Minneapolis is a thriving city in the state of Minnesota. It’s known for its parks, lakes, trails and outdoor activities, as well as its indoor attractions like the Walker Art Center. Unique indie and vintage shops line its streets, and it’s home to the University of Minnesota.
Career-driven professionals flock to Minneapolis for its ample opportunities, whereas families and retirees enjoy quieter suburb communities with museums, premier school districts and free movies and concerts in the park. As of Jan. 2022, the average cost of a two-bedroom apartment in Minneapolis, Minnesota was $1,806.
Where to live in Minneapolis
There are multiple neighborhoods to choose from if you’re wondering where to live in Minneapolis, MN, and each one has something unique to offer. Some are more affordable and family-centered, whereas others are expensive and provide easy access to cultural and social events. Though choosing one may seem overwhelming, you can easily narrow your neighborhood choices by completing our multiple-choice quiz below!
Who’s coming with you?
Which one neighborhood characteristic can you not live without?
What’s your idea of quality downtime?
Which of these best describes your current life stage?
Your personal style could be best described as:
Which of the following is most important to you in choosing an apartment?
Where to Live in Minneapolis
Uptown
Uptown Minneapolis is a coveted area due to its relaxed, fun atmosphere. Its choice of bars, restaurants, entertainment venues and specialty shops portrays its vibrancy. For example, Uptown features a 20,000-square-foot store called Kitchen Window that sells wares, ingredients, appliances and other items procured locally, nationally and internationally. Uptown Theatre is a popular favorite among locals, who can see foreign, indie and avant-garde films. Residents enjoy rooftop dining at Stella’s Fish Café & Prestige Oyster Bar, bowling and theatrical performances at Bryant Lake Bowl & Theater and live acoustic music at Troubadour Wine Bar. Uptown is the prime destination for singles, night owls, partygoers and social butterflies. It attracts individuals who enjoy food, shopping, movies and live entertainment. This trendy area appeals to a younger crowd who wants to have fun.
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Loring Park
Loring Park is a hip location characterized by large festivals and modern art. Home of the Twin Cities Gay Pride Festival, it’s an inclusive neighborhood with one of the lowest crime rates in Minneapolis. The Minneapolis Sculpture Garden is an expansive urban sculpture park famous for approximately 40 works of modern art. Loring Park is also the site of recent construction, including the renovation of Alden Smith Mansion, which is becoming a 124-unit apartment complex. There are pet-friendly apartments nearby, and spots like Lakes & Legends Brewing Company let you bring your dog indoors. It’s a great neighborhood for those with pets or significant others. It’s also perfect for individuals looking for a safe, inclusive community. Its quirky vibe attracts hipsters, and its new, stylish spaces make it a premier location.
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Linden Hills
Image Source: 2719 W 43rd St
Linden Hills provides families and retirees opportunities to canoe and kayak. It’s common to see individuals ice fishing or gathering for the Lake Harriet Winter Kite Festival. When warmer weather strikes, people flock to the beach. This family-friendly neighborhood has a prolific past well-documented by the Minnesota Streetcar Museum. Linden Hills is known for its delectable food, ranging from the Argentinian-inspired menu at Martina to stir-fries and curries at Naviya’s Thai Brasserie. Its shopping centers feature antiques and collectibles, and individuals can catch free movies and concerts at Lake Harriet Bandshell Park. Linden Hills has affordable and luxurious apartments. It’s known for its history, outdoor activities, shopping and food. It’s popular with families and retirees who wish to spend time outdoors while being close to everything they need.
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North Loop
Hipsters and young professionals inhabit the North Loop, where they enjoy proximity to cultural events. It’s sometimes referred to as the “Warehouse District” since many of its trendy restaurants and shops were originally warehouses. If you’re searching for rare or out-of-print books, James & Mary Laurie Booksellers has over 120,000 to choose from. The North Loop is also home to Target Center, where the Minnesota Timberwolves and Lynx play. In addition, the Minnesota Twins occupy Target Field. Basketball and baseball fans enjoy going to a game before grabbing a drink with friends. The North Loop is expanding and ripe with construction. It’s well-suited for cultural enthusiasts, hipsters and young professionals. It’s not far from work, great food, a pub or a sporting event.
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Downtown East
Downtown East is a professional neighborhood that has gained a reputation for its live entertainment venues. Significant sporting events and concerts take place in the U.S. Bank Stadium. Nearby, the Minneapolis Armory attracts clubbers looking for live music and events. The trend-setting neighborhood is home to a cutting-edge skate park in Elliott Park. Interestingly, the same company that designed the skate park at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics constructed it, and the park is complete with rails, ledges, quarter pipe and a seat wall for skaters and spectators. Downtown East is the perfect destination for singles and young professionals who want close proximity to work and have fun things to do on the weekend. It has some great pet-friendly apartments for those who wish to bunk with furry friends.
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Dinkytown
Image Source: The Knoll Dinkytown
Dinkytown is known for its proximity to the University of Minnesota. Single college students and those with roommates are likely residents. It’s a smaller neighborhood with convenient locations. Students enjoy affordable bars, dining options and social venues, such as Huntington Bank Stadium, Williams Arena, Maturi Pavilion, 3M Arena at Mariucci and Ridder Arena. From football to basketball to hockey, students enjoy going to games and nearby bars. There are excellent accommodations for parents who come to visit or catch a game. The quirky neighborhood also demonstrates its appreciation for art with the Frederick R. Weisman Art Museum. Dinkytown is a quirky college town with affordable apartments. With activities to attend on and off campus, Dinkytown is constantly in motion.
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St. Anthony
St. Anthony became a city in 1945 and belongs to the metropolitan area of Minneapolis. Locals call it “The Village” due to its tight-knit community, and the University of Minnesota campuses in St. Paul and Minneapolis are 10-15 minutes away. It’s also known for its premier K-12 independent school district. The city prioritizes easy access to parks, bike trails, golf courses and Silver Lake. It’s a “GreenStep City Level 5,” meaning it has demonstrated devotion to efficiency, resiliency and a healthy environment. St. Anthony is close to downtown Minneapolis and residents can reap the advantages before retreating to a smaller community setting. Families and college students are likely residents and enjoy quality relationships while receiving a good education. Weekends filled with picnics, golfing, walking and biking provide relief from hectic schedules.
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Golden Valley
Image Source: Hello Apartments
Golden Valley became a city in 1972 and is near downtown Minneapolis. It’s a welcoming suburb community committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. One of its characteristics is its relationship to nature. Over 1,035 of its acres compromise open spaces and parks. The city cares for approximately 50 miles of trails where individuals walk, hike and maintain their health. Due to the accessibility of these parks and trails, Golden Valley is a “Parkinson Friendly Community” by the National Parkinson Federation of Minnesota, and it has events for all ages. Individuals who prioritize nature and relaxation are good Golden Valley candidates. Retirees enjoy community events designed for their age group and activities like birdwatching, walking and fishing. The welcoming community also makes a beautiful couples’ destination.
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Rebecca Green is a content editor and writer for RentPath. She enjoys interior design, dogs and can tell you where to find the best pizza in Brooklyn. You can see some of her other published work on Apartment Guide.
South Dakota is home to vast and varied landscapes like the stunning Badlands National Park and the towering Black Hills, alongside quaint and historic cities like Sturgis and Deadwood. With its outdoor activities and Old West heritage, South Dakota has many reasons that make it a great place to live. If you’ve been considering moving to South Dakota or buying a home in the state, you also probably have a budget you’d like to stay under as you look for a place to live. When it comes to buying a home in South Dakota the median home sale price is $375,000.
Don’t worry if that number doesn’t fit in your budget – we’ve got options to help you find a home or apartment that does. Redfin has rounded up a list of the 5 of the most affordable places to live in South Dakota, and they all have a median home sale price under the state’s average. Let’s jump in and see what cities are on the list.
