There’s plenty to learn and love about Pennsylvania.
Often recognized as the epicenter of America’s roots, Pennsylvania presents a fascinating blend of history, culture and natural beauty. This state, commonly known as the Keystone State, holds a significant place in the makeup of American history and continues to be a dynamic player in various aspects of modern life.
From lively cities, like Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, to its serene countryside, Pennsylvania encapsulates a unique fusion of old and new. This article delves into what makes Pennsylvania a notable and distinct state to call home, exploring its rich history, strong local economy, abundant natural resources and much more.
Whether you’re considering moving to Pennsylvania, planning a visit or simply curious about what this state has to offer, this exploration will provide a comprehensive understanding of the Keystone State’s multifaceted character.
History
Pennsylvania, a cornerstone in American history, is renowned for its pivotal role in the founding of the United States. Key historical events, like the drafting and signing of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, took place on some of the historic, cobblestone streets of Philadelphia.
The state also played a crucial role in the Civil War, with the Battle of Gettysburg being a crucial turning point in the conflict, forever solidifying the town’s status as one of America’s most iconic battlefields.
Land
The state’s economy is multifaceted, with strengths in manufacturing, healthcare, education and technology. It’s a blend of traditional industries, like steel production in Pittsburgh, and more corporate pursuits, including finance and information technology in Philadelphia.
Pennsylvania is also a leader in energy production, especially with its vast coal reserves and the Marcellus Shale gas field.
Natural resources
Pennsylvania’s natural resources, particularly its extensive forests and major waterways, are significant. These resources not only contribute to the state’s economy but also offer a ton of opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation under the Pennsylvania skies.
The Pocono Mountains and numerous state parks provide residents and tourists with outdoor activities like hiking, skiing and fishing.
Entertainment
Pennsylvania’s cities are hubs for arts and entertainment, with plenty of theaters, museums and galleries. Philadelphia’s Museum of Art and Pittsburgh’s Andy Warhol Museum are notable cultural landmarks.
The state also has a strong presence in the music industry, with tons of venues hosting everything from classical concerts to contemporary music festivals.
Five great spots to see a show in Pennsylvania
Food
Pennsylvania is famous for its distinctive food items like Philly cheesesteaks, soft pretzels and Hershey’s chocolate made in the town of Hershey.
Five of the best restaurants in Pennsylvania
The state also has a rich brewing tradition, with a thriving craft beer scene and historic breweries.
Five great breweries in Pennsylvania
Sports
Sports are deeply ingrained in Pennsylvania’s culture. The state boasts some of the most passionate fans in the country, particularly for its football teams, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles, as well as their beloved baseball teams, the Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates.
Education
Pennsylvania is known for its Ivy League schools, like the University of Pennsylvania, but also other prestigious universities like Carnegie Mellon University and Penn State. These higher education institutions are centers for research and innovation. Beyond that, many of the talented individuals that these esteemed schools attract end up sticking around after their four years are up. This is one of the major contributing factors to the state’s respectable entrepreneurial spirit.
Amish influence
Pennsylvania is home to one of the largest Amish populations in the United States, particularly in Lancaster County. This community offers a glimpse into a unique, technology-free lifestyle, a significant draw for tourists and anyone looking for quality furniture at a fair price.
Pennsylvania’s a pretty sweet spot
Pennsylvania stands out as a state with a profound historical legacy and an encouraging present. It’s a place where history is not just remembered but is palpably felt in its streets, monuments and museums.
Pennsylvania’s natural wilderness offers a retreat for nature lovers, while its cities pulsate with the type of exciting artistic energy that is indicative of cities on the rise. Pennsylvania is more than just a state; it’s a microcosm of American history, culture and innovation, making it a remarkable place to live, work and explore.
Are you looking for the best consignment stores near you and online? Consignment shops are great places to find really nice, secondhand things that cost much less than when they were brand new. You can find clothes, furniture, or valuable older items. These stores have a lot of good quality, used things just waiting for…
Are you looking for the best consignment stores near you and online?
Consignment shops are great places to find really nice, secondhand things that cost much less than when they were brand new. You can find clothes, furniture, or valuable older items. These stores have a lot of good quality, used things just waiting for someone to find them.
And, consignment shops can be a great place to sell your stuff too, and make some extra money.
I have personally worked at a secondhand shop when I was younger for several years – so I understand how great they are, especially when it comes to being able to make some extra money.
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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.
Key Takeaways on the best consignment shops
Consignment stores are a great way to sell your stuff for cash
There are many stores, both on the internet and in person, where you can sell your stuff
Some favorite places to sell clothes include Poshmark and Plato’s Closet. For jewelry, Worthy is a great site to sell on. Decluttr is super easy if you want to sell electronics, like a cell phone or a game system.
What Is A Consignment Store?
A consignment store is a retail store where you can buy and sell gently used items, such as clothing, jewelry, furniture, and more.
Why Sell At Consignment Shops?
Selling at consignment shops has many positives.
It’s a good way to clean up your closet or home in a way that’s good for the environment because you’re recycling and reusing things instead of just throwing them away.
You can also make some extra money from things you don’t use anymore. It’s also really easy because the consignment store takes care of everything, like deciding the price, advertising, and talking to customers.
What items do consignment stores accept?
Consignment stores accept many different kinds of items, such as:
Clothing: dresses, tops, pants, jackets, and shoes
Accessories: jewelry, bags, belts, and hats
Furniture: chairs, tables, sofas, and other household items
Toys, games, and collectibles
Recommended reading: 8 Items To Sell Around Your Home For Extra Money
What percentage do most consignment shops take?
The consignment shop usually takes a percentage of the selling price, which can be anywhere from 30% to 60%.
So, if your item sells for $50, you might get between $20 to $35, and the store keeps the rest. This fee helps the store pay for things like rent, utilities, advertising, and paying their employees. When you sell your items through a consignment shop, they do almost all the work for you, which saves you a lot of time and effort.
Many of the stores below will pay you up front for your items, and some will pay you after the item sells. I do realize that traditionally a consignment shop is one that pays you AFTER the item sells, but I didn’t want to limit this blog post to just that – as getting paid up front is, of course, quite nice.
Recommended reading: How I Made $40,000 In One Year Flipping Items
Best Consignment Stores Online To Sell Your Stuff
Below are the best consignment stores online to sell at.
1. Poshmark
Poshmark is an app and website that has a marketplace for gently used clothing, shoes, bags, and jewelry. You just take a photo, list your item, and make extra money.
Recommended reading: 20 Best Places to Sell Shoes Online And Near You
2. Decluttr
Decluttr is a great place if you want to sell old electronics like phones, tablets, and gaming systems.
Decluttr gives you a free shipping label. Just pack your items in a box and send them to Decluttr. They take care of the shipping costs, so it’s easy for sellers.
Recommended reading: 11 Best Ways To Sell Used DVDs Online And Locally
3. thredUP
ThredUP is an online store that sells clothes and accessories for women and kids. All you have to do is ask for a Clean Out Kit, send in your items, and thredUP takes care of everything else.
4. Facebook Marketplace
Using Facebook Marketplace is an easy way to sell things to people located near you. It makes it easy to find buyers for items like furniture, appliances, and clothes.
5. Worthy
Worthy sells wedding rings, loose diamonds, earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and luxury watches. Their team handles everything from appraisals to receiving payment from the buyer.
You simply just send in your jewelry to them using a prepaid and insured FedEx label they provide. When they receive it, your item is then put up for auction where professional jewelry buyers can bid on it (you can choose a minimum price you’re comfortable with). Once the auction ends, you’ll get the final sale amount after Worthy takes their fee.
The whole process usually takes about 2 weeks from sending the ring to getting paid.
You can sell your jewelry on Worthy by clicking here.
Recommended reading: How To Sell An Engagement Ring For The Most Money
6. eBay
eBay is a popular selling site that has been around for a long time and is used all over the world. You can sell pretty much anything and everything, from clothes to special collectibles.
I have sold many items on eBay over the years, mainly clothing. But, I know people who have sold anything from collectible toys all the way to classic cars on eBay successfully.
7. The RealReal
The RealReal is a high-end consignment online store that sells luxury items, such as designer clothing, shoes, and jewelry. You can earn up to 85% of the selling price for your items.
8. Mercari
Mercari is an online marketplace where you can sell clothing, electronics, and collectibles, and it is a really popular choice with over 350,000 listings posted every day!
Listing your item is easy – just upload photos, pick a category, set your price, and you’re all set. Mercari takes a 10% commission fee.
9. Chairish
Chairish is a site where you can sell your furniture and home decor and they charge a commission based on how many things you list.
They also have a program called Chairish Drop Off & Go. You can print a shipping label provided by Chairish, then drop off your item at a nearby UPS Store when it sells. You don’t even need to pack it – UPS will take care of that for you.
Recommended reading: 15 Best Places To Sell Used Furniture For Cash
10. Grailed
Grailed is a marketplace for men’s clothing, and they mainly sell high end and streetwear brands. You can post any item for free and if an item sells, Grailed charges a commission fee of 9%.
11. Craigslist
Craigslist is a great way to sell items to people near you, and you can quickly list items like furniture, appliances, and clothing without paying any fees. I have sold many items on Craigslist over the years, such as tires, clothes, and even a Jeep hardtop (these show that anything can be sold on Craigslist!).
12. Depop
Depop is an app for shopping and geared toward younger customers. You can sell all sorts of things, like clothes.
13. GOAT
GOAT is a site where you can sell high-end sneakers. The commission fee is 9.5% plus a seller fee for a seller in good standing.
14. Vestiaire Collective (formerly known as Tradesy)
Vestiaire Collective is a website where you can sell designer clothes, handbags, and accessories for women. They make it really simple to list your items, and brands that they sell include Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, Prada, Hermes, and more.
15. Kidizen
Kidizen is a site for selling and buying kids’ clothes. If you have children’s clothing that you’d like to sell, this is a great place to start if you want to sell online.
16. Rebag
Rebag is an online consignment store that sells high-end designer handbags as well as shoes, watches, apparel, and other accessories. They buy items and pay up front.
Best Consignment Shops Near You To Sell Your Stuff
Here are some of the best local consignment stores for you to check out.
