Overview of Fargo

Those looking for Fargo apartments for rent will find a quintessential American city in the Midwest. Fargo's history is intricately linked with that of the Northern Pacific Railroad, and is named for William Fargo, a director of the railroad and co-founder of Wells Fargo Express Company.

Although the city was once a rowdy frontier town filled with saloons and railway workers passing through, it overcame a massive fire in 1893 and came back better than ever. It is now home to 105,549 people and, along with Moorhead, Minnesota, it forms a metropolitan area of more than 208,000 residents. This thriving metropolitan area offers a distinct, warm personality along with plenty of arts, culture, sports and recreation.

Living in Fargo, ND

Those who call Fargo home enjoy warm summers and cold, snowy winters. The city is linked to Moorhead by three bridges across the Red River, which is perhaps the biggest landmark of the city.

In fact, Fargo owes its creation to the Red River, as it was essentially established when the Northern Pacific Railroad was being built across the body of water. The rough-and-tumble community that populated this frontier town in the 1870s and 1880s grew as word spread about the fertile farmland in the Red River Valley. The fire of 1893 burned down most of the development that had happened thus far, but residents were able to rebuild 246 buildings in less than a year. These buildings now make up the historic business district of downtown Fargo, which has been reinforced by various incentives to encourage more investment in this unique area.

Agriculture is still big in this region, but the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area has also become a Mecca for those seeking jobs in education, medicine, retail, manufacturing and government.

Fargo Work and Study

Fargo-Moorhead is known as the "Center of the Brain Belt" for a reason. Those looking for Fargo rentals will find a thriving economy, with a number of technology, healthcare, manufacturing and financial institutions calling the city home. The largest employer in Fargo is Sanford Health, followed by North Dakota State University and Fargo Public Schools. However, Microsoft and John Deere Electronic Solutions are also top employers.

The presence of North Dakota State University makes for a vibrant, young aspect of the community, as 14,399 students attend the institution, which also has a thriving graduate program. In fact, it was recently named North Dakota's top ranked research university, and recognized as one of the nation's top 108 public and private universities by the Carnegie Commission on Higher Education.

Families can depend on Fargo Public Schools to deliver a high-quality education for their children. The schools rival the best in the nation, ranking among the highest in SAT and ACT scores.

Rentals in Fargo, ND and Cost of Living

Those who are looking for apartments near Fargo will enjoy a cost of living that is lower than that of similar cities, yet it provides a high quality of life. Based on a national average of 100, the Fargo-Moorhead area received an overall rating of 91.6, while Minneapolis' score was 111 and Boise's was 95.5. This score is evident in the median gross rent, which was $610 in 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. For a two-bedroom, 950-square-foot apartment, renters can expect to pay about $670.

Single renters and families can find something to suit their needs, as the city has high-end luxury lofts and condos downtown as well as suburban homes on tree-lined streets in quaint neighborhoods.

Fargo Attractions and Special Events

Aside from a pleasant work, school and housing environment, Fargo has plenty of attractions and events to keep its residents busy and entertained. Much of the entertainment in the city is family-friendly and even dog-friendly - Fargo was ranked one of the top 10 canine-friendly cities in the 2012 "DogTown USA" contest by Dog Fancy Magazine.

People of all ages and interests will find something to do in this city, from art galleries to zoos. The historical downtown's main attraction is the fully restored 1920s era theater, but the area also has plenty of shops and restaurants.

The region's parks and campgrounds also make it a perfect place for nature enthusiasts to settle.

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