Benton Harbor Apartment Renter's Guide
Benton Harbor Apartment Renter's Guide
Overview
Born as a major shipping hub after connecting its canal to Michigan Lake, Benton Harbor has recently entered a renaissance. The city is all but exploding in culture, arts, and small-town charm.
Nestled against Lake Michigan, this city of 10,000 proudly sits as the smaller of the Twin Cities metroplex of St
Born as a major shipping hub after connecting its canal to Michigan Lake, Benton Harbor has recently entered a renaissance. The city is all but exploding in culture, arts, and small-town charm.
Nestled against Lake Michigan, this city of 10,000 proudly sits as the smaller of the Twin Cities metroplex of St. Joseph and Benton. After a bit of a rough go at the turn of the century, Benton Harbor has righted its ship over the last decade and is experiencing an energetic burst of diversity, commerce, and lakeside recreation. With a city government dedicated to revitalizing this once industrial burgh, the future for Benton Harbor is looking nothing but promising. Get in on the ground floor, and do it now. You won't regret it.
Moving to Benton Harbor
The Mini-City on the Bay
Although it sits within easy reach of Chicago, Benton Harbor and its twin city lean hard on the strengths of their best-of-both-worlds situation. Small enough to give itself over to beautiful landscapes and quaint residential streets, but big enough to serve as a regional center of arts, culture, and recreation, Benton Harbor has it all. Though the financial troubles of recent history hit it hard, it's coming back strong. All in all, it feels like a pretty good time to get in on this city's new era.
Affordability is the Name of the Game
In keeping with its small-city vibe, Benton Harbor puts an emphasis on affordability for its rental homes. Even its luxury apartments, gorgeous and comfortable, are more affordable than you'll find in the two metropolises across the lake. From two-bedroom apartments for rent to detached townhouses on the city limits, there are options aplenty here. There are very few places in the country where dense New York-style apartment buildings exist side-by-side with single-family homes, and this is one of them.
A Bounty of Choice
If there's one thing offered to somebody looking for a Benton Harbor rental apartment, it's choice. The real estate market here couldn't be more open. This can be a double-edged sword, in that sometimes a feast of options turns into a famine of decisions, so it's important to come in with a game plan. Hooking yourself up with local real estate agents is a good place to start, but plenty of neighborhoods are so recently revitalized that taking to the pavement is a pretty good bet, too. It won't take long until your eyes are sniper-vision ready to spot those "for rent" notices hanging in the windows.
Crossroads of the Lake
Though most residents of the city work nearby, there are plenty of mega-commuters taking a longer route to work. With Chicago, Michigan City, Kalamazoo, and Grand Rapids all within commuting distance, Benton Harbor really is a hub of transportation. If those other cities have let you down in your apartment search, Benton Harbor is the place to look next.
Neighborhoods in Benton Harbor
Benton may not be a bustling metropolis, but it does have some neighborhoods with distinctive characteristics. Check them out and see where you would most like to call home.
Harbor Shores: This neighborhood is the epitome of an up-and-coming urban area, and is an eclectic mix of renovated industrial properties, small-town storefronts, and established family homes. Serving as an energetic haven to young and old alike, it's a great place to look if you want to get to the heart of this city's revitalization.
Miller Pond: This is the area of the city most likely to offer a detached home with a nice backyard. Nestled up against its eponymous pond, and bordered by the canal that put the city on the map to begin with, this is a great place for those who want to live in the city, but keep a semi-rural vibe.
East Main Street: This neighborhood is the choice place for those commuting to Grand Rapids and other east-lying cities. With quick access to Interstate 95 and outlying communities, it's a true portal to the rest of the region's landscapes.
Living in Benton Harbor
If you've ever lived in or seen a city that's remaking itself, you know what to expect here. The tingle of energy, innovation, and excitement of revitalization fills the air. Enjoy the many opportunities that this community affords, like playing baseball in Union Park or cruising the many galleries on Water Street. If grub is your game, make your stomach happy at places like Charlie's Piggin N' Grinnin' or The Library Pub and Eatery. Benton Harbor is, after all, a harbor, so you can take your floating fun vessel out on the water anytime you like with the public boat launch on Riverview Drive.