Fort Stockton, TX 4 Apartments for Rent

Fort Stockton is named after Robert F. Stockton, the U.S. Navy commodore who is best known for the capture of California during the Mexican-American War.

The modern day city of Fort Stockton is the seat of Pecos County, situated in the western side of Texas. The settlement grew around Comanche Springs, which was one of the greatest spring water sources in the state at the time. Because of the availability of water, a military fort was founded here in 1859. The fort ceased to be used by the military in 1886, but the area continued to thrive as a farming community, mostly sheep and cattle ranching. By the mid 1920s, Fort Stockton, like other parts of Texas, experienced a huge economic boom due to the discovery and exploitation of oil. Petroleum drilling still remains an important part of the local economy to this day. But, you probably knew that already if you are considering moving to the area, right? Fort Stockton covers an area of a little over five square miles, according to the United States Census Bureau. As of the 2010 census data, more than 8,000 people inhabited the city and they were split amongst a total of 2,790 households.

Moving to Fort Stockton

Of the properties in the city, well over one quarter of them are occupied by renters. So, rental housing in Fort Stockton is relatively easy to find compared to other cities in Texas. Much of the housing stock was built in the 1970s and earlier, but you can find a condo to rent that is more modern than that, if you look for it. There are a couple of relatively small apartment complexes, but more than two thirds of the housing in the city is of the single unit, detached variety. There are more three-bedroom houses than anything else, but you can find the occasional one-bedroom apt, too. You will simply have to move quickly to secure it if one comes up.

Rental prices are a little under the average for Texas, which is good news -- for most newcomers, at least. This far south, you need to consider the heat of the sun on move day. Try to conduct your move early in the year or in fall, when it is not so unbearably hot. A sun hat and sunscreen are essentials if you do have to move in summer, but you can always get up early to get some of the heavy lifting done before the temperatures rise. A good tip is to hire a professional moving company, but bear in mind that in Texas, all of these firms must be licensed with the TxDMV. Another thing to remember is that newbies need to obtain a Texas driver's license within 90 days of relocating to the state. Generally speaking, the cost of living in Fort Stockton is a bit less than the rest of the country, making it a great place to begin an apartment search. If you are looking in Texas but only see the higher prices of a hotspot like Austin, then you might be unduly put off.

Neighborhoods of Fort Stockton

Okay, so talking about the neighborhoods of Fort Stockton might not be the smartest thing to do when you consider that the residential areas are pretty much spread out over the city. There aren't any clearly defined neighborhoods. Nevertheless, Dickinson Boulevard cuts the city in two, so it is worth mentioning the differences either side of this main street.

Northern Fort Stockton: There is a large hospital campus just to the south of the Interstate, which is a good place to get your bearings in the north side of the city. The residences are laid out in a grid formation and nearly all of them are single story. There's a convenient grocery store located on West Hornbeck Boulevard, to the east, and a Wal-Mart Supercenter, to the west.

Southern Fort Stockton: This side of the city is slightly larger, but still mostly laid out with the same grid system. It provides better access to the city's largest green open space, the James Rooney Memorial Park. There are a couple of village-style apartment developments that are located in the southernmost part of the city. Try looking around West Ryan Street and West Sherer Street, if that is what you are after.

Living in Fort Stockton

The city enjoys excellent transportation links, as you might expect from its central location in the county. Interstate 10, the most southerly transcontinental highway in America, bypasses the city at its northern perimeter, running east-west across the state. U.S. Route 285 heads north-westwards to Pecos and south-eastwards in the direction of Del Rio. Fort Stockton-Pecos County Airport lies only two miles to the northwest of the city. In addition, Midland International Airport -- which is used by the likes of United Express and American Eagle -- is about an hour and a half away by car. The Santa Fe Railroad also passes through the city.

A good way to get a flavor for the city is to do what the tourists do and visit the Annie Riggs Memorial Museum. This informative museum depicts the heritage and development of Fort Stockton through well thought-out displays. The fort itself is situated on the east side of the city and has both original and reconstructed military buildings, including old-fashioned barracks, parade grounds and a visitor's center. Most of the city's life is conducted on, or near to, Dickinson Boulevard, where most of the commercial outlets and shops are positioned, including a Sears Hometown Store. Stockton's Entertainment, which has a movie theater and a bowling alley, amongst other attractions, lies in the west of the city, close to the large Wal-Mart.

In terms of eating out, Fort Stockton has plenty to offer. This is Texas, so expect plenty of grill and steakhouses. You will also find a good deal of choice when it comes to Mexican cuisine. However, you can locate a pizzeria without too much trouble, too. Also, try Pepito's Caf̩ on West Dickinson Boulevard for a family-run eatery with a relaxed atmosphere -- it is especially good for breakfasts.