WalkScore.com has ranked the walkability of the 50 largest U.S. cities. The organization bases its findings on population and ease of access to amenities such as grocery stores, shopping centers, movie theaters, and many other destinations on foot.
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Take an online walk-about of the 10 cities deemed the most walkable in the United States.
10. Oakland, CA Oakland, CA, takes its walking very seriously. In response to a high number of pedestrian fatalities in the late 1990s, the city created the Oakland Pedestrian Safety Project. This program educates motorists and pedestrians alike on methods to make walking safer. With these efforts, Oakland is a safer place for a stroll than ever.
9. Minneapolis, MN Minneapolis, MN, boasts nearly 1,800 miles of sidewalks, making it easy for residents to get around on foot. The city has been named a Gold Walk Friendly Community by the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center (PBIC) for its commitment to pedestrian safety and sustained walkability.
8. Miami, FL With its warm weather and walkable neighborhoods like Overtown, Little Havana, and Brickell, Miami, FL, is a pedestrian’s dream.
7. Washington, D.C. Washington, D.C., is another PBIC Gold Walk Friendly Community. The District of Columbia has wide sidewalks that lead to monuments, eateries, bars, gardens and other areas of interest. These hotspots allow places for pedestrians to stop and really enjoy the city.
6. Seattle, WA The Seattle, WA, Department of Transportation wants to make it as easy as possible for visitors and residents to get around the Emerald City, so they have instituted a series of online city walking maps detailing walking time, steepness of streets and points of interest along the way.
5. Philadelphia, PA One thing that sets Philadelphia, PA, apart as a walkable city is its distinct signage. There are colorful signs on each street corner listing a number of local destinations so that you always know what is nearby, making it easier to orient yourself. Also, discmaps are located at regular intervals in the city to give a 10-minute radius snapshot of the area right around you.
4. Chicago, IL It is very easy to get around the Windy City on foot. The streets of Chicago, IL, are laid out in an easy-to-navigate grid system that makes finding your way a breeze. Want to explore a neighborhood on foot? Take advantage of the Chicago Greeter program, offering free guided tours.
3. Boston, MA Home to the Freedom Trail, Boston, MA, has long been an interesting place to take a walk. Now the city is doing even more to encourage Bostonians to hoof it with WalkBoston, a program that offers awards to businesses and individuals that come up with ideas to make walking in Boston safer and more attractive to the everyday pedestrian.
2. San Francisco, CA You would think a city known for hills, twists and turns would not be the best for a pedestrian, but San Francisco, CA, ranks high on WalkScore’s list of cities. The City by the Bay has a loyal and vocal pedestrian base as evidenced by Walk San Francisco, a pedestrian advocacy group dedicated to making the city a better place for those who choose to travel it by foot.
1. New York, NY Walking is one of the most common forms of getting around in the Big Apple. New York, NY, tops the WalkScore list with a whopping score: 88 out of 100! The most walkable neighborhoods in the most walkable U.S. city include Little Italy, Soho and the Flat Iron District.
What are the healthiest cities in America? Some of the top ranking ones might surprise you.
Each year, the American College of Sports Medicine creates the American Fitness Index, a list of the healthiest cities in the U.S. based on diet and exercise habits, recreational opportunities and the prevalence of certain diseases.
Following is a collection of some of the highest-ranking metros in the country.
9. Denver, Colorado
Denver’s typically active residents enjoy the city’s ample recreational opportunities, farmers’ markets and healthy restaurants. In addition to its other healthy attributes, Denver, ninth on the list, spends more than other cities on park properties and programs. The city’s Raptor Education Foundation promotes environmental awareness and offers tours in which visitors watch bald eagles, hawks and other wildlife.
More about health on the AG Blog:
8. Seattle, Washington
This green city, fed by plenty of rainfall, has more than 11 miles of walking and biking trails; recreational sites such as Discovery Park are well-used by the city’s active residents. Joggers, cyclists, strollers, roller bladers and beach enthusiasts in Seattle spend plenty of outdoor time at Alki Beach in summer weather.
