One of the perks of renting is that you can try out a city or part of town without the commitment of buying a home.
Renting allows people to be flexible and transient until they are ready and able to buy. When searching for a rental location, begin with what is most important to you.
What are your priorities?
Everyone’s priorities for an ideal location will be different.
“I would just prioritize what’s most important to you in the move,” said Kyle Davis, a real estate agent with EXR in New York City. “Is the commute to work more of a priority than a certain area vibe? Sit down and think about this so you aren’t wasting your own time.”
Ideally, you'd check out the neighborhood in person. But if that is not possible, do your research online. Homes.com has profiles with research and information about neighborhoods across the United States. Social media is also a good tool to see the type of people living in a neighborhood.
A common mistake people new to a city make is choosing a neighborhood that does not fit their lifestyle.
“If you’re moving to a brand-new city, aside from your own network’s recommendations on areas to look, I would probably recommend checking Reddit or similar online community boards," Davis said. "Most likely, someone else recently made a similar move, and you can search ‘moving to Houston Reddit,’ for example, and find a large discussion thread answering most of your questions about areas and where to look.”
Homes.com has profiles with research and information about neighborhoods across the United States. Social media is also a good tool to see the type of people living in a neighborhood.
Consider your commute
If you are moving for a job or school, it’s likely important to be close to that location. Commuting is often a significant factor to consider, as it can save both time and money.
“Proximity to transit is very important, and I think one of the most important things in your apartment search,” Davis said. “Based on what trains are close to your job, you can essentially reverse-engineer the areas that could work best and build your shortlist from there. For your first apartment, being about eight minutes or less from the train is reasonable. And don’t be afraid of a transfer. When you go to check out units, try leaving after work to see how the actual commute feels.”
If you are driving, being close to a highway or near the office in general will help reduce the time spent behind the wheel. Rush hour times and traffic patterns can vary depending on your location within the city. Try mapping the commute online at different times.
“Depending on the commute time, or if you have a work-from-home option, I would stay within a 10-mile radius of your desired location,” said Colleen Yeager, chief operating officer of Quinn Residences who is based in Key Largo, Florida.
A common mistake is not checking when rush hour is on the route you take to work. Even if you live a few miles from the office, high traffic can make it take longer.
Do school districts matter?
If you have school-age children or plan to have kids, the school district you want them to attend could be a factor that restricts your location. In high-population areas, school zones are often much smaller in terms of geography, allowing kids to walk to classes. However, in less densely populated suburbs or rural areas, school districts and zones cast a wider geographical net.
At the high school level, some school districts offer charter schools or specialty centers where students can attend a school outside of their zone. Research the local school system to determine the available options.
If your children attend private schools, the zone will not matter; however, you will likely still want to be close to the school for convenience.
Also consider how your kids will get to school. If they are walking or biking, look around to see if there are sidewalks and bike lanes leading up to the school and in the surrounding area.
Living very close to a school can be convenient, but it also comes with added traffic from buses and parents dropping off their kids.
What is your ideal lifestyle?
Ask yourself, outside of work and home, where do you want to spend your time? Maybe you love nature and hiking. Or perhaps you enjoy urban environments and being close to shopping. Besides the practical considerations of work and school, you will also want to be close to those third places that add to your quality of life. Some people choose to live where they can have fun, even if it comes with a longer commute.
“Accessibility, safety, the restaurant scene and what the area is like during the day and night, on both weekdays and weekends, are all things to look at if you want to be thorough,” Davis said.
Being close to the stores you visit daily is not something to be overlooked.
“Driving time is a key consideration that is often overlooked: How far are the grocery store, the gym, shopping, restaurants?” Yeager said.
The location may also change depending on the type of unit you want to rent. Urban settings often have fewer single-family detached homes but many apartments, while rural areas might have only houses to rent. Suburban areas offer a wide range of rental homes.
“Apartment communities tend to be more abundant with many amenity options,” Yeager said. “It can be a great option when a renter only needs a one-bedroom. However, apartments lack yards and fencing. If a renter needs a yard for their dog, they would most likely migrate to a townhome or a detached single-family home.”
If you move and realize you don't like the neighborhood, you could always move again when your lease is up. It's much easier to move when renting.