Denver’s blend of outdoor adventures, thriving cultural scene, and major sports teams has drawn people from all over, making the Mile High City a great place to call home. If you’re new to the area, you may wonder how much rent costs in Denver. On average, the monthly rent is $1,801 for a studio, $2,043 for a one-bedroom unit and $2,741 for a two-bedroom unit.
If you’re on the hunt for a more affordable place to call home while still enjoying all that Denver has to offer, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll show you 11 affordable Denver suburbs you may want to consider renting this year. These suburbs provide a balance between affordability and access to the outdoor beauty and urban amenities Denver is known for.
Average rent for a studio: $1,055
Average rent for a one-bedroom: $1,361
Average rent for a two-bedroom: $1,628
Distance from Denver: 10 miles
Apartments for rent in Arvada
Claiming the first place on our list of affordable Denver suburbs is Arvada. Compared to Denver, you’ll save about $700 monthly on rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Arvada. It’s only about 10 miles northwest of Denver, so you’re not too far from the city center. Arvada offers a blend of outdoor and cultural attractions for its residents. You can explore the beautiful Apex Park for hiking and mountain biking or visit the historic Olde Town Arvada, filled with charming shops, restaurants and a vibrant arts scene that showcases the town’s rich history.
Average rent for a studio: $1,650
Average rent for a one-bedroom: $1,542
Average rent for a two-bedroom: $1,953
Distance from Denver: 10 miles
Apartments for rent in Aurora
Just 10 miles east of Denver is our second suburb, Aurora. The area is home to about 389,400 residents, and the average rents are much less than in Denver. For example, a one-bedroom unit in Aurora costs $1,542, compared to $2,043 in Denver.
There are plenty of outdoor activities in Aurora, like hiking and watching the wildlife in Cherry Creek State Park. You can also explore the Aurora Reservoir, which has fishing, paddleboarding and picnicking opportunities, making it a great destination for those seeking adventure and relaxation.
Average rent for a studio: $1,465
Average rent for a one-bedroom: $1,574
Average rent for a two-bedroom: $2,027
Distance from Denver: 10 miles
Apartments for rent in Thornton
For those on the hunt for budget-friendly suburban living near Denver, Thornton is just 10 miles to the north. The average rent for a one-bedroom unit is $1,574, compared to Denver’s $2,043 rent, meaning you’ll have considerable savings. Thornton has a range of outdoor activities, such as Trail Winds Park, which offers opportunities for sports, fitness and community gatherings. You can also visit Carpenter Park Fields for picnicking, playing and enjoying the scenic lakeside surroundings, making it an ideal spot for outdoor recreation.
Average rent for a studio: $1,399
Average rent for a one-bedroom: $1,623
Average rent for a two-bedroom: $1,957
Distance from Denver: 12 miles
Apartments for rent in Northglenn
Northglenn, which is around 12 miles to the north, is our fourth most affordable suburb. With the average rent for a one-bedroom costing about $400 less than in Denver, Northglenn may be the suburb for you. Northglenn offers numerous outdoor recreational opportunities, including the scenic E.B. Rains Jr. Memorial Park, with its playgrounds, walking trails and a skate park.
Average rent for a studio: $1,300
Average rent for a one-bedroom: $1,650
Average rent for a two-bedroom: $1,984
Distance from Denver: 8 miles
Apartments for rent in Lakewood
About 8 miles southwest of Denver, you’ll find the suburb of Lakewood, another great area to add to your list. Home to 156,000 residents, Lakewood can be a great option for renters looking for a less busy city — and affordable rental prices. Lakewood is home to the stunning Bear Creek Greenbelt, where you can enjoy hiking, boating and water sports, all set against picturesque lakes and foothills. The city is also home to Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park, which hosts performances, art exhibitions and cultural events.
Average rent for a studio: $910
Average rent for a one-bedroom: $1,752
Average rent for a two-bedroom: $2,250
Distance from Denver: 7 miles
Apartments for rent in Commerce City
Ranked sixth on our list, Commerce City is a widely recognized Denver suburb. This community has close to 64,300 residents, making it feel more like a small town. Like many of the other affordable Denver suburbs, Commerce City is full of outdoor activities. For example, you can explore Barr Lake State Park, a birdwatcher’s paradise with hiking trails, a nature center and opportunities for wildlife viewing in a tranquil lake setting. The city is also home to Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, a major sports venue hosting soccer games, concerts and other events throughout the year.
Average rent for a one-bedroom: $1,779
Average rent for a two-bedroom: $2,204
Distance from from Denver: 16 miles
Apartments for rent in Broomfield
Coming in seventh place on our list of renter-friendly Denver suburbs is Broomfield. It’s only about 16 miles northwest of downtown, making it an excellent option for those commuting. The city is home to Bay Aquatic Park, a family-friendly waterpark perfect for all ages. You can also explore one of the many green spaces like Broomfield Commons Open Space or The Field Open Space.
Average rent for a studio: $1,800
Average rent for a one-bedroom: $1,787
Average rent for a two-bedroom: $2,412
Distance from Denver: 7 miles
Apartments for rent in Englewood
If you reside in Denver, Englewood is a name you’re likely familiar with. The rents in Englewood average $1,787 for a one-bedroom unit and $2,412 for a two-bedroom unit, so you’re still saving on costs compared to Denver. Englewood has plenty of parks to explore, like Centennial Park, which has a playground and scenic picnic areas along the South Platte River. The city is also home to the Gothic Theatre, a historic music venue hosting concerts and events.
Average rent for a studio: $1,750
Average rent for a one-bedroom: $1,866
Average rent for a two-bedroom: $1,900
Distance from Denver: 7 miles
Apartments for rent in Wheat Ridge
Wheat Ridge is a beautiful suburb if you’re a renter looking to remain very close to Denver. This area is just about 7 miles west of downtown Denver, meaning you’re never far from a day spent in Denver. Even better, there are plenty of things to do in Wheat Ridge. For example, you can explore Crown Hill Park, a natural oasis with hiking trails, birdwatching and areas for fishing and picnicking.
Average rent for a studio: $1,300
Average rent for a one-bedroom: $1,939
Average rent for a two-bedroom: $2,500
Distance from Denver: 10 miles
Apartments for rent in Littleton
Littleton secures the 10th position on our list of affordable Denver suburbs to consider renting an apartment this year. This suburb has a population of 45,200 and is roughly 10 miles south of Denver. In Littleton, you can explore the charming Historic Downtown Littleton, with its boutique shops, restaurants and vibrant arts scene. The city is also close to the stunning Chatfield State Park, where visitors can enjoy boating, hiking and picnicking against the backdrop of the picturesque Chatfield Reservoir.
Average rent for a studio: $1,608
Average rent for a one-bedroom: $1,949
Average rent for a two-bedroom: $2,523
Distance from Denver: 9 miles
Apartments for rent in Westminster
Westminster is the final suburb on our list. You’ll find Westminster, situated about 9 miles north of Denver. Commute times can vary depending on traffic, but you’ll still save on rent costs. In Westminster, you’ll find plenty of unique and one-of-a-kind attractions.
The area is home to the Butterfly Pavilion, where visitors can interact with live butterflies and other invertebrates. You can also visit Standley Lake Regional Park to hike, boat and watch the wildlife in a beautiful natural setting. If you’re looking to take the leap from renter to buyer, make sure to also check out the most affordable Denver suburbs to buy a home.
Mile High City’s hidden gems
Denver offers a diverse range of neighborhoods, each with its own unique charm and affordability. Exploring the city’s less-expensive areas can unveil hidden gems where residents can enjoy a more budget-friendly cost of living. Denver provides opportunities for individuals seeking affordability without compromising on quality of life whether it’s in Northglenn or Aurora.
As the Mile High City continues to grow, these cost-effective neighborhoods and home prices stand out as appealing options for those looking to make the most of their living expenses in this vibrant and dynamic city. If you’re looking to make your move to Denver, explore available apartments to find the perfect Colorado rental for you.
Methodology
Affordability is based on whether a suburb’s one and two-bedroom rent was less than Denver and under 16 miles from downtown Denver. Average rental data from Denver rental market trends on October 26, 2023. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
To put it simply, an ACH transfer moves funds electronically from one bank account to another. The three letters ACH stand for Automated Clearing House, which is a centralized system. You might think of it as Grand Central Station for the electronic distributions of funds. The ACH network could be how your paycheck appears right on schedule in your bank account thanks to direct deposit, and it may be how you send online payments to, say, your WiFi provider.
ACH transfers play an important role in finance today, so here’s a closer look at:
• What ACH transfers are and how they were created
• The pros and cons of ACH transfers
• How secure ACH payments are
• How ACH payments compare to wire transfers.
What Is an ACH Payment?
An ACH transfer is a convenient way to move money around, without using checks, credit cards, or other methods. It enables direct deposits from employers and government benefit programs, bill payments, and external fund transfers. What’s more, ACH transfers fuel person-to-person payments. Such providers as PayPal and Venmo use the ACH network.
As mentioned above, ACH stands for Automated Clearing House. But it’s not a bricks and mortar location. It is a network that financial institutions use to aggregate transactions for processing. This processing is then typically completed three times a day on every business day.
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How Do ACH Payments Work?
Here, you’ll learn a little more about what is ACH, the history of ACH payments, and how they work.
History of ACH
The ACH network began in the late 1960s, when a group of U.S. bankers worried about the increasing number of checks being issued and cashed. They feared that rising numbers of checks would overwhelm the banking system, and they began to explore technological solutions.
• In 1972, an ACH association formed in California to manage electronic banking transactions, with other regional ACH networks forming soon after that.
• In 1974, these regional networks formed NACHA (the nonprofit National Automated Clearing House Association) to oversee and administer the ACH network. This organization creates and enforces how this network works, while the Federal Reserve and The Clearing House actually process the transactions.
• In 1975, the Social Security Administration began testing direct deposit, which led to today’s widespread adoption. Approximately 99% of SSA’s payments are currently completed via direct deposit.
• In 2001, online and phone payments via ACH became available, a key step forward to accelerating and automating banking transactions.
• In the most recent year studied, ACH payments numbered more than 30 billion, and the total dollars transferred exceeded $77 trillion. These figures indicate how big a role ACH transfers play in global finance.
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Categories of ACH
The ACH network processes bank transfers for both direct deposits and direct payments. Direct deposits usually include:
• Paychecks
• Government benefits
• Tax refunds
• Expenses that an employer is reimbursing an employee for
• Annuity payments
• Interest payments.
In terms of direct payments, the ACH network may process other transactions. What is an ach transfer can include:
• Online bill payments from your bank account
• Zelle
• PayPal, Venmo, and other P2P services.
Types of ACH
As you’ve already learned, ACH works both ways: incoming and outgoing payments can be processed via the ACH network.
ACH Credit
An ACH credit occurs when one party sends funds to another entity. A very familiar instance of this would be the way (if you are among the millions who have direct deposit) arrives in your designated bank account on payday. Your employer sent instructions, their bank transmitted funds to yours, and you received your money.
ACH Debit
An ACH debit, as you might expect, moves in the opposite direction. In this case, funds are pulled from one account and processed in batches to get to their destination. In the situation of a direct deposit paycheck, while the employee receives the ACH credit, the employer’s account gets debited.
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What Is an Example of an ACH Payment?
You’ve just gotten the scoop on ACH credits vs. debits, but what is a specific example of an ACH payment? When Social Security payments get deposited in millions of Americans’ bank accounts monthly, that’s the ACH system at work.
Also, if you’ve set up an automated payment of a utility or other recurring bill, that may also be an example of an ACH payment in action.
Benefits of ACH Payments
So now you know what ACH transactions are and how they became so popular. Let’s look at their benefits to your daily life and banking.
• Speed. They are quick and save you time running around with checks and the like. Plus, the transactions themselves can be fast. The transfers are typically completed within one day. There may be ways offered to speed up your payment, often for a fee (such as when PayPal or Venmo offers an instant transfer).
• Convenience. It can be very convenient to have mortgage payments, utility bills, and other payments automatically deducted from a bank account. Or send money to someone via a P2P service. With ACH payments, as we noted, there’s no need to travel to the financial institution to pay the bills or to write a paper check and mail it in.
• Low cost. ACH transfers are typically free and may even actually save you money. For example, a bank may offer a lower rate on a mortgage loan or student loan if you set up an automatic ACH funds transfer for your payments. (An exception may be when a financial institution charges a nominal fee to transfer funds to another bank.)
