FREE City Rental Search

If you're interested in city rentals, you're not alone. Whether you live in a small city or a big city, whether you have lived in cities all of your life or are just moving to one, whether your city is New York, Austin, Cincinnati, or Los Angeles, looking for city rentals can be an exciting—or grueling—challenge. Read on to learn more about finding great city rentals.

There are a number of reasons why someone might look for a rental in the city. Here are some of the major reasons to consider:

Shorten Your Commute

If you're like most people in an urban or suburban area, there's a good chance that you work in the city. Cities are centers of economic development and industry, and the majority of the jobs tend to be located there. If you live in a suburb, it could take hours for you to get to your job in the city. Rentals located within the city limits mean a shorter commute, and that could mean getting two to four hours a day back for yourself and your family.

Enjoy City Life

City life has a lot to offer. Cities have museums, bars, clubs, movies and major shopping centers. When you live in a city, you have easy access to all of these things and more. For some people, suburban life is too slow. If you are one of these people, searching through city rental listings for the perfect apartment can be a great idea.

Current Rental Too Small

Maybe you live in the city already, but you've gotten married, decided to move in with your significant other, or even are starting a family. This doesn't mean you have to move out of the city. There are city rentals available in many sizes, including two bedroom, three bedroom, and even larger apartments. When it's time to move, the city can be a great option.

Not Ready to Buy

Perhaps someday you see yourself living out in the country or in the suburbs with your family, but right now, the city is where you need to be. Buying a house within the city limits can be a very expensive proposition, as city land is often at a premium. If you're planning to move out to the suburbs in five or ten years anyway, it may not even make sense to try to buy now. If this is the case, you can find great city rentals that can take care of your needs now with no long term obligations, and then move out free and clear when you're ready to buy a home of your own. Finding an inexpensive city rental also can help you save up for a down payment on a house.

Size

One of the first things you'll want to think about when you are looking for your city rental is size. Keep in mind that the larger the apartment you choose, the more you are likely to have to pay. That said, choosing the smallest apartment you can find is not necessarily the best idea. Keep in mind that your space needs may expand over the time you live in a particular apartment. You may acquire more possessions, have a roommate or significant other move in, or just find yourself needing more space. Consider giving yourself some room to grow when it comes to your apartment. City lofts may be a great option because they allow for more flexibility in dividing up the apartment space.

Price

As you're probably aware, price is generally a product of size and location when it comes to city rentals. However, it is also a factor of the fluctuating market. If more people are looking to rent in an area, rents may go up. If an apartment is going months with open rentals, you may be able to get a better deal. When you search for apartments of a given size in a given location, you can help yourself get the best deal by comparing prices among rentals. This will give you a sense of the market and some bargaining power if the rental you want is priced a bit high. You also should try to track how long an apartment is listed for. If it's up for a few months, unless it's a new building with plenty of apartments, the landlord may be a bit more desperate to fill those units. Also keep an eye out for buildings offering deals like a free month of rent, or incentives to current renters for bringing in new renters. These are signs that the renter may be more motivated.

Location

If you're offered a great price for a large apartment, be wary of the location. If you're not familiar with the location, do some research. The apartment may be located in a high crime area, or near a loud, busy airport, or downwind of a sewage treatment plant. You may be willing to make some sacrifices for a cheap apartment that is spacious, but be sure you know what you are getting into. It's a good idea to visit the rental at least once. If you can, visit more than once at different times of day or on different days.

Reputation

It can also be a good idea to talk to current renters in a building you are considering. These people have no reason to lie to you about what living in a certain building is like, so you can really get a sense of whether or not a particular building is the right one for you.

Finding City Rentals

These days, using an online apartment finder is really your best bet. A site with a powerful apartment search engine like Rent.com can really help you compare prices, find the right size and location for the city rentals you are interested in, and focus your apartment search.

These days, using an online apartment finder is really your best bet. A site with a powerful apartment search engine like Rent.com can really help you compare prices, find the right size and location for the city rentals you are interested in, and focus your apartment search.