If you love the finer things in life, dahling, naturally you want the poshest apartment you can find to match your luxurious lifestyle. Granite countertops, a doorman, tons of closet space, gorgeous views – these are all things you want in your life, and you won’t settle for anything less in your home.
If this sounds like you, then you definitely belong in one of these top 10 metros with the most luxury apartments on ApartmentGuide.com. Read on to find out where you can live in the lap of luxury.
Metro Area
Number of Luxury Communities
Number of Visits on AG
Los Angeles / Long Beach / Anaheim, CA
92
1807
Dallas / Fort Worth / Arlington, TX
90
1766
Washington, DC / Arlington, VA / Alexandria, VA
85
703
Philadelphia, PA / Camden, NJ / Wilmington, DE
83
604
New York, NY / Newark, NJ / Jersey City, NJ
75
132
Atlanta / Sandy Springs / Marietta, GA
70
661
Chicago / Naperville / Joliet, IL
66
1249
Houston / Sugar Land / Baytown, TX
62
90
Detroit / Warren / Livonia, MI
56
8
Baltimore / Towson, MD
52
727
Untapped Luxury
Along with identifying the metros with the most luxury apartments listed on the site, Apartment Guide also determined the number of web visits the luxury community listings in those metros received between April 14 and July 14, 2014.
Surprisingly, over this three-month period, the 56 luxury communities in the Detroit metro area only received eight visits on Apartment Guide. Renters in the Houston metro area also are passing up the luxury options – luxury communities that area only received 90 visits on the site in the time period studied. Think of all those fabulous amenities that are going unused!
On the other hand, renters in the Northeast really have their pick of luxury places — the Washington, DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia and New York metro areas all made the list for having the most number of luxury apartments. But East Coasters are far surpassed by the Los Angeles and Dallas / Fort Worth metro areas for the number of renters interested in these homes. Carry on, you fabulous people.
Read more on the Apartment Guide Blog:
Methodology
Apartment Guide identified which CBSAs (core-based statistical areas, also known as a metro area) have the most apartment communities that have classified themselves as luxury communities on the site. Visits to these communities reflect the total number of website visits received by these luxury communities between April 14 and July 14, 2014.
Is there anything better than a well-prepared tube steak? If you’re a fan of encased meat on a bun, then July’s National Hotdog Month is the season for you. As simple as this food may seem, a hot dog you chow down on near Coney Island might be markedly different from one you nosh in Seattle. Regional variations inspire a strange and all-consuming loyalty — so pay attention to how the locations near your apartment are serving them up.
The Slaw Dog
A staple of the South, the slaw dog is a hot dog slathered with a thick, sweet, creamy mayonnaise-based slaw made from a mixture of finely chopped cabbage and carrots and placed on a lightly steamed bun. You can stop here, or try the unique flavor combination of the chili cheese slaw dog, which features a grilled hot dog topped with hearty, beanless chili and that signature slaw.
Where: The Varisty – 61 North Avenue, Atlanta, GA 30308
The Italian
The Italian hot dog is like a regular hot dog on steroids. Hot dog vendors hip to this variety, most often found in New Jersey, take a half-round of doughy bakery bread, slice it open and create a pocket that resembles an enlarged pita, which is then smeared with yellow mustard. Then, they stuff in a pair of deep fried hot dogs (called rippers because their skin rips open during frying), toss on a mound of sautéed onions and peppers and a heap of crispy fried potato wedges.
Where: Jimmy Buff’s – 60 Washington St., West Orange, NJ 07052
The Chicago Style
As the name suggests, you can find this famous style in the Windy City. If you choose to chow down on this culinary creation, you’ll enjoy either a steamed or charred, all-beef, natural casing hot dog, nestled into a steamed poppy seed bun and topped with a variety of things. If you want it “dragged through the garden,” you’ll get chopped onions, sliced tomatoes, a dill pickle spear, neon green sweet pickle relish, yellow mustard, pickled sport peppers and celery salt. Just don’t ask for ketchup – you’ll never find this looked-down-upon condiment on the Chicago-style hot dog, although some vendors will provide small packets to customers who request it, along with a dirty glare.
