Moving to a new home can be one of the most exciting times in your life. It gives you the chance to decorate a new space, a new place to create memories with loved ones, and a fresh, new energy to your surroundings. However, when looking for a new place to move, it’s important not only to keep the physical attributes of the apartment in mind, but also the characteristics of the neighborhood. After all, what’s the point of moving to a new place if you don’t like its surroundings?
If you’re thinking about moving to a new city or town, research the different neighborhoods available – what amenities they offer, what the community is like, and what attractions they afford easy access to. Want to know more about what to look for in new neighborhoods? Consider these five important factors when deciding if a new area is the right location for you to call home.
1. Price Range
Pay attention to the price of rent in the neighborhoods you’re considering. You have to be able to afford to pay monthly rent and utilities! Monthly rent prices in a neighborhood are good indicators of the prices of services and amenities in the neighborhood. If you choose a home on the low end of prices for your neighborhood, but there are other rental homes that are much more expensive, there’s a good chance that prices at stores and restaurants in the neighborhood might be on the higher end of things. Ensure that you can not only afford your rental, but also the neighborhood’s available resources.
2. Amenities and Attractions
Another important thing to look for in a neighborhood are great amenities and attractions. You’ll likely be spending the most time at places around your home, so make sure it is surrounded by plenty of activities! Think about what kinds of places you like to spend the most time at. Do you like dining out? Are you a person that spends a lot of time outside in parks? Do you want to be located near top-notch schools or daycares? Make a list of important amenities to you, then look for neighborhoods that closely meet those specifications.
3. Commute
Your work commute is a huge factor when choosing the right neighborhood. Think about how long it will take you to get to and from work, and how you will physically do that. Consider living in a place that offers an acceptable commute time and an easy way to get to and from where you need to go, whether that’s by your own vehicle or public transportation. If you have friends or coworkers already living in some of the prospective neighborhoods, find out if carpooling is a reliable option.
4. Safety
Real estate brokers can’t legally tell you how safe a neighborhood is, but it’s an important thing to keep in mind for an area that you want to call home. You can find reports about crime by geographic area online, and you might want to research different areas to make sure you will feel safe in your new neighborhood. You should also take into account other safety considerations that apply to your life – for example, whether a neighborhood has sidewalks, bike lanes, or a fire department nearby. Pro tip: drive through a prospective neighborhood during the day and at night to get the feel of a local.
5. Home Size and Shape
Nearly every neighborhood has its own character and personality, and one of the important qualities that makes up its personality is the size and shape of the homes within it. Are you looking to live in a high-rise building? A community of townhouses? A small apartment complex? Each neighborhood has its own character, and the types of available rental homes will reflect that.
Once you’ve considered the above factors, the next step in choosing the right neighborhoods is to research your new hometown and the available neighborhoods within it. By making a list of neighborhoods that definitely have the qualities you’re looking for and eliminating the neighborhoods that don’t, you can start with a much smaller selection of rental homes, ultimately increasing the chances that you’ll find just the perfect rental for you. Look no further than Apartment Guide to begin your search. Do you have any expert tips for finding the right neighborhoods? Share them with us in the comments below, on Facebook or tweet them to @ApartmentGuide on Twitter!
Whether you like to pedal around on city bike paths or log several miles a week in training, there are cities where you can pursue the passion of cycling within easy reach of your rental.
Cycling for recreation and fitness has really taken off in the United States in the past ten years. American cities are not only reacting to but also planning for residents’ desire for safer and more plentiful bike paths, bike lanes and cycling opportunities.
Here are some cities to check out if you love cycling, and why you’ll love living there . . .
Austin
Texas’ own Music City has long attracted folks who love the outdoor lifestyle, its temperate winter climate and natural water features all part of the draw. Add to that a rolling terrain and multiple bike trails and you’ve got a recipe for happy cyclists. The Lance Armstrong Bikeway shares its moniker with the city’s most famous resident, while the Shoal Creek Bike Trail and Southern Walnut Creek Bike Trail offer additional pedaling opportunity. Austin’s south side is home to the 3-mile Veloway. Loop 360 is also easy and affords beautiful views, as does the Willow City Loop, which bursts with spring bluebonnets. Serious cyclists head for workouts on FM 2222, a 10-mile challenge that will have you bragging if you successfully make the climb. A host of cycling events keep calendars full, for riders of all skill levels.
