Learn About the Diversity of Apartments in Macon

The Macon metropolitan area is nicknamed "The Heart of Georgia" for reasons other than its location in the center of the Peach State. In recent years, Macon has experienced stable economic development and moderate population growth; its housing market is not as dynamic as in other metros like Atlanta and Savannah, but there is a lot for prospective renters to like. You can surely get more square footage in Macon for lower monthly payments when compared to Atlanta; there's a nice variety of dwelling types ranging from studios to apartments and from single-family homes to large estates.

Analytics show that the residential rental market accounts for approximately 45% of available housing. The affordability factor cannot be questioned; monthly rents are notably lower than national averages, and many communities enjoy optimal quality of life, thus presenting a value proposition to prospective tenants. Macon is an excellent option for individuals and families looking to get away from the hectic Atlanta metro. Large employers such as Kumho Tire, Embraer, GEICO, Norfolk Southern, and Robins Air Force Base are major factors attracting renters to the region; plus, the mild climate and abundant recreational options are ideal for retirees.

Redfin and Zillow reports on the Macon real estate market indicate that apartments are the most common dwelling type in the regional housing stock, which is estimated at 102,887 units. Other types are older multifamily units such as duplexes and triplexes, single-family homes, condominium towers, converted lots, historic houses, and country estates. Unlike other Georgia markets dealing with affordable housing crises, Macon is in good shape; however, the rental market goes through cyclical shortage periods, particularly in the weeks before the beginning of the school year in August.

Low-rise buildings and garden complexes with security gates represent the majority of the rental housing stock. The architectural styles include Victorian homes in the historic district that have been converted into multifamily units, mid-century buildings, a few Art Deco structures, and elegant mid-century towers with Neoclassical revival touches. If you appreciate classic curb appeal, the College Hill and Ingleside districts feature a nice collection of Victorian and mid-century buildings; some were large homes and commercial establishments that went through multifamily conversions.

An ongoing real estate trend in Macon involves national home builders such as Lennar and D.R. Horton completing gated communities and multifamily neighborhoods with new and different styles. These established developers are bringing Tuscan, Modern, and Mediterranean revival designs to the region; in some cases, resort-style gated communities feature the new American Coastal style, which borrows some elements from Caribbean architecture. These communities tend to offer top-notch amenities such as resort-style swimming pools, walking trails, small nature preserves, fitness centers, tennis courts, playgrounds, and green areas for grilling and picnics.

Although Macon is renowned for its historic homes, you won't find many townhomes or row houses that should be on the National Register of Historic Places. This dwelling type was not common in the region until after World War II, and it did not develop in the downtown district. There is a local townhome style that deviates from the mid-Atlantic and New England rows of houses with front stoops. Residents often refer to duplex and triplex conversions of old houses as townhomes even though they look like most multifamily units in the American South. If you want a more traditional townhome architectural style, you can find it in the Brookhaven and Vineville districts, where the attached units typically offer more interior space and privacy than garden apartments.

Some of the most stylish rentals in Macon are modern gated communities with an architectural design reminiscent of American Coastal townhomes. These newer communities provide generous curb appeal, and many are nestled between greenbelt areas and pocket parks that act as buffers against traffic noise. Some landlords list these units as studios or apartments, but their facades and floor plans conform to the attached townhome style. The advantage of older townhomes in Macon is that most are low-density projects; many consist of two rectangular structures with less than a dozen units, and they are often located a few blocks away from main roads for more privacy.

The single-family residential market in Macon is ideal for prospective renters who want to save a few hundred dollars each month. The market rates for single-family homes are very enticing; they often attract tenants who appreciate moving into a 3/2 house with a front porch, patio, den, and garage for less than what they would pay for a cramped studio in Atlanta. As mentioned above, this region stands out for its historic homes, so you can find Victorian, Neoclassical, and other antebellum styles. If you want to rent a plantation-style country estate complete with horse riding trails, you can find them in Bibb County towns near Macon.

Like with the multifamily development trend, single-family residential builders are bringing new architectural styles to Macon. Some of the new gated communities feature a streamlined version of the Mediterranean revival style; others are built with American Coastal curb appeal. Something that prospective tenants must remember about houses in gated communities, particularly those offering resort-style amenities, is that they cost more than single-family homes in open subdivisions.