McFarland, WI 136 Apartments for Rent

McFarland was named for its founder, William McFarland, who founded the village in 1856.

McFarland is a small, picturesque village in Wisconsin, covering just 3.5 square miles and containing a population of roughly 7,808 (at the time of the 2010 census, at least). If you're expecting glitzy gallery openings and Chinese takeout at 2 a.m., you'll be out of luck. However, if you're thinking of moving to McFarland, the likelihood is that you'd prefer to be tucked in with a good book by 9 p.m. or so. If you want to live in a close-knit community where people still look out for their own, then McFarland might be just the place for you.

Moving to McFarland

The general stress of moving aside, finding places to live in McFarland should be a relative breeze. You just need to know what to expect and then you can plan accordingly. Take a little bit of time to familiarize yourself with the rental market in the village, so you know where to look for properties and that you're not being ripped off with rent.

Looking for Your New Home

So, you know that you want to move to McFarland, but first you need to find a house or apartment to rent, otherwise you're going to get pretty cold and wet! Nowadays, the majority of rental home postings can be found online, so you barely have to do any legwork. If you happen to hear of a rental property via word of mouth, carrier pigeon or message in a bottle, then that's great too. McFarland actually has a large percentage of renter-occupied homes -- much larger than the national average and the average for the state of Wisconsin -- so it shouldn't take you too long to find that perfect home. Of course, it's still a good idea to start looking at least four weeks before the date on which you plan to move.

What Happens Next

Once you've decided on a home for rent that you're interested in, you should contact the landlord or your realtor as soon as possible, so you can finalize all the details. It's not just a matter of you wanting the house, the landlord will also have to want you, so there will be some checks or paperwork involved. If you want to rent a place in an apartment complex, the staff there will usually do a credit check and generally scope you out to make sure you're not some sort of weirdo. Private landlords will often want to see a range of documents, such as your credit history, reference from previous landlords and your proof of income.

The Logistics

Once you've been approved for the rental apartment you want, there are still a couple more hoops you'll have to jump through. It might leave you feeling a bit like a circus pony, but bear with it, because it will pay off in the end. First off, you'll need to sign some sort of contract, outlining the terms of your tenancy. Try to read the small print, so you know you're not signing away your soul or agreeing to a 20-year lease (and who knows which option is worse). At this point you'll also be asked to cough up some cash. Most landlords require the first month's rent to be paid in full before you can move in. You'll usually be asked for an additional amount as a security deposit (generally the equivalent of another month's worth of rent). This will be refunded to you when you leave the property just as long as it's in the same condition you found it in.

McFarland Neighborhoods

McFarland might not cover a huge area of land, but there's still a good deal of difference between the village's neighborhoods. Think about what you want or need from your property -- for instance a big yard, close proximity to the shops or easy access to the highway -- as these factors will help determine which neighborhood best suits you.

Lakeside: This neighborhood is close to the banks of Lake Waubesa. Although this picturesque neighborhood is a little way from the village center, you'll still find a number of eateries in the area. Waterfront homes are likely to be pricier than in many other parts of town. Nature lovers will enjoy being close to the Capital Springs State Park and the Waubesa Wetlands State Natural Area.

Downtown McFarland: There's a good mixture of apartments and houses for rent in the village center. If you live here, you'll be closest to most of the shops and restaurants in the village, such as Spartan Pizza and the Maple Tree Restaurant.

Valor: The majority of homes in this neighborhood are on the larger side. While it has a rural feel to it, with plenty of green space (including the William McFarland Park and the Veterans Memorial Park), it's easy to get onto route 51 from here.

Life in McFarland

Once you've moved to McFarland, you'll probably want to settled down into the local way of life. While things aren't full of excitement here, there's much more to do than watch the lake freeze over, although that could be fun if you were in the right frame of mind!

Community Events

True to its small town (or, well, village) status, McFarland is extremely community-minded and you'll find all sorts of town events and happenings to entertain yourself with. The cream of the crop is the McFarland Family Festival, which is held over three days in September of each year. Despite the name, everyone is welcome and there's something for everyone. There's live music, a carnival, a parade, a sports showcase and much more. Put the date in your diary! Aside from that, you'll find smaller events and meetings going on regularly throughout the year, from pancake breakfasts to sewing circles and beyond.

McFarland Historical Society

If you're interested in history, it might be fun to get involved with the McFarland Historical Society. The society runs the McFarland Historical Museum,which houses a variety of exhibits and a recreation 1800s log cabin, as well as the recently renovated Historic Larson House at 6003 Exchange Street. If you're not the joining type, you could simply plan a visit to one of these historical places. If you become a member you'll be able to go on day trips and take part in a range of other events organized by the society.

The Great Outdoors

For such a small village, McFarland sure has a lot of parks. There are currently 30 parks and open spaces in the village, all of varying sizes and with varying amounts of facilities. Some, such as Upper Mud Lake and McDaniel Park, are wholly or partially used as nature reserves. Others, such as William McFarland Park and Lewis Park, have a range of recreational and sporting facilities, such as volleyball pits, softball pitches, walking and biking trails, baseball diamonds and skate parks.