Sugar Land Apartments and Rentals

Sugar Land was founded as a sugar plantation in the mid-1800s, and life in this Texas city remains pretty sweet. The population of 84,511 enjoys a suburban community in this full-service municipality, which is just 20 miles from downtown Houston.

Those looking for Sugar Land apartments for rent will find a family-friendly atmosphere with excellent schools and a growing economy. In fact, it was ranked the third best city to live in the U.S. by Money Magazine in 2006 and the eighth best place to raise a family by the guidebook Best Places to Raise Your Family - The Top 100 Affordable Communities in the U.S. in 2010.

Sugarcane became part of the landscape in Sugar Land in the 19th century, when a captain of a small freight boat brought stalks over from Cuba. Sugarcane thrived in the climate, and soon mills were being constructed to refine the sugar. Appropriately named "Sugar Land," this area's sugar business continued to thrive, and was incorporated as a city of Texas in 1959.

Now, Sugar Land is one of the fastest growing cities in Texas, and residents enjoy the expertly planned communities that have been established to meet the growing population's needs. There are six master-planned communities, all of which are perfect for families or individuals commuting to Houston.

Sugar Land's communities have something for everyone - Avalon boasts 70 acres of lakes, while First Colony has extensive greenbelts and landscaped boulevards. Lake Pointe Town Center is the downtown heart of Sugar Land, and features a mix of residential offerings, while River Park, Sugar Creek and Telfair have access to natural park areas, riverfront properties, golf courses and other outdoor recreational spaces.

Sugar Land boasts a skilled workforce and an excellent community for business, though many residents likely commute to nearby Houston to work in the many industries operating in the metropolis. However, the quality of the economy in Sugar Land and Fort Bend County is rising at a rate greater than that of the 10 strongest metropolitan economies in the nation. Fluor Corporation, an engineering and construction management company, is the largest employer in Sugar Land, followed closely by companies in the energy and healthcare industries.

The educational system is part of what makes Sugar Land a great place to raise a family. The Fort Bend Independent School District is one of the six in the region that surpasses state and national testing standards. The city is also now home to a campus of the University of Houston. This, plus the five other colleges in the area, make the Sugar Land rentals a good idea for students.

Those looking for Sugar Land apartments have a vast range of options to choose from in the city's quiet and beautiful communities. Rents will depend on the community and area, but in 2010, the median gross rent in Sugar Land was $1,377.

Sugar Land is known for many opportunities for outdoor recreation. The Sugar Lakes that make up the heart of the city make it easy to enjoy the beauty of the great outdoors, but the city also has eight parks where residents can play sports, have picnics ride bikes and enjoy hiking trails. The parks also host Concerts in the Park events from May through April, providing family fun to people of all ages.

Each year, Fort Bend residents come together for the EGGStravaganza Egg Hunt around Easter, Red, White & Blue Fest for the Fourth of July, and Halloween Town each October. The Cultural Kite Festival each March also draws a large crowd as the city celebrates a wide variety of cultures and the diversity in the city.

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