Downsides of ACH Transfers
There are a few potential disadvantages when it comes to using ACH transfers. Specifically:
• Transaction limits. Some banks will limit how much money you can send by ACH transfer in a specific time period, or they might not accept international ACH transfers.
• Penalties for too many transactions. If you are completing ACH payments from your savings account and that account has a cap on how many withdrawals you can complete per month, you could be penalized.
• Timing matters. Not all banks send ACH transfers at the same time of day — meaning they may have a cut-off time for a transfer to be processed on the next business day. This might cause problems for people needing to pay a bill by a certain due date and/or time.
Security of ACH Transfers
You may wonder whether these electronic transactions are secure. An ACH transfer can in fact be more secure than many other payment methods.
• The reality is that paper checks can always be lost or stolen. With ACH deposits or payments, you only need to provide bank information once, when the automated transaction is set up. Contrast that with writing a check every month and mailing it.
• Regulations exist that protect consumers in the rare case of an electronic funds transfer negatively impacting their bank accounts because of fraud or error.
• ACH payments are very safe because they go through a clearing house that has strict rules about confidentiality of information. In addition, ACH transfers typically have an extremely low rate of error.
ACH Transfers vs. Wire Transfers
When thinking about these kinds of transactions, you may wonder, “What’s the difference between ACH transfers vs. wire transfers?” A wire transfer is another method of electronically transferring funds, which means this system comes with many of the same benefits as ACH transfers bring.
Consider a couple of scenarios that highlight the potential differences:
• Wire transfers may occur within one business day, with funds often available for use the same day. In many cases, though, a bank employee needs to review this largely automated process, so the funds may not be immediately visible in the recipient’s account — and international wire transfers may take more than a day.
• ACH transfers, however, are processed in clearinghouses and banks in batches. The ACH system may sometimes provide same-day transfers and is increasingly moving towards this same-day benefit being available more often.
• In general, a wire transfer cannot be reversed.
• An ACH transfer, though, can be reversed in some situations.
• A last but important point: ACH transfers are often free, while wire transfer fees can cost the person sending it up to $35 or more, and the recipient might have to pay a small fee, too.
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The Takeaway
ACH transfers can speed and smooth your financial life, automatically depositing and withdrawing funds so you don’t have to deal with checks, cards, or the time it takes for money to clear. That’s why they are such a popular way to transfer funds, such as receiving one’s paycheck by direct deposit.
In addition to ACH payments, another way to ensure a smoothly functioning financial life is to partner with a bank account that offers convenient access and the tools you need most.
Interested in opening an online bank account? When you sign up for a SoFi Checking and Savings account with direct deposit, you’ll get a competitive annual percentage yield (APY), pay zero account fees, and enjoy an array of rewards, such as access to the Allpoint Network of 55,000+ fee-free ATMs globally. Qualifying accounts can even access their paycheck up to two days early.
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FAQ
How long does an ACH transfer take?
ACH transfers typically take a day, but they may take as long as three days.
What is needed for an ACH transfer?
To complete an ACH transfer, the following are needed: the name, routing number, and account number of the destination, whether the account is a business or personal account, and the amount of money to be sent.
How do I set up an ACH payment?
An ACH payment can be set up in a variety of ways. As a consumer vs. a business, you might use a payment app or see what forms of money transfers your bank uses. For instance, many use Zelle. Or you could see if the prospective recipient of your funds (say, a utility company) offers an automated payment system, which might use the ACH network.
Can you send an ACH to a personal account?
Yes, you can send an ACH payment to a personal account. For example, if you use a payment app to send a friend money for your share of a dinner out that they paid for, you would likely be sending an ACH payment.
The SoFi Bank Debit Mastercard® is issued by SoFi Bank, N.A., pursuant to license by Mastercard International Incorporated and can be used everywhere Mastercard is accepted. Mastercard is a registered trademark, and the circles design is a trademark of Mastercard International Incorporated.
SoFi members with direct deposit activity can earn 4.60% annual percentage yield (APY) on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Direct Deposit means a deposit to an account holder’s SoFi Checking or Savings account, including payroll, pension, or government payments (e.g., Social Security), made by the account holder’s employer, payroll or benefits provider or government agency (“Direct Deposit”) via the Automated Clearing House (“ACH”) Network during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Deposits that are not from an employer or government agency, including but not limited to check deposits, peer-to-peer transfers (e.g., transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc.), merchant transactions (e.g., transactions from PayPal, Stripe, Square, etc.), and bank ACH funds transfers and wire transfers from external accounts, do not constitute Direct Deposit activity. There is no minimum Direct Deposit amount required to qualify for the stated interest rate.
SoFi members with Qualifying Deposits can earn 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances. Qualifying Deposits means one or more deposits that, in the aggregate, are equal to or greater than $5,000 to an account holder’s SoFi Checking and Savings account (“Qualifying Deposits”) during a 30-day Evaluation Period (as defined below). Qualifying Deposits only include those deposits from the following eligible sources: (i) ACH transfers, (ii) inbound wire transfers, (iii) peer-to-peer transfers (i.e., external transfers from PayPal, Venmo, etc. and internal peer-to-peer transfers from a SoFi account belonging to another account holder), (iv) check deposits, (v) instant funding to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, (vi) push payments to your SoFi Bank Debit Card, and (vii) cash deposits. Qualifying Deposits do not include: (i) transfers between an account holder’s Checking account, Savings account, and/or Vaults; (ii) interest payments; (iii) bonuses issued by SoFi Bank or its affiliates; or (iv) credits, reversals, and refunds from SoFi Bank, N.A. (“SoFi Bank”) or from a merchant.
SoFi Bank shall, in its sole discretion, assess each account holder’s Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits throughout each 30-Day Evaluation Period to determine the applicability of rates and may request additional documentation for verification of eligibility. The 30-Day Evaluation Period refers to the “Start Date” and “End Date” set forth on the APY Details page of your account, which comprises a period of 30 calendar days (the “30-Day Evaluation Period”). You can access the APY Details page at any time by logging into your SoFi account on the SoFi mobile app or SoFi website and selecting either (i) Banking > Savings > Current APY or (ii) Banking > Checking > Current APY. Upon receiving a Direct Deposit or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits to your account, you will begin earning 4.60% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% on checking balances on or before the following calendar day. You will continue to earn these APYs for (i) the remainder of the current 30-Day Evaluation Period and through the end of the subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period and (ii) any following 30-day Evaluation Periods during which SoFi Bank determines you to have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits without interruption.
SoFi Bank reserves the right to grant a grace period to account holders following a change in Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits activity before adjusting rates. If SoFi Bank grants you a grace period, the dates for such grace period will be reflected on the APY Details page of your account. If SoFi Bank determines that you did not have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits during the current 30-day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, then you will begin earning the rates earned by account holders without either Direct Deposit or Qualifying Deposits until you have Direct Deposit activity or $5,000 in Qualifying Deposits in a subsequent 30-Day Evaluation Period. For the avoidance of doubt, an account holder with both Direct Deposit activity and Qualifying Deposits will earn the rates earned by account holders with Direct Deposit.
Members without either Direct Deposit activity or Qualifying Deposits, as determined by SoFi Bank, during a 30-Day Evaluation Period and, if applicable, the grace period, will earn 1.20% APY on savings balances (including Vaults) and 0.50% APY on checking balances.
Interest rates are variable and subject to change at any time. These rates are current as of 10/24/2023. There is no minimum balance requirement. Additional information can be found at https://www.sofi.com/legal/banking-rate-sheet.
Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
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Straddling the border of Missouri and Kansas, Kansas City is a great city with a strong culture, history and food scene that set it apart from other stellar U.S. cities. Plus, it’s more affordable than most comparably sized metros! Known for its distinctive contributions to the arts, sports and cuisine, this Midwestern gem has a unique charm and a deep-rooted history that calls out to visitors and residents alike.
In this article, we delve into the many things that make Kansas City a remarkable and memorable place to call home. From its world-famous barbecue to its pivotal role in jazz music history, we explore the key elements that have shaped Kansas City’s identity and continue to make it a top spot to lay down roots for the long haul.
Employment
Kansas City has a dynamic economy, with a range of employment opportunities across a ton of established or emerging industries. The city is renowned for its significant contributions to industries like agriculture, manufacturing and transportation, reflecting its historical roots as an essential hub in the American Midwest. In recent years, Kansas City has seen a surge in technology and healthcare, attracting innovative startups and skilled professionals.
The five largest employers in Kansas City
For job seekers, Kansas City offers the rare combination of a thriving job market and an affordable cost of living. The city’s entrepreneurial spirit is supported by a strong network of business incubators and accelerators, making it an attractive destination for individuals looking to start or grow their businesses in a supportive environment. Kansas City provides plenty of resources for job training and career development through local organizations and community colleges. The city’s central location in the United States also makes it a strategic spot for logistics and distribution, offering opportunities in transportation, warehousing and more.
Entertainment
Kansas City’s unbreakable connection with jazz is clear thanks to its many live venues, most notably in the bustling 18th & Vine Jazz District. This area is also home to the American Jazz Museum, a must-visit for all jazzy types. Beyond the sweet sounds of a wandering sax, you can find everything from indie rock to classical performances.
The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is a hub for talent of all types, hosting the Kansas City Symphony, the Lyric Opera and touring Broadway shows and concerts. Additionally, the Power & Light District offers a more lively nightlife experience with its healthy selection of bars, nightclubs and live music venues, making it a popular destination for a night out.
Five great live entertainment venues in Kansas City
For those seeking a more laid-back evening, Kansas City has more than a few options. The city is home to a thriving arts scene, with galleries and art walks, particularly in the Crossroads Arts District, which comes alive on the first Friday of every month with performances and food trucks. For sports fans, the city rallies around its professional teams, with the Kansas City Chiefs (NFL) and Kansas City Royals (MLB) drawing crowds from across the state.
History
Kansas City has a multifaceted history that dates back to its founding in the early 19th century. Initially, the area was a strategic point for trade and travel, situated at the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas rivers. The settlement, originally known as the Town of Kansas, was established in 1838 and later incorporated as the City of Kansas in 1850. It became a necessary hub for westward expansion, playing a significant role in the history of the Oregon, California and Santa Fe trails. Following the Civil War, Kansas City experienced rapid growth, bolstered by the development of the railroad network. This expansion led to its emergence as a vital center for agriculture, manufacturing and trade in the Midwest.
The 20th century saw Kansas City flourish culturally and economically. The 1920s and 1930s marked a golden era for the city’s jazz scene, with musicians like Charlie Parker and Count Basie contributing to its reputation as a jazz capital. The city’s architecture also experienced a renaissance of sorts, including the construction of more than a few notable Art Deco buildings. However, Kansas City also faced challenges, notably during the era of political boss Tom Pendergast in the 1920s and 1930s, whose influence shaped local politics and infrastructure projects, albeit amidst widespread corruption.
Outside
Kansas City is a great place for outdoorsy types. The city is home to plenty of parks and green spaces, with Swope Park being one of the largest urban parks in the United States. It’s a sizable area for hiking and biking and also houses the Kansas City Zoo as well as two golf courses.
The city’s extensive boulevard system, designed by George Kessler, connects many of these green spaces, creating a cityscape that encourages outdoor activities. The city’s commitment to outdoor living is further exemplified by its well-maintained walking and biking trails, like the Trolley Track Trail and the Riverfront Heritage Trail.
Just a short drive from Kansas City, nature lovers will find an abundance of outdoor activities and natural beauty. The nearby Flint Hills region is unique in its beauty and ideal for hiking, horseback riding and more. To the north, Smithville Lake and Watkins Mill State Park provide additional opportunities for boating, swimming and camping. For those willing to venture a bit further, the Ozarks region to the southeast presents a dramatic change in topography with its rolling hills, forests and many streams and rivers, perfect for camping, hiking and exploring Missouri’s natural beauty.
Food
Kansas City’s barbecue tradition is deeply rooted in its history, with dozens of barbecue establishments across the city, each boasting its own secret recipes and sauces. These range from sweet and tangy to spicy and smoky, offering a diverse palate of flavors.
Kansas City’s barbecue joints, from historic names like Arthur Bryant’s and Gates Bar-B-Q to newer establishments, attract both locals and visitors alike. Beyond barbecue, the city’s culinary scene is a tasty collection of flavors. The City Market area, for example, has a ton of global foods and fresh produce.
