Burien Apartments and Rentals

While Burien has only officially been a city since 1993, this bustling home to nearly 34,000 people has continued to grow even during difficult economic times. More affordable than many communities in the area, Burien is an attractive option to students, young professionals and families on a budget. There are Burien apartments for rent that are sure to be an attractive option for everyone.

Burien was named after Gottlieb Burian, a German immigrant who, with his wife, moved to the area and built their small cabin on the southeast corner of what would become their namesake city in the late 1800s.

However, George Oulett is often credited as the first white settler to the area. As an area thickly laden with towering Douglas fir trees and expansive waterfront, the region quickly became popular with other area business owners. According to Burien's official website, landowners quickly purchased up the shoreline, and then worked their way inland. As logging railroads were added to the area, development continued to grow, prompting farmers and new settlers to come in droves throughout the 1930s through 1950s.

Despite all of this growth, the city of Burien was only incorporated in 1993. Over the past few decades, Burien has cultivated its identity and its growth in ways that are based around the needs of its thriving citizens.

Unlike many other cities in and around the Puget Sound, employment opportunities in Burien are not specifically tech-heavy. Top employers in the area can be found in the education, medical and automotive industries. Azteca, the popular Mexican Restaurant chain that began here in 1974, remains headquartered in the city, yet has locations as far east as Florida today.

Students who prefer cheaper living costs yet still want the convenience of a close university have many options. Highline Community College is the closest higher education facility, and provides two-year degree options in a variety of fields. Seattle University, Seattle Pacific University and the University of Washington are all options that are only 11 miles away in the city of Seattle.

Burien is one of the most affordable communities in the region to live in and has continued to see growth. According to census data, Burien's population grew 2 percent between April 2010 and July 2011. Median gross rent in the area in 2009 was $844, a far cry from the $1,000 or higher averages that are experienced by other communities and cities in the area. Individuals looking into Burien rentals are sure to find a number of options that are within their price range.

While residents of Burien can always hop in their car or a local bus to visit the nearby cultural offerings of Seattle, Burien itself has many cultural and natural offerings that allow residents to regularly satiate their need for the arts or the great outdoors. Burien is home to 305 acres of park and open spaces, which provide all residents with more than enough room to get out, smell the flowers and stretch their legs for a while.

Burien is also home to the Highline Performing Arts Center, which regularly hosts dance, theater and music performances from local artists, and the Burien Art Gallery,  which regularly updates its galleries and expositions with a variety of painting, sculpture and mixed media pieces. The artistic offerings in Burien will please any spectator.

Rent.com® can help you get settled in a Burien apartment. Look through our rental listings and find the perfect home for your needs.