Kalamazoo Apartments and Rentals

Encompassing an area of approximately 26 square miles in the southwest corner of Michigan, Kalamazoo is conveniently located just 50 miles south of Grand Rapids and 145 miles east of Chicago. Originally named the Village of Bronson, Kalamazoo was renamed and incorporated as a village as 1843; since then, it has grown to become a thriving city that's home to 74,743 residents and center of culture and education. Kalamazoo is following the trend of urban revitalization nationwide, and Kalamazoo apartments for rent are quickly becoming a popular choice among people seeking big city benefits within a thriving Michigan community. From expansive nature trails to downtown museums and festivals, Kalamazoo offers numerous reasons for new residents to make this city a permanent home.

Kalamazoo was the first city in the nation to create a pedestrian mall, and the three-block area of downtown continues to offer residents an eclectic mix of boutiques, galleries and antique stores. While the downtown district is still a popular tourist attraction, Kalamazoo now boasts six distinct neighborhoods that combine to create the central business district 

Residents in Kalamazoo can easily enjoy an active lifestyle by visiting one of the 36 local parks and playgrounds within the city. Bronson Park is the largest in the community, featuring a reflective fountain and a bronze statue built as a memorial to soldiers of the Spanish American War. The park is now nestled in between churches, public buildings and businesses, and remains a community meeting place and center for summer festivals and art shows.

Kalamazoo Public Schools boast one of the lowest pupil-teacher ratios among urban schools with a student to teacher ratio of 15:1, and a high graduation rate of 85 percent. There are also numerous opportunities for higher learning in Kalamazoo. Davenport University, headquartered in Grand Rapids, offers four-year and two-year degrees in addition to certification in career training courses. The Kalamazoo Valley Community College has an enrollment of more than 10,000 students and offers associate degree programs, as well as transfer programs for students seeking additional degrees. Western Michigan University is the most popular higher learning institute in Kalamazoo, with an enrollment of more than 26,000 students. The campus has recently expanded to include the College of Health and Human Services, as well as the Richmond Center for Visual Arts and a new 83,000 square-foot chemistry building.

In spite of economic decline throughout Michigan, Kalamazoo has experienced steady economic growth, and now is home to more than 500 manufacturing firms. Prominent industries in Kalamazoo include pharmaceuticals, plastics, medical equipment and fabricated metal. The largest employers in Kalamazoo are Stryker Corporation, Borgess Health, Western Michigan University and Pfizer, Inc.

Kalamazoo city officials have a strong commitment to providing affordable housing options to residents, and there are more than 5,000 subsidized housing units in Kalamazoo County for qualified families. The Rosewood Development on 12th street became the first development to offer mixed-use housing to families with low and moderate income levels, and since the A+ Neighborhood Program was instituted, Kalamazoo rental certification rates have increased 92 percent. The number of subsidized Kalamazoo rentals continues to increase as the city works with government programs to provide assistance to community members.

Kalamazoo is one of the most affordable urban cities in Michigan, and according to city-data.com, the median gross rent in 2009 was $648.

The Kalamazoo Air Zoo is one of the city's most popular tourist attractions, and features more than 50 rare and historic aircraft, amusement park rides, flight simulators and historical exhibits. It aims to preserve the legacy of flight and inform guests of the latest aviation technology. The Kalamazoo Institute of Arts is another unique attraction, and functions as both a museum and community art school. Each year, 10 to 15 exhibitions rotate in the gallery, and the Kirk Newman Art School is home to almost 3,000 students of all ages.

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