#1: Aberdeen
Median home price: $218,950 Average sale price per square foot: $104 Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $845 Median household income: $58,439 Nearest major metro: Fargo, ND (195 miles) Aberdeen, SD homes for sale Aberdeen, SD apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $218,950, Aberdeen claims the first spot on our list of affordable places to live in South Dakota. About 28,600 people live in this city and it’s roughly 195 miles from the nearest metropolitan city, Fargo, ND. If you’re considering moving to this area make sure to explore Wylie Park where you’ll find Wylie Lake, a campground, and Storybook Land, or check out downtown Aberdeen.
#2: Brookings
Median home price: $265,000 Average sale price per square foot: $163 Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $965 Median household income: $54,676 Nearest major metro: Sioux Falls (57 miles) Brookings, SD homes for sale Brookings, SD apartments for rent
Taking the second spot on our list of affordable cities to live in South Dakota is Brookings, about an hour drive north of Sioux Falls. When living in this city of 24,500 people, you can check out green spaces like Dakota Nature Park, Sexauer Park & Campground, and McCrory Gardens, explore the South Dakota Art Museum, and visit the downtown area.
#3: Rapid City
Median home price: $300,000 Average sale price per square foot: $200 Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,230 Median household income: $58,072 Nearest major metro: Denver, CO (350 miles) Rapid City, SD homes for sale Rapid City, SD apartments for rent
Third is Rapid City where about 75,400 residents currently live. The median home sale price is $300,000 which is about $75K less than the median home sale price in South Dakota. If you find yourself moving to the third most affordable city in South Dakota, make sure to enjoy time outside exploring the Black Hills Caverns, or hiking, mountain biking, and taking in the scenery at Skyline Wilderness Area Park. You can also visit museums and sites like The Journey Museum & Learning Center, the Berlin Wall display, and the Museum of Geology.
#4: Watertown
Median home price: $310,000 Average sale price per square foot: $141 Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $630 Median household income: $54,676 Nearest major metro: Fargo, ND (150 miles) Watertown, SD homes for sale Watertown, SD apartments for rent
A little more expensive than Rapid City is Watertown, the next city on our list. With a population close to 22,200, there’s still plenty to do in this city. Plan to check out Sandy Shore State Recreation Area along the shores of Lake Kampeska, visit Bramble Park Zoo, and explore the local shops and restaurants downtown.
#5: Sioux Falls
Median home price: $325,000 Average sale price per square foot: $182 Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,017 Median household income: $54,676 Nearest major metro: Minneapolis, MN (270 miles) Sioux Falls, SD homes for sale Sioux Falls, SD apartments for rent
Consider adding Sioux Falls to your list of cities to consider living in if you’re looking for an affordable place to move to in South Dakota. With 181,900 residents, moving to this affordable city gives you the perks of city-life while still living close to nature. In Sioux Falls, you can visit Falls Park to see the waterfalls, check out the butterflies and animals at Butterfly House & Aquarium, and explore museums like the Old Courthouse Museum.
Methodology: All cities must have over 50,000 residents per the US Census and have a median home sale price under the average median home sale price in South Dakota. Median home sale price and median sale price per square foot from the Redfin Data Center during August 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com August 2023. Population and median household income data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
Pre-orders now available for LOVE™ throw blankets with delivery by holiday 2023; Faribault Mill will donate 10% of all sales to the grantLOVE Project fund
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA , UNITED STATES, August 17, 2023/EINPresswire.com/ — Faribault Mill, a legendary American heritage brand and maker of handcrafted premium wool and cotton throw blankets, bed blankets and accessories, has announced a collaboration partnership with the grantLOVE Project, an artist-owned and operated project created by Los Angeles-based artist Alexandra Grant. grantLOVE x Faribault Mill LOVE throw blankets are designed by Grant and feature the LOVE™ symbol using the mill’s natural materials.
For each LOVE throw blanket purchased from Faribault Mill, 10% of sales will be donated to the grantLOVE Project at the Entertainment Industry Foundation, with funds directed to nonprofits that support arts education and youth experiencing homelessness. Since its inception in 2008, the grantLOVE Project has worked to raise awareness and money for numerous nonprofits through the gift and sale of collaborative artworks and editions made with Grant’s LOVE symbol.
Pre-orders for the LOVE throw blankets are now live here, at $295, through September 15th with delivery in late November in time for the holidays.
“The LOVE throw blanket is a unique way to express how much we want to nurture our relationships and show we care—that we can wrap ourselves and each other in LOVE!” Grant said. “Working with the Faribault Mill team brings over a century and a half of experience in quality, sustainable blanket-making to the collaboration, weaving new combinations of color into my LOVE artwork.”
The collaboration with grantLOVE is Faribault Mill’s latest artist project, addressing growing consumer interest in fine art, premium design and social impact. The LOVE throw blankets are woven at the company’s mill in Faribault, MN out of 85% wool and 15% cotton. Faribault Mill blankets, throws and accessories are created with the highest quality wool and cotton—the world’s most naturally sustainable fibers— for breathable, hypoallergenic, and easy care products.
“Our brand delivers warmth, well-beyond the utility of a blanket, and to pair it with the meaning of LOVE is incredibly powerful,” said Ini Iyamba, vice president, product design & development, Faribault Mill. “The grantLOVE Project Fund proceeds are a testament to the importance of artist collaborations to the next generation of Faribault Mill customers, who care deeply about design, quality and social impact. We are delighted to bring the exceptional art practice of Alexandra Grant, through the grantLOVE Project, to our customers in such a fresh and meaningful way.”
The grantLOVE Project is a fund of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), based in Los Angeles, CA. The grantLOVE x Faribault Mill collaboration was established in partnership with fine art licensing and creative consulting agency Alice Riot.
For more information and details on the pre-order window, follow @faribaultmill and @grantloveproject on Instagram.
About Alexandra Grant
Alexandra Grant is a Los Angeles– and Berlin–based visual artist whose work explores issues around communication across languages, literary traditions, and cultures. Her work has been exhibited in museums and galleries globally and she is represented by Miles McEnery Gallery in New York and carlier|gebauer in Berlin and Madrid. Grant is the creator of the grantLOVE Project, which has raised funds for arts-based nonprofits, and her work has been exhibited at galleries and institutions around the world. She’s also co-founder of independent publisher X Artists’ Books and an advisor to the Futureverse Foundation. Grant received her Master of Fine Arts from the California College of Arts and Crafts and her Bachelor of Arts from Swarthmore College.
About the grantLOVE Project
grantLOVE is an art project started by Los Angeles and Berlin–based artist Alexandra Grant in 2008 to help raise awareness and money for various arts nonprofits through the gift and sale of collaborative artworks and editions made with Grant’s LOVE symbol. For more information, visit www.grantlove.com.
The grantLOVE Project is a fund of the Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF), a Charity Navigator Four-Star Charity that meets all 20 Better Business Bureau charity standards and carries the Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency. EIN: 95-1644609. Learn more at www.eifoundation.org/grantlove.
About Faribault Mill
Founded in 1865, Faribault Mill is renowned for producing timeless, handcrafted blankets, decorative throws, apparel, and accessories. Throughout its storied history, the company has provided woolen blankets to pioneers heading west and comforted our troops through two world wars. Today, Faribault Mill continues to create products that are built to stand the test of time, with a commitment to 100% Made in USA manufacturing using naturally sustainable fibers like wool and cotton. The company and its workers are woven into American history. Visit them online at faribaultmill.com or at retail stores in Faribault, Edina, and Excelsior, MN to learn more about their iconic brand.
Fires are becoming increasingly frequent and destructive across the nation, particularly along the West Coast. Your homeowners insurance usually includes fire insurance, safeguarding against all accidental blazes. However, the specifics of your coverage can vary depending on where you live, especially if you own a home in wildfire territory.
