The Key

Report: January 2025 Rent Trends

Lilly Milman

Feb 04, 2025

On Monday, February 3, we published our monthly National Rent Report, highlighting national rent trend data as well as rent price data by state and by city.

Where to Find the Cheapest Rent in America (2025)

Claire Nicholas

Feb 03, 2025

Looking to spend less on rent? Here are 10 cities where renters can find a one-bedroom apartment below the national median rent price.

How to How To Meet Your Apartment Neighbors and Build Community In Your Neighborhood

Claire Nicholas

Jan 14, 2025

According to Willy Charleton, a board member of The Neighborhood Association of The Back Bay, engaging with your neighborhood and fostering connections is worth it — and not always quite as intimidating as you’d think. Charleton shared some practical tips on how to make friends, forge meaningful relationships, and create a thriving new community right where you live.

What is Post-War Architecture? The Definition, Pros, and Cons

Claire Nicholas

Jan 09, 2025

In the mid-19th century after World War II, particularly in the late 1940s through the 1960s, life was all about change and new construction. In line with this cultural shift, a new architectural style and movement emerged in real estate. Socio-economic changes and the need for rebuilding in war-torn regions informed the style, known as post-war architecture.

A Finance Professional Shares Tips for Boosting Your Credit Score

Claire Nicholas

Dec 05, 2024

If you’re looking for an extra edge when it comes down to the dreaded application process, optimizing your credit score can help. That’s why we spoke to finance associate Allyson Lynch, whose insights into managing your credit can give you that push you need to clinch the apartment you want.

Are These Popular Apartment and Home Hacks Worth Trying?

Claire Nicholas

Nov 19, 2024

With so much information at our fingertips, discerning true solutions from clever marketing can be tricky. So, to save you the time, we dug a little deeper to find out which of renter-friendly hacks actually work and which, as good as they may sound, don’t measure up to their promises of miraculous fixes, reversals, and upgrades.

Which Apartment Amenities Impact Rent Prices Most?

ApartmentAdvisor Editorial Team

Nov 12, 2024

There are a lot of things to consider when searching for your new apartment, including which apartment amenities are most important to you. But how much will it cost to get all the extra perks on your wish list? This report shows which popular apartment amenities drive up rents the most, and by how much.

The 5 Most and Least Expensive Neighborhoods to Rent in New York City Right Now

Lilly Milman

Nov 12, 2024

In this report, we wanted to take a deeper look into which neighborhoods are driving the price hikes in New York City and which are offering renters some relief. Read on to find out the top 5 most and least expensive neighborhoods to rent in New York City right now.

The 5 Most and Least Expensive Neighborhoods to Rent in Boston Right Now

Lilly Milman

Nov 12, 2024

In this report, we wanted to take a deeper look into which neighborhoods are driving the price hikes in Greater Boston and which are offering renters some relief. Read on to find out the top 5 most and least expensive neighborhoods to rent in Boston right now.

Strategies to Hide Unsightly Items in Every Room in Your Apartment

Claire Nicholas

Nov 07, 2024

With just a few hacks and easy additions to your storage, decor, and more, you can keep your home looking tidy and stylish while elevating your unit’s overall organization. 

Report: October 2024 Rent Trends

Lilly Milman

Nov 05, 2024

On Monday, November 4, we published our monthly National Rent Report, highlighting national rent trend data as well as rent price data by state and by city.

6 Strategies to Finding an Apartment in a Competitive Market

Claire Nicholas

Oct 31, 2024

In highly desirable areas, a lack of apartment vacancies and an influx of potential renters is a problem can slow the apartment search process and make it quite stressful. But if you approach the apartment search strategically, you’ll find that your dream apartment isn’t as far out-of-reach as you may have thought.

How Did Housing Costs Affect the Last Presidential Election in Boston?

Lilly Milman

Oct 29, 2024

With the 2024 American Presidential Election coming up, we wanted to look back at the last election and learn more about how Boston votes on a neighborhood level using election data from the City of Boston. Read on for our findings on the relationships between median rent prices and voter registration, voter turnout, and political party affiliation.

Check Out This Renter-Friendly Fall Decor Transformation

Claire Nicholas

Oct 22, 2024

Interior design enthusiast and NYC nurse Emily Auffrey takes us through her fall apartment transformation, complete with easy and budget-friendly DIY projects galore.

Everything You Need to Know about Americana or Heritage Interior Design

Claire Nicholas

Oct 17, 2024

With touches of farmhouse and traditional styles and a level of detail that approaches maximalism, Americana interior design is all about welcoming energy and good craftsmanship. 

What Cleaning Supplies Should I Use to Clean My Apartment?

Claire Nicholas

Oct 11, 2024

With flu season approaching, the fall is a good time to evaluate your cleaning regimen and ensure you're prepared for the months ahead. To make it easier, here’s our essential cleaning supplies list ahead of flu season.

