And at $400, the security deposit is lower than what we typically see at Class B and Class A communities, where deposits often start at $500 or higher.

Best For / Skip If

Best For

You’re trying to keep rent under $1,200 and stay in Cedar Park. The list of communities that meet both of those criteria is short. Buttercup Creek’s 1BR at $1,150 and 2BR at $1,175 are among the lowest base rents for any market rate property in the Cedar Park area. After the current 1 month free concession, the net effective drops to $1,054 on the 1BR. That’s hard to beat within Cedar Park city limits.

You want a small, quiet community where you know your neighbors. Eighty units across two stories in a residential neighborhood. No 300 unit complex feel. Multiple long term residents in the reviews describe a courtyard atmosphere where people actually talk to each other. If that matters to you more than a resort style pool or a fitness center, this property delivers something most Cedar Park communities can’t.

You need two bathrooms but only one bedroom. Every unit at Buttercup Creek is 815 sqft with two full bathrooms, regardless of whether it’s a 1BR or 2BR layout. A second bathroom in a 1BR is genuinely unusual in the Cedar Park market and adds real utility for anyone who shares the apartment with a partner or has frequent guests.

You have a pet under 35 lbs. Pet deposits here are $200 with $15/month pet rent. That’s right in line with what we see at Cedar Park communities and lower than many Class A properties that charge $20 to $25/month.

Skip If

Noise between units is a dealbreaker. This is 1984 wood frame construction. Multiple ApartmentRatings reviews mention hearing neighbors through floors and walls. If you work from home, take calls during the day, or sleep lightly, factor that in before you sign.

You need modern finishes or a full amenity package. The pool, basketball court, and tennis court cover the basics. There is no fitness center, no package lockers, no coworking space, and no dog park. Interior finishes are dated. If you’re comparing this to communities built in the last 10 to 15 years, you’ll notice the difference immediately.

You have a dog over 35 lbs. The weight limit here is firm at 35 lbs. That rules out most medium and large breeds. Several Cedar Park communities, including Vera, allow pets up to 100 lbs or more. If your dog is the reason half the market is off the table, this property probably won’t work. (And since there’s no dog park on site, you’ll want to know about the options nearby.)

You want consistent, fast maintenance responses. The review history at Buttercup Creek swings hard on management quality. Some periods get strong praise. Others include complaints about AC repairs going weeks without resolution. We’ll break down the patterns below.

Not sure if Buttercup Creek fits your situation?

Tell us what you’re looking for. Budget, timeline, any screening concerns. We’ll let you know whether this community is a realistic fit before you spend money on an application. No cost, no pressure.

Location Deep Dive

What’s Actually Nearby

Buttercup Creek sits in a residential pocket off Buttercup Creek Blvd, between Bell Blvd (US 183) and Cypress Creek Rd. Mature trees line the streets. You’re tucked behind single family homes, away from any busy commercial roads, and highway noise doesn’t carry to the property. We’ve walked this area, and it feels more like a neighborhood than an apartment corridor.

Teriyaki Tom’s and Thamnak Thai are both within a quarter mile walk. The International Foods market is about half a mile south. For a full grocery run, the H-E-B at 170 E Whitestone Blvd (the Hwy 183 and Whitestone location) is 1.3 miles north, a 3 minute drive. The Walmart Supercenter on Whitestone is 1.4 miles. Costco at the 1890 Ranch shopping center is about 1.7 miles north.

Buttercup Creek Park is 0.1 miles from the property. Playground, walking trails, open green space. Wildrose Park is 0.4 miles. That’s two parks within a five minute walk, which is more than most Cedar Park apartment communities can claim.

The Bell District shopping area along Bell Blvd is about a mile north, and the Cypress Creek Road retail corridor (including Cypress Gardens and Regal Parc apartments) is less than half a mile east. You’re car dependent like most of Cedar Park, but the location is central enough that groceries, dining, and errands are all within a few minutes.

Commute Math

Two blocks off US 183 (Bell Blvd through Cedar Park). That’s the main north/south artery through the area, and it matters for commuters heading to the Domain or north Austin tech employers. We published a full breakdown of commute times from Cedar Park to every major employer if you want more detail. The 183A toll road is accessible within a few minutes if you need a faster route to Round Rock or Leander.

School Zone

Buttercup Creek feeds into Leander ISD. The specific feeder chain is Ada Mae Faubion Elementary (1.1 miles, rated 5/10 on GreatSchools), Artie L. Henry Middle School, and Vista Ridge High School. Reed Elementary (0.8 miles, 6/10) and Cox Elementary (1.2 miles, 8/10) are also nearby, but your actual assignment depends on your specific address. Zone boundaries shift, so verify directly with Leander ISD before choosing a community based on school access. We also published a guide to top rated schools near Cedar Park apartment communities if school zoning is a priority for your search.