17. Plato’s Closet
Plato’s Closet is a popular store that sells trendy, gently used clothing and accessories for teens and young adults. Plato’s Closet is also one of the most popular consignment shops that pay cash up front too.
I personally worked at Plato’s Closet when I was younger for around 5 years, so I have both bought and sold items and paid cash up front. I have probably sold thousands of dollars of clothes to Plato’s Closet over the years!
18. Buffalo Exchange
Buffalo Exchange is a popular chain of secondhand stores in the U.S. where you can both buy and sell lots of different types of clothes and accessories. You get 25% of their selling price in cash or 50% in store credit for anything they’re able to buy.
19. Crossroads Trading
Crossroads Trading sells clothing, shoes, and accessories at their brick-and-mortar shops in California. They pay cash up front or you can choose to get a little more in trade-in credit.
20. Wasteland
Wasteland is a high-end clothing shop that sells new, gently used, and vintage women’s and men’s designer clothing. They pay cash up front of 30% of what they price the item at in their store.
21. Uptown Cheapskate
Uptown Cheapskate is another great store for selling clothing and accessories.
22. Once Upon A Child
Once Upon A Child sells gently used children’s clothing, toys, and equipment (such as strollers). They don’t typically pay a ton, but they also price things relatively low.
23. Music Go Round
Music Go Round is a great place for musicians to buy and sell used musical instruments and gear. Due to the typical higher price of musical items, they usually pay with a check.
24. Play It Again Sports
Play It Again Sports sells sporting goods. From team sports (such as baseball and football) to fitness equipment (like weights and even treadmills), you can trade in your stuff at Play It Again Sports.
25. Guitar Center
Guitar Center buys used musical instruments, such as guitars, amps, drums, keyboards, and more.
26. Awoke Vintage
Awoke Vintage sells vintage clothing items at their in-person secondhand shop as well as on their Instagram. If you have vintage items to sell, this is a great place to start with.
27. Beacon’s Closet
Beacon’s Closet is a New York store where you can sell clothing and accessories. You can sell items by bringing it to their store or mailing it to them. They pay 30% cash or 50% store credit of what they price the item at whether you sell it to them by mail or in person.
How To Find Local Consignment Shops Near You
There are many more local consignment shops other than just the list above. Here are some easy ways to find the best consignment shops near you:
Search online – The easiest way is to search on Google, Yelp, or on your phone’s map using words like “consignment shops near me” or “local consignment stores.” There are probably several near you that you may not know about.
Ask your friends – Ask your friends, family members, or coworkers for advice on local consignment shops they’ve had good experiences with.
Remember, when selling at local consignment shops, you should check their policies on what items they take and the process for buying or selling. You’ll also want to see when they look through items, as some may not purchase items on Saturdays or in the evenings, for example.
Recommended reading: Everything You Need To Know About Selling Your Stuff For Cash
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to common questions about how to find the best consignment stores to sell at.
Is selling to a consignment shop worth it?
Selling to a consignment shop can be worth it if you have items that are in good condition and if you’re looking for an easy way to make extra money.
What are the best consignment stores for clothes?
The best consignment stores for clothes depend on what you’re looking for. For example, if you want to sell your clothes quickly and get cash up front, then Plato’s Closet is one of the easiest. If you’re looking to make a little more money, then selling your clothes online on Poshmark or eBay may earn you a little more, but these types of sites do require a little more work from you (such as taking pictures and actually shipping the clothing items).
What should I know before selling to a consignment shop?
Before selling your items to a consignment shop, you should know their rules. This includes finding out how long they’ll keep your items (will they try to sell the item for a month? A year?), how much of the sale price they’ll take, and when you’ll get paid (do you have to chase them for payment?).
What’s the difference between consignment shops and thrift stores?
The main difference is in how items are obtained. Thrift stores sell items that they receive from donations, while consignment shops buy items for resale (not through donations).
How can I maximize my earnings from consignment sales?
If you want to make the most money from consignment sales, pick a store that’s known for selling the kind of things you have and is popular with buyers (this helps because they probably sell items a little quicker!).
The Best Consignment Shops Near You And Online – Summary
I hope you enjoyed this article on how to find the best consignment shops online and near you.
The shops mentioned above are known for being easy and trustworthy when selling your items. They have an easy process and a way to get cash either up front or after the item sells.
Pick the consignment shop that suits you best and start making money from your stuff.
Are you looking for the best game apps to win money? Yes, you can actually play games to win real money on your phone and make extra money. There are lots of apps for both iPhones and Androids that let you do this. If you already spend a lot of time playing games on your…
Are you looking for the best game apps to win money?
Yes, you can actually play games to win real money on your phone and make extra money.
There are lots of apps for both iPhones and Androids that let you do this. If you already spend a lot of time playing games on your phone, then you might as well get paid for it, right?
In this article, I’m going to talk about some really good game apps that let you win actual money prizes. These games include ones like those you might find in a casino as well as easier puzzle games and even arcade style games. So, there’s something for everyone. When you play and collect points or coins, you can get your winnings through easy ways like PayPal and Apple Pay.
Key Takeaways
Playing game apps can be fun and you can even win real money.
The best game apps that pay real money include KashKick, Swagbucks, and InboxDollars.
Popular payout methods include PayPal, Apple Pay, and gift cards.
Game apps pay real money rewards because they make their money from ads and in-app purchases. They give you a portion of their earnings to encourage you to continue playing their games.
Do any game apps actually pay real money?
Yes, some game apps do pay real money or in gift cards. They most likely will never be a main source of income or a full-time job, though – simply just a way to make some extra money.
Why do game apps pay you real money?
Game apps that give out real money usually make money through ads, things you buy in the app, and paid gaming competitions/tournaments. They share a little of what they earn with you to get you to keep playing their games.
Sometimes, game apps have partnered with different game developers and companies so that people will try new games and earn rewards for them. Since the game app is being paid and they want more people to play the game, they then will share some of their earnings with you to get you to keep playing the games in their app.
It’s a win-win! You get to enjoy yourself and make some extra money, and businesses get to showcase their ads and games to a wider audience.
Recommended reading: 30 Best Money Making Apps
Best Game Apps To Win Real Money
Here’s a quick list of the top game apps that pay real cash:
KashKick
Swagbucks
InboxDollars
Below, I dive further into the best game apps to win real money.
1. KashKick
I think the best game app to win real money is KashKick.
KashKick allows you to earn $100 or more by playing popular mobile games like Yahtzee and Monopoly GO. You can also make money by trying new products and services, watching videos, answering surveys, and reading emails.
There are many different games you can play on KashKick such as:
Coin Master
Monopoly GO
Yahtzee
Family Island
Bingo Blitz
Scrabble Go
Solitaire Smash
MGM Slots
For example, here’s how you can make money playing Monopoly Go on KashKick: “Install (make sure to accept tracking requirements on your device!) and reach Board 27 within 8 days from the install date to get $30, reach Board 42 within 12 days for $40 more and reach Board 71 within 24 days for another $50 – for a total of $120!”
Please click here to sign up for KashKick for free.
Recommended reading: KashKick Review
2. Swagbucks
Another favorite game app to win real cash is Swagbucks.
Swagbucks is a very popular rewards site where you can earn money by playing games, taking surveys, watching videos, and shopping online, and you can cash out what you earn with PayPal cash or gift cards.
Swagbucks is a company that I started using years ago, and it has helped me easily earn some extra cash on the side, all from home or while traveling. I have personally earned over 100 free gift cards through Swagbucks, so I know that they are a legit game app that pays you real money!
To play games on Swagbucks, you simply head to the “Play” tab when you are logged in. When I logged in, I had over 20 available games that I could get paid to play, with a total rewards value of $2,264.02 or 226,402 SB points.
Some of the games you can play on Swagbucks include:
Match Masters
Farmville
Lucky Buddies
Dragonscapes Adventure
Wizard of Oz Slots
Solitaire Smash
POP! Slots
Dice Buddies
Swagbucks Live
If you join Swagbucks through my referral link, you can receive a $10 bonus.
Recommended reading: Swagbucks Review
3. InboxDollars
InboxDollars is another good rewards site that pays you cash for taking surveys, shopping online, playing games, and reading certain emails. In fact, InboxDollars has been around since 2000, and they have paid over $80 million in cash and gift cards.
They pay via PayPal cash as well as gift cards to places such as Amazon, Apple, Target, Dunkin’ Donuts, Lowe’s, Barnes & Noble, and Gap.
To play games on InboxDollars, simply head to the tab that says “Games.”
When I log in, I have 8 games available for me to currently play, such as Mahjong Dimensions, Solitaire, Word Wipe, Monkey Bubble Shooter, Pyramid Solitaire, Candy Jam, Pet Hop, and Giant Hamster Run.
Sign up for InboxDollars here and get a free $5 bonus.
4. PrizeRebel
PrizeRebel is a popular rewards site where you can play games (as well as take surveys that pay instantly and more). You can redeem your rewards points for PayPal cash, gift cards, and even cryptocurrency.
Some of the games on PrizeRebel include Bingo Blitz, Solitaire Grand Harvest, Age of Apes, Kingdom Guard, Yahtzee, Woody Sort, Viking Rise, and more.
You can sign up for PrizeRebel here.
5. MyPoints
MyPoints is a rewards platform where you can earn money by playing games, watching videos, and participating in surveys. Your earnings can be redeemed as gift cards or PayPal cash.
To get paid to play games on MyPoints, you log in and head to the “Games” tab, and there you will see games such as Bejeweled, Bingo, Catch 21, Puzzle Match, Wheel of Fortune, and more.
Sign up for MyPoints by clicking here.
6. Blackout Bingo
Blackout Bingo is a highly-rated bingo game app that allows you to win real cash. In fact, there are nearly 90,000 reviews on the App Store alone, with an average of 4.5 out of a 5 star rating.
Over 5,000,000 people have played this bingo app where you can win rewards and cash prizes too.
You play against other players in real time and can cash out your winnings via PayPal.
7. Bingo Cash
Bingo Cash is a fun game of Bingo that you can play for free, and you can play against other people no matter where you are in the world. You get to “travel” to different places in the game and practice your Bingo skills. Plus, you can win really big prizes!
Bingo Cash is a free game that you can play on the popular gaming platform called Papaya.
It’s easy and safe to get your prize money through PayPal. You can choose from lots of cool prizes like Airpods Pro, iPads, and coffee makers!
