King County -- the county within which Lakeland South is located -- was not initially named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Actually, it was first named after Vice President William Rufus King and then changed to be Martin Luther King, Jr.'s namesake in 2005.
Lakeland South is not technically a town
King County -- the county within which Lakeland South is located -- was not initially named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Actually, it was first named after Vice President William Rufus King and then changed to be Martin Luther King, Jr.'s namesake in 2005.
Lakeland South is not technically a town. Rather, Lakeland South is a census-designated place, which means that it's an unincorporated area that lacks a city government. No, you can't run wild in the streets because there isn't a city government; but you can definitely enjoy all that this area -- along with its closest neighbors, Auburn, Federal Way and Milton -- has to offer. Lakeland South had a population of 11,574 at the 2010 U.S. Census, and that number is steadily rising.
Lakeland South is becoming very popular due to its green landscape, walkability and accessibility. The majority of Lakeland South's homes are owned, and housing values -- including rental prices -- in this area are almost exactly even with Washington's median house or condo value, but because of population growth in the area, those looking for housing for rent could be in for a tough search when it comes to finding places. Don't despair -- just give yourself plenty of time to land a place before your proposed move-in date.
When beginning your search for apartments, be sure to check out the following communities -- they're easily a renter's dream.
Top Apartment Communities
Belara at Lakeland: This luxury apartment complex is located in nearby Auburn, close to Highway 167 and Boeing. This complex has one- to three-bedroom apartments for rent and is surrounded by a thick Greenbelt filled with walking trails. Rent prices here tend to be slightly higher than other comparable complexes in the area, but the sweeping valley views and included amenities (such as a basketball court and on-site pool) make up for it. This is a very walkable and bike-friendly neighborhood, close to the five-acre Lakeland Hills Park.
Fox Run Apartments: These homes for rent are located on Federal Way. In addition, these apartments are also close to West Hylebos Park, which contains two lakes and many hiking trails and boardwalks. These apartments are also near a local grocery store, a fantastic Vietnamese restaurant, and the public library. And as if that weren't enough, they're only about a 15-minute drive from Puget Sound!
Enchanted Woods Apartments: This apartment complex is located just outside of Lakeland South, toward Milton. This complex is near several major shopping areas and I-5, which is great for those who love to sit in their cars for hours at a time. This neighborhood is slightly less walkable than the others, but it is just across the freeway from a variety of great restaurants, and it's only a five-minute drive from Lake Killarney Park. Prices for places to rent in this complex are quite a bit more sought-after than both Belara at Lakeland and Fox Run Apartments, and you still get all of the same amenities.
If you're looking for a day of fun in the sun, head west to one of the parks on Puget Sound and have dinner at one of the many waterfront seafood restaurants. If you'd rather stay in town, go take a walk around one of the local lakes or play a game of ball at South King County Baseball Fields. If you'd like to get more acquainted with your extended neighborhood, head to Tacoma and get in touch with nature at the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium or the W. W. Seymour Botanical Conservatory.