Everything You Need to Know Before You Paint Your Apartment's Walls

Claire Nicholas

Oct 09, 2024

Before you start your DIY painting project you’ll want to know exactly what you’re getting into. That’s why it can help to approach the task with as much background knowledge and know-how as you can. Read on for our painting tips.

Report: September 2024 Rent Trends

Lilly Milman

Oct 03, 2024

On Tuesday, October 1, we published our monthly National Rent Report, highlighting national rent trend data as well as rent price data by state and by city. To create this report, we analyze rent trends in 100 major U.S. cities.

What to Do if You Get Locked Out of Your Apartment

Lilly Milman

Sep 27, 2024

It’s an unfortunate accident that happens to everyone at least once: You ran out of the house for just a moment, only to return and realize that the door was locked behind you. If you’ve found yourself in this situation for the first time, it’s important not to panic. In this guide, we offer a few possible solutions as well as some suggestions that may help you avoid getting locked out again in the future.

What is a Building Superintendent and What Do They Do?

Lilly Milman

Sep 25, 2024

A building superintendent, often shortened to just a building “super,” is like a property manager and handyman wrapped into one role. In this article, we go through what a building superintendent's responsibilities are, why they’re beneficial to have in your building, and more.

Should You Rent this Apartment? 9 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Signing a Lease

Claire Nicholas

Sep 23, 2024

There are questions that you may not think to ask yourself when apartment hunting, especially if you’re a first-time renter or if you’re moving to a completely new city. That’s why we’re here to ask those other important questions for you.

A Room-By-Room Guide to Doing Minor Maintenance in Your Apartment

Claire Nicholas

Sep 19, 2024

We all know the feeling when something in your apartment begins to malfunction — one minute you’re doing the dishes, and the next, you’re debating whether to text your landlord about the clogged sink. Not every issue requires a call to your landlord; in this guide, we asked a professional handyman for tips on how to do minor maintenance at home.

Which Neighborhoods in Boston Have the Most Rats?

Lilly Milman

Sep 17, 2024

We wanted to figure out exactly where the rodents are congregating in one of the “rattiest cities in America” — and how much they’re paying in rent. The findings may surprise you. In this report, we used 311 data to measure rat incidents per capita as well as our own rental data to find the relationship between rent prices and rat populations.

Industrial Interior Design: Everything You Need to Know

Claire Nicholas

Sep 09, 2024

Industrial interior design is a style that embraces the beauty of unrefined decor elements, with the result being living spaces that are edgy, modern, and historical all at once. This timeless design approach draws inspiration from old factories and urban spaces, and can be as simple or as complex as you want to make it.

Report: August 2024 Rent Trends

Lilly Milman

Sep 05, 2024

On Tuesday, September 3, we published our monthly National Rent Report, highlighting national rent trend data as well as rent price data by state and by city. To create this report, we analyze rent trends in 100 major U.S. cities.

Why Have Less Boston Apartments Been Rented This Year?

Lilly Milman

Sep 03, 2024

There's something up with the Boston rental market. As of the end of August, a much greater number of apartments with 9/1 move-in dates were still on the market, and that’s unusual. This new reality has meant some property owners have had to adjust their price strategy or risk having a vacant apartment in September.

A Room by Room Guide to Packing Efficiently for a Move

Claire Nicholas

Aug 26, 2024

While you can’t avoid the task of packing itself, you can make the prospect of fitting everything in your moving vehicle a bit less daunting with these room-by-room packing tips. Bonus: None of these require fancy packing materials.

The Most Affordable Beachfront Cities in the U.S.

Lilly Milman

Aug 22, 2024

Wish you could live on the beach? For many, living by the waterfront feels like a dream — an expensive one at that. However, it doesn’t need to be. We decided to find out where the lowest cost cities were within 15 miles of the beach are, including oceanfront beaches and lakefront beaches.

Apartment Tour: How This Actress Turned Her Tiny Upper East Side Apartment into a Maximalist Oasis

Claire Nicholas

Aug 20, 2024

Actress Jillian Marie Sayegh was sketched out by her current Upper East Side apartment listing, but the price was too good to pass up — and a psychic had told her that her dream apartment was coming to her way. Sayegh toured the place, decided it had good bones and lots of potential — and has completely transformed the space since then. Here's her apartment transformation tour.

What is a Co-Op Apartment? The Definition, Pros, and Cons

Lilly Milman

Aug 16, 2024

Cooperative housing, co-op for short (also styled as coop), is a unique kind of housing option — existing in the in between of renting and owning a home. In this article, we’ll explore what a co-op apartment is, how it works, how it’s different from renting or purchasing property, and what the pros and cons of buying into a co-op building are.

Tips for When Your Apartment Doesn’t Get Natural Light

Lilly Milman

Aug 14, 2024

Natural light is hard to replicate. Luckily, there are a few tips and tricks you can try out to make the most of the light you do get in a dark room and to make your home look and feel sunnier.