So what is fire insurance, what does it cover, and how is it changing? Whether you live in a city with high-fire risk like Brentwood, CA, or in low-risk Duluth, MN, this Redfin article has everything you need to know.
What is fire insurance?
Fire insurance is a specific type of insurance coverage that compensates homeowners for accidental damage caused to their property by fire. It’s often included as part of a standard homeowners insurance policy, but depending on where you live and the specifics of your policy, the coverage can vary.
Does homeowners insurance cover fires?
Yes, homeowners insurance usually covers all fires, including wildfires. In fact, fire coverage is one of the foundational elements of most standard homeowners insurance policies. Here’s a breakdown of what’s generally covered in the event of a fire:
Dwelling coverage: This covers the structure of your home, including walls, roofs, and built-in appliances. If a fire damages or destroys any part of the physical structure of your home, this portion of your policy would help pay for repairs or rebuilding.
Personal property coverage: This covers your belongings inside the home, such as furniture, clothing, electronics, and other personal items. If these are damaged or destroyed by fire, your policy would help compensate you for their value, either at actual cash value (which accounts for depreciation) or replacement cost (which doesn’t factor in depreciation), depending on your policy.
Detached structures: If you have other structures on your property, like a garage, shed, or fence, these are typically covered under a standard homeowners policy if they’re damaged or destroyed by fire.
Loss of use or additional living expenses: If a fire makes your home uninhabitable, this portion of your policy can help cover the costs of living elsewhere temporarily, such as hotel bills, meals, and other associated expenses.
Liability protection: If someone is injured on your property as a result of the fire, or if you accidentally cause a fire that damages a neighbor’s property, this part of your policy may cover legal or medical expenses.
What doesn’t fire insurance cover?
While fire insurance is designed to provide broad coverage for damages resulting from fires, there are certain exclusions and scenarios that might not be covered by a standard policy. Here are some common limitations:
Intentional fires (arson): If the fire is determined to have been set intentionally by the homeowner or with their knowledge, the insurance will not cover the damages.
Vacancy: If a property has been vacant for a specified period (typically more than 30 days), damages from a fire might not be covered. Insurance companies see vacant properties as higher risks for vandalism, theft, and neglect.
War and nuclear hazard: Damages resulting from war, including undeclared war, civil war, insurrection, rebellion, or revolution, are typically excluded. Similarly, fires resulting from nuclear reactions or radiation are not covered.
Other perils: If a fire results from an earthquake, landslide, power outage, neglect, faulty design or materials, or ordinance of law, insurance may not cover your property.
How is fire insurance changing?
With the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires, especially in places like California, insurers are reevaluating their risk models. Recently, State Farm stopped offering homeowners insurance entirely in California in early 2023. This has led to much higher premiums from other companies in some areas and even refusal to insure homes in particularly high-risk zones. These changes follow the most destructive wildfire seasons in the state’s history, with 11 of the state’s 20 largest wildfires occurring in the past five years.
This follows a trend in other states across the country ravaged by climate change-induced disasters. For example, in parts of Kentucky ravaged by flooding in 2022, flood insurance rates are set to quadruple. Similarly, insurance companies in Florida and Georgia are raising rates due to more frequent hurricane damage.
Insurance markets are regulated by local and federal governments, and many states and counties are struggling to keep their residents insured. In areas frequently hit by wildfires, state governments are stepping in to ensure homeowners can access affordable fire insurance. This might include offering subsidies, such as through high-risk pools.
What can you do?
If your home is at risk of wildfires, there are actions you can take to lower your insurance rates and help keep your coverage. Installing fire protection devices, like smoke detectors, fire alarms, sprinkler systems, and smart home security systems can all help lower your premiums.
It’s also essential to understand the specifics of your coverage. The more transparent and comprehensive your policy is, the better off you are in the case of a disaster.
Final thoughts
Fire insurance is a vital safety net for homeowners, ensuring that they can rebuild and recover after a devastating fire. As the world changes, so too does the landscape of fire insurance. Homeowners should regularly review their policies, stay informed about changes in the industry, and consider the evolving risks and benefits associated with their property.
Ask Brian is a weekly column by Real Estate Expert Brian Kline. If you have questions on real estate investing, DIY, home buying/selling, or other housing inquiries please email your questions to [email protected].
Q1. Sara and Greg from St. Cloud MN: Hello Brian, Our question might need the help of a marriage counselor but it’s real estate related so we thought we would ask for the pros and cons first. We’re in our late 20s and have been saving to buy a home since before we got married 2 years ago. We talked a lot about starting a family and having a yard for children but didn’t talk much about the specific house we wanted until just a recently. Turns out we couldn’t be further apart on what we want in a home. I want a charming older home, maybe from the 1920s and Greg wants a new home with all of the modern amenities and new technology. What are the pros and cons of each?
A1. Hi Sara and Greg. First off, I’m not a marriage counselor (twice divorced) so I’m only answering from a real estate perspective. Buying a home is such a personal choice that you’ll need to find another way to work that out.
The pros and cons really depend on your prospective and preferences. Older homes tend to cost less to purchase but can be much more expensive to maintain and costly to remodel if they haven’t had a major face-lift in a few decades. Still there are advantages such as older homes often have much larger lots and even acreage. Older homes will have mature landscaping (that may need serious pruning), while new homes may not have any landscaping, particularly nothing in the backyard.
If you’re buying brand new, you’ll have several floor plans to choose from, be able to pick the colors, and have some say in the modern appliances that come with it. While a DIY repainting project for an old house is relatively inexpensive, upgrading to modern appliances can easily cost $30k to $40k. Keep in mind that most young couples are a bit cash strapped for a year of two after buying their first home. You may need to live with the old appliances for a while. Even before you get to the appliances, make sure you know what is going on with the utility systems. Houses from the 1920s had dangerous electrical systems but most were upgraded decades ago. You’ll also want to know the age and condition of HVAC, plumbing, roof, foundation, possibly water well and septic, etc. If these have been upgraded and maintained over the years, you probably won’t have problems. Still, you’re going to want a good Home Warranty plan. Brand new homes shouldn’t have problems with these systems and should come with a warranty from the builder.
Modern amenities are usually a big deal with older homes. Don’t expect a TV cable outlet in every room and you’ll probably find fewer electrical outlets than you’re used to. You can mostly forget internet, surround sound, and security system cables being buried in the walls (think about going wireless when remodeling). Still, if you’re planning a major upgrade, you can have these done to your own preferences and still have the elegance of a sturdy old home.
There are other things you want to consider. Older homes sometimes have lower property taxes because of a lower value and maybe because of the neighborhood. The neighborhood is almost certainly fully developed which means it isn’t likely to experience growth and changes that can come with new developments.
It’s all about trade-offs. Older homes that have stood the test of time come with a quality and timeless beauty that you don’t find in new construction. On the other hand, newer homes are built to more exacting standards such as fire safety and energy efficiency. However, newer homes tend to have veneer finishes rather than old-growth solid wood. Many new homes have had that veneer pulled back over the years to reveal substandard building materials or shoddy workmanship.
Sara and Greg, I hope this helps you better understand the major differences between purchasing a new –v- old home. Ultimately it’s a big decision that you’ll live with for many years.
Readers are encouraged to comment with their thoughts and experiences about what should be consider when comparing old and new homes. Our weekly Ask Brian column welcomes questions from readers of all experience levels with residential real estate. Please email your questions or inquiries to [email protected].
Author bio: Brian Kline has been investing in real estate for more than 35 years and writing about real estate investing for 12 years. He also draws upon 30 plus years of business experience including 12 years as a manager at Boeing Aircraft Company. Brian currently lives at Lake Cushman, Washington. A vacation destination, a few short miles from a national forest. With the Pacific Ocean a couple of miles in the opposite direction.