Pricing and True Cost

Floor Plans

*Net effective with 1 month free on a 12 month lease. Verified Spring 2026 via community inventory tracking.

One detail worth flagging: some 2BR units include a full washer and dryer (not just connections) for a $40/month premium over the standard 2BR. If you’d rather not buy your own machines, that $1,215 option is worth asking about. The remaining units all have washer/dryer connections, and an on site laundry facility is available as well.

The price per square foot adds context here. At $1.41/sqft, Buttercup Creek is in the lower range of what we track, though not the absolute bottom. For comparison, Cypress Gardens (built 1997, Class B+) less than half a mile east on Cypress Creek Rd starts at $1.42/sqft, and Red Stone Ranch (Class B+) on Lakeline Blvd runs $1.27 to $1.37/sqft. What Buttercup Creek offers that those communities don’t is the two bathroom layout in every unit, including the 1BR. Good luck finding that anywhere else at this price tier.

Net Effective Rent Calculation

Here’s the math on the 1BR:

Base rent: $1,150/month Current special: 1 month free on a 12 month lease Calculation: $1,150 x 11 paying months / 12 total months = $1,054/month net effective Monthly savings: $1,150 minus $1,054 = $96/month

For the 2BR:

Base rent: $1,175/month Calculation: $1,175 x 11 / 12 = $1,077/month net effective Monthly savings: $98/month

One important detail: Buttercup Creek does not appear to charge mandatory monthly fees like valet trash, pest control, or water/sewer. Most Cedar Park communities tack on $30 to $75/month in fees that don’t show up in the advertised rent. The absence of those fees here means your net effective rent and your actual monthly cost are nearly the same number. At a community like Cypress Gardens down the road, those mandatory fees can add $50 or more on top of rent every month.

Fee Breakdown

Move in cost scenario (1BR, no pets): First month’s rent (if no free month applied at move in): $1,150 Admin fee: $80 Security deposit: $400 Application fee: $50 Total move in: approximately $1,680

If the free month is applied to month one (confirm with the leasing office), your move in drops to roughly $530 plus the application fee.

True Monthly Cost Scenario

For a renter in the 1BR with no pet:

Net effective rent: $1,054 Mandatory monthly fees: $0 True monthly cost: $1,054

For a renter in the 2BR with one pet:

Net effective rent: $1,077 Monthly pet rent: $15 True monthly cost: $1,092

That $1,054 to $1,092 range for a fully loaded monthly cost sits near the bottom of what we track in the Cedar Park market. At most comparable communities, mandatory fees push the true cost $30 to $75 above the net effective rent. Here, what you see is what you pay.

Want to know what specials are actually available right now?

Pricing and concessions change. What’s listed above was accurate as of Spring 2026. We track this community’s pricing regularly.

Screening Criteria

Income Requirement

Buttercup Creek requires 3x monthly rent in gross household income. Here’s what that means in real numbers:

The 3x multiplier is the market standard in Cedar Park. Some communities in our affordable apartments guide require only 2x or 2.5x, which opens the door for renters with lower incomes. If your credit or rental history is a concern, our second chance leasing page covers which Cedar Park communities work with those situations. At 3x, Buttercup Creek is not the most accessible option for income qualification, but the low base rent means the dollar threshold you need to clear is still among the lowest in the area.

For context: a $1,150 rent at 3x requires $41,400/year. A community charging $1,400 at 3x requires $50,400. That $9,000 gap in required annual income is where Buttercup Creek’s low base rent makes a practical difference.

Credit Expectations

Buttercup Creek does not publish a minimum credit score. Celadon Properties manages this property independently, which can mean the leasing team has more discretion than you’d get at a nationally managed community. That discretion cuts both ways: more flexibility in some cases, less consistency in others. Call the leasing office at (512) 219-1959 and ask about their credit expectations directly before applying.

What Typically Gets You Denied

Based on standard screening practices for independently managed Class C communities in this market:

• Income below 3x the monthly rent
• Recent evictions (typically within the past 3 to 5 years)
• Outstanding rental debt to a previous landlord
• Certain criminal background findings (specifics vary; confirm with the leasing office)
• Inability to provide required documentation (pay stubs, ID, rental history)

Application Process

1. Contact the leasing office or apply through their website at buttercupcreekapts.com
2. Submit the application with a $50 non refundable fee per applicant
3. Screening includes income verification, credit, rental history, and background
4. Upon approval, sign the lease and pay the $80 admin fee plus $400 deposit

Not sure whether you’ll qualify? We can check before you apply. We know the Cedar Park market’s screening landscape and can tell you whether this community is realistic for your situation before you spend $50 on an application fee. No cost to you. Call us at 512-520-0311.

