Bowling Green, Ohio: Home of the Great Black Swamp. Northern Ohio was once home to an impenetrable swamp that featured murky water and expansive wetlands. While the swamp has dissipated, the unique moniker still remains for this northern Ohio locale.
With a population around 30,000, Bowling Green might seem like a small town living in the shadows of nearby Toledo
Bowling Green, Ohio: Home of the Great Black Swamp. Northern Ohio was once home to an impenetrable swamp that featured murky water and expansive wetlands. While the swamp has dissipated, the unique moniker still remains for this northern Ohio locale.
With a population around 30,000, Bowling Green might seem like a small town living in the shadows of nearby Toledo. However, a large college student population--one that approaches 20,000 at the city's Bowling Green State University--and a small but vibrant downtown give the city some energy and activity. Renters may find sidewalk sales, festivals and fairs to keep them entertained all year round. Focus on indoor activities in the winter, though--that is, if you don't want to pull a Flick and get your tongue stuck to a pole. Bowling Green features an average annual temperature of just 50 degrees, so some slippery roads and frozen hands are inevitable during the winter months.
Twenty-somethings moving to Bowling Green will have plenty of options when searching for places to rent. Much of the housing for rent congregates around BGSU's campus and, naturally, caters to the roommate-seeking, occasionally studying, often-partying crowd. Thanks to the large student population in this less-than-large city, property rentals are very reasonable, with many properties at or below the $500/month mark. Many rentals are designed with the student population in mind, offering a per-bedroom monthly rent, which can be as low as $200 or $300 a month for a four-bedroom apartment. One-bedroom apartments are available as well, which might better suit the post-college crowd that seeks more solitude and less chaos.
Because Bowling Green is a small town, its rental apartment supply isn't vast. With nearly 20,000 students coming to campus every fall, competition for a new pad at the start of a school semester can be as high as it tends to be for a new iPad in San Francisco. Just as the early bird catches the worm, the early renter lands the dream apartment. If you're flexible in location and price, you're sure to land somewhere no matter the time of year, however.
Most property rentals in Bowling Green come with a few expectations, but nothing out of the ordinary. When you start your hunt for your dream abode, be prepared for your potential landlord to run your credit, research your previous rental history and request proof of income.
Bowling Green isn't a major metropolitan area, but chances are you'll rely on your car nonetheless. With easy access to Interstate 75, you can explore northern Ohio and nearby cities, like Toledo--spots where you might even end up working. Whether you're cheering on the BGSU Falcons, shopping and dining in the city's center or attending regional events, such as the Black Swamp Arts Festival, National Tractor Pulling Championships or Wood County Heritage Days, you're sure to get a taste of the region and stay busy at the same time.