Brian Kline has been investing in real estate for more than 30 years and writing about real estate investing for seven years with articles listed on Yahoo Finance, Benzinga, and uRBN. Brian is a regular contributor at Realty Biz News
Wildfires are destructive and can be catastrophic for homeowners, especially those who are lower income. And unfortunately, fires are getting more frequent, larger, and stronger. The wildfire season in the western US has increased by more than 100 days since 1970, along with larger and more frequent fires. These fires are expensive, too; from 2017-2021, they have cost governments more than $90 billion and have dramatically altered landscapes in forests across the country. As such, it’s important to be prepared.
Regardless of whether you live in a high fire-risk area, like Brentwood, CA, or somewhere with very little risk, such as Duluth, MN, these tips are essential. Climate change is accelerating, helping to prolong and intensify droughts and heat waves throughout the country. This creates a greater risk for wildfires anywhere in the US. So no matter where you live, read on for essential tips from Redfin to learn how to prepare for a wildfire.
1. Clear the ignition zones around your home
First, it’s essential to create defensible zones around your home to reduce the fuel sources for a wildfire. This is called the Home Ignition Zone (HIZ), which is broken up into three subsections ranging from 0-200 feet away from your house. Here’s a quick breakdown of the zones.
Immediate zone (0-5 feet)
The immediate zone is the area directly adjacent to your home, including the structure itself and its immediate surroundings. This is the most important zone to take immediate action on. Make sure to clear your house first and then work your way around your property. The goal of this zone is to eliminate fire risk as completely as possible.
Keep this zone free of all flammable vegetation and materials, especially anything underneath decks and between cracks in patios. Ideally, you shouldn’t have any vegetation in this zone.
If you have trees with long branches, make sure none of them get within five feet of your home.
Clean roofs and gutters regularly to prevent a buildup of flammable debris.
Use non-flammable landscaping materials and high-moisture-content plants.
Store firewood, propane tanks, and other flammable materials away from this zone.
Make sure your home siding is at least six inches off the ground.
Intermediate zone (5-30 feet)
This zone acts as a buffer and is primarily focused on landscaping and creating breaks that can reduce fire spread. Depending on where you live, it may still be beneficial to keep vegetation to a minimum.
Use “fire-resistant” plants that are strategically spaced to prevent the fire from spreading continuously.
Remove dead vegetation and prune trees regularly to keep them away from the ground (creating a separation between low-level vegetation and tree canopies).
Space trees so they have a minimum of 18 feet between crowns and are no closer than ten feet from your home.
You can have grass in this area, but it should be mowed to a maximum of four inches.
If possible, create breaks with driveways, walkways, and lawns.
Extended zone (30-100 feet, 200 feet in sloped areas)
The goal of this zone is to disrupt a fire’s path, not eliminate it entirely. Landscaping should be maintained, but doesn’t necessarily have to be fire-resistant.
Remove ladder fuels (vegetation that can carry a ground fire to treetops) by pruning and maintaining space between shrubs and trees.
Remove any vegetation adjacent to sheds or other small structures within this area.
Keep grass and other vegetation mowed to a short height.
Regularly remove dead plant and tree material.
Keep at least 6-12 feet between the canopy tops of trees.
2. Update your landscaping
Landscaping plays a crucial role in preparing for a wildfire, especially in areas prone to wildfires, like San Bernardino and Riverside counties. Apart from creating a defensible space using the HIZ, there’s a lot you can do. Here are a few suggestions.
Plant selection: Opt for fire-resistant plants that are native to your region. These plants typically have a high moisture content, are low-growing, and don’t accumulate dead branches or leaves. Examples include succulents, some species of rockrose, lavender, and yarrow. Avoid plants that produce resins, oils, or waxes, as they can be highly flammable.
Hardscaping: Use hardscaping elements like stone walls, pavers, concrete pathways, and patios to create firebreaks in your yard. These non-flammable elements can act as barriers, slowing or stopping the progress of a fire, and are great elements to add to your intermediate zone.
Water features: Water features aren’t viable for every home, especially if you live in a drought-ridden region. However, if you are able to install them, consider ponds, streams, fountains, or even birdbaths. These can act as barriers to wildfires and can be a water source for firefighting if needed.
Yard equipment: Avoid storing equipment with fuel still in the tank, such as lawnmowers, chainsaws, leaf blowers, and other gas-powered tools.
3. Use fire-resistant building materials
You can retrofit your home to prepare it for a wildfire, but installing fire-resistant materials at the outset is much more cost-effective.
Regardless of when you fireproof your home, it’s important to note the Flame Spread Index, which measures how far and how fast flames spread across the surface of a material. There are three ratings from best to worst: Class 1 (A), Class 2 (B), and Class 3 (C). Ideally, most of your home would exclusively contain materials in the Class 1 and 2 categories.
Ensure you never use non-treated materials, especially not fiberboard, hardboard, and plywood. Additionally, some types of wood are more flammable than others, such as pine, oak, and douglas fir. Here’s a list of essential fire-resistant building materials to consider.
Roofing and siding: Metal sheeting, fiber cement, slate tiles, fiberglass-based asphalt shingles, and brick and stone. Brick and metal are some of the most fire-resistant materials commonly available.
Decking and framing: Composite wood, Structural INsulated Panels (SIPs), aerated concrete, steel, and Fire-Retardant Treated (FRT) wood. You can treat wood after installation, as well as purchase pre-treated wood.
Windows and doors: Insulated, double pane, tempered glass windows; steel; fiber-cement; and fire-rated wooden doors. Fire-rated doors have cores that can limit fire and smoke for up to three hours, although 20 minutes is the most common. If you have a garage door, metal is the best choice.
Insulation: Fiberglass, radiant/reflective barriers, foam, and mineral wool. There are many types of wool to choose from, including glass, rock, and slag. It’s also important to note that reflective foil insulation conducts electricity.
4. Consider Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs)
Insulated Concrete Forms (ICFs) are a material and system that consists of hollow blocks or panels made of insulating materials, which are stacked to form the shape of the walls of a building. Once in place, these forms are filled with concrete, creating a solid, insulated wall system. ICFs are extremely energy efficient, durable, and resistant to various natural disasters, including wildfires.
ICFs have unique properties that can withstand wildfires for up to four hours. While a bit more expensive than traditional wood, if you’re building a new home, ICF may be the most fire-safe option.
5. Install fire alarms and monitors
Your next step should be to know when a fire is happening in your home. In the case of a wildfire, you’ll likely know when it’s coming, but it’s still useful to install alarms and protection, so you can help limit the spread to other homes. And without fire detection, you are at increased risk of harm and damage to your home.
Smoke detectors: Smoke detectors are legally required. Ensure you have working detectors in every room of your home, test them monthly, and replace batteries annually. Make sure to follow your local building codes when installing and maintaining detectors.
Heat sensors: These can detect unusual spikes in temperature and can be especially useful in garages or workshops where you might store flammable materials.
Remote monitoring: Some smart security systems can pair with smart smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to offer remote fire monitoring, allowing you to be alerted even if you’re not home. This can be crucial for early detection and response.
6. Purchase and maintain fire extinguishers
Home fire extinguishers may not be useful for large wildfires, but they can help suppress a fire and prevent it from spreading further. While not required for one- and two-family homes, they are invaluable tools.
Maintaining extinguishers is crucial. Every month, check the pressure gauge to ensure it’s in the “green” zone. And once per year, have a professional inspect it. After any use, recharge or replace the extinguisher. Over time, even if unused, extinguishers degrade; typically, you should have them served every six years and replaced every twelve
7. Invest in a home sprinkler system
Home sprinkler systems can be an invaluable tool to reduce your risk of fire damage inside and outside your home. There are two types of sprinkler systems that can be useful during a wildfire: interior and exterior.
