Martinsville, VA 21 Apartments for Rent

Although it bears the city's name, Martinsville Speedway is actually located just outside of town in the small town of Ridgeway. Built in 1947, it's the shortest track on the NASCAR racing circuit. The paper-clip-shaped track was also one of the first paved speedways.

To NASCAR fans, Martinsville is home to the exciting short-track raceway the series visits twice a season. To the 13,821 who live here, however (at the time of the 2010 U.S. Census), the Virginia city offers much more. American Revolutionary War patriot Patrick Henry lived briefly in Henry County near Martinsville, and the county is named for him. The city was founded by Henry's friend, a fellow war veteran named Joseph Martin.

While Martinsville's current economy is divided between tourism from the speedway, technology development, and textile manufacturing, the city's past included stints as both the leading manufacturer of plug chewing tobacco and the "Sweatshirt Capital of the World." Its tobacco days ended when larger companies bought the local family-owned farms. This was followed by a period when the city focused on furniture making. Martinsville still retains some furniture manufacturers today, but the community is working hard to add more and more technology firms to its list of top employers.

Moving to Martinsville

With a nice mix of commercial and residential areas, Martinsville has a wide range of rental properties. It might take a little time to find the right spot, however. Give yourself plenty of time -- about two months at least -- to find the right place during your apartment search. Rental homes with tons of character and charm can be found in one of the city's historic districts, while newer sprawling apartment complexes are located on the city's outskirts. Gather your necessary paperwork, including proof of employment, rental history, and credit report before looking at apartments or meeting with a real estate agent. That helps expedite your search.

Martinsville Neighborhoods

Historic Districts: Since Martinsville traces its origins to shortly after the Revolutionary War, it shouldn't be surprising that it has several historic districts. The Martinsville Historic District is the downtown commercial district. It's full of historic plants and mills, and occasionally you can find a studio for rent in this area. The Fayette Street Historic District is a mixture of residential and commercial buildings, most of which date to the late-19th century through the mid-20th century. A rental house or a duplex for rent will be your best bet here. East Church Street-Starling Avenue Historic District is a largely residential area made up of homes built in the Tudor and Colonial Revival styles of the early 20th century. Duplexes, houses, and apartment homes can be found here.

Jones Creek: On the northeast side of town, this neighborhood is a mixture of renters and homeowners. The north side of town has some of the highest elevations, and the east side begins to slope down around the Jones Creek community. The main hospital is located here, and it's only a few minutes north of downtown Martinsville.

Living in Martinsville

The downtown historic districts are full of charming shops and restaurants. If they don't satisfy your shopping and dining needs, the Liberty Fair Mall and Patrick Henry Mall should do the trick. Science buffs enjoy the Smithsonian Institution-affiliated Virginia Museum of Natural History, while art lovers flock to events put on by the Piedmont Arts Association.