Wildwood, FL

112 Apartments for Rent

If you encounter a pale, ghostly figure while cruising along Rolling Acres Road, send your greetings. Her name's Julia. One of Florida's most haunted towns, Wildwood can make you scream, laugh, and dance.

Once a sleepy town along the Florida Turnpike, Wildwood, because of recent housing developments, has become a nice city of 6,709 residents. Considered to be Florida's crossroads, many major roads -- Florida's Turnpike, U.S. Highway 301, Interstate-75, and State Road 44 -- all intersect in Wildwood. Located in Sumter County, just an hour's drive from Orlando, this city is more than just a crossroads or haunted area. It's a place to play bingo! It's a place to climb pine trees! It's a place to see battlefield reenactments! You see that mesh of community activities, outdoor fun, and cool history. Get to Wildwood, and throw yourself into that excitement.

Moving to Wildwood

You shouldn't be spooked that only 14.3 percent of the properties are rented. Consistent openings show that finding a pad in Wildwood won't take much longer than two weeks in any season. Just be sure that ghost named Julia isn't chilling your potential home.

Houses and Mobile Homes

Detached houses (60.9 percent of housing units) and mobile homes (24.9 percent of units) are your two most prevalent options. That's not to say you can't get condo rentals or even a studio apartment for rent in Wildwood. This is just so you know what's most available.

Freshness Doesn't Equal Quality

Over 79 percent of homes were built after 1980, which means that most houses in Wildwood are in move-in shape. The key word is most. Some aren't, so inspect everywhere you tour for plumbing, wiring, or cooling issues. If you are looking for rental condos in Wildwood within a managed community, read reviews, check out how clean a place is, and whether it's haunted.

Upfront Costs and Contracts

One or two months' rent, a credit score, and proof of income are usually required in Wildwood before you can sign a lease. In case a ghost breaks something, a deposit is necessary.

Neighborhoods and Apartment Communities

Major 'Hoods

The 5.2 square miles of space means that, although this is a tight-knit community, different areas feature different things in Wildwood. Living near a lake is cool, but it might not be as convenient as living near a major highway. Prioritize, and then pick a 'hood.

City Center: Hollywood Cafe and Ole Coffee House are highlights. The Wildwood Growers' Market is awesome for buying local food. This area is somewhat walkable.

Miona Lake: A sparsely populated neighborhood, this car-dependent neighborhood features Miona Lake Golf Course, Lake Miona, and apartments and houses.

State Route 44/US Route 301: This area is picturesque. This very car-dependent area is highlighted by mobile home parks, houses, Lake Deaton, and Lake Okahumpka. If you love life beside a lake, this is your paradise.

Top Apartment Communities

Not interested in a proper 'hood? You could also take a look at either of these amazing apartment communities.

Peppertree Apartments: Near Lake Miona, you can rent a one-bedroom apartment as well as two- and three-bedroom condos. These aren't fancy serviced apartments, but the location near The Villages is nice.

Club Wildwood: A workout center, clubhouse, pool, and more give you all the amenities you could need. Choose among one- to four-bedroom townhouses in this centrally located complex.

Living in Wildwood

Wildwood is undoubtedly a driving town, but walking and biking for some errands is possible if you prefer that. The Sumter County Transit service offers bus transportation within the greater region. Head to Rita's Oyster Bar and Grill and enjoy drinks and laughs with other locals. For some good cuisine, try T Weston's Smokehouse. If you want to socialize and stay in shape, the city boasts a plethora of workout programs and sports clubs. Ocala National Forest and numerous lakes surround the area, letting you get a break from it all. Holidays like Fourth of July are always filled with events. With Orlando and other sweet areas close, you won't be hard pressed to have a ball while living in Wildwood. The city wonderfully combines a sense of a getaway with close-knit community culture, great food and drink, and ample activities. Hence, wild times in Wildwood await you.