Home sprinkler systems are similar to those found in commercial buildings but are tailored for residential environments. They can play a crucial role in saving lives, reducing property damage, and providing an added layer of safety to homeowners. Homes that had
Exterior sprinkler systems, sometimes called “wildfire sprinkler systems” or “defensible space sprinklers,” are designed to wet the home and its immediate surroundings. This helps prevent wind-blown embers, radiant heat, and direct flame contact.
The benefits of these systems usually outweigh the costs of installation and use, as damage from a fire or firefighters is often far worse. Remember that your system must also be able to deliver water for up to eight hours straight. So if you live in a region parched by drought, this may be impossible. And, if you live in a windy area, an exterior sprinkler system may not be able to reach as far or as consistently.
8. Install a generator for emergencies
Power outages are common during wildfires, as fires can damage infrastructure and utility service providers may perform Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS) to prevent further fire spread.
A generator can provide power to a home or facility during these outages, ensuring that essential appliances and systems remain operational. This can include supporting medical equipment, running external sprinkler systems, and charging communication devices.
It’s also critical to keep an AM/FM/weather radio and battery-powered lanterns on hand for government communications.
9. Keep your emergency kit stocked
Your emergency kit should contain essential supplies that will last at least 72 hours. This includes food, water, a first aid kit, tools and supplies, clothing, shelter, identification, cash, and special needs products. It’s also critical to keep an AM/FM/weather radio on hand to communicate with authorities and emergency responders.
10. Make sure your community is prepared
Protecting your own home is the first step, but is ultimately futile if your neighbors aren’t protected as well. Even if you install state-of-the-art sprinkler and fire detection systems on your property and follow the HIZ guidelines perfectly, water can run out, the power can go out, and fires can spread from your neighbor’s house more quickly than an exterior sprinkler system can put them out.
To truly reduce your wildfire risk, it’s critical to talk to your neighbors and ask them to remove fire risks. For a community to survive a wind-driven fire, each household must properly prepare. One of the primary ways fires spread is by jumping from an unprotected house to a protected house. This means that even if you prepare your house using the HIZ, if your neighbors aren’t prepared, your home is still at risk.
Preparing for a wildfire hinges on small daily tasks and community responsibilities more than individual action. Communities must prepare together to reduce the risk of burning together.
How to prepare for a wildfire: final thoughts
While there is no surefire way to protect your home from wildfires, preparing individually and as a community can help reduce risk. While reducing your risk is the best short-term action, the best long-term solution is to reduce your carbon footprint and slow the effects of climate change. If you have any questions, contact your local authorities or utility company.
This article is for informational purposes only. Individual results may vary. This is not intended as a substitute for the services of a licensed and bonded home services or fire prevention professional. Always seek expert advice and follow all official guidance before, during, and after a fire.
The “Land of 10,000 Lakes,” Minnesota is undoubtedly one of the gems of the upper Midwest. With its vibrant cities home to renowned theaters and museums to its nature like the iconic Lake Superior and the lush Superior National Forest, there are plenty of reasons you may be considering living in Minnesota. If Minnesota sounds like the state for you, then you may also be curious what cities fit into your budget. When it comes to buying a home in Minnesota, the median home sale price is $353,000.
If that number is out of your budget, don’t worry, we’ve got options to help you find a home. Redfin has collected 8 of the most affordable places to live in Minnesota. And the best part is that they all have a median home sale price under $353,000. From St. Paul to Duluth, let’s jump in and see what cities are on the list.
#1: St. Cloud
Median home price: $250,000 Average sale price per square foot: $134 Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $739 Median household income: $50,335 Nearest major metro: Minneapolis (70 miles) St. Cloud, MN homes for sale St. Cloud, MN apartments for rent
With a median home sale price of $250,000, St. Cloud comes in at number one on our list of most affordable places to live in Minnesota. About 68,900 people live in this city and is roughly 70 miles from the nearest major metro Minneapolis. If you’re considering moving to this area make sure to explore Munsinger Gardens situated along the Mississippi River, stroll through downtown St. Cloud, or check out the St. Cloud State University campus.
#2: St. Paul
Median home price: $300,525 Average sale price per square foot: $207 Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,307 Median household income: $59,717 Nearest major metro: Minneapolis (12 miles) St. Paul, MN homes for sale St. Paul, MN apartments for rent
Taking the second spot on our list of affordable cities to live in Minnesota is St. Paul, one half of the Twin Cities. When living in this city of 311,500 people, you can visit the Minnesota State Capitol or take a walk or bike ride along the Mississippi River. There is plenty to explore in the St. Paul area, so also make sure to go ice skating at the Landmark Center or shop at the St. Paul Farmers Market for some fresh local produce.
#3: Duluth
Median home price: $312,700 Average sale price per square foot: $171 Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,495 Median household income: $54,084 Nearest major metro: Minneapolis (155 miles) Duluth, MN homes for sale Duluth, MN apartments for rent
About 86,700 people reside in Duluth which is situated along the shores of Lake Superior. The median home sale price is $312,700 which is about $40K less than the median home sale price in Minnesota. Make sure to visit the Glensheen Mansion, take a scenic drive along the North Shore, visit the Duluth Zoo, or take a walk or bike ride along the Duluth Lakewalk if you move to the third most affordable city.
#4: Rochester
Median home price: $314,250 Average sale price per square foot: $169 Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,488 Median household income: $59,717 Nearest major metro: St. Paul (80 miles) Rochester, MN homes for sale Rochester, MN apartments for rent
A little more expensive than Duluth is Rochester, located in southern Minnesota. With roughly 121,400 residents in Rochester, make sure to visit museums and historic sites like the History Center of Olmsted County or Maywood Historic Home. You can also spend time outdoors exploring the nature trails at Quarry Hill Nature Center or rent a boat to take out on Silver Lake.
#5: Coon Rapids
Median home price: $335,750 Average sale price per square foot: $188 Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,536 Median household income: $59,717 Nearest major metro: Minneapolis (16 miles) Coon Rapids, MN homes for sale Coon Rapids, MN apartments for rent
Another great area to add to your list is Coon Rapids, located just 16 miles north of Minneapolis. Home to 63,600 residents, this affordable town can be a great option to add to your list. Living in Coon Rapids, you can explore the Coon Rapids Dam Regional Park, and spend the afternoon at Crooked Lake.
#6: Minneapolis
Median home price: $339,900 Average sale price per square foot: $217 Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,476 Median household income: $66,068 Minneapolis, MN homes for sale Minneapolis, MN apartments for rent
The other half of the Twin Cities, Minneapolis, is the next place on our list. The home prices are about $10K less than the state’s average. And with about 429,900 people living in Minneapolis, it’s a great place to consider living in this year. Make sure to check out all the local vendors at the Minneapolis Farmers Market and visit museums like Minneapolis Institute of Art, Walker Art Center, and the Bakken Museum. You can also spend the day exploring the Chain of Lakes and stop by the Stone Arch Bridge. No matter what neighborhood you move to in Minneapolis, there are countless things to explore in this city.
#7: Brooklyn Park
Median home price: $345,000 Average sale price per square foot: $172 Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,585 Median household income: $73,207 Nearest major metro: Minneapolis (11 miles) Brooklyn Park, MN homes for sale Brooklyn Park, MN apartments for rent
Claiming the seventh spot on our list of affordable places to live in Minnesota is Brooklyn Park. With a population of about 86,500, living in Brooklyn Park is a great option for those looking for a mid-sized city to live in. Don’t miss out on visiting one of the parks in town or explore the Chesapeake Arts Center once moving to the area.
#8: Burnsville
Median home price: $350,500 Average sale price per square foot: $180 Average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment: $1,085 Median household income: $76,017 Nearest major metro: Minneapolis (17 miles) Burnsville, MN homes for sale Burnsville, MN apartments for rent
Last but not least on our list of most affordable places to live in Minnesota is Burnsville. About 64,300 people reside in Burnsville, situated just south of the Twin Cities. Living in Burnsville, make sure to spend the day at Crystal Lake, hike along the Black Dog Trail, or visit the nearby Minnesota Zoo.
