Did you know that John Chapman, better known as "Johnny Appleseed," has his own museum? The Johnny Appleseed Educational Center and Museum, located on the campus of Urbana University, is the only museum in the world that's dedicated to the life and works of the legendary American missionary and pioneer.
Baseball, apple pie and the promise of a quiet and easy life -- those are the images that usually come to mind when people think of small towns like Urbana, Ohio
Did you know that John Chapman, better known as "Johnny Appleseed," has his own museum? The Johnny Appleseed Educational Center and Museum, located on the campus of Urbana University, is the only museum in the world that's dedicated to the life and works of the legendary American missionary and pioneer.
Baseball, apple pie and the promise of a quiet and easy life -- those are the images that usually come to mind when people think of small towns like Urbana, Ohio. Nestled between the larger cities of Dayton and Columbus in Champaign County, Urbana serves as a textbook example of quintessential small-town America. Nevertheless, the city has certainly had quite a colorful history since its founding in 1805. It also serves as the home of the 128-acre Urbana University, a private liberal arts university. One look around the town, and it becomes quite clear that Urbana, with its population of 11,793 residents, marches to a different drummer, offering that classic small-town feel without skimping on the amenities and services that many people expect from a bustling region.
From the moment you set foot in Urbana, chances are you'll find that the housing market is a bit different from Dayton and Columbus. To start with, you'll have a much better chance of finding affordable apartment rentals here than in either aforementioned city. Whether you're looking at condos for rent or simply want a nice, quiet duplex, it pays to know the lay of the land. Otherwise, you'll likely miss out on some of the great places and great deals to be had in the area.
Your Housing Options
So, what can you expect from a place like Urbana? For starters, over 66 percent of the available home units in the city are detached houses, and only 9.5 percent of those are renter-occupied. Nevertheless, the presence of fresh-faced college students almost guarantees that there are plenty of rental properties to explore. Many of these rentals are often split up into two categories -- multi-unit apartment complexes and single-family homes that are either up for rent or rent-to-own. Local rental agencies like RLM Properties occasionally offer townhouses for rent, although these tend to be in high demand.
If traditional apartment rentals aren't your style, you can easily find a duplex for rent in Urbana that suits your needs. Unlike apartments, a duplex offers a quieter and more personal environment for residents. In addition, you're also guaranteed to get washer and dryer hookups -- a pretty important detail if you don't want to waste a lot of time and money rushing back and forth to the laundromat. The downside is that weeding, lawn mowing and other maintenance items may fall on you to take care of. In this case, it pays to read the fine print outlining your responsibilities before signing your rental lease agreement.
Caveat Emptor
Be aware that the majority of these homes and rental units were constructed before 1970. Although it's almost certain that these units were built with the best engineering available, you'll still want to make sure everything is up to par in terms of maintenance and upkeep. You'll also want to factor things like electric and gas service into your budget, as the majority of apartment rentals around town don't offer paid utilities.
When to Shop Around
Apartment hunting tends to be a 9-to-5 job, as that's when the vast majority of realtors and landlords will have their doors open. Nevertheless, many property rental agencies and individual landlords understand that many clients keep up a busy schedule and, as a result, often keep extended hours to better accommodate new renters. Some may even keep their doors open on Saturdays, although the same can't be said of Sundays.
With only 7.77 square miles to its namesake, there isn't much of Urbana that can be carved up into distinct neighborhoods. While there are plenty of homes immediately surrounding the small downtown area, the city itself is surrounded by acre upon acre of farmland. At this point, you can choose to live on the outskirts.
Downtown: One of the town's defining features that travelers come across is the large roundabout that also served as the city's public square in earlier times. It's also home to the Urbana Monument Square Historic District, with over 66 properties within the landmark district. Single-family homes tend to dominate outside of the immediate downtown area.
Urbana University: Did we mention that Urbana is also a college town? Urbana University, founded in 1850, lies only a few blocks southwest of downtown. Like much of the city, the area immediately surrounding the university is heavily residential with an abundance of single-family homes.
So, what's it like living in Urbana? The city's lower-than-average crime rate reflects its small-town vibe. The downtown area is chock-full of amazing architecture, including examples of Georgian and Second Empire styles. Miami Street and Scioto Street, the city's main east-west thoroughfare, offers a wealth of affordable dining, from the Daughter's Farmer restaurant to Sparky's Pizzeria. Locals and university students alike often flock to Bracken's Pub for a quick pint. Like many cities throughout the state, you won't be able to go far without being behind the wheel of a car. However, the city's legacy as an important crossroads for rail traffic still lives on in the form of the Miami Valley trail network, which extends from Urbana all the way to Cincinnati. Urbana's close proximity to Springfield opens more doors when it comes to activities and nightlife. Both Dayton and Columbus are also an hour's drive away from Urbana.
