Affordable Apartments For Rent

How Cheap is Cheap? A Guide for Apartment Renters

For those who have relocated to another city, you’ve likely discovered that what is considered “cheap” is always relative to the local market. “Cheap” may actually be “not-so-cheap” in another city, and the price of rent often comes with hidden costs, sparse apartment features, and lackluster building amenities. In addition, the building could be located in an isolated part of town, making your commute long and tedious, as well as making errands a hassle. Regardless of your expectations, it might appear affordable to live in a city that does not rank among the top ten cities with the highest rent prices, but it is essential to consider the hidden inefficiencies that you may not notice at first glance. As an initial strategy, learn about your local market before renting an apartment and thoroughly consider other important factors such as mode of transportation for your daily commute and whether or not public transportation will save you time and money for your routine needs.

How to Choose an Affordable Place

Begin your apartment searching process by exploring the city you’d potentially want to live in, and do a broad comparison of the overall culture, interesting attractions, and climate. Many people typically consider which coast suits their lifestyle best and often their pocketbook using big cities as guides for their decision making. However, there are a number of “satellite” cities that have cropped up in the past several years on both coasts, because business and commercial development have continued to grow and expand beyond the large urban centers. These cities have provided new opportunities for people to establish their roots easily with lots of avenues for employment and all at a lower cost relative to the major metropolises on both coasts.

There are additional considerations to investigate when choosing your new cheap place to live. Affordability is the primary concern, but other factors play into your choices and often times affect affordability as well. For example, taxes are different in every state sales tax, income tax, tax credits, and tax exemptions and will definitely play a part in what you consider within your budget. Take into consideration crime rates and local school districts when considering your safety and your children's education. Food and entertainment are plentiful in different cities and areas, so choose a place that has the type of culture you can picture yourself in. After you’ve determined what is most important for you and your family, continue your search within your priorities and affordability, and you will find the perfect apartment to settle in.

20 Cities With The Most Affordable Apartments