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Overview of Birmingham

Located about halfway between Detroit and Pontiac, the city of Birmingham, Michigan, has easy access to the amenities that one would typically associate with larger metropolitan areas while maintaining a small town atmosphere.

People looking for Birmingham apartments for rent will find themselves in an upscale city that offers a great downtown area with shops and restaurants, top notch golf courses and is also close enough to big cities to provide all the entertainment anyone could ask for.

Living in Birmingham, MI

Birmingham was founded in the first half of the 19th century when much of the rest of the area was settled. The founders of the town hoped to create an economy based on industry and so they named it after England's hub of manufacturing. After a number of decades it became clear that Birmingham would never match the industrial power of its namesake, but a quiet, professional town had emerged to fill the void.

Today that strong professional spirit still exists in the downtown area, which has now become one of the best shopping districts in the state. People looking for a bit more activity might want to consider Birmingham rentals in this area. Families may want to look in the area closer to the high school, which has the feel of a traditional suburb while being less than a five minute drive from downtown. Regardless of where people live, they will be able to enjoy centrally located Shain Park that is often the site of events and activities.

Birmingham Work and Study

While there a number of strong, independent businesses in Birmingham, it is largely a residential community so it is little surprise that the largest employer is Birmingham Public Schools, which has a payroll of about 1,050.

The city is also home to a regional office of the international advertising firm McCann Worldgroup, which employs 420 people. Other large employers in the city include Shore Mortgage, Townsend Hotel and Max Broock Realtors Group.

There are no major universities in the city of Birmingham itself but there are a number of schools located in the surrounding area. Oakland University in Rochester has nearly 20,000 combined graduate and undergraduate students, and offers more than 130 baccalaureate programs. In addition, there a number of large schools around Detroit which are only a short car ride away.

Rentals in Birmingham, MI and Cost of Living

Residences in Birmingham are mostly traditional homes but there are a number of apartment buildings and townhouses. Finding apartments for rent in Birmingham, Michigan, can be a relatively straightforward process.

According to statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, the median gross rent in the city for the three year period from 2008 to 2010 was $1,215.

Birmingham Attractions and Special Events

There is much to do in Birmingham. Avid golfers will enjoy the courses in the area, which include Oakland Hills Country Club, which plays host to some of golf's top tournaments, most recently the 2008 PGA Championship.

The city also has a number of festivals and activities in its parks. One of the most notable is the annual art festival in Shain Park which has been held for more than thirty years. In addition, the city operates a farmers market every year that runs from the start of May to the end of October and offers visitors a chance to taste the bounty of the local agriculture operations.

To find a Birmingham apartment or rental, check out our apartment listings. Rent.com® is happy to help you find your next home.

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