Brooksville, FL 217 Apartments for Rent

During the 19th century, Brooksville was protected from attack by Fort DeSoto, which history buffs can still visit today by traveling up to the northeast edge of the city.

Brooksville, once known as the "Home of the Tangerine," thanks to its history as a major center of citrus farming, is a city close to the west coast of Florida. It's quite a long way out of Tampa, so don't plan on doing any commuting unless you enjoy spending up to an hour driving each way. You will soon forget about the attractions of the big city when you see the beautiful natural scenery that surrounds Brooksville. Just a short drive from the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, Brooksville is a great place to base yourself if you enjoy being surrounded by gently rolling hills (who doesn't?). Even within the city limits, there are three parks offering sports facilities, walking trails and a nine-hole golf course, as well as plenty of places to kick back and relax with a big picnic hamper and a selection of your favorite people.

Moving to Brooksville

The majority of people in Brooksville own their own homes, but don't let that phase you! The residents know how to extend that famous southern hospitality to newcomers. Looking for home rentals in Brooksville is a good opportunity to get to know the city and meet some new potential landlords. However, before you book your plane ticket out there, it pays to bear in mind a few practical considerations. Firstly, this is Florida. That means that summer is stinkin' hot, and you might not want to be lugging that couch up the stairs into the one bedroom apartment that's going to be your new home. Either wait until the weather cools down a bit or look for furnished apartments. Secondly, the tail end of the year is hurricane season, so always check the forecast before you head out here on a scouting mission. Certainly, this city will blow you away, figuratively speaking, but it'd be terrible for you to actually be caught up in a big storm before you even get unpacked.

If you're thinking that this advice is simply common sense, then, well, here's another big helping of that for you. This place might be friendly, but that doesn't mean that you can simply rock up and expect someone to give you the keys to their property with nothing but your word to trust. Bring all your documents with you: your ID, proof of income, references and papers for your pets if you have them. Along with a smile and a friendly attitude, these papers give you the best possible chance of being allowed to rent the 2 bedroom apartment of your dreams.

Brooksville Neighborhoods

North Brooksville: The tree-lined streets of North Brooksville are a great place to start looking for a small home or studio apartment for rent. There are also some mobile homes up for grabs here, just in case the thought of being tied down makes you shudder.

South Brooksville: Renting an apartment in South Brooksville might cost just a whisker more than a similar place in North Brooksville, but the local facilities mean that you get your money's worth. This end of town is where you will find some of the city's best parks, including the Tom Varn Park, which is home to a 9-hole golf course for residents to enjoy. Head out along South Broad Street and you'll find plenty of places to shop, including the Brooksville Square shopping mall and several large grocery stores.

Living in Brooksville

Life in Brooksville can be pretty sweet, particularly if you enjoy the great outdoors. If you're a cranky old New Englander who views the outdoors as a place to get your fingers frozen off, think again. The climate here is warm and sunny for most of the year, with the only downsides being heat that's just a little too intense in the middle of the day during the height of summer, and of course, those tornadoes. Don't worry--the city is used to dealing with them and big ones don't actually tear through here as often as the stereotypes would have you believe. Just make sure your home and possessions are fully insured and keep one eye on the forecasts during hurricane season. You'll be fine.

So, what is there to do on all those fine days? One option is to head down to Bud McKethan Park to take advantage of the three lighted tennis courts. Don't know one end of a tennis racket from the other? That's no excuse: lessons are available for both kids and grown ups--it's never too late to learn! If you want to go further afield on a beautiful spring day, then you simply must take a trip out to the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, where manatees, waterbirds, and of course the famous Florida gators hang out in over 30,000 acres of saltwater bays.

Inland scenery more your kind of thing? That's no problem at all. (Although you are encouraged to at least take a look at the Gulf of Mexico. It really is lovely.) Head east from Brooksville and you'll find the Croom Wildlife Management Area, which is part of the Withlacoochee State Forest. This area is crisscrossed with trails for horseback riding, hiking and cycling--or you could arm yourself with a picnic and enjoy the peace and calm in one of the many shaded picnic areas. Stay quiet and you might be lucky enough to see a white-tailed deer, wild turkeys or even an alligator lurking around Silver Lake. Watch out!

Coming back to Brooksville for a moment, there are plenty of things that the city has to offer within its limits. This tight-knit community hasn't forgotten its agricultural roots: every year there is a Blueberry Festival to celebrate this traditional crop. You can buy all kinds of fresh produce (not all of it blue) and be entertained by local musicians and artists. If you do decide to move here, make sure you don't miss out on this annual event, as it is a great opportunity to get to know your neighbors.