Part of the larger Toledo Metropolitan area, Bowling Green is a small city of 30,000 people. A relatively new community, Bowling Green was incorporated as a town a little over 150 years ago, but experienced a boom in the early 20th century when oil was found nearby. Growth was fast enough that it officially became a city in 1901, as people flocked to the town to enjoy the prosperity in the region. Bowling Green has proven a forward thinking community that has focused on green energy. A wind farm near the city provides enough power to provide electricity to nearly 10% of the city's population. Bowling Green is also home to Bowling Green State University, a public university with approximately 17,000 enrolled students.
When to Search
If you're looking for an apartment in Bowling Green, the winter is actually a good time to look. There might not be quite as many apartments on the market, but this is more than offset by the number of people who are actually actively apartment shopping. Weeding out the competition is a great strategy for finding an apartment with no fuss or muss.
Staying in the Know
Looking for an apartment isn't just about finding the nicest apartment. You also really need to consider location. Bowling Green is just big enough that being in the wrong location can be inconvenient, especially if you don't have a car. Do you research about where you need to travel to frequently, and into what amenities are near an apartment before you sign a lease.
Life in Bowling Green
Transportation
Most people in Bowling Green are car owners, and this the most common means of transportation. University Students use the shuttle bus that transports them from the main university buildings to student housing on and off the University grounds. If you're living and working downtown, you should be able to get everywhere on foot with no problems.
Where to play
The wind farm is very impressive and worth a visit if green technology is of interest to you. Golf is a popular past time, with Stone Ridge and Forest Creason courses both being very accessible. Snook's Dream Cars is a classic car museum that displays automotive artifacts and cars that predate 1970. Grumpy Dave's Pub is a great place to check out if you like a large beer selection.
Attractions
Snook’s Dream Cars is a legendary collection of fine automobiles in Bowling Green. While there are certainly larger car displays throughout the country, Snook’s is known for being friendly, intimate, and having a beautiful attention to detail that shines through in some of the rare vehicles in it's collection. Another attraction worth visiting is the Wood County Historical Center and Museum. In addition to being extremely beautiful, the center provides great insight into the history of Bowling Green and the surrounding area. The BGSU Planetarium also features rotating programming that helps educate and entertain anyone with an interest in outer space.
Dining
Snook’s Dream Cars is a legendary collection of fine automobiles in Bowling Green. While there are certainly larger car displays throughout the country, Snook’s is known for being friendly, intimate, and having a beautiful attention to detail that shines through in some of the rare vehicles in it's collection. Another attraction worth visiting is the Wood County Historical Center and Museum. In addition to being extremely beautiful, the center provides great insight into the history of Bowling Green and the surrounding area. The BGSU Planetarium also features rotating programming that helps educate and entertain anyone with an interest in outer space.
Bars
Grumpy Dave’s Pub is a local institution. It features a rotating calendar of events and performances, ranging from Euchre tournaments to comedy nights to live music. City Tap and the Attic Bar specialize in gourmet burgers and boasts a lengthy tap line with a great beer selection. Main Street in the downtown area is home to a number of great bars all within an easy walk of each other. Trotter’s Tavern and Tubby’s are among other bars that can be found along Main. Although nightclubs would be the exception rather than the rule in the Bowling Green bar scene, that doesn't mean you can't find one if you look. Liquid Bar is the town’s preeminent dance club.
Culture
The aforementioned Wood County Historical Center and Museum is an excellent place to learn about local history, while also taking in a regular program of rotating exhibits. The University is also a hotbed for cultural activities. The BGSU School of Art has a gallery that frequently hosts shows that are open for free to the public. There is also a unique museum celebrating construction equipment found on Liberty Hi Road in Bowling Green. The proprietors have restored several pieces of antique construction equipment so that guests can view it in what is close to it's original operating condition.
Events
At more than 20 years old now, the Black Swamp Arts Festival is one of the best-known events in the Bowling Green Region. The festival shuts down a large portion of the town in order to provide a space for artists to display and sell their work. Food vendors, and street performers of various types fill Main Street when the festival is taking place. More than 40,00 people attend the festival annually. It provides local economic stimulus as well, and local businesses eagerly await September and the festival each year. The city is home to other events as well, including the National Tractor Pulling Championships. This event is so large it draws even more attendees than the Arts Festival.
Shopping
The downtown historic district is the premiere shopping destination in Bowling Green. Most of the town’s speciality shops, boutiques and artisans are located all within this single central area. You don't even need a car to get around, as most of the stores are within a relatively short walk of each other. The Woodland Mall is the largest shopping mall in the immediate area. A Sears provides the large department store presence, and you can find a variety of food vendors, stores, and service providers inside. The city is also home to a number of specialty food stores, but Stimmel’s Market on Wooster Street is certainly one of the best.
Sports
The local sports fans fall behind the teams of Bowling Green University. The BG Falcons are very popular with the locals. A fierce rivalry with Toledo (the Battle of Interstate 75) is something that always draws huge crowds to Falcons games. One of the reasons the teams are so popular is the level of play they offer. Only 15 schools in the country compete in both Division I football and Hockey, and the BGU Falcons are one of them. The team has produced several high-profile athletes, including Ken Morrow and Mark Wells, who were both part of the legendary team that won the 1980 Olympic Gold medal.
Outdoors
The aforementioned Wood County Historical Center and Museum is an excellent place to learn about local history, while also taking in a regular program of rotating exhibits. The University is also a hotbed for cultural activities. The BGSU School of Art has a gallery that frequently hosts shows that are open for free to the public. There is also a unique museum celebrating construction equipment found on Liberty Hi Road in Bowling Green. The proprietors have restored several pieces of antique construction equipment so that guests can view it in what is close to it's original operating condition.