Forest Lake Apartments and Rentals

A half-hour’s drive north of the Twin Cities, Forest Lake is exactly the beautiful, quintessential Minnesota community one would expect, with extensive natural space and its idyllic namesake lake. Known for its ice fishing and wildlife, the city offers a lifestyle a world away from the urban centers marked by its iconic sign at the split of Interstate 35.

People looking for apartments for rent in Forest Lake will love its natural beauty, as well as the friendly community and convenient location.

Following construction of the St. Paul and Duluth Railroad in 1869, Forest Lake became a popular tourist escape, and hotels and cabins sprung up around the rail depot to cater to visitors - including President Grover Cleveland - in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Drawn by fishing and the refreshing lakefront climate, some cabin owners were coaxed into settling down year-round, and steady commercial and residential growth helped turn the city into the inviting place it is today.

Home to nearly 19,000 people, Forest Lake benefits from its almost rural setting. Residents of Forest Lake apartments will appreciate the ability to head out their back door and visit one of the state’s most scenic lakes or trek the extensive open space in city parks and nearby wildlife management areas.

Forest Lake is just half an hour from the Twin Cities, which are home to many acclaimed academic institutions, including the University of Minnesota, as well as the Associated College of the Twin Cities, which includes Augsburg College, the University of St. Thomas and Hamline University, among others. Forest Lake students can also commute to the Twin Cities with regular bus service that includes an express route to downtown Minneapolis.

Many Forest Lake residents choose to commute to the Twin Cities, but the city has a broad economic base of its own in education, retail and manufacturing. The largest Forest Lake employer is the local school district, while many residents also work at large area retailers. The city is home to St. Croix Forge, the main producer of steel-forged horseshoes for North America.

Forest Lake is not particularly oriented toward renters, and only around one quarter of residents choose to rent. However, the limited rental market also features little competition, and it is not hard to find a place at a good price.

U.S. Census Bureau data showed the median gross rent from 2006 to 2010 was $826. Additional research found one bedroom apartments renting for between $650 and $725 per month.

The major draw in Forest Lake remains, as it has been for more than one hundred years, its eponymous lake, which offers abundant opportunities for boating and fishing. Walleye, northern pike, largemouth bass, muskie and more all swim the famous fishing waters of Forest Lake, and sporting enthusiasts head out year-round - ice fishing is particularly popular on Forest Lake - to try their luck at a catch.

Other natural attractions include the nearby Carlos Avery Wildlife Management Area and the Lamprey Pass Wildlife Management Area, which offer nearly 20,000 acres of land for wildlife viewing, hiking and hunting. Golfers can head to one of two courses in town, while more adventurous types can try their luck at the nearby Running Acres horse racing track. The nearby Twin Cities provide more world class entertainment, dining, shopping, arts and nightlife.

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