Burleson Apartment Renter's Guide
Burleson Apartment Renter's Guide
Overview
For a fairly small city, especially by Texas standards, there is a lot of talent in this town! Both Kelly Clarkson, winner of American Idol, and Liz Lee, reality star of the show My Life as Liz, hail from Burleson.
With a thriving economy that has placed Burleson on a number of top ten "places to live" lists, this community is a great place to make a home
For a fairly small city, especially by Texas standards, there is a lot of talent in this town! Both Kelly Clarkson, winner of American Idol, and Liz Lee, reality star of the show My Life as Liz, hail from Burleson.
With a thriving economy that has placed Burleson on a number of top ten "places to live" lists, this community is a great place to make a home. Burleson has managed to find a great balance, allowing it to be both business friendly as well as people friendly. It also strives to be environmentally friendly and has set aside more than 300 acres for parks. This is especially nice when you factor in that this part of Texas generally has mild winters, making outdoor recreation feasible nearly the entire year. Just try and find a place with a swimming pool; Texas summers are notoriously hot and humid, so a cool dip will feel nice.
Renting in Burleson
You're going to find renting here to be typical of most cities of this size. For apartment complexes and some homes, you will fill out an application -- including references -- and wait for them to run a credit check. Then, you will hand over a tidy sum for first and last month's rent, a security deposit and a pet deposit, if applicable. Some private homes and apartments dispense with everything but the money. You give them money, and they give you a key. You know, typical Texas!
Neighborhoods
Neighborhoods here, as in most small cities, are smaller communities within the larger one. In Burleson, the individual neighborhoods have their own flavor. Some are vibrant and busy, while others are calmer and more relaxed. It's a great idea to look around a bit to get a feel for the area so you know if it's a good fit for you. If you are someone who likes to be in the thick of things and who wants to be able to wander out your door and into a pub for a nightcap, you probably don't want to live outside of town in a rural hideaway. Once you have a feel for the neighborhood, start looking for a place.
Renfro: If you find a place in this neighborhood, you need to show up with a check in hand and be ready to sign. This is a nice location that is well located for easy access to just about everything. You probably won't find a studio apartment for rent here, but you can find some nice two- and three-bedroom places.
Keeler: This is a great spot where you are close to parks, shopping and other amenities. It also means that it can be hard to find places to live in that fit your needs. This is always true for prime locations. You might have time for a nap to think over your options once you find a place, but I wouldn't nap for long. Great places here go fast, so have your checkbook handy!
Downtown: This area, as is typical in most small cities, is where the town started. The residences here are typically larger three- to four-bedroom, owner-occupied homes. Homes here typically sell rather than rent, so if you find something you like, grab it fast. This is a great location, and you are centrally located to the rest of the city from this neighborhood.
Summercrest: This is a great choice if you are on an apartment search in Burleson that is centrally located to restaurants and pubs, as well as shopping. You will find smaller apartment buildings here, and most of the places are well established.
Cross Timber: If you are looking for a place that has character and some history, this is the area to search. This particular part of Burleson is older and has undergone revitalization in recent years. Most places for rent have been updated, and the area is looking great. The downside, of course, means that apartments, especially smaller one-bedroom apartments, are in high demand.
Living in Burleson
Now that you have gotten unpacked, you are probably trying to decide on the right method of exploring your new town. Okay, you just want a good bar with burgers. Not a problem, but before you do that, you might want to meet your neighbors. Texans are normally friendly people. They are not normally overly inquisitive. That means that they want to know you, but aren't going to be all up in your business! Say hello, and ask for recommendations for pizza delivery. Everyone needs to know which delivery place has the best pizza. It's Gambino's, just in case you were wondering.
Restaurants
If you love chicken, you have to try Babe's Chicken House on South Main Street. Those who claim that it's a tossup between their fried chicken and hickory-smoked chicken are dead wrong; it's their hickory smoked chicken. Add a salad and fresh buttermilk biscuits for a perfect meal. If you have room, their desserts are made fresh daily -- and their banana pudding is sweet perfection!
If you are looking for a great burger place, look no further than Myrtle's Burgers on Crowley Road. Not only do they serve the best burgers in the area, but it's also a nice place to dine. The service is quick, so you can stop in here when you are short on time for a nice lunch that will fill you up and have you on your way as quickly as you'd like to be.
This is Texas, so you know there are going to be several great Mexican restaurants to choose from in the area. Fresco's Cocina Mexicana is the holder of the top spot. The only problem with this place is deciding what to eat. It's all great, but if you are in a hurry, go with the lunch special of the day. Otherwise, start at the top of the menu and work your way through it.
Pinocchio's is one place that stands out for several reasons -- mostly because it's just so out of place in a town like Burleson, yet it fits so perfectly that it can be a bit confusing. This little cafe serves outstanding gelato, paninis and coffee. The food is great, and the Texas BLT is outstanding. What really makes this restaurant stand out is that their patio is pet friendly! Grab your furry friend and go have a gelato for two!
Pubs and Bars
If you are looking for a great place to meet friends for drinks and to catch up on all the latest news in sports, you simply have to stop in at the Spice Rack Grill on Wilson Street. Grab some of their famous tacos or wings, add the drink of your choice and spend some time just relaxing and enjoying your surroundings.
Looking for something a bit more unique and off the beaten path? Try the Old Texas Brewing Company on West Ellison. This is the only family-owned brewery in Burleson, and they offer quite a nice variety of both food and booze. You can even keep your beer chilled on their frosty rail; a refrigerated strip of the bar! Their famous bucket of beer and wings is not to be missed! You will feel like you are back in college, only more refined!
Head over to Dalton's Corner Bar and Restaurant where you'll get great food and plenty of drinks. There are also several large televisions where you can watch the Cowboys or Rangers (depending on the season) kick the butt of the opposing team!
Recreation
The biggest attraction in the Burleson area is Jellystone Park. Yes, you are going to run into Yogi Bear (and Boo-Boo too!) but the attraction here is everything from a water park to laser tag! There is a huge celebration for the Fourth of July, and the fall season brings nightly hay rides. This is a popular attraction that you just will not want to miss.
In addition to the people parks, there is the Paradise Dog Park on John Jones Drive where you can take your furry friend for a romp in the sun. For a great people park, Bartlett Park on Summercrest is an ideal spot for a picnic or walk amid nature scenery.
If shopping and indoor activities are more your speed, there are numerous trendy shops and boutiques in the downtown area, and you will not want to miss the Farmers' Market close to Pinocchio's cafe. You will be able to find everything you need in Burleson -- and most of what you want.