Northport, AL

58 Apartments for Rent

Nestled on the same block as the Northport 5 & 10, which dates back to 1850, and across the street from Anders Hardware, which opened in 1909, City Cafe would fit right in on the set of The Andy Griffith Show.

Northport, Alabama, is like a little brother to the city of Tuscaloosa, though the people running the place might object to that description. The two cities are side by side, and share the same highways, the same Chamber of Commerce, and even the same people going back and forth to work, attending the University of Alabama, and enjoying local eateries and shops. With 23,330 residents at the time of the 2010 U.S. Census, Northport is only one-fourth the size of its big brother. The origins of the split may be the result of people on one side of town not liking the other side telling them what to do -- so they packed their bags and formed a new city. Can't prove it, of course. It's just a suspicion. That happened way back in 1871, so it's likely the city is over any petulance it might have felt in bygone days. Northport is on the north side of the working Black Warrior River and is quite content to let the craziness of the university stay on the south side in Tuscaloosa.

The Right Time for Moving

Though the University of Alabama is in Tuscaloosa, Northport is under its influence because the two cities rub shoulders. What this means for anyone moving to Northport is that some months are better than others when it comes to showing up new to town. Not only are the roads packed with students when semesters start and end, but there is nary a moving company or U-Haul trailer that is not booked. Landlords are dealing with people coming and going too. Wise renters who want to keep their sanity, and avoid having to carry their couches on their backs, will try not to move in August, December, January, and the last part of April or first part of May.

Getting Here and There

Fortunately, when it is time to move, getting here is easy. Interstate 59/20 is on the south side of Tuscaloosa. Get off on Highway 82 (aka McFarland Blvd) and head due north right through Tuscaloosa, across the Black Warrior River, and into Northport. Don't forget to wave at the students as you pass through T-Town, as it's affectionately called. Once in Northport, you can go north or south on Highway 69 or Highway 43 to get to Northport's distance corners.

Northport does have apartment complexes, but most people live in houses. Finding the perfect rental takes some perfect planning on your part. Since so many students are looking for living quarters nine months out of the year, it's important to look for a rental several months before you actually plan on moving. You might have to put a deposit down early to convince the landlord to hold an apartment for you. Nabbing the right rental can turn competitive really fast. Besides the deposit, you'll have to pay the first and last month's rent in many complexes.

Turning on the Neighborhood Charm

You can live close to McFarland and be in the thick of things, live close to the city center and be in the historic of things, or live out and be in the subdivision of things. It's your choice. The following descriptions give a general idea of the areas:

City Center: The neighborhood is a blend of charming historical homes and new apartment complexes with 2 bedroom apartments for rent. The tiny 2-block downtown on Main Street has the authentic Northport 5 & 10 and the famous City Caf serving authentic Southern food. It is also only a block from the Black Warrior River.

Northwood Lake Area: This is a great place to look for 3 bedroom houses for rent. There are several subdivisions that include Northwood Forest, Northwood Lake and Northwood Gardens. Houses are generally 20 years old to brand new.

Cloverdale: Here is a well-established neighborhood with many brick homes available for rent. It is right off McFarland Boulevard, the main thoroughfare that is filled with grocery stores, small shopping centers, and restaurants.

Clear Creek Colony: The homes in this neighborhood are located off Highway 43 approximately 5 miles north of McFarland Blvd. There is a nice little retail shopping area with a grocery store, pharmacy and a couple of gas stations. No need to drive all the way into the big-little city to run errands. The rental property consists mostly of houses and duplexes.

Forest Glen: It's another subdivision about 5 miles from McFarland Blvd but off Highway 69. There is a large variety of home sizes, so there's no problem finding a three or four bedroom house for rent. It's off the beaten path on purpose, but close enough to all the action in Northport (such as it is) to remain convenient.

Samantha: This is a sort-of neighborhood. Once a tiny rural city, it is now just an area still carrying the old city name. It's 10 miles from the Northport city center, and quite rural. If you like wide open spaces and neighbors who mind their own business, this is the place.

Northbrook: Here is an ideal place to start a search for apartment rentals. These apartment complexes are right off McFarland Blvd -- and the location doesn't get any more convenient. You could walk to restaurants and little shops in retail strip malls, but must drive to the city center.

Indian Lake: You might find some apartments with paid utilities in this area on Watermelon Road. The affordable, older properties are on the road that divides Northport from Tuscaloosa.

An Outdoor Kind of Town

Northport is an outdoor kind of place, with residents enjoying activities like gardening, screaming "Roll Tide" at a University of Alabama football game, or playing golf at the Hidden Meadows Golf Course. The university is a major source of entertainment, of course. Tuscaloosa is always filled with Northporters when it's time for a concert at the Tuscaloosa Amphitheater or shop at University Mall.

There is one event that is all Northport -- the Kentuck Festival of Arts. The outdoor arts event is held in Kentuck Park and invites over 270 local, national and contemporary artists to present everything artistic. Just name it, and the event has it -- jewelry, pottery, painting, glassblowing, woodworking and more. The park is close to downtown Northport, which by the way is the only shopping area where you can walk quickly from store to store. The rest of Northport shopping is in strip malls, which might include a trek from end to end.

In Alabama, people spend time in parks. They just do. Lake Lurleen State Park is 15 minutes from downtown Northport. You can fish, rent a boat, go camping, and swim. There is one other thing of importance to do in Northport: eat! You can eat award-winning barbecue at Archibald's or the Pottery Grill, or chow down on classic meat-and-three lunches at the Brown Bag. The town is filled with wings, barbeque chicken and pork, and grits and biscuits. Mmmm. Pass the sorghum, please!