The Key

Dunkin’ Dense or Donut Drought? We Found the Concentration of Dunkin’ in Every Boston Neighborhood

Lilly Milman

Jun 04, 2024

Your criteria for your next apartment likely includes proximity to a grocery store, public transit, and entertainment… But what about your favorite coffee chain? Now, thanks to our new Dunkin’ Score, every apartment listing in Boston on our site will tell you just how close you’ll be to New England’s favorite cup of iced coffee.

How To Pick the Right Apartment Unit Level for You

Claire Nicholas

May 30, 2024

Despite the views, the top floor might not necessarily be the best floor for every renter, and despite the convenience, a lower floor may not be a perfect match. With that in mind, it’s best to zoom out and weigh the ups and downs of each floor.

What T Station Offers the Best Deals on Rent in Boston?

Lilly Milman

May 28, 2024

We wanted to find out how much renters are paying to live close to the train in Boston by taking a look at the median rent price of a one-bedroom apartment within a half-mile radius of each T stop. Read on for our breakdown.

What is the Best Way to Pack Clothes for a Move?

Claire Nicholas

May 24, 2024

While clothing doesn’t seem like it should be too hard to move — you can leave the bubble wrap and packing paper behind — owning bulky items, lots of unique pieces, or having a big closet can make it trickier than it looks. That's why we asked Injeanius owner Alison Barnard O’Brien for her best tips for packing and moving clothes.

What to Do If You Find a Leak in Your Apartment

Lilly Milman

May 22, 2024

There’s brown stains forming on your ceiling, you see paint cracking, or you hear an ominous dripping noise… In other words, you’re dealing with a leak somewhere in your apartment. In this guide, we cover what actions you should take as a renter in this situation.

Don't Forget These Must-Have Packing Supplies the Next Time You Move

Claire Nicholas

May 20, 2024

Packing your stuff to move in to your new apartment can be a real headache. From anticipation of moving day to executing the move, there are so many parts you can’t control — which is why it’s important to take advantage of the elements you can control.

Tenant Rights: What is the Implied Warranty of Habitability? 

Lilly Milman

May 16, 2024

In addition to providing you a place to live, your landlord has extra responsibilities to make sure that this rental property is safe and habitable — even if this isn’t explicitly outlined in your residential lease agreement. This is called the implied warranty of habitability. In this guide, we cover what exactly that is, what situations it covers, and what your rights are when you think your landlord is in breach of them.

Apartment Tour: This NYC Renter Decorated her Oversized Washington Heights Bedroom on a Budget

Claire Nicholas

May 14, 2024

NYC renter Madison Adore shares how she decorated her oversized bedroom in her Washington Heights apartment on a budget and walks us through her apartment tour photos.

What is a One-Bedroom Split?

Lilly Milman

May 10, 2024

If you’ve looked for a two-bedroom apartment in a city known for small apartments like Boston or New York City, you may have come across listings advertising a “one-bedroom split” apartment in your search. If you were confused on why you were seeing “split” apartments that seemed to be smaller than what you were searching for, you aren’t alone.

Victorian Chic Interior Design: Everything You Need to Know

Claire Nicholas

May 08, 2024

If you’re drawn to silver and gold accents, detailed fleur-de-lis–laden wallpaper and fabrics, and densely decorated rooms (as opposed to sparse minimalistic looks), chances are you’ll be a fan of the Victorian chic trend.

REPORT: April 2024 Rent Trends

Lilly Milman

May 07, 2024

On Monday, May 6, we published our monthly National Rent Report, highlighting national rent trend data as well as rent price data by state and by city.

What States Have the Cheapest Rent? (2024)

Lilly Milman

May 02, 2024

When deciding what state to live in, it's important to factor in employment opportunities, lifestyle factors, transportation options, and of course housing prices. In this report, we cover where the cheapest states to rent in the nation are, as well as what the cheapest state in each region is.

Picking a New Couch? Here are Pros and Cons of Common Sofa Upholstery Fabrics

Claire Nicholas

Apr 30, 2024

Buying a couch is a big investment, so it’s important to do thorough research on what will work best for you before you click “add to cart.” In this guide, we go over five common sofa upholstery fabrics as well as their pros and cons.

What Are Your Responsibilities as a Co-signer on a Rental Apartment?

Lilly Milman

Apr 26, 2024

If you’re a parent to a college student or young adult, co-signing on their dream apartment is likely in your near future. In this guide, we cover what it means to co-sign a lease, what makes a qualified co-signer, what you’ll be expected to provide as a co-signer, and what exactly you’re signing up for.

