How does a landlocked town become a major scuba-diving destination? Easy - when an old mine is converted just for that purpose. Welcome to historic Bonne Terre Mine and the Billion Gallon Lake, one of the world's largest underground lakes - open for boat tours and scuba divers. But in this Bonne Terre attraction, walkers are also welcome.
Bonne Terre is located in the southeast region of Missouri
How does a landlocked town become a major scuba-diving destination? Easy - when an old mine is converted just for that purpose. Welcome to historic Bonne Terre Mine and the Billion Gallon Lake, one of the world's largest underground lakes - open for boat tours and scuba divers. But in this Bonne Terre attraction, walkers are also welcome.
Bonne Terre is located in the southeast region of Missouri. If your geography is a little rusty, just know that it's about 60 miles south of St. Louis. As you might have guessed, the name is French. That's because the first settlers there were French. What brought the French? It was the discovery of lead ore. With a good find and plenty of it, the meaning of the town's original name, La Terre Bonne, is "Good Earth." No longer a mining boom-town, Bonne Terre become quite a tourist attraction, thanks to the historic Bonne Terre Mine. Whether resident or visitor, you'll find a rich history around the mining industry, its French connection and a rural wonderland of parks and outdoor recreation. Plus, the 6,864 residents who call Bonne Terre home will welcome you with open arms.
If you're planning to look at housing for rent in Bonne Terre, you're going to need a bit of luck! While new subdivisions are popping up in and around town, rentals are not that easy to come by. Finding an apartment rental varies and may be limited from neighborhood to neighborhood.
Housing Options
Before beginning your search, try to decide on exactly what kind of place you want. Some people are desperate to find apartments in or very near the town center. Others just want the sanctity of rural living, miles away from the closest neighbor or anything else. Still, others want something in between. Bonne Terre has all the bases covered, but save yourself some time by knowing what you want before you start looking. To nail this down, think about any amenities you might want. Do you love chilling in the park? Do you want a space-saving one bedroom apartment for rent? Or does your heart desire an in unit washer and dryer? Make a list of must-haves and narrow your search accordingly.
House Hunting
You'll want to make sure you dedicate ample time for your Bonne Terre house hunt, which could cover much of the 4.04 square miles that make up the town, mostly rural territory. Usually, allowing at least three to four weeks for your search will ensure that you end up someplace great. You'll also want to make sure to see all that Bonne Terre has to offer before making a decision. That way, you're likely to settle on a home that's right for you.
Rental Smarts
While checking out apts for rent in Bonne Terre, be aware that some of them are older constructions. So before making a deal on your new home, consider potential problems that come with aging structures. In many cases, older units present no problem at all. However, before you ink a deal on your new digs, it's recommended that you do a pre-lease inspection to check out any sort of issue. That way, if you find anything wrong, you can ask the landlord or property owner about needed repairs. Landlords expect inspections, so don't be shy about this.
What You Need
When looking for a place in live in Bonne Terre, you'll need time. Give yourself enough time to find what's right for you - at least three to four weeks. Allowing more time is not a bad option either. When you score your dream home, you'll need all the basic documents many landlords want before handing over the keys. This includes a copy of your ID, your credit report, bank statements, pay stubs, letter of employment, references, and any other info you think your landlord might require. If you have pets, double check that your furry friends will be allowed.
Housing choices and vacancy rates vary depending on the Bonne Terre area you want to call home. In and around town, expect older homes and apartments. Further out in newer developments, your choices are mostly single family homes. Here are a few neighborhoods to check out.
Terre du Lac: This neighborhood is rural, yet a bit pricier than some of the other Bonne Terre residential areas. This is primarily a single family, owner-occupied residential area with a number of the homes built in 2000 or later. The area features the Terre Du Lac Country Club and Golf Course, with some lakefront property as well. Vacation rentals are common in this area.
Town Center: The heart of the town, located at the intersection of Highways 67 and 47. This area is likely the best spot for finding apartments for rent as there is a mix of owner-occupied spaces and rental units. Just don't expect hi rise apartments or newer constructions. This area is south of the big state park, but a nice city park is within walking distance.
French Village: Get ready to get rural in this area. You know you are rural when Highways are designated with letters rather than numbers. For instance, in this area you can take a leisurely drive on Highways D, J, K and Y. Even so, there is a good possibility in finding a rental home here. Choices will be limited primarily to single family homes. But at least the state park is in the area.
Bonne Terre provides a quiet, slower paced life but you can expect a tourist crowd from time to time. Would you expect any different when one of the city's main attractions makes the National Geographic list of great American adventures? You and your tourist friends will find plenty to do. There are various opportunities to explore the town's natural beauty and outdoor recreation provided by several scenic parks, including Bicentennial, Lakeview, and St. Francois State Park. While out and about, you can explore outerspace at the Space Museum and find rest and relaxation at the Stone Park Resort and Amphitheater. When the bright lights of the big city call, you can meet someone in St. Louis for more thrills and entertainment choices. But be warned, taking in all that Bonne Terre has to offer requires private transportation. Translation: you will need your own set of wheels to get the full experience.