Methodology: All cities must have over 50,000 residents per the US Census and have a median home sale price under the average median home sale price in Minnesota. Median home sale price and median sale price per square foot from the Redfin Data Center during July 2023. Average rental data from Rent.com July 2023. Population and median household income data sourced from the United States Census Bureau.
If you love birds, you’re not alone. Birds bring us joy with their bright colors and sweet melodies—and our friends on Reddit seem to agree. In fact, a recent survey found that these 12 magnificent feathered friends consistently topped the list as the most lovable birds around! From stunning parrots to majestic eagles, let’s take a look at what made these birds some of our favorites!
1. Cardinals
One user said, “Have you guys ever stopped to look at a cardinal? They’re incredible. That pointed crest is adorable.”
Another user replied, “Just saw my first male. He was absolutely stunning.”
“I find both sexes to be mesmerizing. The female’s mottled plumage and blood-orange beak are so pretty. The males are definitely more eye-catching, though. I see them occasionally in the peach tree outside my window in early springtime. Always gets a smile out of me,” a third Redditor responded.
One commenter added, “Ever see a cardinal in the winter? The bright red stands out in a field of white snow. Truly beautiful.”
2. Pelicans
One of the Redditors added, “I enjoy a good pelican.”
Another user shared his story, “When I first got married, my Mom bought me this weird pelican statue as a wedding present. It’s way outside her norm for gift-giving, so I thought she was joking. Ever since then, my late husband and I would buy her something pelican related every year since she suddenly seemed to like them so much.”
“They look nearly prehistoric. I surf, and they skim the waves in formation, flowing around the lineup of people. Really crazy beings… if you’re able to let go of your familiarity with seeing them for a moment, they look like g-dd-mn dinosaurs,” one replied.
3. Penguins
One Redditor said simply, “Penguins.”
Another user replied, “You just instantly reminded me of this penguin named Lala I saw on YouTube recently. What a nice bird.”
“Penguins are my favorite all-time animal to the point where, upon seeing the favorite bird question, I simply skipped penguins because, in my mind, they don’t count as birds; they’re just penguins-my-favorite-animal. Anyways, seconded,” one user agreed.
4. Ravens
One Redditor commented, “Raven.”
Another user replied, “Seconded.”
“There’s a cute young raven that visits my alleyway sometimes. He took a Dorito from us once,” one commenter shared.
5. Chickadees
“Chickadee,” exclaimed one Redditor.
Another user added, “They have a lot more personality than many songbirds and are quite intelligent. Their warning call even says something about the type of danger. And they’ll stick around through winter while most of the other birds migrate. And I love how they grab one sunflower seed and fly off to a nearby tree to eat it, while other birds are more boring and just sit at the feeder shelling them.”
“Not only just grabbing a single seed, but they’ll take turns and even kinda line up, each one flying one spot closer as the bird at the head grabs a seed and flies off,” replied one user.
One user concluded, “I love chickadees! They are so small and round, and their call is super identifiable.”
6. Hummingbirds
One Redditor shared, “Hummingbirds.”
A second replied, “So cool. Like there is the only thing that has adapted to move in all dimensions in the blink of an eye, no other fish or land animal can move anywhere near as precise or quickly. They’re the second fastest animal of any kind next to a falcon, even if they can only go that fast for like 2-3 seconds, but then they can also just stop on a dime. From a movement standpoint, by far the coolest animal.”
One user also agreed, “They’re magical!”
7. Crows
“Personally, I love Crows. They’re underrated,” one user posted.
Another user also commented, “I’m not sure I would say they are underrated. They have huge followings and fans.”
One user also commented, “Compared to most other bird species, not really [underrated]. Long-tailed tit is underrated, as are hooded mergansers, pied-billed grebes, and Wilson’s phalaropes—amazing birds that aren’t likely to be known by the average non-birder. Crows are super rad, and I love them, but they are a pretty popular bird.”
8. Cedar Waxwings
Another bird enthusiast user commented, “Cedar waxwing.”
One user also shared a story about them, “We have a serviceberry tree in our yard, and every year when the berries ripen, the migrating cedar waxwings stop for a few days. They will clean the tree of berries. I absolutely love watching them from my kitchen window. Such beautiful birds!”
One user concluded, “So very dapper.”
9. Blue Jays
An ornithologist posted, “Ornithologist (bird scientist) here! I like Blue Jays (Cyanocitta cristata); their plumage is beautiful, they are intelligent songbirds (all of the Corvidae are smart birds), and they love peanuts! They are a bit loud but mimic other birds (sometimes mincing hawks to scare small birds away from feeders).”
Another user confirmed, “We have a bird feeder. The Blue Jays will mimic a hawk cry to scare off the other birds from the feeder before flying in.”
10. Ospreys
“Osprey. One dived into the water less than 20 feet away from me; very, very cool,” one user commented.
Another user shared, “There are wetlands near where I work, and at the moment, Ospreys are nesting. They predict the eggs will hatch in the next 3 weeks or so.”
One Redditor exclaimed, “Ospreys are one of my favorites too!”
11. Grackles
One user posted, “The grackle. The male is pretty in the sun, and they remind me of the zoo.”
Another user commented, “Oh, but have you been amidst a flock of grackles? They are LOUD.”
A third replied, “I like seeing the absolute hordes of them at dusk each night. In my area, you can usually find hundreds/thousands of bedding down for the night in some places (esp., grocery store parking lots with decent numbers of trees). It’s a nightly spectacle.”
12. Vultures
A Redditor shared, “I love vultures. Especially turkey vultures, since they’re common in my area. They are seen as ugly and gross because they eat dead things, but I find them to be really beautiful when I see them soaring in the sky because their wings can look iridescent black in the sunlight. They live in huge family groups, so when it’s breeding season, there are tons of them. And to top it off, they do a very important job in the environment by taking care of the dead carcasses.”
Another user exclaimed, “I was looking for this answer. Vultures do their part AND look cool doing it.”
One user also shared the same sentiments and commented, “Oh boy, I love buzzards. I find them imposing and beautiful. They don’t like to be stared at, and they will either fly off or make their wings into long fingers and shake them at you. They are so fantastic, soaring in circles in the sky; I always think, ‘I wish I could do that.’
Do you agree with all the birds listed above? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Source: Reddit.
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In 2022, the national average electric bill was $137 per month, and residents consumed an average of 907 kWh of energy monthly.
If you’re trying to save money, you may be examining your electric bill to see how much you’re spending each month. But how do you know if you’re overpaying and need to decrease your energy usage?
In this article, we take a closer look at the average electric bill in the U.S. and each state to help you determine how much to budget each month.
How Much Is the Average Electric Bill?
According to the U.S Energy Information Administration (EIA), the national average electric bill in 2022 was $137 per month, with residents consuming an average of 907 kWh of energy monthly. After adjusting for inflation, this is a 5% price increase and a 2% energy usage increase from the previous year.
As of the first three months of 2023, the monthly average electric bill was $133 per month, which is a 5% increase from the same time period last year.
Average Electric Bill by State
The average electric bill varies by state based on a number of factors, including local power plant costs, weather conditions, state regulations, electricity transmission and distribution systems, and fuel costs.
Utah has the lowest monthly bill, which costs residents $80.87 on average. Meanwhile, Hawaii has the highest bill, with an average of $177.78 per month, due in part to the cost of importing petroleum fuels.
Reference the chart below to see your state’s average monthly consumption, average unit price, and average monthly bill according to the EIA.
