Altoona, IA Real Estate Rental Market 2020

First settled in the mid-1800s, the beautiful suburban town of Altoona, IA is part of the Des Moines Iowa metro. With just under 20,000 residents, Altoona is about 10-miles from the Des Moines city center. Within the city limits, you’ll find all the suburban creature comforts including movie theaters, retail shopping centers, and a variety of restaurants. Because of its close proximity to downtown, many residents have described it as “the best of both worlds”, which means lots of people choose to buy and rent in Altoona, IA.

If you’ve been considering a move to Altoona, IA or you’re looking to simplify your life by renting vs. owning, here’s some information on the 2020 real estate rental market in this area.

Rent vs. Buy – Which is Best in Altoona? 

If you’re looking at places to rent in Altoona, IA, you may have also considered buying. You may be asking yourself, “Which is better in Altoona – renting or buying”? While the answer is sometimes subjective, there are pros and cons to both. 

Buying is a great option if:

• You’re ready to commit long-term to reside in the area.
• You have enough money set aside to make a sizable down payment.
• You’re able to qualify for a mortgage.
• You’re willing to maintain and upkeep both the inside and outside of your property.
• You have an additional budget set aside for ownership expenditures such as property taxes and homeowners’ insurance.

Renting is great a great option if:

• You’re not sure how long you’ll be living in Altoona, IA.
• You’re ready to simplify your life with a maintenance-free home option.
• You’d like to downsize from a larger living space.
• You’d prefer to budget money towards travel vs. home upgrades or maintenance.

Whichever you choose, Altoona, IA has great options for both renting and buying. It’s all about your priorities and where you see yourself living for the future.

Benefits of Choosing from The Available Places to Rent in Altoona, IA

Altoona, IA rental homes offer residents quiet neighborhoods and great locations with an assortment of attractions and other advantages. Recent city data suggests that the cost of living is slightly lower than that of the national average, making Altoona an affordable choice for many budgets. Altoona also has an abundance of things to do and see such as:

• Antiquing opportunities
• Outdoor walking and hiking trails
• Beautiful scenery
• Live entertainment
• Museums
• Galleries
• Summer festivals
• Shopping
• Brewery and Winery tours
• Adventureland
• Prairie Meadows Casino

Altoona has a high employment rate with local businesses such as Hy-Vee Food Corporation, Wells Fargo, UPS, Pella Corp, and John Deer making up some of the largest employers in the nation, right here in Altoona. The town even has its own Facebook data center, which was built here in 2013.

Altoona IA Rental Home Popular Amenities

When checking out places to rent in Altoona, IA, the first thing many renters look for are amenities. Everyone wants a couple of extra perks! Some of the most popular amenities offered in and around Altoona are:

Pet-Friendly Apartment Rental Homes

Lots of residents love furry friends as much as we do. For many rental home seekers, your ability to bring your pet is top on the list. You’ll find in Altoona, some neighborhoods are located close to walking trails and pet parks where you can take your furry companion to play.

In-Unit Laundry

Based on our recent research here at Redwood, many of our residents selected their Redwood rental home because of in-home laundry. Lots of apartment and condo complexes are equipped with basement laundry rooms or a nearby laundromat. We all know that in-unit washer/dryer appliances are an awesome convenience so your whites stay white and your colors stay bright.

A/C and Heating

Altoona and the rest of Iowa get pretty hot and humid throughout the summer months, which makes for a sticky and sometimes unbearable night sleep. Altoona apartment rental seekers and our Redwood Altoona residents want central air conditioning, so you’re comfortable year-round.

Modern Appliances

All too often, older apartment communities lack modern appliances and modern decor. In some cases, outdated, non-energy efficient appliances mean you’re paying more each month for your electricity or gas and modern appliances can make a big difference to your layout and decor.

Parking

Having your own parking space is a very important amenity in an apartment rental home. Most apartment complexes have assigned outdoor spots and a visitor center parking area, but there are apartment neighborhoods, like Redwood, that come fully equipped with two-car attached garages, driveways, and additional guest parking areas.

Storage and Pantry Space

Renters, like buyers, have lots of stuff. Many apartment homes skimp out on adequate storage space in the kitchen, bedrooms, and for things such as sports equipment, holiday decorations, or seasonal clothes. The majority of residents want enough space to find a place for all their spare things and food items without feeling cramped or crowded.

Smoke-Free Neighborhoods

Rentals in Altoona are more than just cookie-cutter mid-rise or high-rise carbon copy multi-family buildings. There are a variety of next-generation layouts and spacious open floor plans to choose from. From 700 to 1600+ square feet, there are great options, depending on family size and lifestyle. 

Eat-in Kitchens

Today, many renters opt for an eat-in kitchen vs. a formal dining room. Lots of apartment rental properties come equipped with peninsula bar seating that spreads off the kitchen countertop or room to fit a full table and chairs inside the kitchen space. 

If you’ve been considering a home in Altoona, IA and want to know more about the 2020 real estate rental market in the area, you can find your dream home on popular apartment rental home sites such as doorsteps.

About Redwood Neighborhoods

Whether you’re looking for a space big enough for a home office, you need extra private garage storage, or you want to simplify your life with maintenance-free apartment home living, discover why our residents love our single-story, smoke-free, open floor plans with 2-car attached garages and private entrances. Satisfy your curiosity. Upgrade your life and reclaim your freedom at Redwood Altoona. Need more apartment hunting tips and ideas? Learn more from our rental home and apartment hunting blog.