Kirkland Apartments and Rentals

Although Kirkland may have one of the easiest names to pronounce in the region (do you know how to say Sequim correctly?), the city is anything but dull. Located along the shores of Lake Washington just a short drive away from Seattle, Kirkland maintains its family-friendly, community vibe to this day, despite being a city of more than 48,000 residents. Join the crowd - finding Kirkland apartments for rent is a great option for singles and families in the Seattle region looking for a more affordable lifestyle.

Originally dreamed by steel tycoon Peter Kirk to become the "Pittsburgh of the West," Kirkland (which was named after Kirk) became a development focused on steel production on the shores of Lake Washington in the late 1800s. Kirk and several other Seattle area business personnel hoped to tap into the rich mineral resources of nearby Snoqualmie Pass. Unfortunately, the stock market crash of 1893 put all dreams of steel for Kirk and his small lakeside development to an end - the mill soon closed without ever producing any steel.

Due to its lakeside location, Kirkland still grew and soon became a successful wool milling and ship building area for the Puget Sound region. During World War II, more than 25 warships were built in Kirkland, greatly assisting the city to thrive during this era, and throughout the 1960s and 1970s, many nearby communities were annexed into Kirkland. Today, the city continues to boom - according to census data, the city experienced a 8.3 percent population change between 2000 and 2010.

Individuals who are looking to further their education in a science or technology field will find the higher education opportunities at Lake Washington Institute of Technology, located in Kirkland, to be a convenient option. Offering a number of unique degree programs, including an engineering graphics program and a funeral service education program, individuals looking to further themselves in a niche market will likely find a perfect match here. Kirkland is also home to Northwest University, a Christian college that provides students with education in ministry studies as well as options in the arts and sciences, nursing and business and management.

A major hub of software development, Kirkland is home to a number of tech companies in the area, including Nintendo of America, Inc. and a large office of Google. Evergreen Healthcare is the top employer in the area, however, so individuals in a medical profession will likely have many career options here.

Located in such a sought-after metropolitan location, it's no surprise that residents of Kirkland pay a little bit more for their Kirkland apartments than the national average. According to city-data.com, median gross rent in 2009 was $1,217. However, with the average resident making more than $20,000 more per year than the median household in America, most residents can afford to pay these slightly higher rates - the cost of living index for Kirkland in 2012 was just over 115, slight 15 points higher than the national average.

Washington State's wine industry continues to creep westward, and one of the finest spots to enjoy local vino is at Kirkland's Uncorked Wine Festival, held annually n July. Although artists can be found in nearly every city and town in the area, Kirkland is home to many of the best galleries in the Puget Sound, so take a stroll downtown to get your fill of painting and sculpture.

Boating is always a popular option with Lake Washington mere minutes away, although residents who don't have their sea legs can still enjoy the expansive Bridle Trails State Park, a 482 acre park most well known for its horse-friendly trails.

If you are looking for an apartment for rent or a house rental in Kirkland, Wash., search for rental properties at Rent.com®.