Five of the best restaurants in Kansas City
Kansas City has seen a surge in farm-to-table restaurants, emphasizing fresh, locally sourced ingredients and innovative culinary techniques. These establishments often collaborate with nearby farms, resulting in seasonally changing menus that highlight the best of the region’s produce. The city’s coffee culture is also thriving, with specialty coffee shops and roasters dotting the landscape.
So, what is Kansas City known for?
Kansas City is a place that wears many hats, each more colorful and intriguing than the last. It’s a place where history is not just remembered but actively celebrated, where the flavors are as rich and varied as its culture and where the arts and sports shine hand in hand under the bright Missouri (or Kansas) sun.
From the smoky aroma of its legendary barbecue to the soulful sounds of jazz that fill its historic streets — to that “guy on the Chiefs” — Kansas City is not just a destination but an experience. Whether you’re drawn by its food, its musical heritage or its warm, welcoming atmosphere, Kansas City leaves an indelible mark on all who call it home.
In the ever-evolving world of design, trends come and go, shaping the aesthetic landscape of our living spaces. As we step into the new year, designers find themselves at the forefront of a creative revolution, ready to bid farewell to certain decor trends and colors that have adorned homes for too long. We’re delving into the dynamic realm of interior design, exploring the shifts, evolutions and innovative styles that are set to redefine our living spaces in this year.
Join us on a journey through the anticipated transformations as designers eagerly embrace the wave of change, bidding adieu to familiar motifs to make room for fresh and inspiring design aesthetics.
2023 design trends we’re happy to leave behind
This year has introduced numerous exciting decor ideas to the design realm, yet amidst the innovative concepts, some interior design trends seem overdone. While it’s crucial to honor individual style preferences, there’s a sense of anticipation for a fresh wave of inspiration in the coming year. Embracing your favorite decor pieces is encouraged, but for those eager for a change or seeking new home design ideas, here’s a selection of trends that might benefit from taking a step back.
1. Gray, greige and beige tones
The muted greys and beiges that dominated 2023 design trends now feel overplayed. While these neutrals will never necessarily go out of style, they’re used too much especially due to the large influence of minimalism.
These tones lack personality and can result in a space that feels uninspired and monotonous. Instead of defaulting to the safety of muted greys and beiges, consider injecting some life into your color palette. Experiment with bolder hues or explore the vast spectrum of nature-inspired tones.
Trend to try instead: Bold hues and saturated colors.
2. Checkered pattern play
This year, the checkered pattern in home decor has become somewhat overdone, largely due to the influence of social media influencers who fervently promoted its use. While the pattern itself exudes cool retro vibes, its widespread presence in design circles has created a feeling of saturation. The once-refreshing nod to vintage aesthetics has now reached a point where the checkered pattern has a chequered past.
Trend to try instead: Textural fabrics over patterned ones like natural linen.
3. Overly coordinated decor
The 2023 trend of overly coordinated decor is on the way out, and for good reasons. The meticulous matching of every element in a space, from furniture to accessories, not only demands a significant investment of both money and time but also tends to make homes feel somewhat impersonal. The pursuit of perfection in coordination often results in spaces that lack warmth and character found in a more eclectic and personalized approach.
Trend to try instead: Maximalism.
4. Impersonal spaces
Speaking of impersonal spaces, hiding personal decor should be left to the old 2023 design trends. In the evolving world of interior decor, the idea of hiding personal touches within a home is becoming passé. Instead, there’s a rising inclination toward showcasing personal style, memories and individuality through decor. As we embrace the transition into 2024, the mantra is to let your space reflect your personality openly and tell your story with pride and authenticity.
Trend to try instead: Embracing eclectic and personal decor, like a gallery wall.
5. Overestimating our green thumb
Plants elevate rooms to the next level, bringing color and vibrancy that transforms the atmosphere effortlessly. Natural materials also tend to work well with plants in the interior design world, making plants a fun element to design around. While plants undeniably enhance the appeal of interiors, the misconception that everyone possesses expert-level gardening skills can lead to the neglect of these green companions.
Instead of letting overconfidence overshadow the joy of incorporating plants into your decor, we recommend a more mindful approach to their care and placement. Starting small and adding on is the best way to incorporate plants into decor in the year ahead.
Trend to try instead: Succulents and other low-maintenance plants.
6. Style over comfortability
Will 2024 be the year we finally prioritize comfort and practicality over style when it comes to furniture? The 2023 design trends favoring style over comfort have overstayed their welcome, and there’s a growing realization that a truly inviting and functional living space should prioritize comfortability. Investing in pieces that not only look good but also provide a cozy and functional experience can transform the way we interact with our living environments.
Opposing trend we love: Multifunctional furniture.
7. Choosing trendy over timeless
It’s time to rethink the whole trendy versus timeless design trend. Last year, we saw a ton of trendy pieces taking over interior design trends, like curvy and rounded furniture, sculptural ceramic vases and knot and arch pieces.
But here’s the problem – being too enamored with what’s ‘in’ can make your space feel outdated and impersonal. Acrylic plastic furniture might be modern, but it’s not immune to becoming yesterday’s news. Leave chasing the latest trends behind and focus on picking pieces that feel timeless and can stand the test of time.
Timeless trends we love: mid-century modern design, sustainable design pieces and neutral rugs.
8. Gaudy gold
Before you clutch your gold-set pearls, understand that gold itself will never truly be out of style. The flashy nature of gaudy gold furnishings tends to clash with the timeless, contemporary trend of clean lines and simple elegance.
People are now gravitating towards timeless and versatile pieces that contribute to a balanced and harmonious living space, which doesn’t involve the overuse of gaudy gold. The desire for a more relaxed and refined atmosphere has led to the decline of gold in favor of more subdued and sophisticated design choices.
Think boldly in 2024
We can’t talk about 2023 design trends we want to see retired without touching on an aesthetic we hope to see carried into the new year. Our favorite design trend from last year, which we’re rooting for in the new year, is the emphasis on bold statements. Whether it’s vibrant color choices, daring patterns or eye-catching focal points, the idea of making a statement in design has added a refreshing dynamic to spaces.
Big statements inject personality, spark conversations and create memorable aesthetics. From statement furniture pieces to accent walls that demand attention, this movement invites us to become an interior designer ourselves, break free from the mundane and embrace a more daring, expressive approach to design. Let’s continue celebrating the power of bold statements to elevate our living spaces and make a lasting impression in 2024.
Still in search of the perfect place to turn into your design haven? Browse available apartments and homes for rent to put your creative touch on your dream rental.
Wesley is a Charlotte-based writer with a degree in Mass Communication from the University of South Carolina. Her background includes 6 years in non-profit communication and 4 years in editorial writing. She’s passionate about traveling, volunteering, cooking and drinking her morning iced coffee. When she’s not writing, you can find her relaxing with family or exploring Charlotte with her friends.
From the New York City region to Greater Philadelphia, the gorgeous Skylands to the Pine Barrens to the real Jersey Shore, it’s a vast, diverse and growing state. But where are the best places to live in New Jersey? Thankfully, they are all over the state.
Many of these livable towns are understandably clustered in the flourishing, gentrifying North Jersey cities that act as Manhattan bedroom communities. But from the shore to the Ivy League, there are many amazing places to call home all over the Garden State.
Population: 71,245
Average age: N/A
Median household income: $105,022
Average commute time: 28.1 minutes
Walk score: 48
Studio average rent: $1,423
One-bedroom average rent: $1,678
Two-bedroom average rent: $2,127
Just five miles from the Benjamin Franklin Bridge into Philadelphia is the South Jersey township of Cherry Hill. It is a bedroom community for many workers in Philadelphia, as well as places like Trenton and Princeton.
With an average commute time of just under 28 minutes, it’s a convenient central location. Both New Jersey Transit and PATCO have rail station stops in Cherry Hill. Cherry Hill Station serves the Atlantic City Line and Woodcrest Station sits on the Lindenwold Line. For auto commuters, the New Jersey Turnpike and Interstate 295 also pass through the eastern section of the city.
But to many people in the area, the primary destination in the city is the 160-store Cherry Hill Mall. Dating back 60 years, the super-regional indoor shopping center was the first in the Eastern U.S. And Chick’s Deli has been a destination for cheesesteak and hoagie lovers from all over Philadelphia for decades.
Photo source: Rent. / 207 Freeway Dr E
Population: 64,876
Average age: 41.3
Median household income: $48,072
Average commute time: 42.7 minutes
Walk score: 73
Studio average rent: $1,334
One-bedroom average rent: $1,513
Two-bedroom average rent: $2,298
East Orange is the largest of New Jersey’s “The Oranges.” It sits on the western border of Newark, and its central location in northeastern Jersey makes it as convenient to Midtown Manhattan as it is to the rural highlands and even the Meadowlands. It’s also one of Jersey’s most affordable cities with one-bedrooms leasing for an average of $1,086 monthly and two-bedrooms for just $1,373.
The family-friendly commuter community offers five city parks, a number of playgrounds, the multipurpose Paul Robeson Stadium and the interactive Jersey Explorer Children’s Museum.
As part of one of the state’s Urban Enterprise Zones, residents pay sales taxes half that of the rest of Jersey. And the city is also home to East Orange General Hospital, as well as the East Orange Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
East Orange is one of the nation’s most established African-American communities. Nearly 90 percent of residents identify as Black, one of the highest rates in the nation. Within that demographic is a significant representation of those with Caribbean ancestry. In fact, Orange’s 2.9 percent population of Guyanese-Americans is the largest percentage in the country.
Population: 129,361
Average age: 38.6
Median household income: $48,407
Average commute time: 33.1 minutes
Walk score: 77
Studio average rent: $844
One-bedroom average rent: $1,086
Two-bedroom average rent: $1,373
Situated at the south end of Newark Bay just across from Bayonne is the city of Elizabeth. New Jersey’s fourth-largest city, Elizabeth is also one of America’s greenest. Based on its infrastructure including electricity, public transportation usage, recycling, certified buildings, public preserves, how residents view climate initiatives and more, it’s one of the top green cities in the nation.
With its relatively easy access to the Atlantic Ocean and channels to the Great Lakes, Elizabeth has long been one of the northeast’s shipping hubs. The Port Newark–Elizabeth Marine Terminal is one of the busiest ports in the entire world. And just to its north, Newark International Airport (the 12th busiest in the nation) actually lies half within Elizabeth. And right in the middle is The Mills at Jersey Gardens, the New York City area’s largest outlet mall.
But what sets Elizabeth out from the crowd is its affordable rents. With an average studio renting for $844 a month, a one-bedroom for $1,086 and a two for $1,373, you would be hard-pressed to find cheaper rent prices anywhere else in the tri-state region.
Photo source: Rent. / 210 Main Street
Population: 44,719
Average age: 43.3
Median household income: $70,090
Average commute time: 39.7 minutes
Walk score: 72
Studio average rent: $1,726
One-bedroom average rent: $1,903
Two-bedroom average rent: $2,365
A quarter-century ago, Richard Pryor’s “Brewster’s Millions” painted Hackensack as, well, kind of a sad sack city. Even Billy Joel asked, “Who needs a house out in Hackensack?” But both entertainers would be pleasantly surprised to find Hackensack the diverse, exciting, in-demand city it is today.
Just a half-hour northwest of Times Square, Hackensack is a vibrant suburb and a gateway to the natural lands of northwest Jersey.
It’s a walkable urban setting filled with parks and recreation and home to Hackensack University Medical Center and half the campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University. Its quaint downtown along Main Street is just a block from the river. And tucked away in its extreme northeastern corner are The Shops at Riverside, an upscale shopping center along the river at Hackensack River County Park.
One of Hackensack’s strengths is its diversity. Almost 40 percent of its residents are immigrants, and nearly half speak a language other than English at home. Upwards of 47 percent of Hackensackians are white, while nearly a quarter are Black and over a third are Hispanic.
Population: 54,144
Average age: 37.8
Median household income: $147,620
Average commute time: 48.8 minutes
Walk score: 96
Studio average rent: $2,675
One-bedroom average rent: $3,252
Two-bedroom average rent: $4,004
There are fewer rags to riches stories more robust in New Jersey than Hoboken. Just ask the Cake Boss. Once a smoggy, inaccessible industrial port city, today’s Hoboken is one of the most desirable and fashionable addresses in the Garden State.