Note: If you live in AZ, AR, CT, DE, LA, MT, SC, SD, or TN, you can’t join prize tournaments. But don’t worry, you can still play for fun with the game app’s virtual currency.
8. Solitaire Cube
If you like to play solitaire, then this is the game app for you as you can get rewarded for playing just like how you normally do.
Solitaire Cube is a card game app that allows you to test your card skills and win real money. The game is available for free on iOS and Android and is perfect for solitaire fans who want to put their skills to the test.
With this game app, you play against other real players all from your phone. Your rewards can be cashed out for PayPal cash or Apple Pay.
9. Mistplay
Mistplay is one of the most popular game apps to win money, with over 400,000 reviews and an average rating of over 4.1 stars out of 5. There have been over 10,000,000 downloads of this app too!
Mistplay is an app where you can earn money by playing and testing new games on your smartphone. It’s a great option if you enjoy discovering new games and want to make some extra cash.
Mistplay has given away $60,000,000 in rewards for playing games since the site was created too.
You can redeem your points for PayPal cash or gift cards to Visa, Amazon, and more.
Note: This app is currently only available for Android phones on Google Play.
10. Fanduel Fantasy Sports
If you like football, soccer, hockey, baseball, basketball, golf, and other sports, then this is the app for you.
Fanduel Fantasy Sports is a sports betting site where you create your fantasy sports lineup and compete with other players for cash prizes.
With this app, you have a chance to win real money. You simply create your fantasy team, keep an eye on your scores, and compete every day for prizes in lots of different fantasy contests.
Note: Fanduel Fantasy Sports is only open to U.S. residents and users must be 18 or older (19 or older in AL, 21 or older in AZ, IA, LA, MA). Users physically located in DE, ID, HI, MT, NV, and WA are not eligible to participate in paid contests.
11. Cash’em All
If you’re a casual gamer and want to play games in your spare time for a chance to win real cash, give Cash’em All a try.
This app doesn’t bother you with in-app purchases or ad walls. Instead, you earn points, or “coins” as the app calls them, for each second you play their games.
There are many different games that you can play on Cash’em All, such as Candy Crush, Match Masters, Bingo Blitz, Coin Master, and more.
You earn points which then can be exchanged into PayPal cash or gift cards to places such as Netflix, Amazon, and more.
Note: This app is currently only available for Android phones on Google Play.
12. 21 Blitz
21 Blitz is a blackjack and solitaire hybrid card game where you can win real money, and it’s a fun choice for people who like card games. Also, it’s great for practicing blackjack, exercising your brain, or simply having fun.
You can play against real people for free. When you feel ready, you can switch to cash games and have a chance to win real money.
This game is a part of the Skillz platform, which is a popular game app platform where people can win real money through their collection of different games that they have (they have some of the best games to win real money).
13. Pool Payday
Pool Payday is the top pool game app where you can play 1-on-1 pool games and win real cash prizes.
This is a free game app where you can win real money taking pool shots and winning points.
The app is available on iOS devices through the App Store, and you can withdraw your winnings via PayPal cash or Apple Pay.
Note: You can join cash tournaments in most places around the world. However, if you live in AZ, AR, CT, DE, IL, IN, LA, ME, MT, SC, SD, or TN, cash tournaments are not available. But, you can still play for free if you live in these states.
14. Bubble Cash
If you like bubble shooter games, then this is the best bubble shooter game app.
Bubble Cash lets you play against other players in real-time bubble shooter games, with the chance to win cash prizes. Bubble Cash is a bubble shooter game where the more bubbles you pop, the higher your chances of winning.
I know people who spend hours playing these types of games, so this can be a fun way to get rewarded to play a favorite game.
Here’s how to play:
Match three bubbles of the same color to pop and clear the board.
Tap the screen to aim the laser, then lift your finger to shoot the ball.
You can download the app on iOS and Android devices.
15. Solitaire Cash
Solitaire Cash is a card game app where you can play solitaire games for real money.
Once you download the game for free, you can play regular or cash tournaments and have a chance to win real money.
You’ll play against players of similar skill levels, and everyone gets the same deck. So, the game is fair and based on your skills.
The app is available on iOS and Android devices.
16. Rewarded Play
Rewarded Play is an app that pays you for playing games on your phone. If you want to play a variety of games, then this is the app for you.
You can play games such as Scrabble, Yahtzee, Bingo Blitz, Wheel of Fortune, and more.
The way the app works is that they introduce you to new games. Then, the more time you spend playing their games, the more points you can earn. Your points can be redeemed for gift cards to places such as Amazon, Walmart, Target, Nordstrom, and more.
17. Dominoes Gold
Dominoes Gold is one of the best dominoes game apps where you can put your domino skills to the test and win cash prizes.
You play by challenging your opponent in the same games against the computer and see who can win with more points.
The app is available for iOS devices, and you can cash out your winnings via PayPal.
18. AppStation
AppStation is an app that pays you for playing new games on your phone. You can earn coins by trying different games and then redeem them for PayPal cash or gift cards. Games include Fishdom and Match Royal.
Note: Only available for Android users.
19. Jackpocket
Jackpocket is an app that lets you play lottery games and potentially win real cash prizes. You can buy lottery tickets through the app and even be notified if you win. This can be an easy way to play your local lottery games right from your phone.
You can have Powerball, Mega Millions, Cash4Life, and other lottery tickets from NY, NJ, and NH sent directly to your phone.
Just pick your game and numbers (or use Quick Pick), and the app will safely get your ticket from a licensed lottery seller.
If you win less than $600, the money goes directly to your Jackpocket account. For big wins, they make sure to safely deliver you your ticket so that you can redeem your winnings yourself.
20. Cookie Cash
Cookie Cash is a Match 3 puzzle skill game from Papaya Gaming that is for the iPad and iPhone.
With Cookie Cash, you can play as much as you want for free. Then, once you’re ready, you can compete against other players for prizes and real money, such as PayPal cash and Apple Pay.
Note: Cash tournaments are not available in the states of AZ, IA, LA, and SC.
21. Money Well
Money Well has many arcade-style games that you can play to win real money, and this is a very popular game app with over 10,000,000 downloads and an average rating of 4.3 stars out of 5 stars (with over 528,000 reviews!).
You can simply play the games, collect coins, and cash out your earnings for PayPal cash and gift cards to places such as Grubhub and Apple.
22. Bingo Clash
Bingo Clash is a bingo game app from AviaGames with high ratings, and they give real money payouts through PayPal, Apple Pay, Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Venmo. You can play this game for free and enjoy the competitive nature of real-time bingo.
You’ll play against real players who have similar skills and compete in classic, fun, and fair cash games based on your skills. You can also take part in tournaments with different match styles, and the higher you place, the bigger your prize.
Note: Cash games are not available in the following states of AZ, AR, CT, DE, LA, MT, SC, SD, TN, and VT. But, if you live in one of these states you can still play the game for free.
23. Spades Blitz
Spades Blitz is a card game app where you can win cash earnings by playing and mastering the popular card game of spades.
With Spades Blitz, you compete against real people from around the world in tournaments, where you pay an entry fee to take part.
You can get paid via PayPal cash or check.
Note: The app is available on the App Store and the Galaxy Store. Currently, Spades Blitz is only available for iPhones and Samsung devices.
More Ways To Get Paid To Play Games
There are more ways to get paid to play, other than the game apps listed above. If you like to play games and want to make money, some other ideas to look into include:
Become a Twitch streamer
Twitch is a site where you can make money playing video games, talking, and more.
If you like playing video games, live streaming yourself playing can be a way to make money doing what you love. As you gain followers and subscribers on Twitch, you can earn income through ads shown on your stream, donations from viewers, and monthly subscription fees.
Most Twitch streamers don’t earn a full-time income, but there are some who make well over $100,000 annually. In fact, a few even bring in millions of dollars each year.
To see success on Twitch, I recommend finding ways to keep your audience interested, playing the games that you actually enjoy, and sticking to a regular streaming schedule (because your followers will want to see you consistently!).
You can learn more at How Much Do Twitch Streamers Make?
Play in game tournaments
Playing in gaming tournaments can be a way to make money if you’re really good at a certain game.
Many popular competitive games like Fortnite, League of Legends, and Call of Duty host large-scale tournaments with large prize money.
You’ll need to practice a lot, though, as there are many good players in all games – and you want to be the best in order to actually make some money.
Start a gaming blog
If you love games, then you may be interested in starting a gaming blog.
Starting a gaming blog gives you a platform to share what you know about games, your thoughts on games, and your experiences with other gamers. You can make money from your blog through ways such as affiliate marketing, sponsored content, display ads, or even by selling merchandise.
You can learn more about how to start a blog here.
Become a game creator
If you love gaming and have an interest in design or programming, think about making your own games. Independent game creators can build games for different platforms like PCs, consoles, or even phones.
While a college degree isn’t always required, it can be very helpful. You may want to get a degree in fields like game design, computer science, or graphic design, and also look for courses specific to game design.
First, try finding internships, co-op programs, or beginner-level jobs at companies that make video games. This will give you important experience in the field and let you learn from people who have been doing this for a while.
Sell game merchandise
If there’s a popular game out there, then you may be able to sell merchandise to earn some extra cash.
Some examples of merchandise include T-shirts, posters, or accessories based on popular games.
Of course, you will want to make sure that you can legally do this, as you don’t want to get in trouble for pretending to be a certain game app or anything like that.
My Tips For Playing Game Apps That Pay Real Money
Below are my tips for getting paid to play game apps from your phone.
Be smart about how much time you are spending.
When playing game apps, it can be really, really easy to let time get away from you and play too much (especially if you are a winner!). After all, you are probably having fun and it’s something that you can easily do from your phone.
But, you don’t want to forget about everything else in your life.
You don’t want your game app playing to turn into an obsession (such as with arcade games or trivia games) or into a gambling addiction (as many of the above are similar to casino games).
So, I recommend being careful with any games that require you to pay money (such as to join tournaments) and know your limit. You may want to set a timer for playing and a budget.
You may have to pay taxes.
If you’re winning money from these game apps, then you will need to pay taxes. This means that you will want to save money from any of your winnings for taxes so that you are not surprised at the end of the year with a huge tax bill.
Read real reviews and experience with game apps that pay money.
