Middletown Apartments and Rentals

Central Connecticut may seem like a sleepy area of the country, and while people can be sure to find some solitude in this region there is also more hustle and bustle than one might expect.

A lot of this activity takes place in Middletown, Conn., located directly on the Connecticut River. People seeking Middletown apartments for rent will find that there is much to do in this city of nearly 50,000 people that has one of the top universities in America.

When European settlers arrived in the area we now know as Middletown in the middle of the 17th century, the Native Americans referred to the place as Massabesec, which means "at a great river." The English-speakers initially called the area Mattabeseck. However, after a few short years, settlers named the land Middletown.

As could be expected of a city situated on the river, Middletown was once an important sailing port and also a manufacturing center during the Industrial Revolution.

Wesleyan University, which is now one of the main focuses of the city, was founded in 1831 by leaders in the Methodist church. The first 48 students paid $36 per year to attend the school, which would go on to become of the premier liberal arts programs in the country.

People with apartments in Middletown enjoy the benefits of the university. Not only does the campus provide some lovely buildings and quiet expanses of lawn but its students also provide a vibrant culture through performances, their support of local businesses and various projects.

While much of the manufacturing that flourished in the 19th century in Middletown has since left (as it has with many other areas of Connecticut), United Technologies, which produces aircraft engines, is the city's top employer with 2,400 employees.

Healthcare is also a major industry in the city, with Middlesex Hospital, which is private, employing about 1,550 people. Connecticut Valley Hospital, which is run by the state, has about 1,500 employees.

Wesleyan provides the city with more than just academics, as it employs 1,000 people, making it the fourth largest employer in the city.

The school has 2,870 undergraduate students and about 200 graduates. These students - who hail from 49 states and 49 foreign countries - have more than 900 classes to choose from and 44 major areas of study.

There are many areas where people will be able to find apartments for rent in Middletown, Conn. Areas close to the city center - along Washington and Main streets - will give people easier access to shops and restaurants while still not being too far from Wesleyan. Places farther from downtown might be better suited for families as there will be more room for the children to run around.

According to statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, the median gross rent in Middletown from 2008 to 2010 was $908.

There is much to do in Middletown and much of it centers on the university, where locals can see student performances and exhibitions. There are also a number of museums in the area and one of particular note is the Connecticut River Museum in Essex, which will teach people about the important role this waterway played in shaping Connecticut, and American, history.

If you are looking for an apartment for rent or a house rental in Middletown, Conn., search for rental properties at Rent.com®.