The Colony, TX 153 Apartments for Rent

Why is it called "The Colony?" Here's an interesting tidbit about the name of this city: "The Colony" was chosen because "Colony" was already in use by another city.

Are you searching for a modern city with a small-town feel to call home? Look no further than The Colony, in Denton County, Texas. Named as one of Money magazine's top 50 best places to live in 2013 and Sports Illustrated's 50th Anniversary Sports Town of the United States in 2003, The Colony is definitely a top-notch place to look for rental property. As of the 2010 census, the population in this city was a sizable 36,328 residents. If you are looking for a 2-bedroom apartment, 1-bedroom apartment, or condo to rent, you've come to the right place in your search for quality rental properties.

Finding an Apartment in The Colony

Did you know that the cost of living in The Colony ranks among the highest in the state of Texas? Fortunately, this cost pales in comparison to the most expensive cities in the United States, making it relatively affordable. This, of course, means you must sort your budget out before you even start your hunt for rental housing in this city.

How much to do have to spend on rent? Make a list of your estimated monthly budget and map out how much you can comfortably spend on rent. This ought to give you an idea of the sorts of places within your range, helping you save time by concentrating on the places you can afford. There's no need to look at places outside of your estimated budget, and you can also weed out those places that might fall below expectations.

Utilities

For most people, the issue of amenities is where it gets a little tricky. Did you know that you can save more money in the long run if your apartment is a little more expensive, but has all-inclusive amenities? For instance, if your rent is a little outside of your budget but includes amenities such as gas, electric and water, you could potentially save more money than if the rent was cheaper, but with no utilities included. Be warned, though, that most places that include utilities tend to include only one, such as gas, and not the rest. The choice is yours to decide if this is worth signing on the dotted line for a particular apartment, or if you prefer to look for somewhere else with other qualities you desire in a rental place.

Transportation

Be warned that the public transportation system in The Colony is not on par with some of the other cities in the country, making it a necessity, rather than a convenience, for residents to own a vehicle. The nearest Amtrak station is about 22.1 miles from the center of The Colony, while the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport is about 15.8 miles away. The majority of residents drive to their destinations, while others carpool, call cabs or look for other ways of getting around. You can also take any of the buses provided by Dallas Area Rapid Transit to get from one point to the next. The commute in The Colony is relative to what part of town you set out from. The drive from the City Center is between 15 to 20 minutes, while from other parts of town may take up to 30 minutes or more.

Neighborhoods in the Colony

Camey: Camey is a neighborhood in the city of The Colony and is predominantly composed of houses that have been built more recently than those in most of the other neighborhoods. Most of the homes here date from the 2000s, although you will find some that were built between the '70s and '90s. Those hunting for apartment deals will find high-rise type apartment buildings, apartment complexes and single-family homes. This neighborhood is prized for the affordability of its rental properties, close proximity to schools and a reasonable reputation for low crime.

City Center: This neighborhood is more established than Camey, with buildings dating back to between the early '40s and the late '90s. Those searching for apartments to rent will definitely come up short in this part of town, because most of the buildings are in the form of small to large single-family homes. Also, as expected in a neighborhood as old as this one, most of the homes are owner-occupied.

Overlake Drive / Pine Court: The Overlake Drive / Pine Court neighborhood is also mostly composed of established homes, ranging from the '70s to the late '90s. A small fraction of newer homes ranging from the early 2000s can also be found here. Just like the City Center, the predominant types of houses here are medium to large single-family detached homes.

Things to Do in The Colony

One of The Colony's main attractions is its man-made lake, named Lewisville Lake. It sits like an oasis in the hot Texas weather and is a refreshing relief from the relentless sun. You can also go to any one of the several museums, including the Bayless-Selby House Museum and the Denton County Historical Museum. For outdoor recreation, you can visit Cedar Hill State Park or Stewart Creek Park. If you like Mexican food, then you'll enjoy the grub at Rusty Taco, such as the habanero salsa, brisket, beef fajita tacos and chicken tacos. If you have a preference for good and affordable Thai food, you'll like the food at Cozy Thai, especially the Tom Yum soup. Just one thing -- go easy on the spices because they pack quite a punch. For a more all-American meal, try the food at the Texas Roadhouse. Just remember to call ahead, or you could have quite a wait when you get there. Yes, it's that popular.

No matter what type of rental housing you are searching for, you'll most likely find something to fit within your budget and taste in The Colony.