State
Average Monthly Consumption (kWh)
Average Price (cents/kWh)
Average Monthly Bill (Dollar and cents)
AK
594
22.55
133.89
AL
1,140
12.96
147.75
AR
1,098
11.27
123.69
AZ
1,048
12.54
131.35
CA
542
22.82
123.67
CO
704
13.07
91.96
CT
713
21.91
156.21
DE
950
12.52
118.85
FL
1,096
11.90
130.40
GA
1,072
12.51
134.11
HI
531
33.49
177.78
IA
861
12.73
109.63
ID
961
10.16
97.62
IL
728
13.18
95.86
IN
946
13.37
126.51
KS
890
12.98
115.53
KY
1,084
11.50
124.67
LA
1,192
11.02
131.37
MA
596
22.89
136.37
MD
973
13.12
127.62
ME
584
17.02
99.44
MI
670
17.54
117.57
MN
776
13.50
104.76
MO
1,039
11.41
118.55
MS
1,171
11.56
135.31
MT
872
11.22
97.84
NC
1,063
11.32
120.38
ND
1,041
10.85
112.93
NE
1,005
10.75
108.09
NH
631
19.85
125.24
NJ
687
16.35
112.39
NM
646
13.52
87.31
NV
959
11.49
110.17
NY
599
19.48
116.70
OH
879
12.77
112.21
OK
1,088
11.00
119.69
OR
936
11.37
106.49
PA
851
13.76
117.11
RI
585
22.30
130.40
SC
1,078
12.86
138.65
SD
1,019
12.22
124.50
TN
1,183
11.07
130.98
TX
1,094
12.11
132.40
UT
775
10.43
80.87
VA
1,094
11.96
130.92
VT
567
19.26
109.24
WA
984
10.11
99.45
WI
690
14.52
100.18
WV
1,066
12.15
129.61
WY
867
11.17
96.82
What Contributes to a High Electric Bill?
When examining your electric bill, you’ll likely see your charges grouped into two categories: supply and delivery charges.Knowing what these charges mean can help you understand what’s contributing to your high electric bill.
Supply Charges
Supply charges account for the cost of generating the energy you use. The total you are charged each month depends on the amount of energy you use and the cost per kWh of electricity. Your utility provider determines the unit rate (kWh) and should be noted in your contract.
It’s also important to check if you have a fixed-rate or variable-rate electric plan. With a fixed-rate electric plan, your unit rate will remain the same for a set duration. With a variable-rate plan, your unit rate will depend on the cost to supply electricity, which changes minute by minute depending on electricity demand. However, most customers pay a seasonal average rate (a type of variable rate), so they don’t experience these constant fluctuations.
Delivery Charges
Delivery charges are the costs associated with delivering electricity to your home. These charges are categorized into the following rates on your electric bill:
Distribution rate: This charge pays for distributing electricity to your home via power lines. This fee also includes metering services, billing services, and customer service.
Transition rate: This fee helps cover utility companies’ costs in building and maintaining power plants.
Transmission rate: This charge is controlled by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and helps cover the cost of the high-voltage power lines, which transport electricity from the power plants to the utility company.
How Can You Budget for Your Electric Bill?
While it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly how much your electric bill will cost each month, the National Foundation for Credit Counseling suggests spending no more than 10% of your monthly income on utilities. For example, if you earn $3,000 monthly, you shouldn’t be spending more than $300 on utilities each month.
If you’d prefer to take the guesswork out of budgeting for utilities, you can sign up for budget billing through your utility company, which involves paying a set amount for monthly utilities based on your average usage. Contact your utility company to learn more about budget billing.
Tips to Lower Your Electric Bill
If you’re spending too much on your electric bill, try incorporating these tips to save money:
Unplug appliances you don’t use: Walk around your house and unplug anything you don’t frequently use. For example, if you only make a smoothie once a week, you don’t need to leave the blender plugged in 24/7.
Get smart power strips: Smart power strips work by automatically shutting down the power to devices not in use. This is a great option if you frequently forget to unplug your devices.
Switch to LED light bulbs: LED bulbs use approximately 75% less energy than incandescent lighting, according to Energy.gov.
Limit your hot water usage: Heating water requires a lot of energy, so avoid washing your clothes or running the dishwasher using hot water. You could also try taking cooler showers, too.
Avoid running appliances until they’re full: When it comes to doing laundry or running the dishwasher, hold off until you have a full load.
Adjust the temperature when you’re not home: Heating and cooling are typically one of the main culprits for high energy bills. While you don’t need to set your thermostat to 80 degrees in the dead of summer, adjusting the temperature when you’re not home can help lower your bill. You can even program your thermostat to turn off automatically during times of the day you’re not home.
Regularly change your air filters: According to the Department of Energy, replacing a dirty air filter can lower your AC’s energy usage by up to 15%.
Get an energy audit: An energy audit involves a professional reviewing your electric bills and assessing your home to provide specific recommendations on how to lower your energy costs.
Does Paying Utilities Build Credit?
Typically, paying your utility bill doesn’t build credit since most utility companies don’t report payment history to the three credit bureaus. However, if you’re making timely payments and want to build credit, you can use a third-party service to report your utility payments for you.
ExtraCredit®’s Build it tool helps youreport utilities and rent and provides other services to help you manage your credit. Try it for free today.
In these languid—and, for much of the country, excruciatingly, unbelievably hot—days of summer, the timeless allure of a large, cool body of water beckons. And while heading to the lake is, for some, an occasional destination, for others it’s a way of life.
Sure, some of America’s more famous lake towns are pricey. But there are others that are surprisingly affordable, offering lakeside living for bargain-basement prices. The data team at Realtor.com® dug into the data to find some of the cheapest lake town real estate in the nation.
It helps that there are a lot of lakes in America. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, there are just shy of 7 million bodies of water in the U.S. and in adjacent areas along the borders. Of those, 5.76 million are classified as a lake or pond, and 134,000 have official names.
Each of the lake towns we found has a unique charm, blending natural beauty and local culture. All of them are nestled in the most affordable regions of the country, especially the Upper Midwest to the Deep South—areas known for their low cost of living. As it turns out, they’re also ideal places for lake house shoppers not looking to stretch their budget.
As famously avid lake admirer Henry David Thoreau once wrote, “A lake is a landscape’s most beautiful and expressive feature. It is Earth’s eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature.”
To find the most affordable lake towns, we looked at all the home listings for the past year within a half-mile (roughly a 10-minute walk) of a named lake or pond. (Named bodies of water exclude reservoirs and lakes that folks can’t swim or boat on.) Then we calculated the median prices from July 2022 through June 2023 for homes in those areas to pinpoint the most affordable lake towns in 2023. Only towns with at least 50 home listings over that period were included.
We excluded big cities, because we’re looking for places where the lake plays a large part in the local culture. And we didn’t include extremely small towns, because you’ve got to have at least a few shops and restaurants to keep you busy when you’re not on the water. And we included only the single most affordable lake town in any state, to ensure geographic diversity.
So let’s set sail to the most affordable lakeside real estate in 2023.
Median list price: $154,900 Median list price per square foot: $76 Population: 29,534
Danville, a relatively small town in east central Illinois along the Indiana border, is home to Lake Vermilion. The human-made reservoir provides drinking water for the city, but it has also become a popular fishing and boating location. Cabins and docks line its forested edge.
The town was an industrial hot spot for the region from the mid-19th century to the mid-20th century, as a major coal mining town and a rail hub. Abraham Lincoln was known to visit the town and once delivered a speech from the balcony of the home of a prominent Danville resident.
The median home listing within a half-mile of Lake Vermilion over the past year had a price tag 65% below the national median list price of $445,000 in June. A three-bedroom home within walking distance of Lake Vermilion, with hardwood floors, a garage, and a big yard, goes for $120,000. And for just over $100,000, home shoppers can find a two-bedroom condo about as close to the lake.
