[typ0phile]

I'm moving to Selma, AL, with my family in August and am looking for a place to rent before we buy. Where should I start? I've already contacted my future employer, but so far that's no help, and I can't find any good online sources.

Should I just plan on living in a more urban area like Montgomery, or are there rental opportunities that I'm just not seeing? If we go to Montgomery or Prattville, where should we look? Please help!

[typ0phile]

OK, I've found a handful of listings on the craigslist Montgomery site, and my realtor has a couple, but is that really all there is? You'd think with the housing market what it is, there'd be more selection. Any ideas? Please? I'll take all suggestions.

[glassz]

Originally Posted by typ0phile

OK, I've found a handful of listings on the craigslist Montgomery site, and my realtor has a couple, but is that really all there is? You'd think with the housing market what it is, there'd be more selection. Any ideas? Please? I'll take all suggestions.

Hi, first of all, welcome to Selma.

Rental property is hard to find in the area and most owners will require a one-year lease. Montgomery is about 45-50 miles from here and Prattville is about 40, so either of those options would be costly in time and gasoline.

What size home are you looking for, 2 br, 3br or more? What area will you be working in? Do you have children in school? If so, be sure you are in a good school district.

Are you working with a local real estate company? BTW, I am NOT a realtor.

[Croye22]

If you're in Selma, check out the Bargain Finder booklet published every Thursday. They have some really good finds in it. But you won't find too much in Selma. You can try Valley Grande, but best bet is to look in Montgomery and Prattville.

[typ0phile]

Thanks so much for the replies! I'm looking for 2 or 3 bedrooms, and I think we prefer the Old Town district, but we're open to other areas. Our son is just a baby, so schools are not important at the moment. I really just want a safe area. Is the area around the medical center reasonably safe?

@Croye22: Where would I find the Bargain Finder booklet? At the Winn-Dixie maybe?

[Croye22]

You can pretty much find it at just about any service station or small grocery in Selma. But it's not sold at Winn Dixie. However, the store besides it on West Dallas carries it. Both of service stations carry it as a matter of fact.

[typ0phile]

Thank you for the info! I'll look for the Bargain Finder booklet when we arrive.

Anybody have thoughts on the relative safety of the medical center area? There are a couple of apartment complexes there we might check out.