Hoboken’s redeveloped riverfront sits directly across the Hudson from Chelsea and Greenwich Village. The city is rife with century-old brownstone apartments and houses, beloved by upscale residents and transplants from over the river in Manhattan. The homes are interspersed with gleaming apartment high-rises and reclaimed tenement towers with stellar views.
The city has quickly become home to young professionals, Wall Street commuters and artists and musicians. This has driven rent prices through the roof, to some of the highest in the state. An average studio runs $2,675 a month up to $5,741 for a three-bedroom.
With a walk score of 96, trendy cafes, retail shopping, gourmet restaurants, friendly parks and exciting nightlife are just out the front door for many in the city.
But while Hoboken has enough to occupy any lifestyle, many residents work and play across the river in New York. Hoboken Terminal is a major hub for New Jersey Transit, PATH and the MTA, and 56% of ‘Bokens use public transportation, the highest rate in America.
Population: 265,871
Average age: 39.4
Median household income: $70,752
Average commute time: 46.5 minutes
Walk score: 89
Studio average rent: $2,354
One-bedroom average rent: $2,864
Two-bedroom average rent: $3,980
Cradling Hoboken to its south and west is another Hudson River success story in Jersey City.
Covering most of the land on the upper Bergen Neck peninsula, Jersey City is home to Liberty State Park, the gateway to the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. It sits just across from New York City, facing Lower Manhattan and the Financial District, Battery Park and northwestern Brooklyn.
Jersey City’s downtown is along its waterfront. North of Liberty Park, downtown is a collection of bars and eateries, retail shopping, residential high rises and corporate towers. It’s also the heart of the Jersey City banking and finance industry. Exchange Place, also known as “Wall Street West,” is one of the nation’s largest finance hubs.
Outside of downtown, Jersey City has a number of shopping districts. Journal Square and Newport Mall are key retail cores, along with the Danforth, Central and West Side Avenue corridors.
Over 40 percent of Jersey City residents ride public transit, the second-highest percentage of any large city in the U.S. The city offers four PATH stations and 13 Hudson–Bergen Light Rail stations as well as a number of ferries into New York.
Population: 18,795
Average age: 42.1
Median household income: $96,545
Average commute time: 29.9 minutes
Walk score: 71
Studio average rent: $2,656
One-bedroom average rent: $2,613
Two-bedroom average rent: $3,333
If Morristown were good enough for George Washington, it’s surely good enough for you. The Morristown National Historical Park, spread throughout the borough, traces the history of where Washington and his troops encamped several times during the Revolutionary War.
Aside from its history and the tourists it attracts, Morristown is a residential exurban town close enough to Manhattan for a reasonable commute but far enough away to feel secluded from city life.
The city offers a minimal half-hour average commute time. It is convenient to nearly all of Central and North Jersey, and a workable 70-minute train ride to Manhattan. Morristown Station serves the New Jersey Transit Midtown Direct train into Penn Station.
With a median household income of around $100,000, it’s a pretty exclusive locale. One- and two-bedroom apartments in Morristown lease for $2,613 and $3,333 a month, respectively. But limited opportunity creates demand as the town has a population of under 19,000.
Population: 282,352
Average age: 38.6
Median household income: $35,199
Average commute time: 44.2 minutes
Walk score: 78
Studio average rent: $1,691
One-bedroom average rent: $2,139
Two-bedroom average rent: $2,694
For those that enjoy the bustle of city life over suburban isolation, Newark is the perfect locale.
With a population of over 282,000, Newark is the largest city in New Jersey. It’s also one of the nation’s most convenient. It’s home to Newark-Liberty Airport and two major commuter train stations. Newark Broad Street offers access to four New Jersey Transit lines and Newark Light Rail, and Newark Penn Station is a stop for five NJT lines, 11 Amtrak and Acela runs, Light Rail and PATH service into Lower Manhattan.
As opposed to many other New Jersey cities, Newark is a hub for inbound commuters rather than a bedroom community. Pre-pandemic, over 100,000 workers commuted into Newark every day, though a large number continue to. It’s the leading economic center for the insurance, finance, healthcare, education, legal and international shipping industries in the state. And despite its gritty reputation, it’s a very livable city.
Newark is a diverse city of hardscrabble blue-collar workers, young professionals, singles and naturalized citizens.
The average age is a low 38.5. And the median household income is a hardworking $35,000. But there is much to do. The New Jersey Performing Arts Center features the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and the New Jersey State Opera. The Newark Museum of Art is the largest museum of any kind in the state. The city offers a number of parks from Colonial Commons to the Passaic Riverfront.
And the 15-year-old Prudential Center is home to the NHL’s Devils, the state’s only indoor major league franchise, and Big East basketball as well as large-scale concerts and touring shows.
Population: 30,723
Average age: 41.6
Median household income: $137,672
Average commute time: 34.9 minutes
Walk score: 26
Studio average rent: $2,263
One-bedroom average rent: $2,424
Two-bedroom average rent: $3,024
Talk about a college town. Princeton is a leafy, convenient, high-quality small city. It’s just a 20-minute drive into Trenton, the state capital, and equidistant from Center City Philadelphia and Lower Manhattan. But one never needs to leave Princeton to enjoy the Ivy League life.
Of course, both the reputation and economy of Princeton surround the university. The centralized campus is an educational, cultural and entertainment hub for the city, but there is much to life off-campus. The most popular corridor is the shopping and dining district along Nassau Street. This includes popular locations like Princeton Record Exchange, P.J’s Pancake House, Hoagie Haven and the stores in Palmer Square.
With superior public and private schools, a stop on Amtrak and New Jersey Transit lines, high quality of life, and a low crime rate, Princeton often finds itself at the top of “Best Places to Live” rankings. But that quality comes at a price. The median household income climbs to near $140,000. And even with all those students, rents are pricy at $2,424 for an average one-bedroom and $3,024 for two.
Population: 88,763
Average age: 45.5
Median household income: $79,607
Average commute time: 37.1 minutes
Walk score: 38
Studio average rent: N/A
One-bedroom average rent: $1,177
Two-bedroom average rent: $1,744
The only Jersey Shore location on this list. Is it Wildwood? Beach Haven? Asbury Park? Nope. It’s the residential, family-friendly beach-and-shore town of Toms River.
The suburban ying to nearby Seaside Heights’ yang, Toms River is less Snooki and more Little League baseball, strollers at the park and mall food courts. That doesn’t mean Toms River is in any way boring.
Situated about 80 minutes from both New York and Philadelphia, Toms River is a popular summer home destination for families. But for most, it’s a year-round compromise between suburbs and shore.
Most of the township is on the mainland. Inland sites include Ocean County College, which features Novins Planetarium and The Grunin Center for the Arts. Also nearby is Community Medical Center. And the super-regional Ocean County Mall is one of the largest suburban-style indoor malls along the shore.
Toms River’s downtown is on the south end along Main and Water streets, featuring a number of restaurants, cafes, bakeries and retail stores, along with recreational Huddy Park. On the north end jutting out into Barnegat Bay is marshy Cattus Island County Park. And held annually is the Toms River Halloween Parade, the second-largest Halloween parade in the world behind only New York City’s.
But it’s not all malls and soccer fields. Dover Beaches North and South are also part of Toms River Township. These beach towns lie on Barnegat Peninsula, the oceanfront barrier shore across the bay. Just north of the infamous MTV beach town of Seaside Heights, the Dovers offer gorgeous beaches without all of the drama.
Find your own best place to live in New Jersey
The best places to live in New Jersey range from densely populated New York ‘burbs with bustling nightlife to family-friendly suburban retreats. But no matter where you live in Jersey, there are amazing places to call home. And you can find your next great Jersey city right here on rent.com. Just don’t forget the Springsteen CDs.
Rent prices are based on a rolling weighted average from Apartment Guide and Rent.’s multifamily rental property inventory of one-bedroom apartments in March 2021. Our team uses a weighted average formula that more accurately represents price availability for each individual unit type and reduces the influence of seasonality on rent prices in specific markets.
Other demographic data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau.
The rent information included in this article is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein do not constitute financial advice or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.
Looking for under the table jobs? When you’re looking for ways to earn extra cash, under the table jobs can be a route to take. These jobs typically pay with cash only. These can be part-time jobs, side hustles, or even a full-time career. Now, with under the table jobs, the person paying you is…
Looking for under the table jobs?
When you’re looking for ways to earn extra cash, under the table jobs can be a route to take. These jobs typically pay with cash only.
These can be part-time jobs, side hustles, or even a full-time career.
Now, with under the table jobs, the person paying you is not paying taxes. But, you still should pay taxes, as it is the law in the U.S.
Key Takeaways
Under the table jobs are a flexible way to earn cash without formal employment.
You can tap into many different job fields, from childcare to handyman services, to make extra money.
If a person pays you in cash, it’s still important to report that income to the IRS. If you don’t, it could be tax evasion, which is illegal.
Best Under the Table Jobs
If you’re looking for ways to earn cash, there are plenty of jobs that you can do under the table.
Some popular options include:
As a handyman, you can fix things around a house, like replacing a bathroom mirror or broken doors. If you’re good with tools and fixing things, this can be a great way to make some money.
If you like sharing what you know, tutoring might be a good side gig for you. You can help kids with their schoolwork or even teach music if you play an instrument.
Babysitting is a classic way to earn cash. You watch kids while their parents are away and might even help them with homework.
Love being outside? Try landscaping or mowing lawns. You can make yards look nice and make good money.
For those who love animals, dog walking or pet sitting are fun ways to make money. Spend time with pets, take them for walks, and make sure they’re fed.
Continue reading below to see the full list and learn more about under the table jobs.
1. Reseller
Resellers buy items and sell them for a higher price to make a profit.
You can find things at low prices from garage sales, thrift stores, or online clearance deals. Then, you sell them in places like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, or even to friends and family.
You can sell things like clothes, electronics, toys, and books that people want. It’s usually a good idea to choose items you know a lot about because it makes it easier for you to know a good deal when you see one.
I personally have many friends who are resellers, and I was a reseller in the past as well (before I started blogging full-time!). It can be a great way to make cash income.
Whether you’re looking to make just a little extra cash or if you want a full-time job, this is a good option to look into.
I recommend watching the free webinar Turn Your Passion For Visiting Thrift Stores, Yard Sales & Flea Markets Into A Profitable Reselling Business In As Little As 14 Days to learn how to make money by flipping items.
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This free workshop will teach you how to get into the flipping business. It will teach you how to resell furniture, electronics, appliances, and anything else you can find.
2. Childcare
A popular cash job is babysitting. Most moms and dads need good babysitters, and they’re happy to pay a fair amount for someone to watch their kids while they go out for the evening.
Babysitters make a good income these days – typically around $20 per hour.
If you think it might be tough to earn money this way, don’t worry – it’s possible. Just posting a simple message on your Facebook page could connect you with someone who needs a babysitter.
Note: I recommend making sure you check with your city or state before you begin. Also, make sure that your home is safe (if you watch children in your own home) and that you are CPR certified.
Recommended reading: 29 Best Stay At Home Jobs
3. Home and yard maintenance
When you’re looking for a way to make some extra money, you can do home and yard maintenance jobs. These are tasks people don’t have time to do themselves (or they simply don’t like to do!).
For example, if you like being outdoors, landscaping work might be perfect for you. Jobs in this area include lawn mowing, trimming hedges, and planting flowers.
If you prefer working indoors, you might focus on home maintenance tasks instead. Tasks like house cleaning or helping to organize a garage are commonly needed.
These jobs usually pay in cash at the end of the day or after the job is done. Usually, the homeowner pays you in cash before you go home.
4. Pet groomer
Pet groomers clean pets so that they look nice and healthy (and everyone needs a regular bath!). If you like pets, then you may enjoy being a pet groomer.
Pet groomers can sometimes get paid in cash, especially when you run your own business. I have seen many pet grooming businesses that operate out of a trailer that the person pulls behind their vehicle. They go straight to the person’s home, wash their dog in their mobile dog cleaning trailer, and then collect the cash payment once they are done.
Your work will include brushing and cutting fur, trimming nails, giving baths, and maybe even brushing the pet’s teeth. You make sure pets are clean, comfortable, and looking good. Sometimes, pet owners might also ask you to style their pets’ fur in a special way as well (such as by pinning back fur out of the dog’s eyes).