When you’re trying out different game apps where you win real money, it’s important to read real reviews and experiences. This helps you make a smart choice as reading honest thoughts from other players can give you a clear picture of the app’s pros and cons, how they pay out, how easy they are to play, and if people actually enjoy them.
Some things in game app reviews to look out for include:
If the customer service support is helpful (do they actually answer emails if you have an issue?)
If payments are actually being made and if they are on time (if many people are leaving reviews saying that they are not getting their payments, then you may want to do more research before you start playing games on that specific app)
If the game is fun (of course, this is just an opinion and everyone is different, though)
Keep in mind, while winning real money in gaming apps can be exciting, it’s important to remember that it’s not a full-time job with a full-time income. Always focus on having fun first.
Frequently Asked Questions About Playing Game Apps To Win Money
Below are answers to common questions about playing game apps to win real money.
Which games are best for earning real money? What are some popular real cash games?
There are many game apps that can help you earn real money and some of the top game apps are KashKick, Bingo Cash, Blackout Bingo, Solitaire Cash, and Mistplay. You may want to test a few and see which one is a game that you actually like.
How can I find legit cash games?
To find real cash games that you can trust, you should look for ones that are popular and have good reviews by looking at the Apple Store or Google Play Store to read user ratings and reviews. This can give you a good sense of the game’s legitimacy and whether or not they actually pay out the rewards you earn.
Do any game apps offer instant payouts?
Even if some game apps claim to have instant payouts, the actual time it takes can still vary. Usually, it might range from a few minutes to a couple of days for your rewards to show up in your account.
Are there money-making game apps for iPhones?
Yes, there are several money-making game apps available for iPhone users. Some of the popular ones include Solitaire Cube, 21 Blitz, and Blackout Bingo.
Can I earn money directly to my bank account with game apps?
Certain game apps let you transfer your earnings directly to your bank through direct deposits, while others pay through PayPal, Apple Pay, Amazon gift cards, or other cash rewards.
Game Apps To Win Money – Summary
I hope you enjoyed this article on how to play game apps to win money. As you can see, you have many options!
To sum it up, there are game apps that give real money rewards, and they can be a fun way to spend your time. But remember, they shouldn’t be your main source of income. Think of them as a fun way to make a bit of extra money.
Do you play any game apps to win money? Which one is your favorite?
Most of us have experienced getting fired from our jobs at some point in our lives. Some were for petty and weird reasons, others were valid—whichever it is, here are the 18 reasons people get fired!
Caution! Some were so crazy and hilarious that you won’t believe they really happened.
1. Exchanging Alcohol for Shrimp
One person shared, “I gave the fry guy an alcoholic beverage from the bar in a kids cup. He used to hook me up with coconut shrimp and fiesta rolls. They fired both of us lol. I wonder how Jamaar is doing nowadays.”
The second person replied, “I drank alcohol from a kid’s cup and got fired. I just wanted to try Angry Orchard. It wasn’t even good. I made the mistake of leaving the cup amongst other employee cups and a manager found it. I don’t even like drinking and it was just extra. But I am glad I am not the only person let go for drinking alcohol from a kid’s cup out there! Lol.”
2. Manager Scheduled Me During Class
Somebody commented, “My manager kept losing my class schedule. Worked at a subway. I had class two days a week. Several times he put me on those days anyway. I gave him multiple copies every time. Owner took me off the schedule for ‘Calling out too much’. When I showed the owner proof he said it was too late and they already hired someone else. This was 12 years ago. I’m still mad.”
Another Redditor replied, “I always hated the ‘taken off the schedule’ bull. Just fire me officially instead of taking the cowards route. This happened to me as well when I did not tell the general manager about a floor manager switching a product display TV to football one day. To be clear, she asked me, ‘Why did you not tell me?’ So she already knew it happened and was mad that I did not say anything. So I got ‘taken off the schedule’ because the other manager did something against policy and I did not narc.”
3. They Fired Me Before I Started
“A business I went to long ago was hiring, and I got the job. Right after I signed all the paperwork, the department manager comes in and asked who I am. I tell him I was just hired as a temp. Manager says he never authorized any hiring and fired both me and my boss on the spot. I did not work for this company at all, and they fired me,” said one.
The second person replied, “I had a similar experience. I was interviewing for a sales position and I made it all the way up the ladder through three different managers, to the advertising director. Had a great interview. He told me I would be the future of this industry shook my hand, led me to the HR manager’s office, clapped me on the back, and said to her, ‘We’re hiring him. Start the paperwork and I’ll see you Monday.’
“She was pregnant, tired, and annoyed. She looked at me with disgust and said, ‘We eliminated that position yesterday. We’re not hiring anyone.’ I asked if the director or managers knew that. She said they should. What followed was an embarrassing two weeks of promises that they would make a spot for me and weak apologies from the hiring managers. Ooof. Hired and fired within seconds.”
Finally, the third added, “They did you a favor. Working for a company that is broken and dysfunctional would be a nightmare.”
4. I Requested a Raise
One user commented, “I was denied a raise by HR after consistently working 60-70 hours weeks, and my VP (who had supported and requested the raise for me) told me to stop putting in the extra time, work my 40, and spend that extra time applying to new jobs. Within a month, a meeting was called to ‘mutually part ways’ because my work wasn’t getting done. I was gratified to learn that they had to hire two people to do my job after I left.”
Somebody else added, “Bet that felt good knowing they had to pay two people for what you did all by yourself. Glad you got outta there though!”
5. Fired for Putting in My Two-Week Notice
Somebody shared, “I got fired once for putting in my 2-week notice. The only other time I’ve gotten fired was working for a trade company during the first week. I was a supervisor, and there was a second supervisor on site. I got a call that my wife had been rushed to the hospital, which was literally less than a mile away. I asked the other supervisor if I could go to attend to her, and he said, ‘Sure, no problem, I’ve got things here. Go.’
“I returned to the job site later to find the boss there, and he let me go on the spot for leaving the team ‘Without a supervisor’. He knew what had happened, and still fired me. I won’t lie, that one kind of [made me mad].”
Then somebody else added with a similar experience with their wife, “Happened to my wife. She was due her first commission check, but they fired her on the spot when she gave notice. Literally about 100 bucks too.”
6. Fired for Sitting Down
One user said, “For doing my job too quickly and sitting down the rest of the time. Gas station cashier 3rd shift.
“Me: ‘Why should I stand when I’m the only person in the store?’
“Manager: ‘It’s more professional to stand than sit.’
“Me: ‘Then why do you sit in your office?’”
Another one replied, “I never understood that. Not once have I walked into an establishment, seen an employee sitting, and gone, ‘Wow. He’s unprofessional.’ I literally don’t give a f-, as long as you do your job.”
“Especially gas stations. If anything, they’re the kind of jobs I would expect to see someone sitting,” added another.
7. “I’m Only Here Until Something Better Comes Along…”
Somebody shared their hilarious job-related experience during the interview, “This isn’t why I got fired, but this is why I didn’t get a job. I was 16 and looking to work at a Dairy Queen as my first job. My mom drove me to the interview and I was super nervous.
“She looked me in the eye and said, ‘Just be honest and be yourself, and you’ll do fine.’ I walked into that interview, and when he asked me, ‘How long do you think you’ll work here?’ I responded, ‘Until something better comes along…’”
“OMG. My parents had to coach me on how to get a job when I started hunting. They were wondering why none of the jobs I had applied to had called me back so they started asking questions about the application process. Turns out you shouldn’t be honest on those personality assessments, at least not to the extent I was. They basically told me to answer as if I were another person,” added the second person with a similar experience.
Then somebody else added, “Amazing! Around the same age I was asked, ‘How would your friends describe you?’ and honestly answered. ‘They say I’m the crazy one.’ Weirdly did not get that job.”
8. They Handed Me a Check and Walked Me Outside
“I talked my way into a job at a software company when they put a hiring notice in a local paper. I had no idea what the software did. I still don’t. They hired me as a trainer and no one ever explained what the product was. I did a few weeks where I was trained on the software but literally none of it ever made sense to me. It was like they were speaking gibberish.
“One day I showed up, a lady I had never seen before gave me a check, and walked me out to the parking lot. No one even ever said ‘you’re fired’ or anything. It’s one of the strangest things that ever happened to me,” shared somebody.
“That reminds me of a time that I got escorted out early from a group interview. The company was a little suspicious altogether, and the interviewer was even more sus because he was just wearing all black (polo and jeans) and was absolutely decked out in gold jewelry. Looked like he stepped out of a mob movie or something,” the second person replied.
9. Because My Wife Was Ill
One user said, “I missed a lot of work because my wife got brain cancer. They called me in for a meeting and said, ‘Sorry, we are downsizing and letting a lot of people go’. They didn’t fire anyone else, including a co-worker who was caught fabricating reports.”
Then another one added with a question: “They didn’t announce the layoffs over the intercom in alphabetical order, did they?”
10. Job Abandonment; But I Was at the ER
Somebody stated, “I went to the emergency room instead of work. Came back with an ER note and they said, ‘We won’t be needing that. Can you come with us?’ I was 18 and it was my first full-time job.”
“I had pneumonia and a doctor’s note. Came back to work a week later wheezing and puffing an inhaler. Got fired the next week. Jokes on them. I still got unemployment benefits when they tried to fight it. Doctor’s notes are good things,” added another person.
Finally, the third added, “I went to a funeral and took the three paid days off and called off a fourth because it was my grandmother and we were very close. They called it job abandonment.”
11. Working With a Felony
Somebody commented, “My parole officer wanted to make sure I actually had a job, so he went to my employer listed on my file to surprise visit me on the job. I did home wiring so I worked at different job sites and rarely in the office. He called me to say he was going to charge me with a violation for lying to him about my whereabouts (this could’ve landed me back in prison for my remaining 10.5 years sentence).
“The owner of the company had to speak with him and vouch for me. My parole office didn’t charge me, but the owner sure did fire me that day. Finding a job with a felony isn’t an easy thing, and it wasn’t long before my PO threatened to charge me with a violation if I didn’t find a job soon.”
The second person replied, “What a f- clown process. I’m sorry you went through that.”