Median list price: $140,000 Median list price per square foot: $79 Population: 2,838
Rogers City is the smallest of any of the spots on our list of affordable lake towns, just shy of 3,000 residents.
Situated on the banks of Lake Huron, about 45 minutes from Cheboygan, Rogers City residents have quick access to multiple parks along the lakeshore. They include Harbor View Park on the southern corner, Seagull Point Park on the northern tip of the town, and several in between, including the Rogers City Yacht Harbor and Lakeside Park.
Rogers City has been host to multiple salmon fishing tournaments in the summer, including the vividly named Fat Hogs Fishing Frenzy and the more straightforward Rogers City Salmon Tournament.
It’s also home to the Great Lakes Lore Maritime Museum and the Presque Isle County Historical.
A large three-bedroom home with a garage and a brick fire pit in the backyard can be found for $165,000, a short walk from Rogers City’s North Shore Park and beach.
Median list price: $122,750 Median list price per square foot: $83 Population: 12,651
The western tip of northern New York state, in the Chautauqua-Allegheny region, is known for its lakeside getaway culture. And although some of the area’s real estate is quite pricey, the lowest home prices within a half-mile of a lake can be found in Dunkirk at the edge of Lake Erie.
The area was first occupied by the Indigenous Erie and Seneca tribes, then colonized by the French, who erected the Dunkirk Lighthouse at Point Gratiot in 1826. This helped the town become a significant regional port for coal and lumber shipping. It’s now listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Dunkirk has multiple beach parks, and it hosts several summertime events, including an annual strawberry festival, arts and music festivals, and a “Fly-In Breakfast,” which welcomes pilots from all over to the small lakeside town.
Duke McLachlan, a real estate agent with Howard Hanna Hold Real Estate in neighboring Jamestown, says that from June through August, life in this area is all about the lake, for residents and visitors alike.
“It’s the whole Chautauqua area,” McLachlan says. “The local economy really picks up.”
Buyers will find the most listings just before and after prime lake season. Sellers know they can find buyers looking forward to the summer in April and May. Meanwhile, other sellers will list in September and October after they used their homes for the summer.
Median list price: $129,900 Median list price per square foot: $86 Population: 10,465
Minnesota is called the “Land of 10,000 Lakes” for a reason: The state has 11,842 of them.
So don’t drop your oar in the water when you hear that Fairmont, a small town in southern Minnesota near the Iowa border, sits on a string of five small lakes. These include George Lake, in the northern part of Fairmont, and Budd Lake, near the center of town.
All five offer boating and fishing—and there is very affordable real estate near two of these bodies of water.
The median home that was listed over the past year near both Lake George and Budd Lake is less than half the national list price. The real estate near Budd Lake is a little pricier, due to its proximity to the center of Fairmont, and a couple of developed parks along its edge.
For those who want to live and work near the water year-round in the “City of Lakes,” Fairmont’s local economy is driven by the local Mayo Health System hospital, two small colleges, and a couple of modern industrial companies.
Median list price: $126,900 Median list price per square foot: $91 Population: 4,977
Cherokee Village, a small town in central northern Arkansas about 20 miles south of the Missouri border, boasts seven lakes in total.
Lake Cherokee, the smaller of the two lakes where we found low-priced homes, has a park and private docks. Meanwhile, Lake Thunderbird, the town’s largest lake, has a public marina and the town’s public recreation center, which has two swimming pools and a minigolf course.
For just under $290,000, a homebuyer can get a 1,200 square-foot, two-bedroom house with a backyard dock on Lake Thunderbird. For those looking for homes costing less, just across the street from Lake Cherokee, a two-bedroom townhome can be found for as little as $120,000.
Median list price: $169,900 Median list price per square foot: $95 Population: 9,305
Pickwick Lake, a popular boating and fishing destination, was created by the Pickwick Landing Dam on the Tennessee River near where Alabama, Tennessee, and Mississippi meet.
The lake is known for record-size smallmouth bass and catfish. Local fishing guides say 2- or 3-pound smallmouth bass are the norm—and catches of 5 to 6 pounds are not uncommon.
History lovers will also appreciate the small town of Sheffield. It became a major wartime aluminum smelting location in the 1940s, boosting the nation’s aircraft production. It’s also the hometown of Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell.
And it’s where you’ll find the famous Muscle Shoals Sound Studio, where a litany of modern musical icons came to record, including The Rolling Stones, Aretha Franklin, Cher, and Wham! The studio faded and was repurposed for several years, before a documentary reignited interest and a restoration brought it back to life. It’s now a museum during the day and a working studio at night.
Median list price: $135,000 Median list price per square foot: $96 Population: 65,440
Lorain is a small city on Lake Erie, in the far western corner of the Cleveland metro area. Like the other Great Lakes locations on our list, Lorain was once an industrial production mecca, dominated by steel.
Now, says Bill Swanzer, a real estate broker at The Swanzer Agency Realtors in neighboring Amherst, Lorain mixes a classic lake culture with good access to the city.
“You’re only 20 or 30 minutes from the Cleveland Browns‘ stadium,” Swanzer says. “So you can get to all the big-city things—live sports, live music, shows.”
But for Lorain residents, Lake Erie’s offerings are right in the backyard.
“The lake’s always been a big draw for us,” Swanzer says. “You’ve got kayaking, boating, fishing, swimming—you’ll see Jet-Skis on the water and parasailing.”
Median list price: $139,900 Median list price per square foot: $97 Population: 11,276
Two Rivers is uniquely situated on Lake Michigan, such that it remains cooler than nearby areas on hot summer days—earning the town its nickname “Cool City.” It became a summertime destination for folks looking for a reprieve from the heat.
The moniker is memorialized just about everywhere, from the annual Cool City Car Show & Cruise, the Cool City Brewing Co., and Cool City Coffee Shop to the Cool City Charters and Cool City Cleaners.
Summer activities include swimming and sunbathing at Neshotah Park & Beach, and hiking and camping in Point Beach State Forest, just north of town. There’s also boating and fishing on Lake Michigan and the town’s—you guessed it—two rivers. It’s also only about 30 miles southeast of Green Bay, offering relatively quick access to a big city nearby.
But what’s especially cool about Two Rivers for us is the low price of homes near Lake Michigan. Take this recently listed two-bedroom home with an updated bathroom and floors about a block from Lake Michigan, priced at just $134,000.
Median list price: $185,000 Median list price per square foot: $106 Population: 9,299
About 30 miles east of Wichita is Augusta and its 190-acre human-made lake on the north end. Augusta Lake, lined with parks, grassy embankments, and walking trails, is a community center of sorts. There are Little League tournaments, concerts, disc golf, and the town’s Fourth of July celebration, in addition to the standard lake activities like fishing, boating, and kayaking.
The town is known for its historic buildings, many of which have been added to the National or State Register of Historic Places.
Of course, we’re interested in the home prices, which are inexpensive, even for a relatively affordable state like Kansas. A three-bedroom, ranch-style home six doors away from Augusta Lake can be found for just $150,000.
Median list price: $285,000 Median list price per square foot: $125 Population: 7,565
Homes within a half-mile of Prestwood Lake are the most expensive of any place on our list of affordable lake towns—but they’re still about 35% less expensive than the national median list price.
Lauri McLeland, a Realtor with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Segars Realty in Hartsville, says it’s not uncommon to see small speed boats and jon boats on Prestwood Lake, and even some kayakers on Black Creek, which leads into the lake.
But although there’s a decent amount of housing within that half-mile of the lake, it can be a tight market for buyers looking for something right on the water.
The small South Carolina town, about an hour northeast of the state capital of Columbia, is a tight-knit community, says McLeland. Word of someone selling their home can lead quickly to an offer from another local looking to get closer to the water.
“Prestwood is a really pretty lake,” McLeland says. “There’s not a lot of housing right on the lake, and some of those sell before they even hit the market.”