Winchester, TN

2 Apartments for Rent

In 1916, Francis Rose Shore was born in Winchester, Tennessee. You may know Francis by her celebrity name, Dinah Shore. The talented town native was a popular singer and entertainer during the big band music era. Gone, but not forgotten, this Emmy winner is remembered by her hometown in a big way. A major town thoroughfare proudly bears her name.

Winchester is situated in lower Middle Tennessee in a scenic, natural setting that features lakes, rolling hills and mountain views. The 8,530 residents who live there are likely smitten with the town's authentic rustic charm, made better with a revitalized town square and nearby historic museums and landmarks that include a vintage jail, a grain mill and a castle.

Moving to Winchester

As the saying goes, all work and no play makes for a boring life. Luckily, living in Winchester means being able to work and play without much effort. That's what a lake shore town can do for you. But with all of its laid back charm, the housing market may make work out of your search for apartments. The market is heavy on single-family homes, but some apartments can be had. Launch your search with an open mind.

Housing Choices

Single-family homes, apartment homes and mobile homes can be found in Winchester. But the majority, or roughly three quarters, of homes are single-family constructions. Only about a fifth of residential homes are apartment units. Steer your choice towards a single-family rental home and you could be in business in no time. If you are really looking to find apartments to rent, be prepared for limited choices. But with all that natural scenic charm, you'll want to be outdoors as much as possible, anyway.

Great Expectations

Finding a house to rent in Winchester sometimes means calling an older structure home. In fact, the median year for homes built there is 1976, and with a vast majority of homes built in 1999 or earlier. Older homes have charm and character, but may be problematic with maintenance issues. Thorough inspections are encouraged before committing to a lease. Even if you bypass rental homes for apartment living, pre-lease inspections are usually a good idea.

House Hunting

Timing is generally on your side when searching for your rental home. Most realtors, property owners and landlords will work with you pretty much daily, except for weekends and holidays. With that in mind, you'll need at least two to three weeks to complete your apartment hunt in the Winchester market. If you are picky, start your search early to increase chances of getting what you want.

Renting 101

Before jumping into the rental market, be prepared to deal with some basic requirements. You need to have at the ready at least one month's rent, a security deposit, proof you can pay the rent and a summary of your rental history. When you finally find the place your heart desires, be prepared for the usual background and credit check. Not every property owner or landlord will make these checks, but it's best to be ahead of the game.

Winchester Neighborhoods

Winchester is one big neighborhood covering 10.71 square miles. While the town lacks distinct neighborhoods of record, several residential choices are available. Depending on personal likes, you can go from really rural living to living near the town center, on the lake or all points in between.

Town Center: An authentic small-town atmosphere with a historic town square, quaint little shops, business and restaurants are what you get when you live in and around the town center. You'll have a good chance of snagging your choice of city apartments within walking distance to the heart of the city. Designer Cakes and San Miguel Coffee offer your daily sugar and caffeine fix.

Northern Winchester: This area is north of the main thoroughfare and features some newer real estate on and around the popular Tims Ford Lake. Single-family homes are the mainstay in this area and provide the strongest potential for rental homes.

Southern Winchester: South of the main highway, the two is more sparsely populated. Single-family homes and mobile homes can be found in this area.

Living in Winchester

Tims Ford State Park is a major draw in Winchester. This park offers an abundance of outdoor activities and boasts some of the best fishing around. Even though Tims Ford Lake was built by the Tennessee Valley Authority, it is an unpolluted fishing paradise for those seeking to bring crappie, bream, bass and catfish to the dinner table. When it's time to come inside, movie buffs can enjoy first run movies in a vintage setting at the historic Oldham Theater. Pass the popcorn, please!

Small-town living often means very limited public transportation options. Winchester is no exception. You will need a car to get around, especially if you don't live within walking distance of the town square. Even then you'll need wheels to get to those terrific sites beyond the town square and city limits. These sites include famous whiskey and bourbon distilleries about 30 miles down the road and day trips to major metropolitan cities like Chattanooga, Nashville and the U.S. Rocket and Space Center in Huntsville, Alabama.