7. Portland, Oregon
A city famous for environmental initiatives, Portland also has more park land per person that any other city. It’s a good fit for the many Pacific Northwesterners who flock to take advantage of the area’s outdoor opportunities. From the plentiful parks and trails of the city to the nearby Columbia Gorge, the area is as beautiful as it is accessible. Easy access to fresh food and healthy restaurants complete the good-for-you aspects of the city.
4. San Francisco, California
With San Francisco’s focus on fitness, love of its own outdoor spaces and fine weather, it’s no wonder the percentage of obese residents is low and frequent use of the city’s farmers’ markets and recreational options is high. It’s also a city that helped start the trend of healthy gourmet eating, just across the Bay from Berkeley, the birthplace of the farm-to-table movement.
3. Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is a hugely-popular city for walkers and bikers, with many residents commuting to work on two feet or two wheels. An estimated 80% of the city exercises; a relatively low smoking rate of 14% is reported, as well. Lots of healthy eating and lifestyle habits round out the health profile of this city.
2. Washington, D.C.
D.C.-area residents reportedly eat more fruits and vegetables, shop at more farmers’ markets and smoke less than most of their counterparts elsewhere in the country. They’re also an active group, making frequent use of the city’s many trails and parks. The District even closes certain roads on the weekends for recreational use.
1. Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota
If you figured the healthiest city in the country was in the West, guess again. Minneapolis-St. Paul, tops the list this year. The city’s bike trails, parks and walking spaces help keep its citizens healthy and less likely to be overweight. They buy food from a larger per capita number of farmers’ markets — the main one dating back to 1937. And this Midwestern city can boast more golf courses, playgrounds and dog parks than other cities. All this adds up to a healthier, happier populace.
Do you live in one of these healthy hotspots, or might you relocate to one? It seems true that health, like charity, begins at home, no matter where that is!
Between 2006 and 2011, the U.S. Census Bureau tracked where the wealthiest five percent of Americans are living. Defining high-income households as those that earn about $200,000 a year and above, the Census Bureau determined that the greatest concentration of wealth is in three main areas. These three areas are located near, but not directly in, large metropolitan areas along both coasts.
New York suburbs According to Forbes, while New York City, NY, boasts the largest amount of wealthy residents of any city in the country, the concentration of wealth is higher in the surrounding suburbs of Bridgeport, Norwalk, and Stamford, Connecticut. These areas are located along Long Island Sound about 60 miles away from the city. Here, nearly 20% of residents are considered wealthy.
What draws so many rich people to this area? For one thing, there’s proximity to the city. The Fiscal Times also notes that it’s a lower-tax region.
Silicon Valley California boasts the nation’s largest population of billionaires, so it should come as no surprise that you’ll also find plenty of wealthy people living in the Sunnyvale-Santa Clara area outside of San Francisco, CA. This area is also known as Silicon Valley and is home to many of the world’s technology giants like Apple, Google and Hewlett-Packard — plus thousands of start-ups.
Unfortunately for the wealthy, it’s also home to some rather steep tax rates. The rich in Northern California can expect to pay about 12.3% in taxes versus the 6.7% rate that wealthy residents pay in Connecticut.
Washington, D.C. suburbs Back on the East Coast, the third-largest concentration of wealthy Americans is settled around the Washington, D.C., metro area in the Virginia suburbs of Alexandria and Arlington. In these northern Virginia suburbs, 14% of households represent the country’s highest earners. The economy here has been shaped by proximity to the nation’s capital, and the majority of residents either work for the government, the military or for private companies that contract to the federal government. In Alexandria, for instance, the biggest employer is the U.S. Department of Defense.
Curious about the opposite end of the spectrum, as well? The southeastern states of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana reported the lowest concentrations of wealthy residents.
For more details, check out the Census Bureau’s complete report.