Resident Reviews Decoded

Listing sites show you a 3.8 on Google and leave it there. We read through 23 Google reviews, 37 ApartmentRatings reviews, and 8 Yelp reviews looking for the patterns that actually matter. A single complaint doesn’t tell you much. The same complaint from six different people in different years does.

Review Pattern Analysis

We searched Google, ApartmentRatings (37 reviews), Yelp (8 reviews, 2.5 stars), ApartmentList (1 review), Apartments.com (1 review), ApartmentFinder (1 review), and checked Reddit, Facebook, Zillow, and ModernMsg. No reviews were found on Reddit, Facebook, Zillow, or ModernMsg for this property. The total review pool is small, and most of the detailed feedback lives on ApartmentRatings.

What Residents Praise

Community atmosphere comes up more than anything else in the positive reviews, and it tracks with what we know about this property. Residents who stay long term describe Buttercup Creek as a place where neighbors actually interact, where kids play in the courtyard, where the small size keeps things quiet. One long term resident called it “a great place for the kids to play” and praised the clean, quiet environment. Another said it was the first apartment community where they felt like they truly knew their neighbors. We don’t see that sentiment often in our market. Most Cedar Park communities have 200 to 400 units, and the sense of community gets diluted at that scale. The courtyard BBQ area and pool get regular mentions as gathering spots.

Location is the second strongest theme. Reviewers mention the proximity to Bell Blvd (US 183), shopping within walking distance, and restaurants a few minutes away on foot. The 2016 to 2018 “Best Apartment Community” awards from Hill Country News readers reflect a period when resident satisfaction was running high. We can’t confirm whether that same energy holds today with the current management team, but the location hasn’t changed.

What Residents Criticize

Management inconsistency is the most concerning pattern, and it’s one we pay close attention to when evaluating a community. ApartmentRatings reviews paint a clear timeline: new management arrives, residents write glowing reviews about improvements. A year or two passes. Complaints surface about responsiveness. The cycle repeats.

Several reviews from different eras reference AC problems that went unresolved for weeks during Texas summer heat. One reviewer quoted management as saying “hot air blowing is better than no air blowing.” Another described a winter incident where a painter left windows open during a storm, which froze and burst a water heater pipe. No management response followed. We can’t verify whether those experiences reflect the current team, but the pattern across multiple management eras is what concerns us.

At least one ApartmentRatings review mentions bugs and mold, alongside “old appliances” and “paper thin walls.” Hard to say if that was one bad unit, one bad management period, or something that persists today. The review pool is too small to draw a firm conclusion. Inspect closely during a tour and ask the leasing office about pest control and moisture management.

Parking comes up repeatedly, and we see this at nearly every small community with surface lots. Eighty units with limited parking means spots fill up, especially in the evenings. If you have two vehicles, ask the leasing office about availability before signing.

Management Response Pattern

Buttercup Creek’s Google review page shows limited management responses to reviews. At independently managed properties this size, the leasing team often doubles as the property manager, which can mean less bandwidth for online engagement. The in person responsiveness matters more, and that’s exactly where the reviews split by era. During strong management periods, residents describe fast, friendly service. During weaker ones, the complaints pile up.

The Uncomfortable Truth

No listing site will write this section.

The Management Rollercoaster Is Real

Buttercup Creek’s review history tells a familiar story for independently managed Class C properties. New management comes in. Things improve. Residents notice. Then slowly, complaints about responsiveness and deferred maintenance start to pile up again. We see this pattern at other small, independently run communities too. It doesn’t mean the current team is bad. But it means your experience here will depend heavily on who’s running the leasing office the day you sign. Ask about staff tenure. Ask how long the current property manager has been in place. Those answers will tell you more than any listing page.

1984 Construction Means 1984 Problems

Forty two years old. That means aging HVAC systems, older plumbing, thinner walls and floors, and finishes that no amount of paint will bring up to date. Reviewers describe poor paint quality, squeaky floors, and hearing neighbors through walls and ceilings. None of that is fixable through a maintenance request. It’s the building. We’ve walked through communities from this construction era across the Cedar Park and Austin markets, and 1984 builds share the same limitations everywhere. If you’ve been living in communities built after 2000, you’ll feel the difference the moment you walk in.

The Amenity Gap Is Wider Than You Think

Pool, basketball court, tennis court, BBQ area. That’s the full list. No fitness center, no business center, no package lockers, no covered parking, no dog park. Most units have washer/dryer connections only (a few 2BR units include machines at a $40/month premium). We often compare amenity packages across property classes for renters weighing their options. Communities on our Class A page run amenity lists three times this long for $200 to $400 more per month. The lower rent at Buttercup Creek buys you space and quiet. It does not buy you convenience features.

