Indianapolis Apartments and Rentals

Rent yourself an Indianapolis apartment and you'll find yourself in one of the fastest growing parts of the United States. With its easygoing appeal and welcoming disposition, it's no secret why people keep on choosing this city to settle in. Indianapolis sits near the exact center of the state of Indiana. From here, well-traveled roads lead in from all corners of the country. That's why Hoosiers here know their city as the "The Crossroads of America."

Indianapolis was chosen as the capital of Indiana in 1820. Its name literally means "Indiana City"-not the most creative moniker, but there are worse problems. It was here that the first public rail passenger terminal in the United States opened. Indianapolis also did well with the auto industry, giving Detroit a run for its money. The city suffered from urban decay in the 1970s and '80s, but concentrated revitalization efforts begun in the 1990s helped revive the area.

Today, Indianapolis is drawing in everyone from young Turks to retirees. It's an easy to navigate city, with its "Mile Square" central area set out in a grid. There are big old mansions split into apartments in Old Northside, downtown lofts in Fountain Square, and trendy nightspots in Broad Ripple Village.

Historically, Indianapolis has been known as a manufacturing-focused city. That's been changing, however. Employment has diversified into areas including education, social services, health care, tourism, retail trade, and finance. Indianapolis is also a distribution hub for many firms-you'll find FedEx, Amazon.com, Foxconn, and other facilities here. Some of the major companies based in Indianapolis include Eli Lilly and Company, WellPoint, Dow AgroSciences, and Marsh Supermarkets.

Of the institutes of higher education in Indianapolis, the best known is Butler University. Founded in 1855, Butler gets a lot of respect for its competitive basketball and volleyball programs. Also in town is Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, which includes the Robert H. McKinney School of Law and the Herron School of Art and Design. Prospective students may also want to investigate Marian University or the private University of Indianapolis.

Living in Indianapolis is affordable. That holds true if you're looking to rent an old stately home or a modern apartment in a skyscraper. The rent for a one-bedroom here ranges from just $600 to $890 a month-and prices are still dropping. Part of the reason for this affordability is the city's high vacancy rate-13.5 percent in 2011 for rental properties.

You might be surprised by how much there is to do in Indianapolis. A good place to start would be the Indianapolis Cultural Trail. This path connects the five different Cultural Districts downtown. While you're at it, take a paddleboat along the Central Canal and enjoy the scenic greenery. Then there's the Indianapolis Zoo, the Circle Center mall, and the Indianapolis Museum of Art, which offers free admission.

One of the city's biggest draws is indubitably the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (and Hall of Fame Museum). This track hosts three major races each year. The Indianapolis Colts play pro gridiron at Lucas Oil Stadium and the Indiana Pacers shoot pro hoops at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. The NCAA Hall of Champions is also in Indianapolis.

Any list of special events for this city has to start with the Indianapolis 500, which speeds by in May. The National Hot Rod Association U.S. Nationals also burns through Indianapolis once a year. If auto racing isn't your thing, try Indy Jazz Fest, the Indiana State Fair, the Indianapolis Theatre Fringe Festival, the Indiana Black Expo, or the Midwest Music Summit.

If you're looking to move to, or within, Indianapolis, we've got the apartment listings you need. Let Rent.com® help you find your next home.