When it comes to high-tech phones, you’d naturally assume that larger cities in the United States would be embracing big screen smartphones. Cities such as San Francisco, New York and the recently acknowledged marketing tech capitol Atlanta should surely be adopting new, large screen phones such as the iPhone 6+ and iPhone 7+ at a faster rate to hunt for their apartments, right? Wrong. In fact, our list of some of America’s most tech-hungry cities may surprise you…
America’s Most Surprising Tech-Hungry Cities: Big Screen Phones
City
Percent of iPhone 6+ and 7+ Users
Florissant, MO
41.63%
Cordova, TN
38.31%
Newnan, GA
36.43%
Lauderhill, FL
36.24%
Pembroke Pines, FL
35.64%
Maumelle, AR
35.34%
Taylor, MI
34.90%
McAllen, TX
34.81%
League City, TX
34.68%
Gulfport, MS
34.60
Methodology: Device type data was internally sourced from Apartment Guide. Cities with fewer than 300 iPhone visits were excluded. To find the cities with the most eager tech adopters, Apartment Guide looked at the places that had the highest percentage of iPhone 6+ and 7+ visits.
The Handheld Revolution
As more people move to large screen smartphones for a better mobile experience, they’re discovering that they can do nearly everything they need for their apartment search right from their hand, on-the-go. For example, you can do your apartment search, find new ideas to decorate your space and even have everything you need delivered straight to your door making your move a cinch. Additionally, smart home technology isn’t just limited to homebuyers — apartments can get in on temperature, light and even automatic door systems for their pads.
What do you end up using your smartphone for the most? Do you have an app that you can’t live without? Let us know below!
Are you wearing a flannel shirt, skinny jeans, a vintage tee, a mustache or vintage eyewear?
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Consider your calendar: do you have plans to hear an indie band play live, attend an art gallery opening, or meet up with your closest friends for craft pints at a gastropub?
If you answered yes to at least 3 of these, then, my friend, you are very likely a participant in the hipster phenomenon.
If you don’t already live in one of the cities cited by Travel and Leisure that best serve the hipster set, then you might want to scope out an apartment in one of these hip places where the welcome mat is rolled out to the authentic and eccentric!
1. Seattle, WA Seattle is hands-down the best city for hipsters for the great coffee and cool coffee shops that fuel the lives of the trendy and aware. Of course, Seattle is home to the original Starbucks location, but Cherry Street Coffee, Citizen and Café Racer rank high as hipster coffee houses. The lifeblood flows caffeinated through this town.
2. Portland, OR Thanks to shows like Portlandia, much of the world has been exposed to the hipster phenomenon that is alive and well in Portland, Oregon. We all know that hipsters love bikes, sustainability and craft beers, which is why spots like BikeBar make this town iconic for the hip. Stationary bikes create electricity to power this organic brewpub. (Yep, you read that right.)
3. San Francisco, CA If hipsters aren’t riding their bikes, they are walking. This is why San Francisco is a popular spot for techie hipsters on the move. This town has tons of alternative transportation, like streetcars, for example. (If you choose to drive, however, you’ll be tickled to know San Francisco is the home of the carstache.)
4. New Orleans, LA An eclectic and historical city like New Orleans is the one of the best places for the hipster set to shop. Hipster essentials include everything from vintage cars to retro kitchenware to thrift shop couture. Fave vintage stores include Rag Doll, Retro Active and Funky Monkey. You can also hit up local flea markets for a grab bag of goodies. Try the Creative Flea and River Road Flea Market.
Which Portland to choose? Which one?
5. Portland, ME Portland, Maine, has a lot of the same hipster features as its West Coast doppelganger, but expressed in its own New England style, of course. Though they have boatloads of craft beers around town like Allagash and Shipyard, the teetotaler hipster is in for a treat at Vena’s Fizz House. This natural soda bar and mixology shop is home to impressive mocktails such as a non-alcoholic version of the Dark & Stormy aptly named the Dim & Story.
