Lancaster Apartments and Rentals

Those unfamiliar with Lancaster may only associate it with the Pennsylvania Dutch, who have a strong presence in South Central Pennsylvania. However, it's a modern city in its own right that's home to a diverse community of more than 59,000 people from all walks of life.

Those interested in Lancaster apartments for rent will be glad to hear the Lancaster City Council adopted an ordinance in February 2009 that allows housing inspectors and local police officers to tightly enforce property maintenance and crack down on disruptive conduct in the city's rental properties.

The seat of Pennsylvania's Lancaster County, Lancaster's history goes back a long way. Named after an English city, it was chartered as a borough in 1742 and became the capital of the American colonies when Philadelphia was captured by the British during the American Revolutionary War. It was primarily settled by German and Swiss immigrants. To this day, some continue to ascribe to a "plain" way of life that involves no electricity and a conservative style of dress, while others have assimilated fully into modern life.

Lancaster's political claim to fame involves the Wheatland mansion - the home of James Buchanan, the 15th President of the United States, for two decades. The estate, which served as the Democratic Party's headquarters during the 1856 presidential campaign, still exists and is open for tours.

Those who want to be at the center of the action should head to the city's downtown area, which features more than 90 dining locations, as well as 200 shops and galleries, many of which are independently owned and operated. Over 60 small businesses form the Lancaster Central Market, which holds the distinction of being the oldest public market in the U.S. Tourists are often drawn to the market by the opportunity to purchase rare Amish wares, but there are many other types of goods available as well, including fresh produce, baked goods and flowers.

The School District of Lancaster is the second oldest of its kind in Pennsylvania. Established in 1836, it serves approximately 11,000 students and is comprised of 13 elementary schools, four middle schools, one high school campus and two alternative schools.

Lancaster is home to several institutes of further education, most notably Franklin and Marshall College, an undergraduate liberal arts school established in 1787 using funds donated by Benjamin Franklin. Millersville University, Lancaster Bible College and the Pennsylvania College of Art and Design are also based in the city, while Elizabethtown College and Lebanon Valley College are nearby.

Lancaster General Hospital is the city's top employer, although a number of local residents also work for the county, the school district and Fortune 500 commercial printing company R R Donnelley and Sons.

According to City-Data.com's March 2012 cost of living index, Lancaster's cost of living is slightly below average - 96.1, compared to the U.S. average of 100 - while the U.S. Census Bureau places the median gross rent for Lancaster apartments at $687. Of course, rent can be affected by size, location and other variables, but, as these figures indicate, living in Lancaster doesn't require most residents to break the bank.

Lancaster is the home of the Park City Center shopping mall, which boasts 170 retail stores and an assortment of restaurants. For those with a sweet tooth, Hershey's Chocolate World is around a 40-minute drive away and features a tour, a create-your-own-candy-bar attraction and, of course, chocolate-tasting.

Lancaster is also known for its holiday spirit. Around the holiday season, a plethora of seasonal events spring up, including 45-minute rides on Santa's Paradise Express steam train at the Strasburg Rail Road, outdoor ice-skating at Clipper Magazine Stadium, themed concerts at Elizabethtown College and F&M, and the Christkindlemarkt Holiday Market and Festival, which showcases unique products that exemplify Pennsylvania Dutch craft techniques.

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