Montevallo, AL 183 Apartments for Rent

Orr Park has something no other city can claim - a forest of faces! Carved into storm-damaged trees that were destined to be cut down are delightful faces of fanciful characters. It's an outdoor art creation that brings out the giggles in everyone.

Montevallo, Alabama has a small census population of 6,323, and that is perfectly okay with the locals. It has an adorable, step-back-in-time downtown area with brightly painted building facades, behind which are found small businesses and restaurants. Locals actually still stroll the streets of Montevallo just like people did decades ago after the town was founded in 1817. Leave your hoop skirts and cravats at home, though, because little Montevallo has a thriving industrial park, an active University of Montevallo, and a thoroughly modern desire to attract new businesses.

Moving to Montevallo

Some small towns are tucked so far away in the boondocks that you need an off-road vehicle to find them. Not true for Montevallo. It is only 30 miles south of Birmingham - Alabama's largest city. You can stay in your nice comfy SUV that's never seen mud, cruise south on Interstate 65 out of Birmingham, and take good roads for about 12 miles after exiting I-65. No puddle jumping needed.

Think Oysters When Planning Move

Most of the year there is no problem moving to Montevallo. The main thing to keep in mind is that it is the home of the University of Montevallo. A few times during the year, students and faculty are moving, too. Similar to the advice to not eat oysters in any month that has an "r" in it, it's easier to not move to Montevallo in late August, December, January, or May. If you have no choice, plan well ahead for scheduling movers or U-Haul trailers. Otherwise - have at it!

First in Line

Here's another piece of advice to the wise. Start looking for rental housing in Montevallo at least a month in advance of your move and even sooner if looking at one-bedroom apartments. They are really popular. To be first in line for the best apartments, plan early as to which line you want to be in. The apartment complexes have some strict rules. Most require a six or twelve-month lease. A sizable deposit and the first month's rent are required up front. If your credit is weak, then a guarantor is needed. You need references, a good rental history, and a willingness to follow the rules. If your idea of a good time is sloshing around in a waterbed with the TV turned up loud then look for a house to rent.

Neighborhoods of Montevallo

Montevallo is compact, so the apartment complexes and rental housing are easy to find. There are only three main roads running through town. Selma Road-Main Street-Asheville Road runs north and south. Spring Creek Road runs southwest to northeast, and Middle Street (Highway 155) runs by the university, cuts through the middle of town, and heads east. The question is: How far or close do you want to be to the Center of the Montevallo universe?

West Montevallo: The rental houses in this area are either within walking distance of the University of Montevallo or are in the surrounding rural area. Some people answer to the call of the wild. College Park Apartments is midway between the University and the historic downtown area.

North Montevallo: If you don't mind a short walk or bicycle ride to anyplace around town, there are apartment complexes along Asheville Road with a variety of units that include studio apartments and 1, 2, 3 bedroom apartments. Oak Park Apartments is conveniently located in this area.

East Montevallo: If you want to check out all types of rentals, the area east of Ashville Road has something for everyone. There are apartment homes; one-, two-, and three-bedroom flats; town homes; and houses for rent. At the intersection of Spring Creek Road and Middle Street on the east side, and Asheville Road and Main Street on the west side, is Orr Park with its famous carved faces and hiking trails. When ready for a bite out, the nearby Main Street Tavern gets high marks for its (what else?) hamburgers. This area is also close to the industrial park on Highway 25. College View Apartments are older restored apartments right across the street from Harmon Hall and only a block from Orr Park.

South Montevallo: South of Middle Street is another residential area that is not too far from downtown. A subdivision is nearby that is off Oxford Road and Canterbury Road. There are two apartment buildings across the street from each other. The Montevallo Villas and Briarwood Apartments are surrounded by natural environment, so you can actually hear the birds sing from your deck. Of course, that only works if you like birds.

Living in Montevallo

Montevallo is comfortable in its own skin. One of the more unusual area attractions, hosting hundreds of annual events for residents and visitors, is American Village. This gem of a park lets people step into American history where they can "participate" in activities like becoming a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1787. When not getting a history lesson, there's a good chance weekends will find many people playing a round at the Montevallo Golf Course, enjoying the walking trails and ball fields at Orr Park, or watching a production at the state-of-the-art Library Theatre. Most of the businesses are practical establishments designed to make daily living convenient, like auto shops and florists. If the shopping itch needs scratching, the huge Galleria Mall is only 19 miles away in Hoover where you can shop till you drop. The city gets an A plus for having a higher percent of people walking to work compared to the national average. Montevallo is ranked as being very livable, as long as you don't mind living in "small."