6. Providence, RI Art nerds love life in Providence, Rhode Island. This town has been a hipster haven since 1985 when AS220 opened. Okay, it sounds like a giant super-computer, but it’s actually a giant arts center. Over 100,000 square feet of space housed in three buildings provides ample room for art shows, theater, dance, live music, bars, restaurants and live/work spaces. A hipster must-do: Foo Fest!
7. Austin, TX “Keep Austin Weird” is Austin’s unofficial city motto and one of the reasons hipsters are attracted to the creative culture in this town. Plus, the city hosts SXSW every year, a giant music, film and interactive festival. The live music scene here is unbelievable, with too many awesome venues to name. (Alright, we’ll name one: check out Mohawk for their multiple stages and hip happy hours.)
8. San Juan, PR Hey, San Juan’s cool and we really want to visit, but it’s outside our apartment living purview. We list the city here for hip completeness.
9. Philadelphia, PA All-American hipsters flock to Philly because they dish some of the best dive bars in the United States. An ironic night out wouldn’t be complete without a visit to The Dive for a Schlitz, the Local 44 for a six-pack of craft brew to go, and Johnny Brenda’s for live music. Johnny Brenda’s is located in one of the newest hip neighborhoods: Fishtown, a great spot to shop for a Philly apartment.
10. Denver, CO Finally, after all that beer drinking and late night music listening, every good hipster needs to get some exercise — and you don’t have to leave Denver to break a sweat. Denver has over 850 miles of paved bike trails and a super cool B-cycle bike-sharing program. This makes it easy to roll on over to the Highlands for some hipster shopping, dining and relaxing.
Honorable mention: Brooklyn, NY We’re calling an audible from T&L’s list to include the home of much that is hipster: Brooklyn, New York. Here’s an urban neighborhood where biking is de rigueur, artisan craftsmanship is revered, and flannel is an unofficial uniform. Style your facial hair and declare your place in Brooklyn, home of the cool in the city that has it all.
Hey, if you aren’t ready to relocate to one of these happening cities, you can at least move to a hipster neighborhood in your own hometown!
If you prefer to get around on two wheels instead of four, check out Walk Score’s list of the top 10 bikeable cities in the United States.
Here is a countdown of the top bikeable cities and a look at why they made the list.
If you’re in the market for an apartment, knowing their Bike Score might help you pick the city where you can live on wheels!
For the avid cyclist, having a safe city to bike around in is a high priority. According to the website, the Bike Score of a city is determined based on factors including the bike-friendliness of the terrain, how many bike lanes have been established, and how many people commute via bike there. Basically, the higher the number, the better the biking!
10. Chicago, IL: 61.5 (out of 100) Chicago, IL, comes in at number 10 in the country on the most bikeable cities list. This is in large part to the city’s “Bike 2015” plan, a city government initiative to increase bicycle use and safety in Chicago. The program is implementing many measures to make the streets of Chicago more bikeable, like adding bike parking across the city.
9. New York, NY: 62.3 New York, NY, has long had an active and vocal cycling community, with nonprofit organizations such as Bike New York working to keep the city bikeable. New York has now launched Citibike, an affordable bike sharing system where bikes are placed in the city at predetermined spots. You can rent a bike for a day or a week, and return it at any Citibike rack in the city.
8. Tucson, AZ: 64.1 The mild climate in Tucson, AZ, makes for perfect biking weather nearly year-round. Add to that the multitude of bike-friendly streets and the no-cars-allowed Urban Loop, and you’ve got a cycler’s paradise.
7. Seattle, WA: 64.1 In 2007, Seattle, WA, introduced its Bicycle Master Plan, a city-wide plan to make Seattle streets more bikeable and safer for cyclists by 2017. The Seattle Department of Transportation also offers a popular free biking map of the city that is available in paper form or online in an interactive trip-planning version.
6. Washington, D.C.: 65.3 The nation’s capital is full of bike paths and flat terrain, making Washington, D.C., easy to get around by bike. The Capital Bikeshare program lets you try out biking the city from 58 locations. You can test the waters before buying a bike of your own!