5. Pet sitter
Working as a pet sitter can be a simple and enjoyable way to earn extra cash.
As a pet sitter, your job is to keep an eye on someone’s pet while they are away. This can include feeding, walking, and playing with the pet to make sure it’s happy and healthy. You may need to stay overnight at the pet owner’s home or the pet may stay with you (it simply depends on what you and the pet owner agree on).
You can find pet sitting jobs on Rover. I have personally used this site countless times to find a pet sitter for my dogs.
Another under the table job similar to this is becoming a house sitter. House sitters watch homes while the owner is away and this can be a great side hustle. I talk more about this in a section further below.
6. House cleaning
When you’re looking for work that’s paid directly in cash, without formal paperwork, you might want to start with house cleaning.
So, what does a house cleaner include? Well, you’ll do things like dusting, vacuuming floors, and cleaning bathrooms. Sometimes, you’ll wash dishes or do laundry. If the house has pets, you might need to clean up after them too. Some house cleaners may even specialize in areas like extensive deep cleans that may take a whole day or even many days (or weeks!).
House cleaners earn between $25 to $50+ an hour for cleaning for others.
To get paid in cash means that you’ll typically work for yourself and get paid once you are done with cleaning for the day or after a week or two.
Getting this kind of business going isn’t costly because you probably already have the cleaning supplies you need (like a mop and vacuum). You can let people know about your services on Facebook, tell your friends and family, or create an account on Care’s website.
7. Dog walker
Dog walkers are exactly that – they walk dogs to make money.
You can find these jobs posted on platforms like Rover or just by posting something on your personal Facebook page advertising your dog walking service.
As a dog walker, your job is to take dogs for their daily walks while their owners are busy. This may be a walk that is around 30 minutes to one hour each time, but it all depends on what you have agreed on with the owner.
Walking pets can earn you about $15 to $25 or even more for each walk per animal.
8. Snow removal
If you’re good with a snow shovel or snowblower, snow removal might be a great job for you. This work can pay cash, making it a common under the table job.
When it snows, many people need help clearing their driveways and sidewalks. Some jobs are for one-time events, while others might need you all winter right after it snows to keep their driveways and sidewalks safe for people to walk or drive on.
You can find snow removal jobs by asking your neighbors or local businesses. Sometimes people put up signs along the roads in neighborhoods or ads online looking for help when there’s a big snowstorm.
People usually pay right after you’re done with the work.
9. Makeup artist
If you enjoy using makeup and know all the latest beauty trends, being a makeup artist can be a fun way to earn money.
It’s a job where you can be creative and help people look their best for events like weddings or photo shoots.
As a makeup artist, you’ll work with different tools like brushes, sponges, and a palette of colors. Your job will be to apply makeup on clients’ faces. You could work with all sorts of people, from friends and family to clients in your area.
10. House sitting
When you house sit, you’re taking care of someone else’s home while they’re away. This could be at a house near where you already live or maybe you fly to a fun vacation destination and watch their house there.
It’s your job to make sure everything stays safe and clean and that nothing happens to the home (such as a frozen water pipe bursts).
You might need to pick up the mail, water plants, or feed pets. Sometimes, people will ask you to stay overnight to make sure the house does not stay empty.
11. Sell at farmers markets
If you’re looking to make some cash, you can start selling at a local farmers market.
Some things that you can sell include fresh produce, homemade goodies, jewelry, unique crafts, or even baking cakes are great items. You’ll want to make sure your product and booth stand out, as there will be a lot of booths around you.
Shoppers at farmers markets typically pay in cash, so you can get paid quickly!
Note: To sell at a farmers market, you might need to get a permit. You can start by checking with your county health department and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for rules. Every place has different laws, so it’s important to understand what applies to your situation.
12. Have a garage sale
Having a garage sale is a way to earn some extra cash, and you don’t need special skills to get started. Look around your home for things you no longer use or need, and these could be clothes, toys, books, or even bigger pieces like furniture.
Items sold at garage sales typically don’t sell for a ton of money, but it can be a great way to declutter while getting paid cash.
Weekends, especially Saturday mornings, are prime times for yard sales. Make sure to check your local weather forecast as a sunny day can lead to more foot traffic. Once you have your date, gather all the items you plan to sell.
Then, you’ll want to organize your items by category. For example, put all the kitchen items on one table and all the books on another. Price everything clearly – you might use colored stickers for pricing – to avoid confusion.
You can advertise your garage sale a few days before. You can do this by posting on social media (such as by sharing it in local Facebook groups), community bulletin boards, or local classified websites. Signs around your neighborhood can also help draw attention to your sale.
During the sale, you’ll want to have change ready for customers who pay with cash, and you’ll probably want to have a calculator handy if you’re not comfortable doing math in your head.
13. Tutoring
If you’re knowledgeable in a subject, tutoring can be a good job for you. This is a job where you help others, like kids or even adults, to understand things better.
As a tutor, you work one-on-one or with small groups to teach things like math, reading, specialty exams, or even foreign languages.
Harder subjects usually pay more than easier subjects, and you may be able to earn $25 or more per hour as a tutor. You may get paid after each tutoring session. Or, if you are a regular tutor for a person, it may be weekly or even monthly – it depends on the agreement that you have with the person you are tutoring.
14. Painter
As a painter, your job is to paint walls, buildings, and other surfaces.
Your job responsibilities may include preparing surfaces by cleaning and scraping, mixing paint to get the right color, and applying paint with brushes, rollers, or sprayers.
Back when we were selling our first house, we hired a solo painter to come in and paint all the walls. This is a job that you may be able to find as well.
15. Handyman
If you’re good with tools and fixing things around the house, you might think about working as a handyman.
This job involves fixing leaky faucets, patching holes in walls, or putting together furniture. People tend to need help with these small jobs and look for someone who can do them without too much fuss.
You can find handyman jobs on websites like Craigslist or by asking friends and family if they know anyone who needs help.
With the same house I mentioned in the previous section, we also hired a handyman to renovate our bathroom as well as do around 10 other smaller things around our house too. We actually found him through a family friend, and he did so much work for us. It was great!
16. Dance instructor
Being a dance instructor can be a fulfilling under the table job in some cases. You could work with students of all ages, teaching them how to dance or different dance styles.
Of course, you will want to make sure that you are a skilled dancer, as this is not a job that anyone can do.
So, do you have experience in styles like ballet, hip-hop, or salsa? Or something else?
You can start by giving classes in your community or looking for local studios in need of instructors.
17. Auto mechanic
Working as an auto mechanic could be a great under the table job for you, and there are always people who need work done on their cars.
You’ll typically charge less than if a person would be going to a car dealership or a car mechanic business. People would usually be looking to hire a cash-pay mechanic if they were wanting to save some money.
As a mechanic, you make sure cars are running smoothly. Your job might include changing oil, replacing brakes, and making sure the engine is in top shape. Of course, you need to know what you are doing, as people are trusting their expensive cars and their lives with the repairs and updates that you do.
Working like this usually means you have to find your own customers. Good places to start are local ads or online platforms like Craigslist (start by looking under the “gig” section).
18. Photographer
Becoming a photographer can be a fun way for you to earn money if you are good with photography.
As a photographer, you can decide to work as an independent contractor, which means you are your own boss. This might involve getting paid in cash or a check for your services.
The different types of photography you can get into include:
Portrait photography – You might take photos of people and families, capturing special moments. Families like to have memories of their loved ones, and they’re willing to pay you for this service.
Event photography – This includes taking photographs at events like weddings or birthday parties. People like to remember these big events and may hire you to make sure they have great photos to look back on.
Commercial photography – This is for businesses that need photos of their products, services, real estate, and more.
Recommended reading: 18 Ways You Can Get Paid To Take Pictures
19. Sell firewood
Selling firewood can be a way to make money, especially if you live in an area where wood is used for heating or camping. Homeowners in colder places are always buying wood for their wood burning fireplaces and stoves, so this can be a good way to make some extra money by selling truckloads of wood.
First, you need to get firewood. If you have trees on your land, you might be able to cut your own wood.
After you have wood to sell, think about how you will sell it. You can sell wood online on websites where people buy and sell things in your community. You can also have a place at your house where people come to buy wood from you.
If you don’t have trees of your own, look for jobs where you can gather wood. Some people will even pay you to take away old trees or wood piles they don’t want.
Note: I recommend that you always keep in mind to follow the rules about selling wood where you live. Some places have rules about moving firewood to stop bugs and diseases from spreading to other trees.
20. Junk hauler
Being a junk hauler might be a great fit for you if you don’t mind a bit of heavy lifting. People tend to hire junk haulers when they have big, heavy things that they want to get rid of after all.
As a junk hauler, you get to help people clear out unwanted items from their homes or businesses. These items could be anything from old furniture to broken appliances.
Your job will mostly involve picking up and removing junk. You’ll need to have a reliable vehicle, maybe a truck or a van, that can carry all the items. Sometimes, you’ll be recycling things or taking them to a landfill.
You can find junk hauling gigs on websites or by signing up with companies that look for contractors. These could be one-time jobs or regular work, perfect if you’re looking for a side hustle or even to grow your own junk removal business.
You’ll generally get paid after you complete a job and since it’s often under the table, payment is usually in cash. This means you get paid directly, with no checks or direct deposits.
We personally had to call a junk hauler when we had several pieces of rotten wood that we needed thrown away – it was several hundred pounds and extremely messy – not something that we wanted to mess with and we also wanted it gone right away. That same day, a junk hauler came by and took it for $125. We paid him cash and he took it to the dump for us. It was so convenient for us and good business for him.
21. Rent out a spare room
If you have an empty room at your place, you might want to think about renting it out. This can be a good way to make some money on the side without a lot of work.
I have had several roommates over the years. We would rent out our spare room to long-term renters and people that we personally knew (such as friends and my sister).
To find a roommate and make money from renting your place, you can tell people about it in different ways. You can share it on your own Facebook page, post an ad on websites like Craigslist, make a rental listing on Airbnb, and try other methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
When you’re looking into jobs that pay cash, also known as under the table jobs, you might have a lot of questions.
What are under the table jobs?
Under the table jobs are ways you can earn money that’s usually paid in cash and not recorded officially by an employer. This means no tax forms are involved and no taxes are taken out of your pay right away (but you should still pay them!).
Is under the table work legal?
Okay, this is a great question to ask. After all, this is a whole article on how to find under the table jobs. So, does that mean these types of jobs are legal?
Well, working under the table can be tricky when it comes to the law. Your employer might pay you in cash without giving you a contract. While it might seem straightforward, not reporting this cash income to the IRS is considered tax evasion. Earning cash itself isn’t illegal, but failing to report it on your taxes can lead to problems.
What are the positives of working for cash?
When you get paid under the table, you get to keep all the money you earn immediately. This kind of setup is nice for jobs like babysitting or doing yard work, and you don’t have to wait for a paycheck. But, remember, you still have to pay taxes! So, the main positive is that you are paid cash right away, instead of having to wait a couple of weeks.
What are possible risks of working under the table? Is it OK to get paid under the table? Can an employee get in trouble for working under the table?
Working under the table can be risky. If the IRS finds out you’re not reporting your income, both you and your employer could face penalties. Also, you won’t have official records of your income, which can make it tricky if you need to show how much you earn for things like loans or renting a place to live.
What jobs can be paid under the table?
You can find jobs like babysitting, pet sitting, house cleaning, or gardening that pay under the table. These jobs usually pay cash because they are informal and may not involve paperwork. There are many other jobs that I didn’t even get into in the list above, such as becoming a personal assistant (doing things like grocery shopping and setting up appointments), personal trainer, graphic designer (making logos and more), and so on.
How do I find under the table jobs? How can you find local jobs that pay in cash?
To find these jobs, you can start by asking friends or neighbors if they need help with anything. You can also look at community bulletin boards or online classifieds for local job opportunities.
How do I ask for payment under the table?
If you’re looking for cash payment for a job, be honest and up front with your employer. Tell them you prefer cash payment, but realize that it’s usually smaller gigs that will pay cash and not more regular job opportunities. Keep in mind, though, that all income should still be reported for tax purposes.
How can you find jobs that pay under the table on Craigslist?
On Craigslist, you can filter your job search by using keywords like “cash pay” or “under the table.”
