In 1946, Winston Churchill made the famous "Sinews of Peace" speech at Fulton's Westminster College. The college now houses the National Churchill Museum.
Although Fulton has a population of just 12,790 (according to 2010 U.S. Census data), there's always something happening. Fulton is home to two colleges: Westminster College, a private liberal arts school, and William Woods University. As such, you'll find more in the way of arts and culture than you might in other towns of a comparable size.
Renting in Fulton
Renting in Fulton is much the same as renting anywhere else, so there's no need to have a panic attack or create some sort of complex home rentals algorithm to perfect your search. While, you can arguably be too prepared, a little bit of forethought never hurt anyone, so it's wise to have a think about the process before you move in.
Searching for Apartments
Before you start looking for rental properties in Fulton, it's a good idea to think about what your needs are. Consider how much space you're going to require, what your budget is and any other preferences you have, such as furnished apartments or pet friendly homes. The more information you have, the quicker and easier it will be for your realtor to find you a property that you love. There's a much higher percentage of rental properties in the city than the national average or the state average for Missouri, which means there are usually a fair amount of homes to rent on the market. This means that finding a suitable property is usually a fairly speedy process. You'll probably only need to start looking around 4 weeks before the date you want to move.
What Could Go Wrong?
The main issue when searching for a house or apartment to rent in Fulton is stiff competition from its wealth of students. Most students look for properties around the beginning of the academic year in August, so try to avoid relocating during that time of year. There can also be problems if you don't have a suitable rental history or references, as this could put your potential landlord off. If this is your first time renting, you might find it useful to have a guarantor who would be willing to co-sign your lease.
Fulton Neighborhoods
Fulton was settled in the early 1800s and, as a historic town, you'll find quite a bit of difference between the older and newer parts of the city. If you're new to the town, it's a good idea to get a feel for the Fulton's neighborhoods and what they have to offer, to make sure that you move into an area that's a good match for you.
Reform: This neighborhood is a bit out of the center of town and has a more rural feel to it. You need to drive to run most errands in this area. Both the Reform Conservation Area and the Whetstone Creek Conservation Area fall within this neighborhood, so you've got some lovely surroundings.
Millersburg: Most of the homes in this area are medium-sized or large and have big yards. The neighborhood is a newer one, with the majority of homes built from the 1970s onward.
City Center: It probably goes without saying that central Fulton is close to the majority of shops and restaurants in the town, making it a convenient location for pedestrians. You'll find a good amount of older properties in the area, and even some historic buildings.
Living in Fulton
While there's always plenty going on in Fulton, you'll also find that people know their neighbors and there's a great sense of community spirit. You'd be as hard pressed to find a day with nothing going on as you would to find a day that doesn't end in "y."
The Brick District
If you need to go shopping or want a bite to eat, heading to the Brick District is always a safe bet. You'll find a great range of shops in the area, mostly independent stores, but also some big names. With the range of food on offer, you could never go hungry. Grab a slice at Arris' Pizza & Pub or a cooling treat at LuLu's Frozen Yogurt Shop. If you visit the district before noon on Saturdays between May and October, you'll be able to browse the Fulton Farmers' Market and listen to some live music.
Art and Entertainment
Perhaps due to its status as a college town, there are lots of things going on in the art world in Fulton. Both Westminster College and William Woods University have art galleries on campus that are open to the public. Some of the time they have exhibitions of students' work, but they also host some traveling exhibits from professional artists. The Champ Art Gallery and the Westminster Art Gallery are both at Westminster College, and the Mildred Cox Art Gallery is at William Woods University. There's also a theater at William Woods, where drama students put on a range of theatrical performances. The Art House is another great place to view or buy work from local artists or attend art classes. If you prefer your entertainment slightly less high-brow, the Fulton Cinema 8 shows the latest in blockbuster movies, plus it houses an arcade.
Local Sports
If you're a fan of college sports, you'll be spoiled for choice in Fulton. Teams from William Woods University are called The Owls. They have teams for basketball, soccer, baseball and more. They compete as a member of the American Midwest Conference in the NAIA. Westminster College compete in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, and have teams for a range of sports, including football, basketball, baseball, soccer and volleyball. In the 2013-14 season, the men's soccer team won its first SLIAC tournament title and ended the season ranked 20th place in the nation. In 2011-12, the women's basketball team captured a SLIAC tournament title, as well as setting a single-season school record by winning 22 games.
Outdoor Space
You'll find over 100 acres of city parks in Fulton, with a range of recreational facilities from picnic areas to football fields. The Stinson Creek Trail covers some gorgeous countryside and the ideal place to go for a day's hiking or biking. If you like to swing the iron, try heading over to the Tanglewood Public Golf Course to make a few putts.