5. Boston, MA: 67.8 Boston, MA, has long been known for being friendly to alternative forms of transportation, so it’s no surprise that it is a top bikeable city. The city even offers awards to businesses that make it easier for employees and customers to ride instead of drive.
4. Philadelphia, PA: 68.4 Philadelphia, PA, is already a top bikeable city, but the city is raising the bar even further with its Pedestrian and Bicycle Plan. Dedicated to safety and encouragement, the plan aims at prioritizing pedestrian and bicycle improvements to city streets, policies and programs.
3. Denver, CO: 69.5 Denver, CO, boasts 300 days of annual sunshine, the largest city park system in the country, 650 miles of paved off-road bike trails and many bikeable city streets. It’s no wonder that cyclists are thrilled to live in the Mile High City.
2. San Francisco, CA: 70.0 San Francisco, CA, has a temperate climate, making it an ideal bikeable city. Though tourists might be turned off by the city’s famous hills, residents know that the lack of cheap parking make cycling a wonderful alternative to driving.
1. Portland, OR: 70.3 Topping the list of top bikeable cities is Portland, OR. This beautiful city offers a fabulous backdrop for cyclists commuting to work or just out for a leisurely ride. The Portland Bureau of Transportation is dedicated to making the city a safe and friendly place for cyclists to ride, with plenty of programs and resources in place to support cyclists of all ages and skill sets.
As you begin your search for a new apartment, your wish list is probably full of features and amenities that you just can’t live without. Great location, hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances – the works.
But have you given any thought to where your particular unit will be located? Does it matter if it’s on the bottom floor, the top or somewhere in between? If you’re not sure, it’s time to start thinking about it. Each level has its perks and some apartment communities let you choose your own unit. If you are ever granted that luxury, we’ve got some great reasons you should indulge in top floor living!
It’s toasty. Did you pay attention in science class? If so, then you already know that heat rises. So all those units below you with their heat cranked up will only make your place warmer. Keep your heat down low and let your neighbors keep you comfortable throughout the winter. Additionally, top floor units usually also get more sunlight, which is yet another source of free heat for you. Now that’s hot! This also means it will be hotter in the summer months, so consider investing in good curtains, fans, and other ways to keep cool.
It’s peaceful. One of the downsides of apartment living is having noisy neighbors above you and hearing a lot of street noise. People outside and your upstairs neighbors must get paid to make as much noise as they possibly can, right? But if you’re already on the top floor, problem solved! Cars honking, traffic noises, foot stomping, running kids, pets and creaky floors are not your concern. It also means any noise you make is less likely to bother people, just don’t push it too much. Enjoy it!
It’s private. Lower floors experience lots of foot traffic. People are constantly passing by to access the stairs, elevator, lobby, management office and to enter and exit the building. Up top, you’re more isolated.
It’s beautiful. Now this totally depends on the apartment community, but many of them offer great views of the city, often on a balcony patio, – skyscrapers, parks, water and snow-capped mountains – a perk you cannot experience down on lower floors. We’re looking at you NYC, San Francisco and Chicago.
It’s healthier (for your neighbors). Do you happen to smoke cigarettes? If so, there’s no neighbors above you to deal with your second-hand smoke. Just like heat, smoke travels upward as well. It’s sure to bother anyone who lives above you. As such, living on the top floor allows you to be a good, considerate neighbor.
Have you ever lived on the top floor? What was it like?
For college seniors, the spring season means looking forward to graduation – and life beyond the college campus.
To help college graduates as they look both for work and a new place to live, Apartment Guide consulted with Indeed, the number one job site worldwide, to bring together information to match the perfect apartment with the right job.
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Together, Indeed and Apartment Guide have researched the top cities with the most entry-level job openings, along with average rents for one and two bedroom apartments in these cities.
Here’s the list.
