Belpre, Ohio is a city of firsts: it was one of the first permanent settlements in the Northwest Territory (just after Marietta), had the first established library in the Territory and appointed the first female teacher in Ohio. The Parkersburg Bridge that crossed the river to get to Belpre used to be the longest bridge in the world at the time of construction in the 1870s.
As its name emphasizes, Belpre, which is French for "beautiful meadow," is a picturesque city along the Ohio River
Belpre, Ohio is a city of firsts: it was one of the first permanent settlements in the Northwest Territory (just after Marietta), had the first established library in the Territory and appointed the first female teacher in Ohio. The Parkersburg Bridge that crossed the river to get to Belpre used to be the longest bridge in the world at the time of construction in the 1870s.
As its name emphasizes, Belpre, which is French for "beautiful meadow," is a picturesque city along the Ohio River. The city forms part of the Parkersburg-Marietta-Vienna Metropolitan Statistical Area, which means that residents have plenty of big city amenities at their doorsteps, while living in a quieter area. This, however, doesn't mean that the city is without activity: people flock to Belpre for annual events such as the Apple Butter Stir-Off, Music in the Park and Belpre Homecoming. During the Christmas season, the Holiday Lights building with its spectacular light display gives the big city lights a run for their money.
Preparing for the Move to Belpre
Getting settled in Belpre is a bit more involved than simply identifying a suitable apartment, packing your stuff and getting there. You need to be prepared for your first meetings with landlords or rental agents to ensure that you get the best deal.
What's Available?
Much like the ebb and flow of the Ohio River it is situated along, rental housing availability in Belpre fluctuates throughout the year with the seasons. A slight majority of housing in the city is owner occupied, leaving tenants to scramble for the remaining rental housing. You will mostly find detached, small- and medium-size family homes in Belpre, but there are also some cluster houses and apartment complexes. If you are lucky, you will find a bit of everything.
Types of Apartments
When looking at places to rent, abandon all plans on getting yourself a cozy studio apartment, as there are only 24 of them in the whole of Belpre. The one-bedroom apartment units are slightly more abundant, while a two-bedroom apartment for rent should be easiest to find -- that is, if you are not looking for a three-bedroom unit.
Costs
If you want to save money, Belpre is a good choice, as rent is much cheaper here than in the rest of the country. You can expect to pay a little less than the average rent in Ohio and the US as a whole. Groceries are also fairly cheap, unless you decide to buy all kinds of expensive imported foods. If you manage to find any apartments with paid utilities in Belpre, you will save even more money, but don't get your hopes up since very few rental options offer this perk.
Belpre Neighborhoods
Belpre may be a small town, but it still boasts two distinct neighborhoods, with each offering different amenities for their residents.
Rockland: Although most properties in this neighborhood are detached family homes, this is also where you will find the main apartment communities, such as Laurel Estates, Greenhill Village Apartments and Putnam Howe Village. It is an older neighborhood, so you will find come across many old, interesting building styles, giving each house a unique character. For a greener outlook on life, visit the Belpre Civitan Park and enjoy a breath of fresh air or take part in some exhausting activity to make you feel better about your physique.
City Center: The city center mostly consists of older buildings, dating back to the era between the 1940s and early 1970s, but there are a couple of newer buildings as well. It is a pleasure to stroll through the streets and view some of the quaint shops here. This is also where you go for some basic grocery shopping.
Living in Belpre
Most of Belpre is very walkable, so you can easily get along by walking to work and back. Most folks, however, prefer to take a car, as many travel to neighboring cities. But there is plenty to keep you busy within the direct vicinity: sports nuts can go throw, smack or toss some balls around at one of the basketball, tennis or volleyball courts in Belpre's Parks, or take a hike on the walking trails. Cooling down in the new swimming pool is an excellent idea during the hot, humid summers (note: get an apartment with air conditioning). For history buffs, the Farmer's Castle museum offers a wealth of interesting information about the early days of Belpre, and for some evening entertainment, just cross the bridge to the historical Smoot Theatre. If you would rather just stay home and get takeout, restaurants and pizza places are lined up all along Washington Boulevard.
Whatever you do, have fun and try some new things: let Belpre inspire you to live life to its fullest.