Check out Austin apartments.
Boulder
With the Flatiron Mountains as a backdrop, scenic Boulder has a vibrant bike culture you simply can’t miss. Mountain biking, road cycling, infamous community events, bike share programs, gorgeous trails, and even 24-hour bicycle-related vending machines are all part of the package. If you live here, you can be part of the massive community which commutes by cycle, thanks to the city’s temperate climate. The leisurely Boulder Creek Path winds its way along the city’s namesake creek, toward Boulder Canyon, while mountain bike options are really exciting. Check out Marshall Mesa with its Flatirons views; the Canyon Loop Trail, with views of Boulder Canyon; and the steep challenges of Walker Ranch Loop, west of the city. Cyclists of all skills levels – even toddlers – can have fun on two wheels at Valmont Bike Park.
See all Boulder apartments.
Boston
Lovely Boston now brims with recently-created opportunity for cyclists. The Charles River Esplanade (aka the Dr. Paul Dudley White Bike Path) is a stunning urban greenway with views galore – of the Boston skyline, local boats, and the famous colleges of Cambridge. The city has its own bikeshare program if you can’t yet purchase your own bike. Boston’s enticing cycling destinations include the rolling 3.5 mile Franklin Park loop; the gorgeous Emerald Necklace and The Fens (designed by Fredrick Law Olmstead of Central Park fame); the 7-mile run from Audubon Circle to Chestnut Hill Reservoir; the 5-mile Southwest Corridor to Jamaica Plain; and the 7.7 mile stretch from the JFK Museum to scenic Castle Island.
See all Boston apartments.
Chicago
Chicago’s 200 miles of bike lanes and its 18.5 mile Lakefront Trail help contribute to the city’s reputation as a great city for cycling. Chi-town has seriously invested in cycling as part of its infrastructure, offering residents a wildly popular bikeshare program, more than 13,000 bike racks and sheltered bike parking at its metro rail stations. Off-road dedicated routes include the North Shore Trail, the Dawes Park Trail, the Northerly Island Park Trail and the city’s signature Lakefront and Riverfront Trail, which stretches for scenic mile after mile.
Check out Chicago apartments.
Denver
More than 85 miles of paved trails connect Denver cyclists with local attractions, beautiful parks and even hundreds of miles of dirt trails. Move here with your bike and The Greenway Trail will probably become a big part of your life: it runs for an astounding 30 miles, linking some outrageous riverside parks that line the South Platte River. Denver’s Cherry Creek Bike Trail is popular and pretty, its 40 miles containing the Front Range Trail, an off-road trail which will (sit down for this one) eventually stretch from Colorado’s northern border with Wyoming to the New Mexico state line.
Find Denver apartments.
Greenville
The smallest metro on our list, beautiful Greenville, SC has been making all sorts of national lists. Cycling is huge here, thanks in part to renowned champion cyclist resident George Hincapie (former training partner of Lance Armstrong) whose own Gran Fondo event attracts thousands of cyclists each fall. Local terrain is rolling, due to being in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The countryside is hard to beat for pleasure rides, but the city’s paved Swamp Rabbit Trail stretches for 15 miles from Greenville Technical College through Cleveland Park and downtown, to Furman University, the quaint town of Travelers Rest and on toward the North Carolina state line. Cycling events happen throughout the year, and support for the sport is obvious by the number of relevant local shops (find Pedal Chic) and social clubs.
Tons of new apartments are opening downtown in 2017; check Greenville apartments.
Indianapolis
It might be more famous for its four-wheeled vehicles but Indianapolis is very popular with the cycling crowd. Indycog, the city’s bicycle advocacy, has created a cool map that not only shows the bike lanes and greenway trails, but also ranks each of the city streets in terms of accessibility, traffic and other factors affecting cyclists. A panoply of community and competitive bike events stud the summer calendar; the most memorable might be July’s 19-mile N.I.T.E. Ride, its after-party lasting until the wee hours. And if you like pedaling from brewery to brewery, you will love living in Indianapolis.
Check out Indianapolis apartments.