Where: Superdawg – 6363 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60646
The Sonoran
Found in Tucson, metropolitan Phoenix and in Sonora, Mexico, the Sonoran hot dog is wrapped in mesquite-smoked bacon and then cooked on a grill or a griddle and stuffed into steamed bolillo rolls. The finished product is topped with pinto beans, chopped tomatoes, onions, mustard, mayo and jalapenos. Other topping variations include shredded cheddar cheese, queso fresco, cotija cheese, salsa verde and guacamole. It’s like a fiesta for your tummy.
Where: Nogales Hot Dogs – 1945 E Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85016
The Seattle Style
If you haven’t heard of the Seattle-style cream cheese dog, you’re probably not alone. This sleeper hit of the Pacific Northwest has practically popped up out of nowhere and now can be found at hot dog carts across the Emerald City. The Seattle-style hot dog is a wiener or Polish sausage split, grilled and jammed into a toasted bun slathered with cream cheese. Standard toppings include grilled onions, jalapenos and either sauerkraut or grilled cabbage, while typical condiments include mustard, barbecue sauce and Sriracha.
Where: Monster Dogs – 1st Avenue and Bell Street, Seattle, WA 98101
The Puka Dog
Just as its native Hawaii is a melting pot of cultures, the puka dog offers a wide variety of flavors from across the world on one bun. The word puka means “hole” in Hawaiian and, in this case, refers to the hot dog’s bun, a loaf of sweet bread which is baked in a special contraption that creates a hole to encapsulate the grilled Polish sausage. Puka dogs are topped with any number of secret sauces, particularly a lemon garlic aioli, tropical mustards and fruit relish, like habanero, lemon, mango, coconut, papaya and guava.
Where: Hula Dog, 2301 Kuhio Avenue #334, Honolulu, HI 96815
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
You wouldn’t expect to see a log cabin in the Chicago suburbs, but one is there, and has been since 1920.
“It’s an actual log cabin, and it’s kind of smack in the middle of downtown Des Plaines, IL,” explains listing agent Daniel Cartalucca, who’s with Coldwell Banker Realty–McMullen. The log home is located about 20 miles outside of Chicago.
Most likely, a log cabin would have looked a little more at home in the era it was built.
“Probably when it was built, it was mostly farmland surrounding it, or maybe a few single-family homes, but mostly farmland,” Cartalucca explains.
The 2,600-square-foot log home is listed for $472,000.
A tale of taxidermy
Cartalucca says a former Cook County sheriff, who also happened to be the coroner, built the home and had quite a large taxidermy collection.
“The taxidermy count is down to about five, and there used to be a standing giant black bear with his paws up,” he says.
However, the next owner can expect a buffalo head, an elk, a ram, and more that convey with the home.
The home’s heavy front doors open to a two-story atrium.
“Every time I go in, you can feel the history. It’s amazing,” Cartalucca says. “There’s a giant sweeping staircase going straight up, and everyone that comes in does the same thing. You can hear them sigh. It definitely elicits a response.”
Rustic rooms
The home has two bathrooms and four bedrooms, including a suite on the main floor. The living area features a river rock fireplace.
Cartalucca says everything works, but the buyer might want to do some updates, like adding a dishwasher. Currently, the dishes are cleaned in a cast-iron farm sink.
“Inside it has sort of stuccoed walls in some rooms, and in some places, there are still log walls on the inside,” he says. There are many original wrought-iron items like hinges accenting the logs.
“It’s surprisingly quiet in there. You don’t hear trains. You don’t hear airplanes. The logs are so dense and heavy that they muffle any exterior noise,” he adds.
The current owner has had the place since 1996 and has listed it for sale several times.
“Originally it was surrounded by commercial property. It has an 8-foot-high privacy fence, which is nice, and the backyard has probably 20 trees and is like a private little forest back there,” Cartalucca says.
The home is in an area with commercial and residential zoning, and the listing says it could be a vacation rental, antiques store, or something else.
“We’ve had a few young couples look at it, and they liked the cool factor of it,” Cartalucca says. “It’s not a typical house.”
Chicago might best be known for Lincoln Park, but almost every neighborhood in the city has its own green space it can be proud of. Here are our five favorite parks.
The post 5 Great Green Spaces and Parks in Chicago appeared first on Apartment Living Tips – Apartment Tips from ApartmentGuide.com.