12. Let Go to Hire the Manager’s Girlfriend
Somebody said, “I was a kid and just started at a local pizza place. I was let go couple weeks later because a pizza chef from Chicago had moved into the area and needed a job so it was a business decision that I totally understood. Week later, went to go get my last check and asked how he was doing, the girl up front was like, ‘pizza chef from Chicago? The only new hire was the manager’s new gf.’”
Somebody else replied, “I got let go in favor of hiring the manager’s gf once too. Very irritating.”
13. Fired for Being 10 Minutes Early Instead of 20
“I refused to come in 15-20 mins early unpaid for my shift. I was always 5-10 min early but they decided they wanted me there earlier. I carried on as normal as I’m not coming in if I’m not being paid. Turned up for a 12pm shift at 11:49, no one would look at me when I arrived, then was thrown in a meeting and fired for being ‘late’. Was out the door before it even hit 12. It was the only time I’ve ever been fired,” shared somebody.
14. Building a Snow Sculpture
“I built a snow scorpion sculpture (I used ketchup for the red glowing eyes and everything) on a particularly miserable day at a ski resort. The guests enjoyed my sculpture very much, management weren’t so happy,” said one.
“Sounds like crap management. Sad. I’m glad to hear you made the guests happy, though,” the second person added.
15. For Sneezing
One person stated, “They sent me home because I sneezed and I was forced to get tested for Covid. Then, when I tested negative, I was terminated for ‘Abusing pandemic policies to stay home.’”
“That has to be illegal in some form,” replied somebody.
16. The CNA Lied About What Happened
“I asked the CNA I was working with to stay with a confused patient, while I went and put a new IV in another patient. The CNA left the patient alone. She fell out of bed and got a big bloody skin tear on her arm. After I took care of that, I went and found the CNA and told her the patient was injured because of her insubordination. The CNA cussed at me, and left the unit. I did not see her again that shift. She and another CNA decided on their own to trade assignments.
“I wrote the CNA up. The CNA went to mgmt and lied about me. She said I called her by a racial slur and yelled at her. I did neither. Mgmt fired me rather than deal with a false claim of racism. I collected unemployment.
“The CNA did something similar with another nurse a couple of weeks later, and was fired. My mgr asked if I could be rehired. HR said no. When my mgr quit to start her own nursing agency a year later, she hired me,” one person stated.
“You can’t pay me enough to go back to work in a nursing home. I have so many stories of problems between nurses and CNA’s getting each other in trouble and the residents caught in the middle,” replied another.
17. They Lowered My Pay So I Slept During My Shift
“They lowered my pay, so I started sleeping at work and did only half the task they wanted me to do. Took them 3 years to fire me,” shared one Redditor.
“I’m amazed at how long it can take sometimes to fire a person. I had a boss who got shoulder surgery and was wildly add*cted to pain meds. Dude would show up to work high as a kite and started at the ceiling for hours. He got away with it for about 2 years before anyone said anything,” the second person replied.
18. I Gave My Employee Meal to My Mother
Somebody commented, “I gave my employee meal to my mother. That’s literally it. I didn’t like eating the food there, so I had my mom bring me lunch, and I just gave my employee meal to her. Apparently, that was considered theft, so I was fired.”
Wow, some of the reasons above for getting fired were just crazy! Did you experience the same? Let us know in the comments!
And if you want more of this content, simply hit the thumbs-up button and share it with your friends and family.
Source: Reddit
10 Actors Perfectly Cast for Their Character Roles
Have you ever watched a movie or show and been completely lost in it because of how well an actor or actress became their character? Check out this article for a whole list of actors who were perfectly cast!
11 Vampire Movies That Will Make You Thirst for More
You know that feeling where you’re on a movie kick in a certain genre, but you seem to run out of good movies to watch? Well, if you’re down for a vampire movie or three, check out this article for the best ones out there!
10 Incredible Movies That People Rated 10 Out of 10
It’s pretty hard to replicate the experience of watching your favorite movie for the first time, but we’ve put together a list of movies that people have rated at a perfect 10/10. Next time you need a good movie to watch, check this out!
10 Famous People Who Canceled Themselves With Their Own Stupidity
We’ve all been there: you make a comment you haven’t thought through at all, and the whole room goes silent at what you’ve just said. But can you imagine doing that as a famous person—and getting canceled? Check out this list of celebrities who did just that!
13 Things You Shouldn’t Do When You’re in the US
Are you planning a trip to the US? Culture varies a lot between countries, even countries that share borders. So if you’re headed to the good old U. S. of A, here are a few pointers to make your travels go more smoothly!
Realtor Connor Anderson has a “friends first, clients second” policy that helps him sell homes without being salesy. In the last 12 months, he’s closed 32 transactions. On today’s podcast, he shares how he did it. In addition to the power of real relationships, Connor covers buying leads from BiggerPockets, working with investors, and setting expectations with buyer clients.
Listen to today’s show and learn:
Starting real estate in a new market [3:02]
Why Grand Rapids is a great market to invest in [3:40]
A great way to hit the ground running as a real estate agent [4:55]
Transitioning from a team to a solo real estate business [6:59]
Where Connor gets his real estate leads [7:43]
BiggerPockets real estate leads [8:21]
Running real estate meet ups [11:57]
Advice for following up with real estate leads [15:16]
Friends first, clients second [19:18]
Splitting personal and professional content on social media [21:54]
Playing the long game with prospects [23:32]
How to handle first-time home buyers: Connor’s process [24:10]
Weeding out time wasters [27:26]
Solving problems when under contract [29:53]
Setting expectations with buyer clients [31:21]
Leveraging a transaction coordinator to get more deals done [33:22]
A simple gift for football fans [36:36]
Connor’s real estate goals and plans [38:24]
Advice for new real estate agents [40:46]
Connor Anderson
Connor Anderson, full time realtor focusing on helping investors and first time home buyers build wealth through real estate. Owning real estate has had such a massive impact on his life and financial well being and he wants to help others do the same. Connor likes being able to work with clients and be very hands on with their real estate education so they can be prepared for long term success. He owns 3 properties himself and plans to continue to buy one to two deals a year. Former BiggerPockets employee. Outside of real estate Connor really enjoys golfing, skiing, and running. Instagram is @ConnorTAnderson.
Related Links and Resources:
It might go without saying, but I’m going to say it anyway: We really value listeners like you. We’re constantly working to improve the show, so why not leave us a review? If you love the content and can’t stand the thought of missing the nuggets our Rockstar guests share every week, please subscribe; it’ll get you instant access to our latest episodes and is the best way to support your favorite real estate podcast. Have questions? Suggestions? Want to say hi? Shoot me a message via Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or Email.
The Los Angeles Rams will move their practice facility to Woodland Hills next season as part of a large-scale real estate development planned by owner Stan Kroenke that could help give the car-centric Warner Center district a more urban feel.
The Rams officially announced the long-expected move Tuesday at an outdoor shopping center that Kroenke bought earlier this year as he assembled a 100-acre parcel for future development that will include a new headquarters for the Rams.
The move will center the Rams, now based in the city of Agoura Hills, in Los Angeles’ Woodland Hills neighborhood. The team plays at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood on game days, but spends most of the year at its headquarters and practice facilities.
“It’s important for us to have a foothold in L.A.,” said Kevin Demoff, chief operating officer of the Rams.
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A temporary practice facility similar to the one the team now uses at California Lutheran University in Thousand Oaks will be built on what is now a parking lot next to an unoccupied office tower the Kroenke Group bought in Warner Center in 2022.
Kroenke plans to build a more permanent and expansive training facility and team headquarters on the site in the future, part of what is expected to be a sprawling mixed-use complex that may include stores, restaurants, hotels and residences.
Work will start shortly on the temporary football compound at Erwin Street and Canoga Avenue, Demoff said. Asphalt and two one-story buildings will be removed to make way for two practice fields and a network of temporary modular trailers that will be similar to the setup the team uses at Cal Lutheran.
The trailers will include office space and meeting rooms for coaches, players, scouts and staff, along with a weight room, a training room, a locker room, a media room and a meal room.
City Councilman Bob Blumenfield called the facility “a great use that brings a lot of value” to the neighborhood and “not much traffic.”
The 13-story tower on the site that was formerly home to health insurer Anthem Inc. may be part of the future mixed-use campus or could be eventually razed to make way for other uses.
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Kroenke Group is working on a new land-use design for the site that also includes the former Woodland Hills Promenade, a largely inactive shopping center built in 1973, and the thriving outdoor mall Topanga Village built next to the Promenade in 2015. The move was announced at the Village, which will remain a cornerstone of the Kroenke complex that could take many years to complete.
Los Angeles city officials are encouraging dense mixed-use development in the Warner Center neighborhood that could include new housing, offices, shops, restaurants, hotel rooms and entertainment venues.
The planned building boom may help Warner Center finally achieve its original purpose. In the early 1970s, planners decided that the west San Fernando Valley land, once the site of movie mogul Harry Warner’s horse ranch, should be turned into a “downtown” for the Valley.
As it developed, however, Warner Center bore only passing resemblance to the densely built urban districts people associate with that word.
Today, the neighborhood is mostly a mix of office towers that jut up from a sea of cookie-cutter, low-slung office buildings served by acres of surface parking lots. Apartments and stores are mostly isolated in discrete blocks, and the whole expanse is cleaved by wide, fast-moving streets that flow to freeways.
Kroenke’s $325-million purchase of the Village in January further signaled the billionaire businessman’s intention to build a sports-centric development like the one around SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.
In Inglewood, Kroenke controls nearly 300 acres surrounding SoFi Stadium, in what was formerly the Hollywood Park horse racing venue. When the Inglewood complex is completed, it will be 3½ times the size of Disneyland and contain a performance venue, hotel, stores, restaurants, offices, homes and a lake with waterfalls.
With the additional 100 acres in Woodland Hills, Kroenke is now one of the largest real estate developers in the Los Angeles region, Demoff said. His company could build and operate as much as 7 million square feet of property in Woodland Hills as envisioned under the city’s Warner Center 2035 Specific Plan.
“Stan and everybody else is a believer in the potential of Warner Center,” Demoff said. “Everything keeps growing here.”
The Kroenke Group owns and operates shopping centers in 39 states with a combined total of 40 million square feet, the company said.
Indianapolis is probably best known for hosting the largest, annual, single-day sporting event in the world, the Indianapolis 500. But that’s not all this city has to offer. We’ll wow you with some of the lesser-known Indianapolis facts.
