Known for hosting the 485-acre Minnesota Zoo, home to over 4,500 animals and the popular Northern Trail exhibit, Apple Valley offers a distinctive suburban experience just 20 minutes south of the Twin Cities. This Dakota County community transformed from farmland to a residential destination in the 1950s, growing into a well-established suburb with a population of over 56,000 residents. The city's rolling landscape and thoughtfully developed neighborhoods make it an appealing option for renters seeking suburban living with convenient access to metropolitan amenities.

Rental options in Apple Valley include townhomes, single-family residences, and apartment communities throughout established neighborhoods like Palomino Hills, Cedar Knolls, and Johnny Cake Ridge. The average monthly rent ranges from approximately $1,470 for one-bedroom units to $2,950 for four-bedroom homes. The downtown district along Cedar Avenue and the adjacent Garrett-Highlands neighborhood form the original core of the city, while newer developments in the southern and eastern sections offer contemporary housing options.

Apple Valley provides excellent transportation access via Interstate 35E, Cedar Avenue (County Road 77), and County Road 42, with typical commute times of 25-30 minutes to downtown Minneapolis. The Metro Red Line's five Apple Valley stations offer direct bus rapid transit service to the Mall of America, connecting residents to the broader Twin Cities light rail system. Major employers in the area include Independent School District 196, the Minnesota Zoo, and Uponor North America. The community comes together for annual events like Apple Valley Freedom Days, featuring a carnival, grand parade, and fireworks display in July, and the Winter Carnival in February, adding to the city's appeal as a place to call home.