Minneapolis
Prince’s hometown has actually been ranked as high as #2 for Bicycling Commuting Cities in the USA. Summers and fall are fantastic for cycling, and with the right clothes, you can enjoy your sport in spring, too. (Fatbike events even happen in January!) The Minneapolis Bike Map – available in bike shops and libraries across the city – is heavily laced with options for pedaling: off-street bicycle trails, on-street bike lanes, shared lanes. Bike shops are plentiful and cycling events from May through October are too numerous to count.
Find Minneapolis apartments.
Portland
The City of Portland has published a killer bicycle map, clearly showing dedicated and shared bike lanes, neighborhood greenways, no-car paths and even tricky intersections. The most popular bike path is undoubtedly the one lining both sides of downtown’s Willamette River, and traversing both the Hawthorne and Morrison Bridges. Several bike clubs organize rides and special social events, while bikeshare programs and bike shops are plentiful. Currently, 350 miles of bikeways exist and 50 more miles are planned. Over 7% of Portland commuters do so by pedaling: the highest rate of any U.S. city. Bicycling magazine and the League of American Biyclists have both ranked this city #1 for cycling.
Check out Portland apartments.
San Francisco
The hills of San Francisco are easier to navigate on bike with the handy-dandy map offered by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. Shared and protected bike lanes are clearly marked, thanks to a true dedication to the cycling community. “The city by the bay” has also installed bike corrals on several of its streets. Best of all, San Francisco has even timed its street lights to about 12 mph, slowing cars so cyclists can pedal the full length of busy routes without a hassle. What more could you want? Fast and friendly” cyclists will be welcomed to the San Francisco Cycle Club, which races other clubs when it’s not planning or hosting its own social events.
Check out San Francisco apartments.
Seattle
Seattle’s Cascade Bicycle Club has a whopping 14,000 members: the largest cycling club in the USA. While road and path cyclists cross all demographic lines, the mountain bike scene is also alive and well, thanks to a couple of killer urban parks. Seattle’s not flat, but dedicated two-wheel commuters comprise 4% of the population. Seattle is bursting with bike shops, bike rental companies and bikeshare programs. Summer brings a wealth of cycling events, and residents love the Burke-Gilman Trail, a 20-mile-long former rail bed along Lake Washington’s shoreline. Several gorgeous regional cycling routes are reachable via public transportation.
Check out Seattle apartments.
Washington, D.C.
A champagne introduction might start with a DC Cycling Concierge tour. But you’ll also enjoy simply exploring Rock Creek Park Trail, the Anacostia River Trail, the Capital Crescent Trail, the Custis Trail and the W&OD Trail. The bike-friendliest neighborhoods, each winning a Washington Area Bicyclists Choice Award for 2017, are Capitol Riverfront / Yards Park; NoMa; and Golden Triangle (in D.C.); and Crystal City (in adjacent Virginia). Social and competitive rides happen throughout much of the year, and several local businesses – including District Taco, The Java Shack and Vigilante Coffee Company – cater to two-wheeling patrons.
Check out D.C. apartments.
SEE ALSO: Which Cities Give You the Most Bang for your Buck
The D.C. area is infamous for its commuting and traffic gridlock. To avoid a stressful daily commute, you should choose an apartment that’s close to your workplace and has good access to public transportation. Weekday rush hour traffic is heaviest in D.C. between 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. Estimated driving times are unpredictable, as a minor accident can back up the highways for miles in either direction. Here are some tips for commuting in the D.C. area.
Driving
While all of the highways surrounding D.C. get congested during the morning and evening rush hours, driving is usually the most convenient option when traveling within the suburbs.
Check traffic alerts. Use a GPS to map the best route and stay flexible, taking detours and finding new ways to get around heavy traffic.
If you don’t mind the extra cost, use the HOT lanes in Virginia. These lanes use your EZ pass transponder to charge a toll and allow you to drive in the faster lanes.
Form a carpool. By sharing the ride, you will save money on fuel and car maintenance. Carpooling can also reduce time spent on the road, because you can use HOV lanes which usually move faster than the other lanes.
If you live in Virginia, you can use slugging, an organized system where commuters stop to pick up other passengers.