Under the Table Jobs – Summary
I hope you enjoyed this article on how to find the best under the table jobs.
Getting paid cash right after you complete a job is nice – you don’t have to worry about waiting for a payment and you can pay your bills right away.
There are many ways to find under the table jobs, such as by asking people that you know or by looking at gig/job websites in your area.
Now, there are pros and cons to being paid under the table. Being paid under the table means you get cash quickly. However, there are risks like missing out on legal protections and benefits, and if not reported, it might lead to tax evasion consequences.
So, when working under the table, it’s important to keep track of how much money you make. After all, you’re responsible for your own records and taxes, even if you’re paid in cash.
So, you do still need to pay taxes on the income that you make.
When you work under the table, you’re often working part-time or full-time but without the usual job benefits. If you’re planning ahead, think about how these jobs might affect your career later on. Eventually, it may be a good idea to find a job with more regular benefits where you pay taxes straight out of your income.
What do you think are the best under the table jobs?
An IPO, or initial public offering, refers to privately owned companies selling shares of the business to the general public for the first time.
“Going public” has benefits: It can boost a company’s profile, bring prestige to the management team, and raise cash that can be used for expanding the business.
But there are downsides to going public as well. The IPO process can be costly and time-consuming, and subject the business to a high level of scrutiny.
Key Points
• An IPO, or initial public offering, is when a privately owned company sells shares of the business to the general public for the first time.
• Companies typically hire investment bankers and lawyers to help them with the IPO process.
• Reasons for a company IPO include raising capital, providing an exit opportunity for early stakeholders, and gaining more liquidity and publicity.
• Pros of an IPO include an opportunity to raise capital, future access to capital, increased liquidity, and exposure.
• Cons of an IPO include costs and time, disclosure obligations, liability, and a loss of managerial flexibility.
IPO Definition
IPO stands for “initial public offering,” which marks the first time a private corporation offers its securities for sale to the public.
In such a process, a portion of the firm’s shares are transferred from private ownership by company insiders to public markets, so that both retail and institutional investors can buy IPO shares.
How Do IPOs Work?
To have an IPO, a company must file a prospectus with the SEC. The company will use the prospectus to solicit investors, and it includes key information like the terms of the securities offered and the business’s overall financial condition.
Behind the scenes, companies typically hire investment bankers and lawyers to help them with the IPO process. The investment bankers act as underwriters, or buyers of the shares from the company before transferring them to the public market. The underwriters at the investment bank help the company determine the offering price, the number of shares that will be offered, and other relevant details.
The company will also apply to list their stock on one of the different stock exchanges, like the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq Stock Exchange.
Access BrightSpring Health IPO shares with SoFi Invest®.
BrightSpring Health ($BTSG) just filed to go public. Open an Active Invest account, check out the prospectus, and request shares for an opportunity to invest in the IPO.
*No offer to buy the securities can be accepted and no part of the purchase price can be received until the registration statement has become effective, and any such offer may be withdrawn or revoked, without obligation or commitment of any kind, at any time prior to notice of its acceptance given after the effective date. To see if participating in an IPO is right for you, please fill out your investor profile prior to submitting any indication of interest. Investing in IPOs comes with risk, including the risk of loss. Please visit sofi.com/iporisk/. Offered via SoFi Securities LLC, Member FINRA/SIPC.
IPO Price vs Opening Price
The IPO price is the price at which shares of a company are set before they are sold on a stock exchange. As soon as markets open and the stock is actively traded, that price begins to go up or down depending on consumer demand, which is known as the opening price.
💡 Quick Tip: The best stock trading app? That’s a personal preference, of course. Generally speaking, though, a great app is one with an intuitive interface and powerful features to help make trades quickly and easily.
History of IPOs
While there are some indications that shares of businesses were traded during the Roman Republic, the first modern IPO is widely considered to have been offered by the Dutch East India Company in the early 1600s. In general, the Dutch are credited with inventing the stock exchange, with shares of the Dutch East India Company being the sole company trading in Amsterdam for many years.
In the U.S., Bank of North America conducted the first American IPO, which likely took place in 1783. A report claims investors hiding cash in carriages evaded British soldiers to buy shares of the first American IPO.
Henry Goldman led investment bank Goldman Sachs’ first IPO — United Cigar Manufacturers Co. — in 1906, pioneering a new way of valuing companies. A challenge for retail companies at the time was that they lacked hard assets, as other big businesses like railroads had at the time. Goldman pushed to value companies based on their income or earnings, which remains a key part of IPO valuations today.
Why Does A Company IPO, or “Go Public”?
Answering the question, “what’s an IPO?” doesn’t explain why a company “goes public” — an important detail in the process. Because an IPO requires a significant amount of time and resources, a business probably has good reason to go through the trouble.
Raising Money
A common reason is to raise capital (money) for possible expansion. Prior to an IPO, a private company may procure funding through angel investors, venture capitalists, private investors, and so on.
A company may reach a size where it is no longer able to procure enough capital from these sources to fund further expansion. Offering sales of stock to the public may allow a company to access this rapid influx of investment capital. 💡 Quick Tip: Keen to invest in an IPO? Be sure to check with your brokerage about what’s required. Typically IPO stock is available only to eligible investors.
Exit Opportunity
An IPO may be a way for early stakeholders, such as angel investors and venture-capital firms, to cash out of their holdings. Venture-capital firms in particular have their own investors that need to provide returns for. IPOs are a way for them to transfer their share of a private company by selling their equity to public investors.
More Liquidity
Venture-capital firms and angel investors aren’t the only ones who may be seeking more liquidity for stakes in companies. Liquidity refers to the ease with which an investor can sell an asset. Stocks tend to be much more liquid assets than private-company stakes.
Hence, employees with equity options can also use IPOs as a way to gain more liquidity for their holdings, although they are usually subject to lock-up periods.
Publicity
From the roadshow that investment banks hold to inform potential investors about the company to when executives may ring the opening bell at a stock exchange, an IPO can bring out greater publicity for a company.
Being listed as a public company also exposes a business to a wider variety of investors, allowing the business to obtain more name recognition.
Pros and Cons of an IPO
As with any business decision, there are downsides and risks to going public that should be considered in conjunction with the potential benefits. Here’s a look at a few:
Pros
Cons
An IPO may allow a company to raise capital on a scale otherwise unavailable to it. It can use these funds to expand the business, build infrastructure, and to fund research and development.
Public companies must keep the public informed about their business operations and finance. They are subject to a host of filing requirements from the SEC, from initial disclosure obligations to quarterly and annual financial reports.
After an IPO, companies can issue more stock, which can help with future efforts to raise capital.
Companies and company leaders may be liable if legal obligations like quarterly and annual filings aren’t met.
IPOs increase liquidity, which allows business owners and employees to more easily exercise stock options or sell shares.
Public companies must consider the concerns and opinions of a potentially vast pool of investors. Private companies on the other hand, often answer to only a small group of owners and investors.
Public companies may use stock as payment when acquiring or merging with other businesses.
Public companies are under more scrutiny than their private counterparts, as they’re forced to disclose information about their business operations.
IPOs can generate a lot of publicity.
Going public is time consuming and expensive.
Participating in an IPO: 3 Steps to Buying IPO Stock
1. Read the Prospectus
IPOs can be hard to analyze: It’s difficult to learn much about a company going public for the first time. There’s not a lot of information floating around beforehand since when companies are private, they don’t really have to disclose any earnings with the SEC. Before an IPO, you can look at two documents to get information about the company: Form S-1 and the red herring prospectus.
2. Find Brokerage
If you want to purchase shares of a stock in an IPO, you’ll most commonly have to go through a broker. Some firms also let you buy shares at the offering price as opposed to the trading price once the stock is on the public market.
3. Request Shares
Once a brokerage account is set up, you can let your broker know electronically or over the phone how many shares of what stock you’d like to buy and what order type. The broker will execute the trade for you, usually for a fee, although many online brokerages now offer zero commission trading.
Who Can Buy IPO Stock?
Not everyone has the ability to buy shares at the IPO price. When a company wants to go public, they typically hire an underwriter — an investment bank — that structures the IPO and drums up interest among investors. The underwriter acquires shares of the company and sets a price for them based on how much money the company wants to raise and how much demand they think there is for the stock.
The underwriter will likely offer IPO shares to its institutional investors, and it may reserve some for other people close to the company. The company wants these initial shareholders to remain invested for the long-term and tries to avoid allocating to those who may want to sell right after a first-day pop in the share price.
Investment banks go through a relatively complicated process in part to help them avoid some of the risks associated with a company going public for the first time. It’s possible that the IPO could become oversubscribed, e.g when there are more buyers lined up for the stock at the IPO price than there are actual shares.
When Can You Sell IPO Stock?
Shortly after a company’s IPO there may be a period in which its stock price experiences a downturn as a result of the lock-up period ending.
The IPO lock-up period is a restriction placed upon investors who acquired company stock before it went public that keeps them from selling their shares for a certain period of time after the IPO. The lock-up period typically ranges from 90 to 180 days. It’s meant to prevent too many shares in the early days of the IPO from flooding the market and driving prices down.
However, once the period is over, it can be a bit of a free-for-all as early investors cash in on their stocks. It may be worth waiting for this period to pass before buying shares in a newly public company.
Things to Know Before Investing in an IPO
An IPO, by definition, gives the investing public an opportunity to own the stock of a newly public company. However, the SEC warns that IPOs can be risky and speculative investments.
IPO Market Price
To understand why investing in an IPO can be risky, it is helpful to know that the business valuation and offering price have not been determined not by the market forces of supply and demand, as is the case for stocks trading openly in a market exchange.
Instead, the offering price is usually determined by the company and the underwriters who negotiate a price based on an often-competing set of interests of involved parties.
Post-IPO Trading
Purchasing shares in the market immediately following an IPO can also be risky. Underwriters may do what they can to buoy the trading price initially, keeping it from falling too far below the offering price.
Meanwhile, IPO lock-up periods may stop early investors and company executives from cashing out immediately after the offering. The concern to investors is what happens to the price once this support ends.
Data from Dealogic shows that since 2010, a quarter of U.S. IPOs have seen losses after their first day.
IPO Due Diligence
Investors with the option to invest in an IPO should do so only after having conducted their due diligence. The SEC states that “being well informed is critical in deciding whether to invest. Therefore, it is important to review the prospectus and ask questions when researching an IPO.”
Investors should receive a copy of the prospectus before their broker confirms the sale. To read the prospectus before then, check with the company’s most recent registration statement on EDGAR, the SEC’s public filing system.
IPO Alternatives
Since the heady days of the dot-com bubble, when many new companies were going public, startups have become more disgruntled with the traditional IPO process. Some of these businesses often complain that the IPO model can be time-consuming and expensive.
Particularly in Silicon Valley, the U.S. startup capital, many companies are taking longer to go public. Hence, the emergence of so many unicorn companies — businesses with valuations of $1 billion or greater.
In recent years, alternatives to the traditional IPO process have also emerged. Here’s a closer look at some of them.
Recommended: Guide to Tech IPOs
Direct Listings
In direct listings, private companies skip the process of hiring an investment bank as an underwriter. A bank may still offer advice to the company, but their role tends to be smaller. Instead, the private company relies on an auction system by the stock exchange to set their IPO price.
Companies with bigger name brands that don’t need the roadshows tend to pick the direct-listing route.
SPACs
Special purpose acquisition companies or SPACs have become another common way to go public. With SPACs, a blank-check company is listed on the public stock market.
These businesses typically have no operations, but instead a “sponsor” pledges to seek a private company to buy. Once a private-company target is found, it merges with the SPAC, going public in the process.
SPACs are often a speedier way to go public. They became wildly popular in 2020 and 2021 as many famous sponsors launched SPACs.
Crowdfunding
Crowdfunding is collecting small amounts of money from a bigger group of individuals. The advent of social media and digital platforms have expanded the possibilities for crowdfunding.
The Takeaway
Initial public offerings or IPOs are a key part of U.S. capital markets, allowing private businesses to enter the world’s biggest public market. Conducting an IPO is a multi-step, expensive process for private companies but allows them to significantly expand their reach when it comes to fundraising, liquidity and brand recognition.
For investors, buying an IPO stock can be tempting because of the potential of getting in on a company’s growth early and benefiting from its expansion. However, it’s important to know that many IPO stocks also tend to be untested, meaning their businesses are newer and less stable, and that the stock price can fluctuate — creating considerable risk for investors.
