Clarkston Apartments and Rentals

Clarkston, Michigan is a quaint town with a rich historical background. Located in the heart of Oakland County, the one-half square mile community is a National Historic Site. Surrounded by 36-square miles of Independence Township, Clarkston mixes country living with modern amenities of a large city. The downtown area of Clarkston is lined with trees and has plenty of shopping and dining options, most of them unique to the city. It may be confusing, but the official title of the town is the City of the Village of Clarkston and is within Independence Township.

Clarkston apartments for rent are located in the picturesque setting that conjures a love for a simple life. Although it is a tiny town, the welcoming Midwestern attitude and lively community are hard to resist. Clarkston’s independent businesses offer beloved specialty foods and items, and because of its almost primarily local shops, the community didn’t suffer many vacancies during the recession. Even though the population is just under 900 residents, the quality of life in Clarkston is unbeatable.

The first piece of land bought in Clarkston was purchased by the Williams family from Waterford Township in 1823, but they did not settle on the land. By 1832, the first settlers have already built homesteads in the area a year prior and the population of the area began to grow. Many people traveled from the East Coast, including Jeremiah Clark who settled in 1832 and his brother Nelson who joined a few years later in 1836. Nelson built a home in what is now Clarkston in 1839, and the home still exists today at 71 N. Main Street.

Since the area had several lakes, it became a spot for vacationers by the late 19th century. Homes were built along the banks of Mill Pond, Park and Deer Lake. Today, many urbanites have turned to the town for a tranquil environment to raise a family or spend their summers. Apartments in Clarkston vary from century old buildings to more modern buildings with plenty of amenities, which is another huge draw to the city.

Since Clarkston is such a small town, residents must travel a bit to a college or university. Within 40 miles of the city, there are several options for students. Eastern Michigan College is a large public school that specializes in education, business management, social sciences, history and engineering. For residents that are seeking a smaller college, Concordia University is a small school with similar degrees and also focuses in arts and theological studies.

Since Clarkston is on the northern outskirts of Detroit, many residents travel downtown for work as I-75 is easily accessed from the town. According to Simply Hired, the most popular occupations in Clarkston are management positions estimated at about 50 percent of the population. Other careers include production, transportation and material moving jobs.

The high quality of life in Clarkston is reflected in its slightly higher cost of living in comparison to the rest of the country. According to Best Places, the overall cost of living is 2 points higher than the national average, and utilities are 4 points higher. Likely because of the long winter, residents of Clarkston use heat more than most parts of the country. Fortunately, the cost of food is 8 points lower than the national average and shopping and restaurants are rated at 4 points lower.

According to statistics by the U.S. Census Bureau, Clarkston apartments averaged $810 in 2009. An apartment on Main Street will run more expensive than one on the outskirts or within Independence Township.

Beginning in 1997, Clarkston has hosted the Taste of Clarkson, a family-friendly event in the historic downtown center. Held the last Sunday of every September, the Taste of Clarkson hosts the outdoor food and entertainment event with more than 30 restaurants and exhibits with live music.

In the winter months, residents and visitors come to ski at Pine Knob. The ski and snowboard resort makes snow with a unique technology with 100 custom-designed snowmaking guns. In addition, the resort is eco-friendly with low energy lighting, vapor barriers at many entryways, low E Glass and a recycling program.

Pine Knob also features a golf course with beautiful scenery making it an ideal place for a wedding. Featuring a carriage house and mansion, Pine Knob is the perfect destination to enjoy a beautiful day outside. The mansion was built in 1927 and was originally a 19 room English Manor. The Carriage House was also built in 1927 and boasts an 850 acre estate.

To find a Clarkston apartment or rental, check out our apartment listings. Rent.com® is happy to help you find your next home.