The Review Sample Is Small

Twenty three Google reviews across 42 years of operation. That’s a tiny sample. A single negative review moves the needle on the 3.8 star average, and a few positive ones could push it to 4.0 overnight. At properties with 100+ reviews, patterns are reliable. Here, the data is thin. We still drew from ApartmentRatings and Yelp to fill in the picture, but we want you to know the foundation is limited.

Need an honest take before you tour?

We’ve tracked Buttercup Creek’s pricing, management changes, and review patterns for years. If you want a straight answer about whether it’s worth your time, reach out.

FAQ

Does Buttercup Creek Apartments have washer and dryer?

Most units have washer/dryer connections only, meaning you supply your own machines. A limited number of 2BR units include a full washer and dryer for a $40/month premium ($1,215 vs. $1,175). An on site laundry facility is also available.

What is the pet policy at Buttercup Creek Apartments?

Dogs and cats are allowed with a 35 lb weight limit and a 2 pet maximum. Expect a $200 pet deposit, $150 one time pet fee, and $15/month pet rent per pet. Birds and fish are also permitted.

Does Buttercup Creek accept Section 8 vouchers?

Some listing sites indicate Section 8 acceptance. We recommend confirming directly with the leasing office at (512) 219-1959, as voucher acceptance and available unit types can change.

What school district is Buttercup Creek Apartments in?

Buttercup Creek is zoned to Leander ISD. The nearest elementary school is Officer Leonard A. Reed Elementary, 0.8 miles away. Verify your specific attendance zone with Leander ISD before making decisions based on school zoning.

How much does it cost to move in to Buttercup Creek?

Without pets, expect approximately $1,680 in total move in costs (first month’s rent at $1,150, $400 deposit, $80 admin fee, and $50 application fee). If the free month applies at move in, that total drops to roughly $530 plus the application fee. Confirm the move in structure with the leasing office.

Is Buttercup Creek Apartments safe?

We can’t make subjective safety claims. The community sits in a residential neighborhood off Buttercup Creek Blvd, surrounded by single family homes and parks, away from major commercial corridors. Cedar Park generally posts lower crime rates than the Austin metro average. Check local crime mapping tools for current data specific to this area.

Are there any mandatory monthly fees at Buttercup Creek?

Based on our research, Buttercup Creek does not charge mandatory monthly fees like valet trash, pest control, or water/sewer fees that are common at other Cedar Park communities. That means the rent you see is close to what you’ll actually pay, which is unusual in this market.

What is the lease length at Buttercup Creek Apartments?

Lease terms range from 6 to 12 months. The current 1 month free concession requires a 12 month lease.

How old is Buttercup Creek Apartments?

Buttercup Creek was built in 1984, making it the oldest apartment community in our tracked Cedar Park inventory. The property is 2 stories with 80 units.

The Bottom Line

Buttercup Creek’s base rent and true monthly cost both land near the bottom of what we track among market rate communities in Cedar Park. A $1,054 net effective on a 1BR with zero mandatory monthly fees. Few communities in this market can match that number. The two bathroom layout in every unit, the small community atmosphere, and the central location near Bell Blvd all show up consistently in positive reviews from residents who’ve stayed.

The trade off is clear. 1984 construction brings aging systems, noise transfer, dated finishes, and an amenity package from a different era. Management quality has swung back and forth over the years, and 23 Google reviews don’t give you the sample size to feel confident about what the experience looks like right now.

This property makes sense if:

• You need to stay under $1,100/month net effective in Cedar Park
• You prefer a small, quiet community over a large complex
• You can supply your own washer and dryer
• Older finishes and limited amenities are acceptable trade offs for lower rent

This property doesn’t make sense if:

• Noise between units is a dealbreaker
• You need modern amenities (fitness center, package lockers, dog park)
• You have a dog over 35 lbs
• Consistent, responsive maintenance is your top priority

Buttercup Creek is not for everyone. But for renters who know exactly what they’re trading and why, it’s one of the few options in Cedar Park where the rent leaves room in the budget for the rest of life.

Need Help?

Work With the Cedar Park Apartment Team

We know Buttercup Creek’s pricing history, the screening landscape at communities in this corridor, and whether your situation lines up with what this property requires. Our apartment locating service is free to renters. Communities pay us from their existing marketing budget when we place a qualified tenant. Your rent stays the same whether you use us or walk in alone.

Going Solo?

If you’d rather apply directly, visit buttercupcreekapts.com or call the leasing office at (512) 219-1959. Tell them the Cedar Park Apartment Team referred you.