Whether you’re curious about exploring IPOs, or interested in traditional stocks and exchange-traded funds (ETFs), you can get started by opening an account on the SoFi Invest® brokerage platform. On SoFi Invest, eligible SoFi members have the opportunity to trade IPO shares, and there are no account minimums for those with an Active Investing account. As with any investment, it’s wise to consider your overall portfolio goals in order to assess whether IPO investing is right for you, given the risks of volatility and loss.
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Investing in an Initial Public Offering (IPO) involves substantial risk, including the risk of loss. Further, there are a variety of risk factors to consider when investing in an IPO, including but not limited to, unproven management, significant debt, and lack of operating history. For a comprehensive discussion of these risks please refer to SoFi Securities’ IPO Risk Disclosure Statement. IPOs offered through SoFi Securities are not a recommendation and investors should carefully read the offering prospectus to determine whether an offering is consistent with their investment objectives, risk tolerance, and financial situation.
New offerings generally have high demand and there are a limited number of shares available for distribution to participants. Many customers may not be allocated shares and share allocations may be significantly smaller than the shares requested in the customer’s initial offer (Indication of Interest). For SoFi’s allocation procedures please refer to IPO Allocation Procedures. Financial Tips & Strategies: The tips provided on this website are of a general nature and do not take into account your specific objectives, financial situation, and needs. You should always consider their appropriateness given your own circumstances.
Renting in Portland? Discover the most affordable places to rent in 2024.
As the Rose City, Portland offers beautiful nature, bustling city atmosphere and riverfront views, all without leaving the city. Whether you’re new to the city or curious about rental trends, you may wonder, how much does rent cost in Portland? On average, monthly rent prices are $1,217 for a studio, $1,494 for a one-bedroom unit and $1,795 for a two-bedroom unit. Depending on your budget, these prices may be out of your range.
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with these surrounding areas. In this article, we set out to find the most affordable Portland suburbs for renters. These four suburbs offer a breath of fresh air with their serene landscapes, warm communities and more reasonable prices, so you can still experience Oregon’s beauty while sticking to your budget.
#1: Aloha
Average rent for a one-bedroom: $1,295
Average rent for a two-bedroom: $1,695
Distance from Portland: 12 miles
Apartments for rent in Aloha
The first spot on our list of affordable Portland suburbs is Aloha. This area is located about 12 miles west of Portland, so you’re not too far from downtown. The average rent for a one-bedroom unit in Aloha is about $200 less than in Portland, meaning you’ll save a bit each month. This affordable suburb is great if you’re looking for a relaxed and outdoorsy community. You’ll find a lot of green spaces and parks in Aloha, like Mountain View Champions Park, Tualatin Hills Nature Park, and Hazeldale Park.
#2: Clackamas
Average rent for a studio: $1,175
Average rent for a one-bedroom: $1,305
Average rent for a two-bedroom: $1,550
Distance from Portland: 12 miles
Apartments for rent in Clackamas Just 12 miles southeast of Portland is our second suburb, Clackamas. The area is home to about 7,000 residents, and the average rents are much less than in Portland. If you’re planning to rent a two-bedroom unit, the monthly cost is approximately $1,550. On the other hand, a two-bedroom unit is about $1,795 in Portland. Clackamas provides opportunities for outdoor adventure with the nearby Mount Talbert Nature Park, offering hiking trails and beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. Additionally, the Clackamas Town Center is a popular shopping destination featuring a variety of shops and restaurants.
#3: Beaverton
Average rent for a studio: $1,650
Average rent for a one-bedroom: $1,435
Average rent for a two-bedroom: $1,747
Distance from Portland: 8 miles
Apartments for rent in Beaverton
Another great suburb for renters is Beaverton, which is roughly 8 miles west of Portland. You’ll save about $60 a month, as the average rent for a one-bedroom unit is $1,435, compared to Portland’s $1,494. Home to Tualatin Hills Nature Park, Beaverton offers lots of outdoor activities like hiking and exploring the nature preserve. You can also check out the vibrant food scene in the downtown area, with diverse restaurants and eateries.
#4: Gresham
Average rent for a studio: $1,279
Average rent for a one-bedroom: $1,495
Average rent for a two-bedroom: $1,581
Distance from Portland: 17 miles
Apartments for rent in Gresham
A bit farther from Portland, Gresham is about 17 miles east, but it offers an affordable suburban alternative. The slightly longer commute might be a trade-off worth considering. While the average rent for a one-bedroom unit is the same in Portland, if you’re looking for a two-bedroom unit, the monthly rent is about $210 less than in Portland.
Gresham provides access to the stunning Mount Hood National Forest, offering hiking, camping, and a range of outdoor activities for nature enthusiasts. You can also explore the historic downtown area, known for its local shops, restaurants, and events, making it a great spot to immerse yourself in the town’s character and charm. If you’re looking to take the leap from renter to buyer, make sure to also check out the most affordable Portland suburbs to buy a home.
Methodology
Affordability is based on whether a suburb’s one and two-bedroom rent was less than Portland and under 20 miles from downtown Portland. Average rental data from Portland rental market trends on October 26, 2023. Population data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
At Rent., our goal is to be the most efficient digital resource to help people find and live in a place they love. We strive to help renters make informed decisions by providing them with valuable information and advice, including money-saving tips, local guides, HD photos and certified ratings and reviews from actual residents.
Every year, I set goals and review my goals from the previous year. Not only do I set goals and review them but I publish them here for the world to see! This helps keep me accountable for my actions and keeps the goals fresh in my mind.
When I set goals, my main objective is not to achieve those goals but to do better. Many of my goals I do not achieve and that is okay because I know I did more and better with the goals than if I did not have them.
My previous goals and how I did
It is crazy to think of how much I have accomplished over the years and I know that setting goals helped me do much more than I ever thought possible. I own more than $22 million worth of real estate and have accomplished many of my dreams. I still have a long way to go and I will keep this going as long as I can. Every year I write this article that goes over my previous goals and my future goals. You can see those other goal articles from previous years below:
Things have changed over the years as my business has changed and new things have come into my life. I started a real estate brokerage, started investing in commercial real estate, wrote many books, started brick-and-mortar businesses, and much more.
What were my goals for 2023?
I don’t make the same goals every year because not every goal works. Some goals may seem like great ideas until I realize achieving them was too easy or not impactful on me or my business. Some goals may be too difficult to measure or track and some are just oo boring. These were my goals for 2023
Sell 20 properties
I usually make a goal to flip a certain amount of homes which means I sell a flip. I felt the need to bring a goal like that back since I need to be selling properties fairly quickly to keep my business model sustainable since I am buying new ones and spending a lot on repairs. I did not sell as many properties in 2022 as I usually do. These may be rentals or flips that I sell in 2023. I have sold rentals in the past that were not the best performing and that is my plan now as well. I have had some properties that I had big plans for but those plans fell through for various reasons. I need to sell those and move on to other properties while keeping the good ones.
I believe I only sold 10 properties in 2023! This was way below my goal and a few things made this difficult. For one, I was not able to buy as many flips as I hoped to. Rising interest rates also made it more difficult to sell some of the multifamily flips that I had planned to sell. This was not the end of the world because I am making money on those properties every month but I do have a lot of capital tied up in them that I would like to get out eventually.
Here is one of the properties I sold:
Buy 12 Flips
I think we only bought 6 flips in 2022! That was the fewest number of flips I have bought in many years but that number is also a little deceiving. Some of the flips I bought were multiunit properties that will take more work than a normal flip and some of the properties that I considered to be rental property purchases in 2022 may end up being long-term flips too. I have a few duplexes and triplexes that I was thinking of keeping or selling and I think I may sell them after fixing them up a bit.
I did not buy 12 flips in 2023 either! We only bought 7 flips which was not much better than 2022. The silver lining of this is that most of the flips we bought we in the last half of 2023 so we may see some light at the end of the tunnel for finding more deals. The lack of inventory has made it very hard to find properties that will be a worthwhile flip.
Here is one of the flips I bought:
Buy $2,000,000 worth of rental properties
I have had goals to buy a certain amount of rentals (my goal to purchase 100 rentals) and to buy a certain amount of square footage of rentals (my goal to purchase 1 million square feet of rentals) but this year I am changing it to a dollar amount. I liked both goals but they both had issues. The 100 property goal was for houses I started buying large commercial properties. The 1 million square feet of rentals goal was cool but then I bought some crazy big properties that were mostly money pits. We will see how this goal goes.
I did absolutely horrible with this goal as well! I only bought one rental property and it was a small one and a business too. The small laundromat in Kersey Colorado had an apartment in it and that is the only rental I was able to -purchase for $300k. I did have another property that I almost bought for $1.3 million but the seller backed out at the last second. Even though the market for selling rentals is not very good, there still are not many deals out there to buy either!
Refinance $2 million worth of debt
This is one goal that I have been accomplishing and makes a huge difference in my finances. By refinancing private money into bank money, I free up those private money lenders to lend me more private money and reduce my interest payments while locking in loans for the long term. I have some new lenders to try this year and I can reach out to my old ones as well on a few properties.
Well, this is another goal that I completely missed. I had some ideas to refinance properties but those ideas fell through. I knew it would be tough refinancing properties with traditional bank loans and I was hoping to use some DSCR loans. The issue I ran into with DSCR loans, is that most of them have huge prepayment penalties and it is very hard to find them on commercial or mixed-use properties.
Make $500k in revenue from Investfourmore
I have this same goal again! I have some new things to try and I may really focus on that business this year myself as well. I think there is a lot of opportunity there that I have not been fully tapping into. I would love to have people in my office who work on this business.
Are you getting used to me missing my goals because it happened again! I actually saw a decrease in revenue from investfourmore. Investfourmore is this blog, my YouTube channel, social media, real estate coaching products, and a few other things. One of the big problems with Investfourmore is that real estate is really hard right now and I think many people have lost interest or given up. While my revenue did not go up, I was able to accomplish some great things in 2023 with my brand.
Add 250k social media followers
I think this goal is diable and at the same time challenging as well. The tricky part with social media is you never know what will do well or how your account will do. Some things I think will never do well end up being awesome and some that I think are awesome do horrible! One of the sub-goals in this is to hit 100k subscribers on YouTube. I have 90k now and gained 10k in the last 2 months but without crazy evictions, YouTube stops pushing my channel as much and that crazy run is over for now. Hopefully, I can get more steady and consistent growth without craziness.
Here is a goal that I was much more successful at achieving. I hit 100k Subscribers on YouTube! I did not add 250k social media followers, but I added about 100k through YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok. Instagram has actually been losing followers because I think Instagram shadow banned me and hates me. I am not sure why.
Raise Revenues at my store from $65k to $95k per month
I bought a liquor store and mini-market in 2022 which was a goal of mine for a while. I have always wanted a brick-and-mortar store for some reason. I got my wish and it has been fun but also challenging. The store makes money even after paying rent to myself who owns the building as well. While it makes money, I think it can do so much better! One big change is we can serve more food options since I just upped our food license to a grocery with a deli which allows us to prepare some foods. We will see how that goes!
This goal I hit in the summer of 2023 and then sales dropped back down again. Sales are seasonal at the store and that was to be expected. While sales were way up, our profits were not as much as they should have been due to some staffing issues and cost problems. Making money is not all about revenue, but the bottom line, or profit as well. The store is going great.
Interesting 2023 accomplishments that weren’t goals
While I did not accomplish many of my goals I was able to do some new things I was not expecting. I have wanted a laundromat for many years and tried to build one from scratch in a small town in Northern Colorado. That did not work out because of the build and utility costs. However, I was able to buy one small laundromat and car wash in June that was already existing and then I took over another laundromat in September! The small laundromat has had many challenges but the larger one is doing pretty well. It was very exciting learning the business and trying to improve sales.
My goals for 2024
As always I am going to change up how I do my goals this year. I am always tweaking and changing things as I said previously. I am going to do something new which maybe I should have done before but for some reason, I did not. I am going to post an income goal. I have always been about investing and revenue in some of my businesses but I have never done a total income goal. Many people think I make way more money than I do.
