Melbourne Apartments and Rentals

The city of Melbourne sits on Florida's beautiful Atlantic coast, on the Indian River Lagoon and in the heart of Florida's Space Coast. Melbourne apartments for rent can be found across the city in all of its prime locales, and snatching one up could be a great way to join the consistently growing population. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, in July 2011 the population of Melbourne sat at just over 76,000 residents.

The city is roughly 41 square miles in size and uses approximately 75 percent of the land, according to the City of Melbourne website. Being located in the center of the much larger urban area of the Space Coast, Melbourne is perfectly situated to offer residents diverse options.

Melbourne was one of the two communities that grew out of where freshwater tributaries flows into the Indian River Lagoon in the late 1800s. The Indian River Lagoon played a significant role in the settling of the area as it was used largely as an avenue for commerce, trade and communication. Not only did the lagoon provide easy access to the harbor, but it enriched the soil and made the surrounding land fertile for agriculture. Melbourne grew up alongside Eau Gallie until in 1969 when the community voted to combine these two distinct yet similar cities into what is now known as the city of Melbourne.

Because of the unique merger, today people can find Melbourne apartments in two "old" downtown areas, Historic Downtown Melbourne and Old Eau Gallie. Both the downtown areas are prime spots for specialty shops and community attractions. Another thriving commercial district is the bustling Babcock Street.

According to the City of Melbourne, the city's spot on the Space Coast of Florida contributes largely to the business environment observed here, as the Space Coast is known for being the "high-tech center of the Southeast." Among the city's major employers are the Florida Institute of Technology, Harris Corporation, GE Transportation Systems and Wuesthoff Health System.

The Melbourne International Airport is another staple of area business, with many major employers located in a high-tech industrial park at the major transportation hub. According to City-Data information, the most common industries in Melbourne include construction, accommodation and food services and computer and electronic products.

Melbourne apartments are popular options for professionals and students alike. Students have the large Brevard Community College nearby which enrolls nearly 16,000 students. Additionally, within city borders, students have the Florida Institute of Technology, known by the locals as Florida Tech, which has a student population of just over 7,000. This school is well-known across the country and was originally created in 1958 to educate aerospace professionals at what has today become the renowned Kennedy Space Center.

According to data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau, Kissimmee apartments have a rental vacancy rate of 16.4 percent and the median rent in 2010 was $862. Roughly half of all renters spend 35 percent or more of their household income on rent.

Information from City-Data revealed that in March 2012, the cost of living index in Melbourne was assigned a value of 90.4, which is almost 10 percent less than the national average of 100. Further analysis of data collected by the U.S. Census Bureau indicated that approximately 90 percent of all renters fell in the cost range of $500 to $1,499, with outliers paying gross rent of less than $200 and more than $1,500.

Being on Florida's Space Coast, the city of Melbourne has a focus in out-of-this world attractions, but there are museums, theaters, zoos and beaches that draw many as well. Melbourne apartments put people in the heart of this impressive city, making all the attractions it has to offer within anyone's reach.

The Brevard Zoo is a family favorite for education and fun. Another prime spot for the locals and visitors is the Melbourne Square Mall, a one-stop shopping destination with a number of department store favorites, more than 125 specialty shops, and the city's first ever children's play area that encompasses roughly 1,500 square feet of space in the center of the mall.

Melbourne is also home to renowned annual festivals such as the Independent Filmmaker's Festival, the Arts Festival, Aviation Day and Oktoberfest.

Rent.com® can help you get settled in a Melbourne apartment. Look through our rental listings and find the perfect home for your needs.