Yes. The Hive states that it offers open parking for residents, with reserved parking available for $35 per month, based on availability. Since Southern Methodist University is about 5 miles from the property, that option can matter if you want a more predictable start to a regular campus commute.
If your main question is whether reserved parking exists near SMU, the direct answer is yes at The Hive, but not every renter will need it in the same way. The useful follow-up is whether a reserved space will actually improve your day-to-day routine compared with standard open parking, and that depends on your class schedule, how often you drive to campus, and whether more than one person in your household needs the car.
What reserved parking changes for an SMU commute
Reserved parking is most useful when your schedule is repetitive and time-sensitive. If you leave for SMU early several days a week, or return home after evening classes, labs, rehearsals, games, or campus events, having an assigned or reserved place can reduce one variable in your routine: where you will park when you get back.
That matters more than the 5-mile distance might suggest. A short campus commute can still feel uneven if the beginning or end of it is unpredictable. For some renters, the real benefit of reserved parking is not the drive itself, but avoiding the extra time and frustration that can come from circling for an open space at home.
Reserved parking can also be helpful in shared households. The Hive offers floor plans ranging from a studio to larger layouts, including one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom options, so some residents may be living alone while others may have roommates or family members. In a household with multiple drivers, clarifying who has access to a reserved space can prevent daily friction, especially if one person has a fixed SMU schedule and another has more flexible hours.
On the other hand, open parking may be enough for many residents. If you commute to SMU only a few times a week, use campus transit options occasionally, or tend to drive outside peak arrival and return times, paying extra for a reserved space may not materially change your routine. The key is to compare the monthly cost with the amount of predictability you actually need.
What to verify before you rely on it
The important qualifier is availability. The Hive says reserved parking is offered based on availability, so you should not assume a reserved space will automatically be included with any apartment or move-in date. Before applying, ask the leasing office whether reserved spaces are currently available, whether there is a waitlist, and whether availability differs by building or section of the community.
You should also ask what “reserved” means in practice. Apartment communities sometimes use that term for a numbered assigned space, while others use it for designated reserved areas or other parking arrangements. Clarifying the exact setup will tell you whether the feature solves your actual problem, especially if you want a specific location near your building or need consistency for late returns from SMU.
It is also worth confirming how parking works for any second vehicle or visitors. Even if your own car has a reserved space, household logistics can still become inconvenient if another resident relies on open parking, or if guests need to visit during busy times. That question matters more for larger households than it does for a single resident in a studio or one-bedroom home.
Finally, verify current terms directly with the leasing team because parking details can change over time. Ask for the current monthly charge, any one-time setup fees, where the reserved spaces are located, and what happens if your move-in date changes. That gives you a much clearer picture than relying on a simple yes-or-no answer.
How to decide whether it is worth adding
Start by thinking about how often you expect to drive to SMU rather than how close SMU is on a map. A 5-mile trip can be manageable in many cases, but your quality of life is shaped by repetition. If you make that trip almost every weekday, a parking setup that saves small amounts of time and uncertainty can have outsized value over a full semester.
Your daily timing matters too. If your classes, work-study hours, or campus obligations fall outside a standard daytime schedule, reserved parking may be more valuable because you are more likely to leave or return when parking patterns are less predictable. If your routine is lighter, the difference between open and reserved parking may be less noticeable.
Think about your apartment search as a package of needs, not a single feature. For an SMU renter, parking may matter alongside other practical details such as access to public transportation, a business center for schoolwork, or the size of the floor plan that fits your household. The Hive does list nearby access to public transportation and an on-site business center, which may be relevant if you split your week between driving, studying from home, and occasional transit use.
If reserved parking is high on your list, the best low-pressure next step is simple: contact The Hive and ask whether a reserved space is available for the apartment type and move-in timing you want, then compare that answer with how often you expect to drive to SMU. That will tell you much more than a generic amenity list can.