San Marcos Apartments and Rentals

There are few places where a vibrant music scene and extensive opportunities for outdoor adventures blend as well as they do in San Marcos, Texas. Those looking for San Marcos apartments for rent have seemingly endless choices for entertainment and recreation in this city.

With the San Marcos River winding through the city, San Marcos residents enjoy a lifestyle centered on nature but accented with a vibrant music and social scene, thanks to the San Marcos campus of Texas State University.

Officially founded in 1851, the history of San Marcos actually dates back more than 12,000 years, when the Clovis tribe of Native Americans inhabited the area, living, fishing and hunting along the river, which has never run dry in recorded human history.

Now, the city is home to about 44,900 people, with a student population of more than 36,000 - 34,000 from Texas State alone. Despite the college town feel, the city was named one of the "Best Places to Raise Your Kids" by BusinessWeek in 2010.

Since 1986, the unique downtown area has been developed under the Texas Historical Commission, following the guidelines of the Texas Main Street Center and National Trust for Historic Preservation, creating a charming blend of shops, bistros, cafes, restaurants and historic landmarks.

Still, the San Marcos River meanders through the city with park-lined banks, providing a perfect environment for a picnic or play.

Texas State University's presence does not go unnoticed in this city, as the institution employs 2,780 people. The sprawling 457-acre campus is home to 218 buildings and has more than 5,000 additional acres of recreational, instructional and farmland. The city has two school districts, its largest covering 210 miles and serving the growing populations of San Marcos, Hays, Caldwell and Guadalupe Counties.

Jobs are plentiful at nearby Prime Outlets San Marcos and Tanger Factory Outlet Center, while the school district also employs a good portion of the population.

Texas State University is a mainly residential campus, so the student body has a minimal effect on apartments in San Marcos. The median gross rent was just about $741 in 2009. However, apartments can range from $300 to $2,000 per month, depending on the number of bedrooms, size and location of the property and other amenities.

Whether it's San Marcos' proximity to Austin, the Live Music Capital of the World, or its large student population is unclear, but the city is known for its thriving music scene. Plenty of student productions and athletic events are also hosted in the area - Texas State's Bobcats play just minutes from the bustling downtown, with plenty of opportunities for tailgating festivities.

The simpler pleasures of nature are also right at the fingertips of San Marcos residents. Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty of adventure swimming, canoeing, kayaking, tubing, fishing and snorkeling along the river. Nature lovers will not be disappointed by the area's ecological diversity - the San Marcos Springs and nearby Spring Lake are home to eight known endangered or threatened species, including the San Marcos salamander, Comal Springs riffle beetle and Texas wild-rice. Hiking and biking trails are also plentiful.

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