Only real locals know the ins and outs of their city. But if you want to learn about Indianapolis’ facts, you’re in luck! We’re about to show you some enthralling facts about this city. These facts are interesting and unusual — some are even mind-boggling. In the end, we’re sure these facts will make you fall in love with the city and perhaps even decide to find an apartment to rent in Indianapolis.
32 interesting Indianapolis facts only the locals know about
1. You must be a sports fan to live in Indianapolis. Alright, it’s not really a requirement but it definitely helps. Sports is a big deal in this city as it’s home to 11 professional sports teams, three national collegiate teams and multiple minor league teams. Of course, it’s also home to the Indianapolis 500. The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the National Federation of State High School Associations have their headquarters in the city, too. Suffice it to say, if you live in Indianapolis, you’re going to hear a lot about sports a lot of the time.
2. Indianapolis isn’t just a hot foodie destination, it’s one of the top farm-to-table foodie destinations in the country. It is, after all, in farm country. However, what’s cool about Indianapolis is that urban farming has taken off in recent years. Locals don’t just rely on food from farms on the outskirts of the city — they can get it directly in town. There are over 134 urban and community farms in the city.
3. If you’re a fan of history and/or the macabre, you might find it interesting to know that Indianapolis is home to the third-largest cemetery in the U.S. The Crown Hill Cemetery encompasses 555 acres and is the final resting place of some well-known historic figures like John Dillinger and James Whitcomb Riley.
4. Another place to visit for those who love macabre history is the Indiana Medical History Museum. This sounds like it’s simply an educational destination, but it’s much more than that. The site was the Central Indiana Hospital for the Insane. On display are old and quite intimidating medical instruments (why do old instruments always look like medieval torture devices?), as well as an anatomical museum (yes, body parts are on display) and a 19th-century autopsy room. Paints quite the mental picture, doesn’t it?
5. Contrary to popular belief, Indianapolis doesn’t get blanketed with snow each winter. Instead, it averages less than the national average and typically occurs in an occasional dusting of snow, rather than a blizzard or downfall type scenario. It does get pretty cold, though, averaging in the 20s to 30s (Fahrenheit), though it can occasionally dip into the single digits. So, be sure to invest in some warm clothes (long johns, anyone?) for those brisk winter months.
6. Indianapolis is the home of Wonder Bread. The Taggart Baking Company created the white, fluffy bread in 1921 and was the first major company to sell sliced bread. Which in turn, gave us something we all know and love — the sandwich.
7. Want in on one of the top Indianapolis secrets? For such a big city, Indianapolis has one of the most affordable cost of living rates in the country. Overall, the cost of living is about 8 percent lower than the U.S. average. And housing costs are nearly 20 percent lower — ideal for anyone looking for apartments to rent in Indianapolis. That’s not to say there aren’t neighborhoods in the city with higher-than-average rental rates. Every city has to have those, right? But for the most part, the cost of living in Indianapolis is quite affordable.
8. Another common misconception about this part of the country is that it’s all cornfields. Indiana actually has an abundance of trees (you totally need to see them in the fall – gorgeous!), hills and stunning parks. Locals love visiting Holliday Park and hiking its beautiful trails, particularly around the White River. Residents of the city say it’s one of the top three parks in the city
9. One of the interesting facts about Indianapolis is that it’s one of the most hospitable cities in the Midwest, if not the country. Locals are so hospitable and provide such great service, in fact, that “Hoosier Hospitality” is an actual thing.
10. If you want a taste of what it’s like to ride around the Indianapolis 500 raceway, you can pay admission to the Indy 500 museum for the Kiss the Bricks tour. You’ll ride a bus once around the track and kiss the bricks at the starting line.
11. Indianapolis was home to Oscar Charleston, a man who had a 43-year career in baseball. His induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame took place in 1976.
12. Indianapolis has multiple slogans and nicknames, including Indy, Crossroads of America, Circle City, Naptown, The Hoosier Capital/City, The Capital City, City of Churches, Home of the Greatest Spectacle in Racing and The Railroad City.
13. Speedway, Indiana, a suburb of Indianapolis (approximately 12 minutes away), is home to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. From Sept. 1 through Sept. 6, 1978, there was a series of eight random bombings known as The Speedway Bombings. The bomber put bombs in trash cans and dumpsters, as well as an abandoned gym bag. No one died from the bombings, but a police cruiser exploded, a man was severely injured and the bomber shot a woman at her home before his arrest.
14. The Indiana State Museum is home to one of the most important Abraham Lincoln collections in the country. The collection includes copies of the 13th Amendment signed by Lincoln, as well as copies of the Emancipation Proclamation and personal belongings of the Lincoln family.
15. One of Indianapolis’ best-kept secrets (to outsiders only, of course) is that the Indiana State Museum holds an IMAX theater. This is truly one of the best ways to fully immerse yourself in a film.
16. Indianapolis is host to the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon — one of the largest half-marathons in the country and also named one of the best and most iconic races in the world. The race starts with an IndyCar driver leading each wave of the race in a pace car and includes a lap around the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
17. According to locals, some of the best places to get away from the hustle of city life include Monon Trail, Canal Riverwalk and Ft. Harrison State Park.
18. Indianapolis is the birthplace of several famous people in entertainment and politics, including:
19. This city is also the final resting place of several famous people including Ray Brown, a Grammy-winning bass player.
20. Art and culture are important to Hoosiers, so they’ve made them accessible to nearly anyone. For instance, the Newfield’s Museum of Art has free admission one day a week. The Indianapolis Symphony has a Summer Lunch Series — tickets are only $5.
21. Massachusetts Avenue is one of the unique hotspots in the city. It’s great for a night out on the town, as well as some daytime shopping. You’ll find public art that many describe as visionary and live theater that will leave you feeling inspired.
22. It’s an Indianapolis fact that if you want great music and amazing food, you need to go to The Rathskeller. This is a premier fine dining experience where you’ll get to enjoy delicious German cuisine while listening to some of the hottest local bands.
23. Most people know that Indianapolis is the state capital of Indiana. (If you don’t, ask a 5th grader.) But did you know that Indianapolis wasn’t the original state capital? Corydon was the state’s first capital. In 1820, the state authorized a committee to select a new city to become the state capital. After finding a location, the legislature passed a year later to name the new site Indianapolis.
24. The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is a great place to take your kids — especially on a hot, summer afternoon. And while the attractions and exhibits within the museum are awesome, what’s equally interesting is the fact that this is the largest children’s museum in the entire world.
25. You definitely need to spend an evening at the Slippery Noodle Inn. Not only will you get to hear some of the best live blues in the city, but you’ll love the history of the place. First, it was a stop on the Underground Railroad. Second, John Dillinger once shot the place up. And finally, it’s the oldest continuously operating bar in Indiana.
26. This city has the most interstate legs in the country. Four interstate highways and two auxiliary interstates — I-65, I-69, I-70, I-465 and I-865 — intersect in the midst of the city.
27. A Hoosier penned “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” The song is incredibly well-known but not everyone knows or remembers who wrote it.
28. Tony Hinkle is a legend in this city. He was a football, baseball and basketball player, coach and eventually administrator. He also invented modern-day basketball. Hinkle is so popular that the basketball court on the Butler University campus — Hinkle Fieldhouse — was named in his honor. The court is famous for the 1954 state championship game that inspired the film “Hoosiers,” as well as for the fact that famous names like Larry Bird and Oscar Robertson played on Hinkle’s court.
29. Elvis Presley performed his last concert in Indianapolis. He died three months later.
30. Duckpin bowling is a sport that was popular in the city (really, what sport isn’t popular in Indianapolis?) in the early 20th century. It’s since gone the way of the dodo in most areas but there are still a few of these bowling alleys in Indianapolis, including Atomic Bowl Duckpin and Action Duckpin Bowl.
31. While the Indy500 is the most iconic motor race in the world, Indianapolis also offers another kind of racing at the Indianapolis Speedrome. It’s basically junk cars racing around a 1/5-mile oval track that’s approximately the size of a restaurant parking lot. Sometimes, they even race old school buses.
32. The gondolas in the downtown canal are authentic. They’re Italian-made and weigh one ton each.
Are you intrigued by our Indianapolis facts?
Learning about a new city is always fun. And even if you’re a resident of Indianapolis, there’s always something new to learn. That’s one of the great things about living in a large city. There are always fun people to meet. Seeing a city from their perspective or from their personal/familial experiences can give the city new life and make you fall in love with it all over again.
The COVID-19 pandemic changed the way that we work. In-office attendance in some U.S. markets dropped 70-90 percent in 2020, according to The McKinsey Global Institute. The same research notes that in-office hours were 30 percent below pre-pandemic levels in 2022, with U.S. workers reporting to the office an average of 3.5 days.
The 2022 Renter Preferences Survey Report supports these findings. The largest group of renters surveyed (39 percent) were hybrid employees who worked from home a few times a week. Another 31 percent worked from home on a full-time basis. Remote work and hybrid work appear to be here to stay.
This shift away from the office hasn’t just changed the way people work in the United States. It’s changed where they live, too.
What hybrid workers want
The top cities for hybrid work are located all over the country. They include major urban hubs and small cities.
To find the best cities for hybrid workers, Rent ranked cities based on the coworking spaces per thousand work-from-home employees. This survey ranks the percentage of the population that works from home and measures the cost of living index. All features were weighted equally to come up with a score.
Affordable properties
Commute length isn’t as important when workers aren’t going into the office so often (or at all), so a key benefit of apartments in the often expensive city centers disappeared almost overnight. Yet rent prices rose 4.77 percent across the country between December 2021 and December 2022, followed by another marginal uptick between the end of last year and October of 2023.
Saving money became a key concern for many renters. Many remote or hybrid workers moved away from properties in the city center and relocated to more affordable metros, cities, suburbs and neighborhoods.
A lower cost of living
Relocating to a city with a lower cost of living index can save even more money. In addition to housing prices, the cost of living index also measures the price of food, utilities, transportation, health care and miscellaneous goods and services.
The average cost of living in the U.S. is reflected with a value of 100. So a score of less than 100 means a city is more affordable than the national average. A score over 100 means that city is more expensive than average.
