Lexington Apartment Renter's Guide
Lexington Apartment Renter's Guide
Overview
Want to check out the history of Lexington? You'll find the city's historic downtown north of Highway 30 and along Washington Street. It's a sneak peek into the lives of residents today and the many settlers who came before.
What's more all-American than barbecues, the Pony Express, and a frontier trading post? Well, maybe apple pie, but Lexington, Nebraska has the other three in spades
Want to check out the history of Lexington? You'll find the city's historic downtown north of Highway 30 and along Washington Street. It's a sneak peek into the lives of residents today and the many settlers who came before.
What's more all-American than barbecues, the Pony Express, and a frontier trading post? Well, maybe apple pie, but Lexington, Nebraska has the other three in spades. A city that has a population of more than 10,000 now, Lexington was originally a frontier trading post known as Plum Creek. The community was on the Oregon Trail and a stop on the Pony Express. Today, you can enjoy all that rich history, but make no mistake: Lexington is modern, with plenty of amenities and a forward-looking population.
Moving to Lexington
Whether you're looking for a condo for rent or are browsing local newspapers with an eye out for any "rental apartments," Lexington offers a range of rentals. The city has detached houses, medium-sized apartment complexes, townhouses, mobile homes, and high-rise apartments. Many of the homes and apartments in the city are older and built between 1940 and 1969, although some buildings were built between 1970 and 1999. The older homes offer lots of character, but will require a little more work. Since you're a savvy renter, you'll of course want to check that any cute apartment or house is up to code and in good condition.
Before You Move
Glancing through the listings of places for rent in Lexington, you'll find plenty of apartments with paid utilities. You can even find month to month rentals, if you're not sure of your long-term plans. Landlords in Lexington are looking for good tenants and some are willing to offer incentives -- such as waived security deposits -- if you have a solid job and a good credit rating.
Give it Time
Vacancy rates in Lexington tend to hover around ten percent most years. Hey, it's a hot market. That is below the national average, though, which may mean that you need to give yourself plenty of time to find a great place to rent.
Moving with Pets?
If you are moving with a pet (especially a dog) you may need to pay some sort of deposit or monthly extra cost. Keep in mind that some apartment complexes and landlords do have weight or breed restrictions. If your beloved "pookie" is a larger breed and answers to "Killer" you might want to find out about extra costs or pet rules before you get attached to that condo for rent in Lexington.
Getting All Your Ducks in a Row
Landlords in Lexington are more likely to rent to you if you can prove that you are a good tenant. If you can show up with proof of employment, past references from landlords, a good credit rating, and other information, you are more likely to get the apartment or rental you want. In addition to being a great tenant, though, you will want to make sure that you snag a great landlord. When renting in this area, be sure to ask about the flood risk status of your specific rental or apartment. The entire region has some flood risk, but different buildings and even different apartments within a building may have different risks, and you want to figure out how much flood insurance you need - preferably before you end up on high ground watching all your worldly possessions float away.
Lexington Neighborhoods
Lexington may not be huge, but here are actually two distinct neighborhoods here:
City Center: Bordered by Lincoln Highway and N Adams Street, this is where you will find the historic areas of the city as well as some of the beautifully maintained older homes and high-rises.
Plum Creek Parkway / W Prospect Street: There's the City Center and then there's the rest of the city, which has fewer larger apartment complexes and more detached houses. This area of the city is also closer to the river, if that is your thing.
Living in Lexington
Lexington is only about 4.51 square miles, but it does have that American small-town feel. Since the area is small, you can get around using the bus or by walking. In fact, Lexington has an average commute time of just over 14 minutes, well below the national average. If you hate the thought of being stuck in traffic or hate traffic in general, you'll be pleased to find that Lexington just doesn't have that bumper-to-bumper daily grid that has you reaching for a coffee as soon as you get to work. What it does have, though, are some great attractions, such as the Dawson County Fair and Fairgrounds, the Dawson County Historical Museum, and the Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles, to name just a few. You'll definitely want to check out the sights once your boxes are unpacked.