Florence is known as the city by the dunes. The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is the largest naturally-created coastal sand dunes in North America. Some reach as tall as 500 feet, and the dunes stretch south for more than 40 miles.
Florence resides at the mouth of the Siuslaw River, right where it flows into the Pacific Ocean
Florence is known as the city by the dunes. The Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area is the largest naturally-created coastal sand dunes in North America. Some reach as tall as 500 feet, and the dunes stretch south for more than 40 miles.
Florence resides at the mouth of the Siuslaw River, right where it flows into the Pacific Ocean. The town of about 8,400 residents is a well-known destination because of its numerous nature sites. Florence is also the site of the famous beached sperm whale, which was exploded into pieces with 20 cases of dynamite in 1970 by the Oregon Highway Division in an attempt to remove the rotting carcass of the eight-ton animal. Anyway, this town has great recreation, whale chunks, a proud history, a welcoming atmosphere, and all the amenities you could need. These are the things that attract folks here.
Despite being six square miles, there are plenty of apartment rental units. In total, there are over 5,200 housing units and nearly 38 percent are renter-occupied. With a decent amount of vacancies throughout the year, you have the freedom to move to Florence at a time that's suitable for you.
Search Early and Wide
The secret to finding a really cool home for rent in Florence is to begin looking six weeks before you relocate. Sure, you can find a 1 bedroom apartment or 3 bedroom house in a week, but it may not be what you want. Your search for apartments or houses should begin by looking not only in the main residential parts, but also in the nooks and crannies of town. For instance, part of one apartment in Old Town is actually inside an old, carved out, reinforced Douglas Fir tree. However, it's privately owned with a long waiting list. There also are a handful of homes with incredible views of the Siuslaw River that are occasionally vacant. The point is this: begin looking early to get something with charm and character.
Your Housing Choices
54.2 percent of homes are detached houses, 20.3 percent are mobile homes, and the rest are a mixture of duplexes, apartments, condos, boats, and other types. You get variety, but if you only want to find apartments, consider expanding your search to include other types of homes. This will give you more choices.
Getting the Deal Done
Write a check for the deposit and one month's rent. References, proof of income, a credit score, your ID and Social Security number are needed too.
Except for Glenada in the south, Florence doesn't technically have any neighborhoods with proper names. Each of the other parts of town--north, east, west and Old Town--has its own personality. These 'hoods are divided into physical sections by Florence's main artery, Highway 101.
North: Most of what's considered the north side is actually outside of the city limits. Here you'll find pockets of older neighborhoods along Highway 101. There's also a Fred Meyer shopping center and a Bi-Mart.
East: This area mostly consists of trailer parks, apartment buildings, and single-family homes. Many west Florence homes are older and located in the hills, except for Ocean Dunes Golf Links Community. The Three Rivers Casino and Hotel is here.
West: Here you'll find Peace Harbor Medical Center surrounded by both old and new single-family homes as well as apartment complexes. You'll also find Harbor Vista Park and beach access here.
Old Town: The heart and soul of Florence! Bay Street is lined with quirky shops, restaurants and taverns where tourists mix with locals. Old Town also is the site of Port of Siuslaw, where you can purchase fresh fish and crab.
Glenada: To get to Glenada you have to cross over the Siuslaw River Bridge, a beautiful bascule structure. Homes in Glenada are tucked away along roads at the foot of the Oregon Coast Range and around Siltcoos Lake. Rental homes here are hard to get.
Florence is walkable in some parts, especially Old Town. Most locals drive, but cycling can work. There are bus stops too. If you have a boat, use that as well! Regardless, it's a laid-back community with many outdoor activities, especially along the Siuslaw River. The entire town goes to watch Siuslaw High School football games during the fall. The area has three golf courses, including Sandpines Golf Links. You can also rent ATVs and ride the sand dunes. Visiting noteworthy attractions such as the Sea Lion Caves, Jessie M. Honeyman Memorial State Park, Woahink Lake, and Darlingtonia State Natural Site is a must for any newcomer. Other popular activities include sand sailing, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, surfing, boating, fishing and hunting. There are literally hundreds of fishing holes in and around Florence's lakes, rivers and streams. Go out and see what you can catch in Florence!
