Whoever said that good things don't come in small packages never visited Austintown before. Though the town is less than 12 square miles in size, it offers the kind of living that you might think only exists in old movies. Finding an apartment for rent in a local neighborhood here can change the way you feel about small-town life.
Long before it was a city, Austintown was just another township in Mahoning County. Located in northeast Ohio, locals formed the township during the late 18th century and named it after a local politician. Though it has its own zip code, the government officially views it as a census designated place and not a city.
The population of the area remained stagnant over a 40 year period. The population reached a high of more than 33,000 people in 1980 but dropped down to around 29,000 residents in the 2010s.
Some apartment renters look for homes near the top MetroParks in the region. One of those parks, the James L. Wick Jr. Recreation Area, is a top local attraction. The recreation park includes a full golf course, tennis courts, batting cages for baseball and softball players and a large playground.
The Fellows Riverside Garden in Youngstown may be more popular. Covering more than 12 acres, this large park receives hundreds of thousands of visitors. The D.D. and Velma Davis Education & Visitor Center is located in the center of the park and offers interactive displays and exhibits. It also hosts different programs and events.
If you're one of the local apartment renters with an interest in art, a trip to The Butler Institute of American Art is in order. Located around 15 minutes from Austintown in Youngstown, this museum houses one of the largest public collections of artwork from American artists in the world. While admission is free, the museum charges for some special events and lets you rent the facility for an additional fee. You may also want to consider looking for a place to rent in a neighborhood near the Youngstown Historical Center of Industry and Labor. With exhibits changing every few months, you'll see something new on each visit.
Western Reserve Transit Authority offers scheduled bus routes throughout Mahoning County. The Route 40 bus stops in Austintown and transports riders to Youngstown State University and other local attractions. As this is the only bus that picks up riders in the city, you might need your own car when you can't catch the bus.
Finding a college in the area is easier than you might think. Some apartment renters give up after finding that the city doesn't have a college of its own, but if you're willing to drive 20 to 30 minutes, you can take classes in Youngstown or another local city. The top local colleges that are 30 minutes or less from the city include Mahoning County Career & Technical Center, Eastern Gateway Community College, Youngstown State University and Mercy College.
Despite the residential feel of many of its neighborhoods, the city offers some great job opportunities for locals. There are several companies with 500 to 1,000 or more employees. The top employers include Infocision, Austintown School District and Briarfield Manor Health Care Centers.