Charleston, IL

7 Apartments for Rent with Parking

Charleston is first and foremost a college town, so you shouldn’t be surprised to find the bulk of the apartments in the city clustered within a few blocks of the Eastern Illinois University campus. Obviously, if you don’t fall into the College Joe demographic, you might want to concentrate instead on the limited number of rentals situated on the outskirts, further away from campus.

Cheap apartments for rent are pretty much the only way to go in Charleston, so if you get your kicks by overspending on apartments, you’re out of luck (isn’t it about time you broke that habit anyway?) In fact, you’ll find a virtual deluge of apartments in Charleston, Illinois in the $300-$400 range (nope, not a typo), and even spacious, multi-BR units are available in abundance for under $600.

Don’t mistake affordability for lack of quality when it comes to apartments and townhouses for rent in Charleston, Illinois. Even some of the most modestly priced rentals come equipped with ultra-sweet amenities like patios, balconies, swimming pools, Jacuzzis, on-site laundry facilities, tennis courts, clubhouses, fitness centers, and tons of other cool stuff.

Pretty much every apartment complex in Charleston sees major spikes in occupancy just before the fall semester at EIU, so if you’re a student in the market for a campus area crash pad, we recommend beginning your hunt no later than May or June to ensure you have the pick of the apartment litter.

Don’t be intimidated by apartments in Charleston that adhere to “income restriction” policies. For all practical purposes, it just means that if you have no job, bank account, renting history, or credit, you’ll need a reputable cosigner to seal the deal.

Most leasing deals in Charleston are for a full year, although some landlords offer short-term, month-to-month leasing deals as well. Just be prepared to fork over an extra buck or two in rent each month if you’re residing on a short-term lease. Same goes for pet-friendly apartments in Charleston, Illinois.

Furnished apartments for rent are amply available as well in Charleston (again, for a slightly higher monthly cost). In other words, you can do yourself a favor and finally drag that beer-and-Dorito-stained futon of yours to the curb. And now that we’ve covered the basics, it’s time for our favorite part: finding you an unbeatable leasing deal in Charleston, Illinois. Best of luck and happy hunting! See more

Parking can be at a premium in some cities where spaces are challenging to find. Some Charleston apartments offer parking options, either outside in a common area or within a private garage.

Ask about the stipulations around the parking. Those may include how many guests are allowed and where tenants park.

Some apartments may only allow parking in front of your own unit. Guest parking may be in a common area for up to one person.

If parking is scarce, look around the area before you sign a lease. Ample street parking in a neighborhood championed for its safety is probably fine. However, it’s probably not worth signing a lease if it means battling for daily parking for you and your guests.

Research whether you need a city permit to park in the neighborhood. Look into the associated costs and what to do about visitors who need parking.

Some tenants prefer garage parking near their units. However, an open-air lot may prove cheaper.

Keep in mind that the cost of wear and tear from parking outside can add up. It may be less expensive, in the long run, to look for an apartment with garage parking.