A Guide to Moving in With Roommates for the First Time

Claire Nicholas

Aug 12, 2024

If it’s your first time living with roommates, you’re correct to assume there might be some adjustments and unfamiliar scenarios coming your way in this new living situation. Although your roommate experience will vary based on who you are and where you live, there are some pieces of advice that will help make the experience as enjoyable and smooth as possible.

The Most Competitive Rental Markets Right Now

Lilly Milman

Aug 08, 2024

We calculated the most competitive rental markets in the U.S. right now, using our rental data as well as the Q2 vacancy rates released by the U.S. Census Bureau on July 30, 2024. The San Jose, CA metro area came out on top.

Report: July 2024 Rent Trends

Lilly Milman

Aug 06, 2024

On Monday, August 5, we published our monthly National Rent Report, highlighting national rent trend data as well as rent price data by state and by city. To create this report, we analyze rent trends in 100 major U.S. cities.

Bohemian Interior Design: Everything You Need to Know

Claire Nicholas

Aug 02, 2024

One of the most distinctive and popular interior design styles of the 21st Century is bohemian, or “boho style” accompanied by its siblings bohemian chic and modern bohemian. In this article, we outline what it is and how you can achieve it in your rental.

What is a Galley Kitchen? The Definition, Pros, and Cons

Lilly Milman

Jul 31, 2024

You may love them or hate them, but galley kitchens are here to stay. In this article, we go over why this somewhat cramped kitchen design has become a staple of apartment living and why the pros may actually outweigh the cons.

My Landlord is Selling My Building. What's Next?

Lilly Milman

Jul 29, 2024

Finding the perfect apartment is hard, which is why many renters try to avoid moving often as much as they can. But what if you have no choice? What if your landlord sells your building or apartment — and the new owners do not want you as a tenant?

Apartment Tour: A Nurse and Content Creator’s Dream Apartment Transformation in Long Island City

Claire Nicholas

Jul 25, 2024

Emily Auffrey won the NYC housing lottery with her Long Island City apartment. Literally. Here's how she transformed her affordable housing unit in LIC, with its floor to ceiling windows, tons of natural light, two bedrooms, and two bathrooms.

What are the Pros and Cons of Renting from a Private Landlord?

Lilly Milman

Jul 23, 2024

As you begin apartment hunting, you’ll encounter two different kinds of landlords: professional property management companies and smaller private landlords. To help you figure out which one is for you, we’ve crafted this guide outlining the pros and cons of renting an apartment from a private landlord over a property management company.

How to Measure Your Apartment for the Ideal Mattress Size

Kaity Lewis

Jul 17, 2024

Humans spend, on average, about 7 to 8 hours sleeping every day. That is one third of every day spent in bed, while many more waking hours are spent around the mattress in the room. So, finding a mattress that not only fits your sleep needs, but your space needs as well is extremely important.

The Most Renter-Friendly Cities in 2024

Lilly Milman

Jul 15, 2024

We wanted to figure out where the most renter-friendly cities in the U.S. are, based on a few factors like ease of renting, affordability, tenant protection laws, and quality of life.

How To Feel Safer If You Live in Your Apartment Alone

Claire Nicholas

Jul 11, 2024

For some, living alone might bring about concerns related to personal safety and security. But with a few tips and tricks, you might find that the benefits of solo renting outweigh any doubts that creep in when you’re home alone.

How to Make Friends When You Move to a New City

Claire Nicholas

Jul 09, 2024

How do you meet people in a new and unfamiliar place? We spoke to a few young adult renters to learn more about how to make friends in a new city.

Report: June 2024 Rent Trends

Lilly Milman

Jul 03, 2024

On Tuesday, July 3, we published our monthly National Rent Report, highlighting national rent trend data as well as rent price data by state and by city. To create this report, we analyze rent trends in 100 major U.S. cities.

How to Find an Apartment in New York

Lilly Milman

Jul 01, 2024

Moving to New York can be daunting, but we’re here to help. In this guide, we dive into everything you need to know for finding an apartment in New York — from your initial search to your signed lease.

I Was Asked for a Holding Deposit With My Rental Application. Is That Normal?

Lilly Milman

Jun 27, 2024

Every rental market has different requirements for apartment applications, so it can be a little confusing to figure what’s normal and what’s a red flag when you’re moving to a new city. In this article, we’ll try to alleviate some of that confusion by breaking down some state laws around holding deposits.

How to Baby Proof Your Apartment

Claire Nicholas

Jun 25, 2024

Since safety is a huge priority for parents everywhere, baby proofing your apartment is something you want to get right on the first go. That’s why we’ve compiled renter-friendly baby-proofing tips for you to refer to as you prepare for your baby to come home.

What Does Your Lease's Guest Policy Mean?

Lilly Milman

Jun 21, 2024

One of the exciting parts about moving into an apartment of your own is that you have the ability to invite friends and family over and have a guest stay overnight. However, in most cases, it isn’t a free-for-all. Your guests can’t stay forever, even if you want them to.