Fort Lauderdale Apartments and Rentals

Known as the Venice of America for its extensive system of waterways, the 33-square-mile Fort Lauderdale is the seventh largest city in the state of Florida. It is located on the Atlantic Coast and is approximately 23 miles north of Miami and 42 miles south of Palm Beach. Its semi-tropical climate is popular among residents and tourists alike, who take full advantage of the more than 3,000 hours of sunshine enjoyed by the city per year.

From sandy beaches to booming business opportunities, the city has something for everyone, and those interested in Fort Lauderdale apartments for rent are bound to find something about the area that tickles their fancy.

The city of Fort Lauderdale was incorporated in March 1911. It was named after a Second Seminole War fortification built in 1838 and named, in turn, after Major William Lauderdale, who captained a detachment of Tennessee Volunteers on their quest to capture agricultural lands belonging to the Indian warriors. Because southeastern Florida was tricky to get to, Fort Lauderdale remained largely undeveloped for some time and did not truly start to grow until the Florida East Coast Railway linked it to the rest of the state in 1896.

Fort Lauderdale enjoyed two boom periods, the first in the 1920s and the second following World War II, which were largely responsible for its explosive growth. Over the past century, it has also cultivated a roaring tourist industry that continues to thrive to this day. Although many people vacation or spend their summers in the area, it's much more than just a tourist hotspot, as more than 165,500 people live in the city year-round.

Although Fort Lauderdale's economy was strictly tourist-based for a long time, it has since branched out into a range of fields, from marine and avionics to finance and real estate. Its top employers hail from sectors including healthcare (University Hospital and Memorial Healthcare System), finance (Bank of America and American Express) and education (Nova Southeastern University and the Broward County School District).

Indeed, a number of educational institutions are located in the city's bustling downtown area, including Broward Community College, Florida Atlantic University and Florida International University. Those with children in the K-12 age group have no shortage of choices either, as the Broward County public school system is the sixth largest of its kind in the country.

As of March 2012, Fort Lauderdale registered a 115.4 on City-Data.com's cost of living index. The median gross rent for apartments in Fort Lauderdale was $1,057, although rentals in the more upscale areas of town have considerably higher price tags.

The Fort Lauderdale Riverwalk has been nicknamed Florida's Most Beautiful Mile, and you'll see why when you follow the route along the New River, passing restaurants, shops and the city's Arts and Science District. The Museum of Science and Discovery is located here, along with the Old Fort Lauderdale Village and Museum, the Museum of Art and the Broward Center for the Performing Arts.

For a break from the city's culture, head to its beaches - more than seven miles of them in total. For those not content to sunbathe, boating, snorkeling, Rollerblading and windsurfing are among the numerous activities available. There is also a plethora of parks with baseball fields, picnic areas, playgrounds and more.

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