Welcome to Ellensburg! Your new Washington home has a great mix of history, community and college life. Now let’s take a look at some apartments for rent and find the home of your dreams.
Ellensburg is located right in the middle of Washington and is generally considered to be the most centrally located city in the state. The closest big city, Yakima, is found about 45 minutes south, while Seattle is about two hours west.
Because of its central location, Ellensburg bid hard for the state capital throughout the early years of Washington’s statehood. Even though the capital was established in Olympia, Ellensburg’s historic downtown has many beautiful 19th century buildings constructed to impress state officials.
The city is home to Central Washington University, which was established there in 1891 as a consolation for losing the capital bid. The university now educates about 11,000 undergraduate and graduate students annually and brings a lively, young vibe to the otherwise quiet, small city.
Let’s talk weather. Lucky for you, Ellensburg is located on the inland side of the Cascade Mountains so you’re going to be much dryer than your neighbors in the Puget Sound area. For this reason, many Seattle natives that are sick of the rain live in Ellensburg and the surrounding regions and commute into the metropolitan area for work and play.
Because it’s a college town, you’ll find plenty of cheap apartments throughout many of the city’s safe and pleasant neighborhoods. But, the flipside of the college coin is that certain areas are more prone to property theft and noise disturbances. Just remember to lock your doors and you’ll be fine.
Okay, so you’re going to be able to find a wide variety of apartment rentals surrounding CWU’s campus. These developments offer everything from studio apartments to two bedrooms and frequently have short-term leases available for students. Additionally, if you’re a CWU student who’s looking for furnished apartments for rent, the university operates several student apartment buildings that have furnished options. Many of the communities throughout the campus area also offer great amenities, including gyms and clubhouses. Two bedrooms in this area generally range from $650 to $800.
West of campus, you’ll find great historic homes in a quiet, more settled neighborhood. There are a few rental homes as well around here as the occasional duplex or room rental. Two bedrooms here range from $700 to $900.
Northeast of town you’ll find a few rental homes and apartment complex that caters to Ellensburg residents who are not in any amateur beer pong leagues. These rentals frequently offer fenced in yards and washer/dryer hook-ups. Two bedrooms here range from $700 to $900.
Good news for pet-lovers! Ellensburg’s rental market is fairly pet-friendly. While some larger campus-area rentals have strict pet policies, you shouldn’t have too much trouble locating a cat or dog-friendly rental.
So welcome to Ellensburg! Enjoy all that this historical college community has to offer!