Galveston Apartments and Rentals

Galveston, Texas, is just 32 miles long and 2.5 miles wide, but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in southern charm, educational opportunities, stunning beaches and the year-round semi-tropical weather typical of the Gulf of Mexico. Those interested in Galveston apartments for rent can choose from several different types of rentals, including high-rises, low-rises and raised beach homes. Prospective residents concerned about being too cut off from the rest of the state need not worry, as Houston is just a 40-mile drive north.

Galveston is named after Spanish colonial governor Bernardo de Galvez, who sent explorer Jose de Evia to chart part of the Gulf of Mexico. In 1786, de Evia mapped out the area in which modern-day Galveston exists today and named it Galveston Bay. Incorporated in 1839, the coastal city of Galveston quickly thrived, becoming the largest municipality in Texas, the most active port west of New Orleans and the home of the state's first post office, hospital, country club, golf course and opera house.

A major setback occurred in 1900, in the form of a hurricane known locally as the Great Storm. The city's 37,000-strong population was decimated after the storm destroyed more than 3,600 buildings, effectively wiping out one-third of the settlement. Recovery was slow, and it wasn't until the early 1980s that a renewal campaign truly kicked off. Since then, however, the city has blossomed - and it's not hard to see why. For Galveston's more than 48,000 residents, traffic is a rarity, and nothing on the island is more than 20 minutes away. The downtown area that was once home to little more than dilapidated Victorian buildings has been extensively revived thanks to an infusion of public and private funds, and now serves as a vibrant backdrop for city life.

Job-seekers in Galveston can choose from the medical field, tourism, education, banking, insurance and marine industries. The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) employs 9,000 people, while approximately 1,600 people work for the American National Insurance Company. The Galveston Independent School District, which covers all of Galveston Island as well as part of the Bolivar Peninsula, is another large employer. The district serves around 6,400 students and operates five elementary schools, four middle schools and two high schools.

In terms of higher education, UTMB has a major presence on the island, but is by no means the only institution of its kind in Galveston. Texas A&M University has a Galveston campus that focuses on marine and maritime studies, while approximately 2,400 students attend the area's community college, Galveston College, each semester.

City-Data.com's March 2012 cost of living index puts the cost of living in Galveston is 92.9, lower than the national average. The median gross rent of apartments in Galveston is $769, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Artists and art buffs will feel right at home in Galveston, as the city has an entire district filled with quaint galleries exhibiting the work of local, national and internationally recognized artists. Just three blocks from the Postoffice Street Arts & Entertainment District lies The Strand, which serves as Galveston's downtown and offers a range of shopping, dining and entertainment options. It's a great backdrop for Mardi Gras! Galveston, an annual event that attracts thousands of people.

Moody Gardens is one of the island's most popular attractions, featuring beaches, an aquarium, a science museum, golf courses, 3D movie theaters and more. For those who prefer more traditional forms of entertainment, the Grand 1894 Opera House - designated the official opera house of the state of Texas by the 73rd legislature - has a year-round performing arts schedule.

For fans of simply walking on the beach, there's no better place to do so than Galveston. The seawall lining the Gulf of Mexico is the longest continuous sidewalk in the world at 10.4 miles long.

To find your next rental apartment or house in Galveston, take a look at our listings on Rent.com®.