Okemos Apartment Renter's Guide
Okemos Apartment Renter's Guide
Okemos seems like it’s in the middle of nowhere. In fact, it once was. Okemos was once a Native American settlement and trading point for the Ojibwa Indians, and the town was named after Chief John Okemos.
Today Okemos is a thriving but slightly remote suburb of Lansing
Okemos seems like it’s in the middle of nowhere. In fact, it once was. Okemos was once a Native American settlement and trading point for the Ojibwa Indians, and the town was named after Chief John Okemos.
Today Okemos is a thriving but slightly remote suburb of Lansing. Lansing attracts a diverse population because it’s both Michigan’s capitol and is home to Michigan State University. In 2011, CNN Money magazine said Okemos was the 12th best city for hip, young singles. Okemos is an attractive place for people to live if they want a more rural, slower-paced alternative to Lansing. Many people also choose to live in Okemos if they need convenient access to other cities in the state, including Grand Rapids, Detroit and Ann Arbor. Okemos is an approximately equal distance from all three cities.
Moving to Okemos
If you want to move to Okemos, you’ll first need to decide if it’s the right place for you. Although Okemos does have good schools, the town doesn’t have many three-bedroom apartments available. Families with kids might want to check out other nearby Lansing suburbs, such as East Lansing, Holt and Haslett.
Make sure that you have good employment references and that your credit is as good as possible before trying to rent an apartment or rental house. Some apartments in Okemos may even have all bills paid, which is a nice thing considering that Michigan winters can be long and harsh.
A nice aspect of Okemos is that even though it’s a pleasant place to live, it’s also fairly affordable. You don’t have to be a state senator or college professor to be able to afford to live here--though it certainly wouldn't hurt!
Life in Okemos
It’s understood that most people who live in Okemos probably work somewhere else. Because Okemos is small and relatively secluded, expect that you’ll have to most places that you need to go. However, the Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) provides busing options to the rest of the greater Lansing area. The Meridian Mall located right in Okemos is a terminal for CATA buses.
Most people enjoy the trade-offs that come with living in such a calm, low-key town. When you do need to get out and do some shopping, Okemos still has most of what you need. You can have a great quality of life here.