Coworking spaces
Coworking spaces are a plus for the hybrid workforce. They provide practical resources and technical support, as well as an opportunity to connect with other remote workers.
Many rental properties have expanded amenities designed to attract and retain remote workers. They include reliable, high-speed internet; expanded work and meeting spaces and extras like complimentary coffee and tea or social spaces to relax after hours.
The 10 best cities for hybrid work
Half of the 10 best cities for hybrid work are located in the South. Another three are found in the Midwest. The Northeast and West also claimed one community each.
Tampa, FL
Tampa is the tenth-best city for hybrid work in the United States. The cost of living in this culturally rich and diverse community on Florida’s Gulf Coast is almost exactly the same as the national average – 99.8.
The city has a robust hybrid workforce. A quarter (25.2 percent) of Tampa’s residents work from home in some capacity. That’s easy to do when there are 56 coworking spaces in the city, roughly one for every two remote workers.
Pittsburgh
Next up is Pittsburgh, the only Northeastern city on the list of the 10 best cities for hybrid work, Pittsburgh thrived as a Gilded Age industrial and cultural hub. It’s expanded to include 90 unique neighborhoods joined by hundreds of bridges.
The cost of living in Pittsburgh is comparable to the national average (100.4). But it’s much more affordable than many of the other major metropolitan areas in the Northeast, one of the most expensive regions in the country.
A substantial portion of Pittsburgh’s 300,431 citizens (30.3 percent) are hybrid workers. A respectable 42 co-working spaces rest within the city limits.
Everett, WA
Bicycle-friendly Everett is the only Western city you’ll see here. Find this creative coastal city just off Puget Sound, 25 miles north of Seattle.
A cost of living index of 111.8 makes Everett the most expensive metro listed here. But it’s still more affordable than many other West Coast communities, which regularly top lists of the most expensive metropolitan areas in the country.
Everett is a small, approachable city (population 110,812), but it still supports remote work employees, who make up 15.6 percent of the city’s population. There are 17 co-working spaces in Everett.
Minneapolis
Minneapolis is Minnesota’s artistic and cultural center. Located along the Mississippi River, it also offers acres of parks, green space and lakes for residents to enjoy.
It’s a good bet for remote workers too. There are 50 coworking spaces in Minneapolis. This support system has helped attract 147,591.6 (and counting!) hybrid workers to Minneapolis already. They comprise just over a third (34.7 percent) of the city’s population.
A cost of living score of 98.99 means it’s slightly cheaper to live in Minneapolis than the national average. Some of these savings came in the form of rent reduction; the Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington metro saw the largest year-over-year rent decrease in the country between December 2021 and December 2022.
Savannah, GA
The genteel southern city of Savannah takes the No. 6 spot on this list. The coastal Georgia city oozes charm and historic ambiance, from its cobblestone squares to the shady parks and stately oak trees draped with Spanish moss.
The cost of living index in this community is lower than the national average at 90.1. A total of 13,237.92 Savannah residents currently work from home in some capacity.
Savannah supports 13 co-working spaces. That’s a relatively high number (nearly one co-working space for every thousand workers), considering that hybrid workers currently make up 9 percent of the city’s workforce.
Greenville, SC
Remote workers move to Greenville for a quaint Main Street, a robust art scene and easy access to lakes, hills and trails in Paris Mountain State Park and beyond. A low cost of living (90.6) is another benefit for residents.
With a population of just 72,095, Greenville is the smallest city in the top 10. But despite its modest size, it’s still attracted and supported 13,337 hybrid workers.
These hybrid work employees make up 18.5 percent of the city’s population. You can find them working from home and at 10 coworking spaces throughout the community.
Rapid City, SD
With a population of 76,184, Rapid City is the second smallest city here. But it’s the largest community in the Black Hills, a region of jagged peaks, lush forests and almost impossibly scenic byways and hiking trails in western South Dakota.
A cost of living index of 93 means it’s more affordable to live in Rapid City than the national average. South Dakota stayed affordable throughout the pandemic as well. It was one of only two states where rent prices didn’t increase in the early months of the pandemic.
Rapid City is well-equipped to handle remote work, as the city currently houses eight coworking spaces. That means you’ll find 1.1 coworking spots for every remote worker, one of the strongest showings on our list. These hybrid employees make up 9.3 percent of the city’s population.
Atlanta
Atlanta is a commercial and cultural hub and a historical powerhouse that was central to both Civil War and Civil Rights history. With a population of 496,461, Atlanta is both the largest city in Georgia and the most populous city on our list of hybrid work hot spots.
It’s also home to the largest hybrid workforce in the top 10 — 38.7 percent of Atlanta residents work from home at least part of the time, beating the famous Atlanta traffic a couple of days per week. They’re supported by 92 coworking spaces.
The cost of living index is 101.6. That means it’s slightly more expensive to live in Atlanta than the national average.
Orlando, FL
Orlando is famous for Walt Disney World and Universal Orlando. But the sunshine and comfortable climate that draw tourists to central Florida also attract remote workers ready for a change of scenery.
Hybrid workers currently make up 19.1 percent of Orlando’s population of 309,154. Find them at one of the city’s plentiful coworking spaces. You’ll find 68 coworking spaces in Orlando, just over 1.2 for every thousand remote workers. That’s tied for the most on this list.
The cost of living in Orlando is 104.8. That’s more than the national average.
Green Bay, WI
The best city for hybrid work is Green Bay, Wisconsin. This laid-back, bayside city is perhaps best known for its professional football team, The Green Bay Packers. But Green Bay’s outdoor recreation opportunities and home-grown shops, restaurants and breweries appeal to all ages.
A household budget goes further here. With a cost of living index of 89.9, Green Bay is the most affordable city in our top 10 spots for hybrid working.
Green Bay is one of the smaller metros on this list, with 107,015 residents. But it does a good job of supporting the 12 percent of the population that works remotely. Currently, Green Bay houses 15 coworking centers. That’s 1.2 coworking spaces for every thousand workers – the highest on this list.
The takeaway for hybrid workers
The pandemic changed how — and where — people work in the U.S. The best cities for hybrid work support the remote workforce with coworking spaces, affordability and a sense of community outside of a traditional office.
Looking for the best of both worlds, where you can work in your apartment one day and collaborate in person the next? Find your next rental home or apartment here. Type in one of the cities mentioned above and browse through all your options.
Rent prices are based on an average from Rent.’s available rental property inventory as of November 2023. 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.
Real estate across the country has certainly been crazy over the past three years, but the housing market in Ohio still looks pretty sane. This isn’t California or Massachusetts, and that’s a good thing for house-hunters: Homes in the Buckeye State are significantly more affordable than in many other states around the country, and prices here tend to be far below national levels. Read on for everything you need to know about the cost to buy a house in Ohio.
How much does it cost to buy a house in Ohio?
The average price of a home in Ohio was $275,461 as of September 2023, according to statistics from Ohio Realtors. That’s quite a bit lower than the nationwide median price for the same month, which was $394,300.
Depending on where you’re hoping to call home in the state, though, your budget may look a bit different. Consider the average sale prices in some of the most popular cities: In Cincinnati, the average was $319,310; in Columbus, $348,569; and in Dayton, $261,583.
Outside the bigger cities, you’ll find a smaller price point. For example, the average sale price was around $203,000 in Ashland and Athens, and less than $200,000 in both Mansfield and Lancaster.
It’s helpful to focus on how a home’s price tag will translate into your monthly payments as its owner, especially with today’s high mortgage rates. Consider the monthly obligation on a $275,000 home, assuming a 20 percent down payment on a 30-year mortgage with a 7.5 percent interest rate: According to Bankrate’s mortgage calculator, that scenario would result in principal and interest payments of $1,538 a month (not including the additional costs of property taxes and homeowners insurance).
Down payment
How much money have you saved for a down payment? This upfront cost is crucial, because the more you are able to pay upfront, the less you have to borrow.
You don’t have to put down 20 percent, necessarily, although that is the magic number to avoid paying an extra monthly premium for private mortgage insurance. Here are the minimum down payment requirements for some of the most popular types of home financing (if you qualify):
Conventional loans: 3 percent
FHA loans:5 percent with a credit score of at least 580, or 10 percent with a credit score between 500 and 579
VA loans: No down payment required for qualifying military service members or veterans
USDA loans: No down payment required if you buy a rural property that meets specific criteria
One piece of good news for first-time buyers: Ohio has some generous first-time homebuyer programs that can help you cover your down payment and closing costs. You’ll need to meet certain qualifications for credit score, income and purchase price to be eligible.
Closing costs
According to data from Core Logic’s ClosingCorp, closing costs in Ohio add on another 2 percent of the purchase price — approximately $5,500 on an average-priced $275,461 Ohio home. That amount isn’t all coming out of your pocket, though. Closing costs are split between buyers and sellers.
Costs that are the buyer’s responsibility will include a variety of fees charged by your lender for things like a credit check and loan origination, as well as a required appraisal of the home’s value. You’ll also want to get a home inspection to verify the home’s condition. Lenders typically like to see a cushion that will keep you protected in the event of an emergency, too, so make sure you set aside some extra cash in reserve.
Cost to move
Don’t forget about the additional expense of moving all your stuff to your new Ohio home. According to HomeAdvisor, the average cost of a local move is just over $1,700. If you’re moving long-distance to get to Ohio, though, you’ll need to set aside a lot more money. A cross-country move has an average price tag of $4,617.
Homeownership costs
Once you buy a house in Ohio, you’ll need to be prepared to pay for its upkeep. While there’s no crystal ball for home maintenance costs, State Farm advises homeowners to budget between 1 and 4 percent of their home’s value for annual upkeep. On an average-priced Ohio home, that means you should plan to set aside up to $11,018 each year for upkeep.
You’ll also need to plan for property tax costs. In Ohio, the typical homeowner paid $3,235 to the government in property taxes in 2022. And don’t forget to budget for your homeowners insurance coverage, too, as well as HOA fees if your new home is part of a homeowners association.
Reducing the costs to buy a house in Ohio
Buying a house can seem overwhelmingly challenging, especially with today’s high mortgage rates. Consider these options to reduce your costs:
Ask for seller concessions: Across the country, more sellers are agreeing to cover a portion of the buyer’s closing costs, according to a report by Redfin. Don’t hesitate to ask a seller if they’re willing to help out with some of your costs. They don’t have to say yes, but they also don’t want to see you walk away from the deal.
