The McKay clapboard farmhouse in Madison, MS was called "The Strawberry Patch". During the late 19th century. Dr. H.E. McKay was the Strawberry King in 1870 because he and his brother grew acres of strawberries and shipped them north by rail. (Historic Sites Survey, 9/3/85)

Madison, Mississippi may not be the "Strawberry Patch of the World" anymore, but it still hosts the annual "Fit for Agriculture Half Marathon & 10K Run/Walk." That's about as close as it gets. The city of 24,149 people is really more of a suburb of the Jackson, metropolitan area. Shhh don't tell the proud city fathers and mothers. Founded in 1856, you can see that this town has not grown much over the last fifteen decades, but the residents seem quite content with this snail's-pace growth rate. The city residents make their own entertainment by taking classes at the Madison Square Center for the Arts or walking around The Simmons Arboretum. One of city's unusual features is that it has architectural controls in place, so ordinary structures like the Municipal Court Building, Walgreen's and the Shell Station are visions of grandeur with Corinthian pilasters, Italianate-curved parapets and copper cupolas. We all make our own little kingdoms, don't we?

Moving to Madison

Relocating to Madison is easy because it's snuggled up against I-55 and is less than 20 miles from I-20. It's almost, not quite, a crossroads city. Professional movers are happy when they can stay on main highways for most of the trip because it's so much faster and cheaper for you. If you want to live in Madison, you need to start looking a couple of months in advance. A good idea is to use an online property locator website or contact a professional rental locator professional. Madison is small and many residents live elsewhere, like Ridgeland or Jackson. The move-in date may not coincide with unit availability without some serious advance planning.

The good news is that there are some very nice city apartments for rent in the general vicinity. There is also a choice of lease terms ranging from three to 14 months. The longer the lease, in some cases, the lower the monthly rent. Before signing the lease, be sure to ask some pertinent (not impertinent) questions. You need to know which utilities are included in the monthly rent and how you get your security deposit returned should you need to move.

Neighborhoods in Madison

Highway 51 divides Madison in half. The east side is bordered by a section of the Natchez Trace Parkway, and beyond that is the Ross Barnett Reservoir. West of Highway 51 is a section of Interstate 55. The closer to the water, the pricier the rentals. No surprise there!

Hartford: This is a newer development with a 15-acre nature preserve that is located outside the city. It is a possible spot for renting a newer house, if you like the "new house" smell.

City Center: The city center includes Main Street running into Madison Parkway. This area is convenient because it lies between I-55 and Highway 51. Surrounded by so many major roads, it's easy to get in and around, and just as easy to escape. The Tulane University Madison Campus is in the southeast corner of this area, so studio apartments for rent are easy to find.

Natchez Trace Parkway_: _The Natchez Trace Parkway runs along the edge of the Ross Barnett Reservoir, forming one side of a neighborhood. There are high-end homes and premier apartments in between the reservoir and Highway 51. It has Old World charm, a wildlife sanctuary, walking trails and more! My, myliving can be nice in Madison.

Reunion Parkway: The neighborhood development has two lakes for fishing and skiing, walking trails, a beach area and a Golf and Country Club. Horse lovers are found at the Equestrian Center with its boarding stables and show arena. You can rent an apartment for yourself and a stall for your horse!

Gluckstadt: West of I-55 is an area bordered in the north by Gluckstadt Road. Take the road east and you cruise past several small bodies of water like Stribling Lake. In the surrounding area are complexes renting one- and two-bedroom apartments.

Mannsfield Road: South of Gluckstadt Road is an area intersected by Mannsfield Road. Reunion Parkway connects with it as well. Go deep into the middle of this area and it's mostly houses. Stick with the main roads and you'll find an apartment complex to your liking.

Ridgeland: This is a city only 2.8 miles from Madison. It's listed here as a "neighborhood" because it's so close to Madison, it's practically in Madison. It also has many one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments for rent.

Fish are Jumping and Living is Good

This is the Deep South, and sitting outside while eating is mandatory. Restaurants are clustered in two areas: along Highway 51 near Madison Avenue and around Colony Crossing Way. You'll find Greek, Mexican, all-American restaurants dishing up blue-plate specials and local favorites like the Strawberry Cafe. There's music everywhere. Hang with the locals at Burgers & Blues, Hal & Mal's, Georgia Blue or any of the other clubs and restaurants and kickback for some tunes.

It's impossible to eat and listen to music 24 hours a day, so residents find other things to do. The Ross Barnett Reservoir has campgrounds, fishing, hunting, boating and swimming. The private Annandale Golf Club gets great reviews with its Jack Nicklaus designed golf course. Spending time on the historical Natchez Trace should be mandatory.

By the way, Jackson, Mississippi is a mere 15 miles away, and it's a lot bigger, with a population of 175,437. Wonder if this is the same Jackson that Johnny Cash sang about? No one seems to know, but it may be a good diversion when you're feeling "hotter than a pepper sprout." Oh, just go aheadlive a little!

Apartments for Rent in Madison, MS

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How much should I pay for rent in Madison, MS?

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