Huntsville is a small city located in the valley of northern Alabama, and those with a penchant for space travel will be well-fit to seek Huntsville apartments for rent. The city has a very strong aeronautical sector and boasts a high-tech community with 19th century roots and a 21st century heart. With a population of about 180,000, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Huntsville apartments able to provide a family-focused atmosphere and great opportunities without the hustle and bustle of America's larger cities.

Searching for Huntsville apartments for rent can connect you with the city's storied history, which dates back to 1805. Named after Revolutionary War hero John Hunt, Huntsville grew quickly and became Alabama's first state capital in 1819. During the late 1950s, when the U.S. Army created NASA, Huntsville became known as "The Rocket City," and to this day still attracts a large number of astronauts and scientists. If you want to get involved in the local culture, check out the U.S. Space and Rocket Center and Sci-Quest for a fun, memorable experience.

However, although the space culture is extremely prevalent here, it's not the only thing going on. Huntsville is a vibrant city filled with culture, art, sports and games, eclectic shops and fine dining. Top attractions here include Big Spring Park, Bridge Street Town Centre, the Huntsville Ballet Company, Huntsville Symphony Orchestra and the Huntsville Botanical Garden.

As the city has a low cost of living index of 84.4, which is well below the national average, Huntsville apartments for rent are very popular with people who want to soak up the southern sun without breaking the bank. The low cost of rent of apartments in Huntsville, combined with easy access to schools, groceries, food and drink, entertainment and public transit, led AreaVibes to award the city an "Extremely Livable" livability score of 79. In Huntsville, you can expect to pay $3.60 for a gallon of gasoline, which makes it very easy to get around. Other average prices include $2.48 for a gallon of milk, $1.34 for a loaf of bread and $1.44 for a dozen eggs. With the picturesque backdrop behind you, Huntsville can easily feel like home.

Huntsville has a strong association with the space research industry, so it goes without saying that technological manufacturing and space engineering are the most influential job sectors here. According to the Huntsville Chamber of Commerce, the largest employers here include the U.S. Army's Redstone Arsenal and NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. For those seeking other opportunities, Huntsville is also home to Toyota, Lockheed Martin and Boeing manufacturing bases.

Accordingly, for students interested in these fields, there are several institutes of technology located right in Huntsville. The University of Alabama, Huntsville, the largest of the bunch, has collaborative efforts with NASA to help produce advanced engineering and technological commercialization programs. JF Drake State Technical College, Alabama A M University, Huntsville-Virginia College and a branch of the Florida Institute of Technology, are also located in town. These institutions make Huntsville apartments ideal for students.