Cast a wide net: If you have a flexible work arrangement that doesn’t require you to be in one specific location, look at cheaper locations beyond where your job is based. And if you don’t need a huge amount of space, a condo or townhouse is a great way to achieve homeownership for a lower price than a single-family home.
Hold out for longer: It’s OK to press pause if you think now just isn’t the right time. Mortgage rates are the highest they have been in more than two decades. There’s no guarantee they’ll come down, but taking some time to build your savings and your credit score while you wait might not be a bad idea.
Next steps
While Ohio’s home prices are certainly more appealing than many other parts of the country, buying a house here is not necessarily easy. For example, Redfin data shows that the typical home in Columbus gets four offers, which shows that the Buckeye housing market can feel just as competitive as Big Ten football. With that in mind, make sure you have an experienced local real estate agent on your team.
FAQs
As of September 2023, the average sale price for a home in Ohio was $275,461, according to data from Ohio Realtors.
No, they are increasing. Between September 2022 and September 2023, the average sales price in the Buckeye State rose 5.9 percent, according to Ohio Realtors data.
Yes — buyers pay some portion of closing costs in every state, including Ohio. These typically include an array of fees charged by the mortgage lender, among others.
Some folks might think of Milwaukee as the quieter, cheaper city to live in that’s “close enough” to Chicago, but this city is so much more than a bedroom community. It’s also not just a brewery city for the rest of us.
Milwaukee has its quirks but she’s one of the nicest waterfront cities on Lake Michigan with loads of Milwaukee secrets and unique hot spots.
There are tons of Milwaukee facts you should know about this city if you want to think of yourself as a true local. Check ’em out.
Milwaukee facts you really ought to know if you want to call yourself a local
1. The first Milwaukee fact is all about winter sports, specifically ice skating. The “Slice of Ice” skating rink in Red Arrow Park downtown is larger than Times Square! The rink allows up to 100 skaters comfortably around the ice at one time.
2. Milwaukee goes by many nicknames. Some of the most well-known include The Mil, Miltown and Brew City. You might also hear mention of Mildoggy, Cream City, Ma-waukee or Milburb, too.
3. Brew City is home to the world’s only Harley Davison museum. Why? Well, a teenager who worked at the town’s bicycle factory (Meiselbach) got the itch for something “better” and built himself an engine, which he attached to a standard bicycle frame. That kid was William S. Harley and he joined forces with childhood friend, Arthur Davidson to create the Harley-Davidson Motor Company. Milwaukee is where the motorcycle was born.
4. The Milwaukee Public Museum is home to the planet’s largest known dino skull – a T-rex skull, accompanied by a full-size replica of the beast’s body.
5. The same museum happens to have been around since 1892, though in a bit more modest form. The museum is home to over 4 million artifacts and specimens, too, making it a pretty impressive history museum for a smaller city like Milwaukee.
6. Cheeseheads might tell you Wisconsin and Milwaukee are all about the dairy and the football, but the town’s nickname of Cream City actually has nothing to do with the dairy industry. The nickname actually refers to the local clay. The area is rich in limestone and magnesium, resulting in beautiful bricks.
7. Milwaukee is known as the frozen custard capital of the world. The city has the largest gathering of frozen custard shops, selling that egg-yolk-based, rich, creamy version of “ice cream” so many of us love loading up with toppings and mix-ins. If you haven’t had custard concrete yet, you’re seriously missing out.
8. Milwaukee didn’t just give us the motorcycle, this magnificent city gave the world the QWERTY typewriter, the precursor to our contemporary computers and keyboards. The inventor, Christopher Latham Sholes, moved to Milwaukee to begin writing for a local paper and decided he needed a typewriting machine to keep up with the workload. So, now we have the typewriter.
9. Milwaukee’s art museum moves more than hearts and souls. It literally moves. Well, part of it does, anyway. The museum is one of the few in the world that has an intentionally moveable part. The wings of the “Calatrava” open in the morning to welcome visitors, then close up at night. It’s worth popping by for a watch, even if you don’t go inside.
10. Another creation birthed in Milwaukee is Carmex lip balm. In the 1930s, the creator, Wilfred Woelbing, whipped up his first batch on his home stove to relieve cold sore pain. Realizing he’d found a good thing, he started selling the product out of the trunk of his car. Eventually, he opened a facility for manufacturing it, and the lip balm is still being created right here in one of the Milwaukee suburbs.
11. What goes well with brewskies? A bowling alley, of course. And Milwaukee happens to have the oldest certified bowling alley in the U.S., located inside the Holler House on Lincoln Avenue. There are only two lanes, though, players score by hand and pinsetters still tend the lanes. You’ll have a pretty long wait to play, but if you’re into booze, you can sidle up to the bar and have a fabulous gab with the bartender. While there, you can check out another bizarre claim to fame: a collection of bras that hangs from the ceiling, started about 50 years ago by the beloved Marcy Skawronski, the late owner of the establishment.
12. How about this Milwaukee fact: There’s a lake under the city. The city, as some folks think, isn’t built on swampland, but over Lake Emily, located under the old Northwestern Mutual home office.
13. Cream City is the unfortunate location of the attempted assassination of former President Teddy Roosevelt, in 1916. Thankfully, his glasses cases and the manuscripts in his chest pocket saved his life. And, undaunted, the former president went on with his speech, despite having a bullet in him.
14. Milwaukee wasn’t always spelled the current way. It was “Milwaukie” in early records. The name itself comes from an Algonquin word, “millioke” which means “good,” “beautiful” and “pleasant land.”
15. The Bronze Fonz, a bronze statue of the character Arthur Fonzarelli from “Happy Days,” stands along the Milwaukee RiverWalk. The city’s proud of its most popular fictional character.
16. Another unofficial Milwaukee nickname is City of Festivals. The town knows how to party! With cultural events along the lake at the Henry Maier Festival Park and the incredible Summerfest, which has earned itself the “World’s Largest Music Festival.” As many as 900,000 folks show up to the amazing event every year. Yeah, approaching a million people at a single party!
17. Another invention to come out of Milwaukee is the answering machine. Joseph Zimmerman and George Danner created the first successful answering machine right in Milwaukee – and some of you reading this probably don’t even know what one of those is.
18. The Polar Plunge has been popular in Milwaukee on New Year’s Day since 1916. Folks strip down and jump into the freezing water of Lake Michigan. Some folks dress up in crazy costumes to up the insane factor for a little extra fun.
19. The city was pretty bummed when their baseball team The Braves moved south to Atlanta in 1966. But in 1969, the Seattle Pilots hit the bankruptcy wall and moved to Brew City to become the Milwaukee Brewers.
20. Located on the campus of Marquette University, there’s a tiny chapel named the St. Joan of Arc Chapel — and it’s older than America’s first official establishment by 300 years! The French village of Chasse built the tiny religious building and sent the ruins of the chapel to America after World War I where it was rebuilt in New York. The owners then gifted the chapel to Marquette University. The building was painstakingly transferred to the campus and installed. It’s the only medieval structure in the Western hemisphere that’s actively used for holding mass services.
21. Random Milwaukee fact: The city is home to the world’s largest collection of antique microphones. You can find them at an electronics store on East National Street — all 1,000+ of them! There are some pretty cool ones here, including one used during an expedition to Antarctica. There’s also an original telephone from Alexander Graham Bell, from 1876.
22. The Oriental Theatre of Milwaukee is a huge fan of the Rocky Horror Picture Show. In fact, the theatre has run the film every single month since January of 1978!
23. The American Family Field, where the Brewers play, has a retractable roof. It’s pretty cool to watch if you get the chance.
24. The walking path along the river downtown has a unique claim to fame: Its skywalk is the only one in the world that exists over boat traffic.
25. By the 1850s, Milwaukee was heavily inhabited by German immigrants and already boasted more than two dozen breweries. Some of them are still in business today, like Pabst, Miller and Schlitz.
26. And speaking of Pabst, in the Brewery District, located around the original site of the Pabst Brewery, is a vibrant community now with loads of Milwaukee apartments for rent here along with loads of nightlife.
27. In the early 1900s, Milwaukee ditched the idea of the two most popular political parties in the country and went with a third option: the Socialist Party. They voted in a Social mayor, Emil Seidel, then again twice more with other social mayors.
28. And speaking of mayors, Milwaukee has only had four mayors since 1960, including interim Mayer Marvin Pratt who only served for three months!
29. You’d think with all the breweries and beer in Beer City, Prohibition wouldn’t have been a thing. Well, you’d be wrong. The 1920s Prohibition laws nearly sank the city. The breweries, however, managed to find a way around this by serving up beer to their Catholic patrons eating fried fish on Fridays, as a means of “washing down” the fish fry. For those breweries wanting to abide by the laws, they served up soda, non-alcoholic beer, candy and even started snow plowing for survival.
30. The area surrounding Milwaukee was originally home to several Native American Nations, including the Menominee, Fox, Ho-Chunk (Winnebago), Sauk and Potawatomi.
31. The first Europeans to come through the area were French Catholic Jesuit missionaries who aimed to minister to the Native Americans and the fur traders of the region.
32. The Basilica of St. Josaphat is in the Lincoln Village neighborhood in Milwaukee, and it’s modeled after St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. The building boasts one of the largest copper domes in the world.
33. During the second half of the 19th century, Milwaukee became a hub of industry. Flour milling, iron founding and leather tanning were all major industries in the area, bringing prosperity to the city. For a time, Milwaukee was heavily involved in manufacturing automobiles, as well — including the Kissel Kar, the Ogden and the Nash — but that industry has become obsolete in the city now.
34. One of Milwaukee’s most interesting houses from the old days used to belong to Frederick Pabst, founder of Pabst Blue Ribbon. The Victorian-style mansion is on West Wisconsin Avenue and has 14 fireplaces, 10 bathrooms and a study filled with secret compartments.
All right, folks. We gave you the Milwaukee facts, but what have we missed? Leave your comments below!
Whether you’re a beer-drinking cheesehead or a transplant looking for some nightlife, weird museums and historical hotspots, these Milwaukee facts will get you headed in the right direction to sounding like a local in no time. Find your own place to live to enjoy the city now!