Subway and Bus
The Metrorail subway system includes six lines and serves 91 stations in D.C., Maryland and Northern Virginia. Metrobus operates 1,500 buses. Both transit systems connect to bus lines in the suburbs. The Yellow/Blue lines connect with Reagan National Airport and the Silver line is under construction and will eventually provide service to Dulles International Airport. The DC Circulator is a local bus system with 5 routes around the most popular areas of the city.
Purchase and register a SmarTrip card. You may add value to the card from the convenience of your computer by visiting www.wmata.com/fares/smartrip. Metro will also replace the cared if it is lost or stolen for a $5 fee and you won’t lose the value on the card. The same card can be used to pay for Metrobus fare.
If you have a flexible work schedule, avoid traveling at the most crowded times, Monday through Friday, 7:45 to 8:45 a.m. and 4:45 to 5:45 p.m.
Don’t transfer lines if you can walk the distance between stations. Many stations are near each other and within an easy walk.
Commuter Rail
There are two major commuter rail systems serving the D.C. area: Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) and Virginia Railway Express (VRE). Both systems operate Monday through Friday and have cross honor agreements with Amtrak to offer reduced fares for commuters.
Operational times are limited. Be sure to know the schedules and plan accordingly.
Commuting by Bike
D.C. is a bike-friendly city with more than 40 miles of bike lanes and Capital Bikeshare, the largest bike sharing program in the nation. There are approximately 440 stations and 3,700 bikes throughout Washington, DC; Arlington, VA; Alexandria, VA; Montgomery County, MD; and Fairfax, VA.
Sign up for a membership and use the bikes for an environmental-friendly commute.
SEE ALSO: Insider Tips if you’re Moving to D.C.
SEE ALSO: 12 great cities for cycling
Commuter Connections is a great resource for learning about ridesharing and other commuting programs around the capital region. For more information, visit www.commuterconnections.org
Tired of sitting in traffic day after day, or having to adhere to unreliable public transportation schedules? If you’ve ever envied those cyclists whizzing by your car, you might want to look into the option of riding your bike to work. Not only will your commute be more pleasant, but it’s a great way to stay in shape. However, being in the right location is key, as well as a few other factors. Here’s some things to consider in your quest to bike to work.
Location, Location, Location
You may want to grab your cycling gear and start peddling away, but ensuring your apartment is in a good location for making the ride is hugely important. How many miles are you willing to ride? If you live in the suburbs, you may have to bike to public transportation to make some of your journey: does your transport system allow bikes? Take a look at apartments near where you work and see if they might fit your taste and budget.
Is Your City Cycle-Friendly?
Many US cities are taking steps to ensure their city is perfect for those who want to ride their bike to work. For example, Chicago offers cycle paths and bike lanes in many of its communities, as does New York City and Boston. Cycling commuters in Atlanta not only have bike lanes, but they also have the added bonus of busses with bike racks on the front and spaces to put their bikes on public transportation service, MARTA. Bike-friendly Greenville, SC, a smaller city which encourages active living, continues to expand its massive Swamp Rabbit Trail, and bike repair stations have popped up all over the city.
Want to know if your city is bike friendly? Check out Thrillist’s compilation of the top cycling friendly cities in America for more details.
The Sweat Solution
One of the facts of cycling to work is that it’s possible to work up a sweat, particularly during the warm summer season. Check with your office to see if there’s a gym on the premises with a shower you can use. Additionally, if you’re looking to get fit, there might be a nearby gym that you can join and use its facilities. No showers? No problem. A pack of baby wipes, some deodorant and dry shampoo spray can work wonders in a pinch.
Hot Tip: Some offices have a ‘bike to work day.’ If yours does, ride to work on this day to check out the lifestyle.
Storing Your Ride
All the bike paths in the world won’t matter if there isn’t a place to park and secure your bike when you get home. Check with your apartment community to see if they offer bike storage, or other secure locations to park your bike. Or ask if you can install wall hooks to simply hang your bicycle on the wall when you get home — hey, instant art! It’s also important to check with your work to see what storage options they offer, and how secure they are.
Are you ready to make the switch to biking to work? Maybe you already do and have some pointers? Get social with us and tell uswaht you’ve learned!
There are a lot of great things about living in the District of Columbia. The traffic is not one of them. Here are a few helpful tricks to making commuting in Washington D.C. much easier.
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