I want to make one million dollars in taxable income in 2024
I have multiple companies that have made close to or more than one million dollars in revenue a year but taxable income is not revenue! If I am able to make one million dollars in taxable income it will mean that I brought in way more income than that because my rentals and other businesses provide a tremendous amount of writeoffs and deductions. I plan to do this with a mix of online profit, store profit, flip profit, rental property profit, and laundromat profits. I broke down that goal into smaller goals like making $100k profit at the store.
I want to sell 20 properties in 2024
I am repeating this goal again because there are about 5 rentals I would like to sell that are underperforming or have a lot of equity compared to the cash flow coming in. I also have 7 flips that should sell in 2024 and I plan to buy more that will sell in 2024 as well. It is not the end of the world if I do not sell this many but it would be nice and free up capital to buy properties with more potential or value-added possibilities if I can find them!
Here is one of the properties I sold in 2023:
I want to buy at least 12 flips in 2024
I made this goal in 2023 and did not reach it either but I think I can in 2024 or at least come close. It is fun doing flips and I love creating videos and buying more flips allows me to make more videos! I am hoping with interest rates going down (fingers crossed) more inventory will come on the market and I will be able to find more deals.
I want to buy $2 million worth of rentals
I am repeating this goal again too! Rental properties that make money have been in short supply in my market. There have been a few properties that came up for sale that were close to good enough deals for me and other investors jumped on them. I am thinking I may have to try a different market soon but I am not giving up on Colorado yet. I did make a post about the most landlord-friendly states which could help others and myself make a decision if I decide to invest in other markets.
I want to refinance $2 million worth of debt
I am still looking to refinance some of my properties that have private money loans on them. Luckily my lenders are very flexible and are willing to keep taking the interest I am paying them. If interest rates come down a bunch that would be awesome but I am not sure how far down they will go. I would also love to find a DSCR lender that doesn’t have huge prepayment penalties!
Social media and blog goals
I have many goals for social media. I want to continue to grow my YouTube channel and I would love for it to take off and focus my time on it but my other social media channels like Facebook and TikTok drive people to my YouTube channel. I also have not been writing as much on Investfourmore.com because I have been focussing on social media and I think that is one reason I have not been as successful online as I had hoped. I want to write more on my blog and make sure I am taking advantage of the brand I have built over many years!
Here are some of the social media goals:
150k YouTube Subscribers
400k Facebook followers
100k Tiktok followers
Increase traffic on Investfourmore to 50k users a month
I still want to hit that $50k a month revenue goal as well!
Conclusion
Setting goals is very important and something I do every year and keep track of all the time. To be honest, I could have kept better track of my goals in 2023. I had them written on a whiteboard and I looked at them but I did not set time away to plan as much as I should have. Another goal of mine is to focus more on my goals in 2024!
To learn more about goals and why I use them check this out.
Lucky for you, this country features culinary gems from coast to coast. Think you know the best foodie cities in the U.S.? See if your projections match up with our top 10 list.
What makes a great foodie city?
Any serious epicure prioritizes restaurant choice and variety of cuisine on their wish list of where to live. Good news: You no longer have to guess if the city you’re considering calling home is actually one of the best foodie cities in America. We’ve done the math for you.
So what makes these the best foodie cities in the country? Restaurant options, and plenty of them. We looked at no fewer than 104 different cuisines to see how many different choices exist in any given city.
Whether you’re hungry for falafel, pho or fried chicken, the higher the city on the list, the better the chance that you’ll never meet a craving that isn’t satisfied.
But first, a quick housekeeping note. Yes, we realize that there are three No. 9s in our “Top 10″ list below, and 11 total entries. There was an unprecedented three-way tie for the No. 10 spot just to keep us on our toes. So let’s start there, with our trio of lucky number nines:
9 (tied). Portland, OR
How do you feel about street food? If you like a good food truck, it’s time to meet Portland‘s “food carts.” These culinary treasure troves stay put (unlike trucks) and organize in “pods” that make it easy — and practically required — to sample flavors from several different spots in one go.
There are no fewer than 500 food carts here, and the food rivals some of the city’s best restaurants. So what do they serve? Everything … truly. From barbecue to Vietnamese, and pretty much everything in between.
Portland’s not just about man buns and mustaches, though you’re bound to see both in a city that’s proud for being called “weird” — along with naked bike rides, vegan strip clubs and all the quirks you can handle. If that sounds like your speed, expect to spend around $1,747 per month for a one-bedroom apartment.
9 (tied). Seattle, WA
When we talk about the food in Seattle, we obviously need to start with the iconic Pike Place Market. From fishmongers and fresh oysters to specialty food shops and spicy noodles, this admittedly touristy place is ground zero for true gourmands. Like the city at large, the century-old market offers a truly tasty variety of straight-up outstanding cuisine. And yes, also flying fish photo ops.
Eat your way around the city and you could start with steaming bowls of pho, savory Chinese pastries or to-die-for smoked salmon — paired with some of the country’s best coffee.
Ready to set down roots and begin the culinary journey of a lifetime? Expect to pay around $2,214 in rent per month for a one-bedroom. Don’t worry, it’s in your budget. The median income here is a healthy $93,481.
9 (tied). Houston, TX
If you think Houston‘s culinary scene starts at brisket and ends with enchiladas, it’s time to broaden your gastronomic horizons. Yes, barbecue and Tex Mex are big here — this is, after all, one of the best cities for meat lovers — but that’s really just the beginning. From Czech kolaches (savory breakfast pastries) to Cajun crawfish, you’ll find diverse flavors to suit your every mood.
If you’re ready to hunker down in H-town, budget a reasonable $1,241 per month for your housing costs. Sure, it can get pretty steamy in these parts, but fret not. You’ll find plenty of crisp salads and frosty ice cream to cool off with here in the Lone Star State.
8. Washington, DC
If there’s one thing that can unite politicos across party lines, it’s good food. And you’ll find plenty of it here in the nation’s capital.
In the mood for Korean fried chicken? D.C.’s got you covered. Feel like cracking into Chesapeake blue crab? You’re in the right place. Oh, you want Michelin stars? Yep, D.C.’s got those, too. Find diverse flavors for any budget that will happily fill you up for years to come. And don’t sweat your waistline. With an impressive walk and bike score, it’s easy to work it all off.
Ready to find a neighborhood that’s just right for you? You’ll find ample options here when it comes to both housing and restaurants. Plan to spend around $2,406 in monthly rent — and as much or as little as your food budget allows for all the amazing flavors the city has to offer.
7. Las Vegas, NV
From all-you-can-eat buffets and tony steakhouses to celebrity chef outposts, you may think you know all there is to know about eating in Vegas. Think again. This desert city’s food scene goes well beyond the Strip, and you could spend a heck of a lot longer than one crazy weekend exploring all of the different flavors that make up this vibrant city.
People have been flocking to the Vegas suburbs in droves over the past few years. Why? In addition to the fantastic culinary scene, there’s no state income tax — not to mention 300 days of sunshine per year. Sound pretty good? Plan to spend around $1,311 a month for rent.
5 (tied). San Diego, CA
What’s not to love about sunny San Diego? Endless sandy beaches, a vibrant downtown and yes, an amazing food scene. All that sunshine powers a bounty of fresh produce, while the sea serves up uber fresh seafood.
From fish tacos and carne asada to wood-fired pizza, Southeast Asian cuisine and fabulous local wine, prepare to wow your palate. And did we mention that Mexico is just 17 miles away? Expect plenty of spillover from all those south of the border flavors.
This tasty bounty does, however, come at a cost. It’s not exactly cheap to live by the coast in California — but it could be worse (looking at you, SF and L.A.!). You’ll pay around $2,402 per month in rent, but expect to pull in a salary just shy of $80K a year.
5 (tied). Philadelphia, PA
The City of Brotherly Love loves cheesesteaks. And hoagies. And Tastykakes…are you getting hungry? Same, yo. Let’s not forget soft pretzels, crab fries and scrapple. OK, you get the picture. How are you going to get anything done when there’s all that good food to sample? At least you can keep moving — Philadelphia boasts excellent walk and bike scores.
If you don’t mind a little snow (ahem, 22 inches a year), and think you can find a healthy balance between indulging your cravings and not overdoing it, perhaps Philly is for you. The price tag? You’ll pay an above-average $2,152 per month in rent for a one-bedroom.
3 (tied). San Francisco, CA
San Francisco has changed a lot over the last decade, thanks to as a wave of tech companies that have pushed housing prices to the upper limit.
However, one crucial factor has remained constant — and probably even improved: the food scene. From crusty sourdough bread to Dungeness crab, the city offers an embarrassment of culinary riches. It’s also the best city in America for local restaurants.
Let’s address the elephant in the room … it costs a lot to live here. Rent is downright astronomical, with a one-bedroom clocking in around $3,560 per month in rent. But there is some good news! For one, rent prices are dropping. A lot.
And then there’s the job market, and the plump paychecks you can expect to cash in on. How plump? The average salary here in the City by the Bay is $112K. Rest assured, there will be plenty of those six figures left in your budget for some truly amazing meals.
3 (tied). Los Angeles, CA
Tied with its NorCal rival, Los Angeles is also the third-best foodie city in America. The culinary gems here run the gamut, from killer fish tacos and carnitas to pupusas, pork belly ramen and salmon sashimi — and, yes, plenty of top chefs and Michelin stars sprinkled into the mix.
You’ll find global eats from around the world throughout these sprawling environs, and there’s nary a flavor craving you can’t trek down.
There’s a lot more to living in Los Angeles than Hollywood and beaches. Namely, the endless neighborhoods in between, each one boasting its own foodie finds from food trucks to fine dining.
Ready to find the LA neighborhood that’s best suited for you? Budget around $2,970 per month for rent.
2. Chicago, IL
Should we start by mentioning deep dish pizza? How could we not, really? Oh, you want to talk about steak? Italian beef sandwiches? The truth is, that’s just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Chicago‘s food scene.
There’s a reason Bon Appetit magazine named Chi-town “Best Food City in America” back in 2017. Four years later, it’s only fallen one notch in our top 10. Knowing where to start your culinary adventures is overwhelming, but this is a very good “problem” to have if you tend to let your stomach lead.
If you don’t mind the winters, Chicago’s ready to welcome you with open arms. And for those glorious sunny days, you can’t do much better than the walk and bike scores here — all the better to work off those occasional indulgences. All this flavor is yours if you pay around $2,232 per month in rent.
1. New York, NY
And the best foodie city in the U.S. is … do we even need to say it? No surprise that New York comfortably takes our top slot.
As much as some of the cities in our top five may like to debate it (looking at you, California), no city can beat the Big Apple when it comes to diverse restaurant options that draw foodies from all over the world.
Where else can you find literally whatever you want to eat — at any hour? From classic diner fare to pizza, soft pretzels and five-star cuisine that spans the globe, NYC has it all. In spades.
The city also boasts the highest walk score on our list, just shy of perfect at 99. If there is one drawback, it’s probably the rent prices. A one-bedroom here will cost you around $3,794. But just remember, a one-bedroom in the big city is practically a penthouse when a shoebox studio is an entry-level norm.
The top 50 best food cities in the U.S.
Okay, so there aren’t too many surprises on our top 10 list — we can’t dispute the data. However, we can cast a wider net to highlight the 50 best foodie cities in America (technically 51 because of ties).
And if you’re still searching, take the insider route and check out the country’s best cities for chefs.
The worst foodie cities in America
So, you’re one of those people who have to remind yourself to eat? You don’t care what it tastes like, as long as it fuels your human form? Great. We’ve got a list you may want to take a look at. Funny how fewer restaurant choices seem to correlate with lower rent costs.
Methodology
To find the best foodie cities, we looked through a database of more than 8 million business listings and identified 104 unique dining cuisines. We then looked to see how many dining establishments advertise serving at least one of these cuisines in every city in America with more than 50,000 people according to U.S. Census 2019 population estimates.
We determined the cities with the highest percentage of cuisine coverage to be the best cities for foodies. For instance, if a city has 80 percent coverage, that means diners can find restaurants serving 80 percent of all available cuisines in America.
Business listings may not reflect recent openings and closures.
Rent prices are based on a one-year rolling weighted average from Apartment Guide and Rent.’s multifamily rental property inventory of one-bedroom apartments as of April 2021. Our team uses a weighted average formula that more accurately represents price availability for each individual unit type and reduces the influence of seasonality on rent prices in specific markets.
The rent information included in this article is used for illustrative purposes only. The data contained herein do not constitute financial advice or a pricing guarantee for any apartment.