Top Ten Cities for Most Entry-Level Job Openings*
1. Washington, D.C.:
2-bedroom average rent: $1,755, average sq. ft: 985
1-bedroom average rent: $1,402, average sq. ft: 705
2. New York, NY:
2-bedroomaverage rent: $2,067, average sq. ft.: 1,014
1-bedroom average rent: $1,611, average sq. ft.: 722
3. Houston, TX:
2-bedroom average rent: $1,121, average sq. ft.: 1,024
1-bedroom average rent: $854, average sq. ft.: 660
4. Chicago, IL:
2-bedroom average rent: $1,318, average sq. ft.: 990
1-bedroom average rent: $1,013, average sq. ft.: 700
5. San Francisco, CA:
2-bedroom average rent: $2,337, average sq. ft.: 946
1-bedroom average rent: $1,864, average sq. ft.: 663
6. Dallas, TX:
2-bedroom average rent: $1,100, average sq. ft.: 1,024
1-bedroom average rent: $822, average sq. ft.: 673
7. Austin, TX:
2-bedroom average rent: $1,191, average sq. ft.: 1,006
1-bedroom average rent: $947, average sq. ft.: 655
8. Los Angeles, CA:
2-bedroom average rent: $2,011, average sq. ft.: 1,013
1-bedroom average rent: $1,566, average sq. ft.: 693
9. Atlanta, GA:
2-bedroom average rent: $962, average sq. ft.: 1,103
1-bedroom average rent: $795, average sq. ft.: 746
10. Phoenix, AZ:
2-bedroom average rent: $831, average sq. ft.: 967
1-bedroom average rent: $703, average sq. ft.: 705
A renting conundrum for the new graduate So these are the great cities where the most jobs are available, but can a recent graduate – and new employee – realistically afford to live in them?
Here’s the rub for the entry-level employee: overall, these metros are on the expensive side. All but two of these major cities cost over a grand to rent a two bedroom apartment, on average – and in two, the cost is over two thousand a month.
There are trade-offs, of course, between having a little more space and how much more you’ll pay in rent for that space. Note the difference in rents and square footage between one and two bedroom apartments in these cities.
An often-quoted rule of thumb is to try to keep the rent within 30 percent of overall income. For recent grads starting out in new careers, these rents and the overall cost of living in these places might present a real challenge to this goal, at least in the short term. That said, these are also amazing cities to live in. They offer a great quality of life, IF you can afford it!
There’s also the roommate solution. When you can split the rent, you and a roommate can experience a more expensive city together without breaking the bank. You might even choose to focus your search on cities where the rent is more affordable. In Atlanta, splitting a rent of just under one thousand a month makes this great Southern capital a reasonable place to pay for an apartment. For another cheaper, warm weather option, consider Phoenix.
A little support at home As you’re starting a new life around a new job in, perhaps, a new city, you deserve some support. After all, just moving to a new place is stressful enough. Apartment communities that offer helpful amenities can make settling in a little easier.
Many apartment communities offer services key to new professionals. A full-time Business Center can be an invaluable backup to a home office. A friendly space with shared wi-fi on-site can make connecting feel like more of a shared experience. Communities which offer electronic rent payment make that monthly responsibility a little easier to take care of.
All of these amenities and more can be searched via ApartmentGuide.com to help you find the right apartment for your needs, straight out of college.
*Methodology: Indeed.com looked at their job posting dataand determined these cities based on the number of postings per city associated with an Indeed.com search for “entry level” in March 2014. Apartment Guide looked at their internal listing data to determine the average rent and square feet for both a one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartment in these locations.
Whether you like to pedal around on city bike paths or log several miles a week in training, there are cities where you can pursue the passion of cycling within easy reach of your rental.
Cycling for recreation and fitness has really taken off in the United States in the past ten years. American cities are not only reacting to but also planning for residents’ desire for safer and more plentiful bike paths, bike lanes and cycling opportunities.
Here are some cities to check out if you love cycling, and why you’ll love living there . . .
