Williamsburg Apartments and Rentals

Williamsburg, Va., is a history buff's paradise, with a rich past dating back to 1699. The city is also home to Colonial Williamsburg, an entire village that pays homage to life in colonial America. Williamsburg is a made up of historic buildings on a picturesque country landscape, making it the perfect place to call home.

Those who seek Williamsburg apartments for rent may come to this quaint town of 14,000 for its beauty, but educational opportunities at the College of William and Mary also draw many people looking for an excellent opportunity to further their knowledge in a small liberal arts community.

Residents of Williamsburg are never surprised to see someone walking down the street in britches and a wig or a gown from the 18th century. Life in Williamsburg is almost inextricable from American history. Nearly a third of the city is made up of the village of Colonial Williamsburg, comprising the historic district that is run by the private Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. This is the largest living history museum in the world, built around what was the capital of Britain's largest, wealthiest and most populous empire in the New World.

Williamsburg was one of America's first planned cities. When it was laid out in 1699, it soon became the capital of the colony of Virginia. It still maintains its beautiful capitol buildings that were the center of the political, economic and social life across the colony.

The town also establishes an academic prestige with the College of William and Mary, which was founded in 1693. Presidents Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe and John Tyler all graduated from this college, which remains highly selective but also public.

Whether students or not, residents who seek out apartments in Williamsburg will enjoy a quaint town life with gorgeous tree-lined streets and stunning historic architecture.

Many people come to Williamsburg to attend the College of William and Mary, which is the second oldest college in the nation. This public institution is dedicated to providing an affordable education to the brightest of students, and is considered a "Public Ivy" - one of the eight such schools in the nation. The nearly 9,000 students who attend William and Mary can study a wide range of courses in the school's five undergraduate and graduate schools, enjoying a stunning campus including Lake Matoaka, College Woods and Colonial Williamsburg.

William and Mary is the top employer in the town, followed closely by the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.

There are a number of opportunities for those looking for Williamsburg rentals. In 2010, the median gross rent was $988, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Residents are likely to find a range of apartment options in buildings both new and old, and all have the opportunity to get a Good Neighbor Card from Colonial Williamsburg, allowing them admission to all the area's buildings and museums for an extremely discounted rate.

Colonial Williamsburg is without a doubt the largest and most important attraction in Williamsburg, and offers one of the most authentic realistic depictions of history anywhere in the country. The village allows visitors to literally become part of the history, whether that means watching reenactments of historical events or taking part in colonial activities alongside the trained historians and actors who work there.

However, this Virginia town has other arts, culture and entertainment opportunities, too. Once they are finished talking a literal walk through history, residents can enjoy a host of arts celebrations - each year the town hosts An Occasion for the Arts and the Virginia Arts Festival, but there are also a host of galleries and museums open all year long.

The area surrounding Williamsburg also offers plenty in the way of outdoor recreation. The city itself has 12 parks as well as National Historic Parks.

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