Burlington, NC

158 Apartments for Rent

Burlington: known as the "The Hosiery Center of the South" due to the sock and hosiery-making factories that dotted the community during the first half of the 20th century.

Burlington, North Carolina, is a town of about 50,000 in the central northern part of the state. Overall, it's a pleasant place to live: temperate weather (averages in the high 80s in the summertime, with a wintertime low of about 30), just the right amount of rain (July is the wettest month, with an average rainfall of nearly 5 inches), and a cost of living that is less than the U.S. average, yet countered by a slightly high unemployment rate for the state. Native sons and long-time residents may well love their town, but let's be honest: the biggest selling point of Burlington is its enviable location. It's just a quick 30-minute drive west to Greensboro and a little further to Winston-Salem -- both major North Carolina cities with packed downtown areas, symphonies, museums and shopping centers. Heading east? You can be in the state capital, Raleigh, in about an hour. Not too bad a location for a safe, quaint town!

Find an Apartment in Burlington, North Carolina

When Should I Look?

While there's not really a bad time of the year to look for an apartment in Burlington, you should give yourself a few weeks to really scope out the area and get a feel for which section fits you best. Depending on the area, you may find landlords and apartment complexes willing to haggle and give you a deal, or you may find someone with a long waiting list that demands perfect credit, a hefty security deposit and naming rights to your firstborn. Regardless, remember that you're now in the land of sweet tea and "sweetie pie," so be polite, show up on time and be charming. A good attitude can carry you a long way.

What Do I Need?

Don't leave essential paperwork at home when you head out to view apartments. You'll need to show that you can pay your rent, so make sure you have proof of income and any references from previous rental landlords. If you want to expedite your approval process, print out a copy of your credit report as well. If you're moving with pets, don't forget to gather their records too. Be prepared to put down a deposit on any apartments or homes that you want to rent. The early bird gets the worm, and the person who leaves their checkbook at home often misses out.

Neighborhoods in Burlington, North Carolina

Altamahaw This area is home to mostly medium to small houses. Vacancies are at about 6%, so apartments for rent might be harder to find. Begin your search early. If you're planning on commuting to Greensboro or Raleigh on anything resembling a regular basis, Altamahaw's location north of Burlington proper might be a bit of a stretch. $

Lakeview/Hopedale Vacancies are almost twice as high in this area than in Altamaha. So if you are looking for rental houses or studio apartments for rent, at least you know your search shouldn't take too long. Drive through this neighborhood to see apartment complexes next to smaller homes next to condos. The quiet nabe attracts primarily retirees.$$$

Lake Macintosh area Plan to spend your time near the water if you move here. Tucked into the southwest corner of Burlington, the area around Lake Macintosh is a prime spot for those desiring a bit more land for their money. Want to rent a four-bedroom home with a big yard? It's here. Only need a wee bit of space? Studio apartments are here as well. The vacancy rate is about 10%, which is still high (and good for those looking for rental housing). This is a good area to find apartments with paid utilities or serviced apartments. $$$

Glen Raven Is Burlington a little too wild and crazy for you? Then get some peace and quiet while saving major bucks by moving to this area just east of Elon University. You'll be close enough to hop on I-85 within minutes, and you'll be sandwiched between a sleepy town to your right (Burlington) and a downright coma-induced town to your left (Elon). The university is pretty snazzy though, and there are plenty of college kids in town when school's in session, so plan on looking for an apartment before the whippersnappers snatch them all. $$

Living in Burlington

What to do with your free time in Burlington? Visit one of the parks, a minor league ballgame or an area golf course. Or – and we may have mentioned this – the surrounding cities have plenty to keep you busy:

• Winston-Salem (1 hour west) established the first arts council in the nation and is still considered the "City of the Arts," with museums, symphonies, orchestras and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.
• Greensboro (30 minutes west) was the site of the 1960 Woolworth Sit-In and is now the home of the International Civil Rights Center and Museum.
• Asheboro (1 hour southwest) has the North Carolina Zoo.
• Raleigh (1 hour southeast) has a planetarium, museums (the Museum of Art is free to NC residents) and great shopping.
• You're only 3 hours away from either the mountains or the coast!

The climate: You'll enjoy all four seasons here, just not any extreme temperatures for long. The joke is that if you don't like the weather, just give it a few hours. The same goes for the seasons. Even better is that even during the hottest parts of the summer, the evenings cool off and bring a needed respite.

Commuting:You'll definitely need a car here since public transportation – especially the light rail – isn't exactly North Carolina's strong suit. Most residents live in Burlington for the lower property taxes and hit the I-85 corridor for work every day.