Austin
Texas’ own Music City has long attracted folks who love the outdoor lifestyle, its temperate winter climate and natural water features all part of the draw. Add to that a rolling terrain and multiple bike trails and you’ve got a recipe for happy cyclists. The Lance Armstrong Bikeway shares its moniker with the city’s most famous resident, while the Shoal Creek Bike Trail and Southern Walnut Creek Bike Trail offer additional pedaling opportunity. Austin’s south side is home to the 3-mile Veloway. Loop 360 is also easy and affords beautiful views, as does the Willow City Loop, which bursts with spring bluebonnets. Serious cyclists head for workouts on FM 2222, a 10-mile challenge that will have you bragging if you successfully make the climb. A host of cycling events keep calendars full, for riders of all skill levels.
Check out Austin apartments.
Boulder, Colorado’s Chautauqua Park has trails
Boulder
With the Flatiron Mountains as a backdrop, scenic Boulder has a vibrant bike culture you simply can’t miss. Mountain biking, road cycling, infamous community events, bike share programs, gorgeous trails, and even 24-hour bicycle-related vending machines are all part of the package. If you live here, you can be part of the massive community which commutes by cycle, thanks to the city’s temperate climate. The leisurely Boulder Creek Path winds its way along the city’s namesake creek, toward Boulder Canyon, while mountain bike options are really exciting. Check out Marshall Mesa with its Flatirons views; the Canyon Loop Trail, with views of Boulder Canyon; and the steep challenges of Walker Ranch Loop, west of the city. Cyclists of all skills levels – even toddlers – can have fun on two wheels at Valmont Bike Park.
See all Boulder apartments.
Boston
Lovely Boston now brims with recently-created opportunity for cyclists. The Charles River Esplanade (aka the Dr. Paul Dudley White Bike Path) is a stunning urban greenway with views galore – of the Boston skyline, local boats, and the famous colleges of Cambridge. The city has its own bikeshare program if you can’t yet purchase your own bike. Boston’s enticing cycling destinations include the rolling 3.5 mile Franklin Park loop; the gorgeous Emerald Necklace and The Fens (designed by Fredrick Law Olmstead of Central Park fame); the 7-mile run from Audubon Circle to Chestnut Hill Reservoir; the 5-mile Southwest Corridor to Jamaica Plain; and the 7.7 mile stretch from the JFK Museum to scenic Castle Island.
See all Boston apartments.
Chicago
Chicago’s 200 miles of bike lanes and its 18.5 mile Lakefront Trail help contribute to the city’s reputation as a great city for cycling. Chi-town has seriously invested in cycling as part of its infrastructure, offering residents a wildly popular bikeshare program, more than 13,000 bike racks and sheltered bike parking at its metro rail stations. Off-road dedicated routes include the North Shore Trail, the Dawes Park Trail, the Northerly Island Park Trail and the city’s signature Lakefront and Riverfront Trail, which stretches for scenic mile after mile.
Check out Chicago apartments.
Denver, Colorado attracts cycling enthusiasts
Denver
More than 85 miles of paved trails connect Denver cyclists with local attractions, beautiful parks and even hundreds of miles of dirt trails. Move here with your bike and The Greenway Trail will probably become a big part of your life: it runs for an astounding 30 miles, linking some outrageous riverside parks that line the South Platte River. Denver’s Cherry Creek Bike Trail is popular and pretty, its 40 miles containing the Front Range Trail, an off-road trail which will (sit down for this one) eventually stretch from Colorado’s northern border with Wyoming to the New Mexico state line.
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Greenville
The smallest metro on our list, beautiful Greenville, SC has been making all sorts of national lists. Cycling is huge here, thanks in part to renowned champion cyclist resident George Hincapie (former training partner of Lance Armstrong) whose own Gran Fondo event attracts thousands of cyclists each fall. Local terrain is rolling, due to being in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The countryside is hard to beat for pleasure rides, but the city’s paved Swamp Rabbit Trail stretches for 15 miles from Greenville Technical College through Cleveland Park and downtown, to Furman University, the quaint town of Travelers Rest and on toward the North Carolina state line. Cycling events happen throughout the year, and support for the sport is obvious by the number of relevant local shops (find Pedal Chic) and social clubs.
