Consider Moving Downtown

October 31st, 2011 by Crystal Beran| Posted in Apartment Guide, Finding Your Apartment, Moving, Saving Money | 1 Comment »

There are many benefits to moving from the countryside or the suburbs to an apartment downtown. True, the cost of rent downtown may be a bit higher than prices seen just out of town but, in many cities, a place downtown could help save more money than it costs. Here are some of the potential benefits of choosing an apartment in the city.  (Bonus: you’ll have company.)

Better Security

Many apartment buildings in urban centers are single indoor buildings rather than large, sprawling outdoor communities. One of the benefits of living in one of these types of buildings is that there may be more security features. Some apartments may have a guard that watches over the building day and night. Others may require keys or passcodes to enter the building, keeping non-residents out of the apartments.

Saving on Transportation

Living downtown can help you save money on transportation. The price of gas is continuing to rise, and it doesn’t look like prices are going to come down any time soon. Driving around also costs money in the long run because it causes wear and tear on your car. If you’ve got a place downtown, it’s easy to walk to stores, restaurants and nightlife. Getting across town is also easier when you’re already in the heart of the city because the public transportation is likely to pick you up closer to your home and drop you off closer to your destination.

No Need to Commute

Commuting into town from the suburbs can save you money on rent but it can cost you money in terms of gas, wear on your vehicle and time. Time is valuable but it’s something that most people don’t consider when they’re thinking about how much it will cost to rent a place downtown versus renting a place in the suburbs. If you’re commuting 1 hour each way and you get paid $20 per hour, you’re basically spending $40 worth of your time on the commute—each day! Add in the cost of gas, tolls and repairs to your car and you may be spending more on the “cheaper” apartment than you realized.

No Yard Work

Unless you’re keen on starting your own vegetable garden in your backyard, one of the benefits of living downtown is that you don’t have to worry about taking care of an unruly yard. And if you do like gardening, many cities have community gardens that you can join. Community gardens also offer the benefit of allowing gardeners to trade produce with one another.

There’s Always Something to Do

When you live downtown, you don’t have to worry about being bored. Leaving your apartment and heading down any street is likely to lead you to an adventure. With a higher concentration of people per square mile, downtown areas offer a great deal of amenities that suburban and rural communities can’t make use of. There is also a lot more variety within a small area in a downtown area, so whether you’re looking for a place to grab a few drinks with friends or play some laser tag with the kids, the city has something for you.  Take advantage of a new trend of housing availability in America’s downtowns.