Tons of new apartments are opening downtown in 2017; check Greenville apartments.
Indianapolis
It might be more famous for its four-wheeled vehicles but Indianapolis is very popular with the cycling crowd. Indycog, the city’s bicycle advocacy, has created a cool map that not only shows the bike lanes and greenway trails, but also ranks each of the city streets in terms of accessibility, traffic and other factors affecting cyclists. A panoply of community and competitive bike events stud the summer calendar; the most memorable might be July’s 19-mile N.I.T.E. Ride, its after-party lasting until the wee hours. And if you like pedaling from brewery to brewery, you will love living in Indianapolis.
Check out Indianapolis apartments.
Minneapolis
Prince’s hometown has actually been ranked as high as #2 for Bicycling Commuting Cities in the USA. Summers and fall are fantastic for cycling, and with the right clothes, you can enjoy your sport in spring, too. (Fatbike events even happen in January!) The Minneapolis Bike Map – available in bike shops and libraries across the city – is heavily laced with options for pedaling: off-street bicycle trails, on-street bike lanes, shared lanes. Bike shops are plentiful and cycling events from May through October are too numerous to count.
Find Minneapolis apartments.
Portland is a bike-friendly city
Portland
The City of Portland has published a killer bicycle map, clearly showing dedicated and shared bike lanes, neighborhood greenways, no-car paths and even tricky intersections. The most popular bike path is undoubtedly the one lining both sides of downtown’s Willamette River, and traversing both the Hawthorne and Morrison Bridges. Several bike clubs organize rides and special social events, while bikeshare programs and bike shops are plentiful. Currently, 350 miles of bikeways exist and 50 more miles are planned. Over 7% of Portland commuters do so by pedaling: the highest rate of any U.S. city. Bicycling magazine and the League of American Biyclists have both ranked this city #1 for cycling.
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San Francisco
The hills of San Francisco are easier to navigate on bike with the handy-dandy map offered by the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition. Shared and protected bike lanes are clearly marked, thanks to a true dedication to the cycling community. “The city by the bay” has also installed bike corrals on several of its streets. Best of all, San Francisco has even timed its street lights to about 12 mph, slowing cars so cyclists can pedal the full length of busy routes without a hassle. What more could you want? Fast and friendly” cyclists will be welcomed to the San Francisco Cycle Club, which races other clubs when it’s not planning or hosting its own social events.
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Seattle
Seattle’s Cascade Bicycle Club has a whopping 14,000 members: the largest cycling club in the USA. While road and path cyclists cross all demographic lines, the mountain bike scene is also alive and well, thanks to a couple of killer urban parks. Seattle’s not flat, but dedicated two-wheel commuters comprise 4% of the population. Seattle is bursting with bike shops, bike rental companies and bikeshare programs. Summer brings a wealth of cycling events, and residents love the Burke-Gilman Trail, a 20-mile-long former rail bed along Lake Washington’s shoreline. Several gorgeous regional cycling routes are reachable via public transportation.
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Washington, D.C.
A champagne introduction might start with a DC Cycling Concierge tour. But you’ll also enjoy simply exploring Rock Creek Park Trail, the Anacostia River Trail, the Capital Crescent Trail, the Custis Trail and the W&OD Trail. The bike-friendliest neighborhoods, each winning a Washington Area Bicyclists Choice Award for 2017, are Capitol Riverfront / Yards Park; NoMa; and Golden Triangle (in D.C.); and Crystal City (in adjacent Virginia). Social and competitive rides happen throughout much of the year, and several local businesses – including District Taco, The Java Shack and Vigilante Coffee Company – cater to two-wheeling patrons.
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January 17, 2020 marks the 100-year anniversary of the start of prohibition in the U.S., which led to one of the most tumultuous eras in history. In 1920, the infamous Volstead Act banned the sale and transportation of alcoholic beverages in the country. However, the Act did not outlaw the consumption of such beverages, leading […]
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