ApartmentAdvisor Roommate Survey (2024)

Lilly Milman

Apr 24, 2024

Last year, we launched our Roommate Compatibility Quiz, which can help you determine what kind of roommate you are — and what kind your perfect roommate who would be. To learn more about common roommate habits, ApartmentAdvisor analyzed quiz answers from over 1,000 respondents since then.

6 Expert Budgeting Tips to Help You Afford a Rent Increase

Claire Nicholas

Apr 22, 2024

According to Maggie Tucker, founder and host of Inside Out Money podcast (and an early retiree at just 41 years old), there are money moves you can make to be able to afford the extra housing costs without increasing your take-home pay. Here’s her advice.

All the Ways You Can Pay Your Rent, Explained

Lilly Milman

Apr 18, 2024

Every landlord will have a difference preference when it comes to collecting rent payments, so it can be helpful for you to know your options. In this guide, we go through all the different ways a landlord may ask you to pay rent — from cash to direct deposit and everything in between.

3 Furniture Flips to Try in Your Apartment This Spring

Claire Nicholas

Apr 16, 2024

You may not be looking to re-furnish your space with a table or couch, but taking on a budget-friendly DIY project can bring your space to a new level. Here are some DIY furniture makeover projects to carry you and your apartment from spring clean to summer fresh.

Best Cities for College Grads 2024

Lilly Milman

Apr 08, 2024

Trying to decide where to live after graduation? In our 2024 Best Cities for College Grads list, we've identified the cities across the U.S. that offer the best balance of opportunity, affordability, and fun for recent college graduates.

What are the Biggest Trends in Interior Design Right Now?

Lilly Milman

Apr 04, 2024

It can be hard to keep up with the times. What’s in now may be out next year — so designing your living space by trend can be dangerous. But if you have your heart set on a recent trend you saw online, you don’t need to deny yourself a design choice just because you’re in search of timeless décor. We spoke to interior designers at three firms to learn more about the hottest home decor trends right now — and about how you can seamlessly incorporate them at home.

The Dos and Don’ts of Roommate Conflict, According to a Psychotherapist

Claire Nicholas

Apr 02, 2024

Emotions like frustration and anger can run hot and cloud our judgment, so examining roommate problems through a psychological lens can be helpful. When your buttons are pushed, here’s what to do, and what not to do, according to Becca Jacobs, LCSW, psychotherapist at The NYC Therapy Center. 

3 Common Apartment Insects and How to Get Rid of Them

Claire Nicholas

Mar 29, 2024

Although some insect-related incidents can require the help of professional pest control services, there are measures you can take even before you spot one and before they become a real problem. In this guide, we go through three common pest problems, how to keep bugs out of your apartment, and how to get rid of them if they’re already there. 

What is Mixed-Use Development? The Definition, Pros, and Cons for Renters

Lilly Milman

Mar 27, 2024

If a walkable neighborhood, where everything and everyone is within reach, is your dream living situation, then read on — because you may be a good candidate for living in a mixed-use building. In this guide, we explain what exactly they are, what the benefits are, and what the drawbacks are.

6 Cities Where Monthly Housing and Transportation Costs Are $2,000 or Less

Rabekah Henderson

Mar 25, 2024

The American cities of the Sunbelt and Southeast, often touted as “affordable,” come with a hidden cost: transportation. With this in mind, we looked for US cities with combined housing and transit costs of around $2,000 or less.

An Expert’s Guide to Urban Gardening

Claire Nicholas

Mar 21, 2024

Whatever your garden space looks like, we’re here to tell you that you can get outside and garden this year, whether it’s directly in the ground or not. And Andrew Johnson, owner of The Good Food Farm in Ashby, MA, is here to help you make it happen with his gardening tips and DIY projects. 

Where to Get the Most Space for Your Rent Money in New York

Lilly Milman

Mar 19, 2024

We get it: Most New Yorkers didn’t choose to live in the city because of all the extra space it affords them. But what if you could move one neighborhood over and get more space for the same (or even less!) rent money? Using our neighborhood rent data, we calculated where in New York you could get the most space for your rent money.

Midcentury Modern Interior Design: Everything You Need to Know

Claire Nicholas

Mar 15, 2024

Midcentury modern design has an impressively long (and ongoing) history. What started as a trend in the 1940s remains one of the most popular interior design trends even now. We dive into the origins and aesthetics of midcentury design, and provide tips for getting a midcentury look in your apartment.

Is This a Scam? How to Spot a Fake Apartment Listing

Lilly Milman

Mar 13, 2024

Spotting the perfect apartment listing after hours of scrolling other units that are out of price range or don’t meet your standards is exhilarating — but what if it’s too good to be true? In this guide, we outline how to spot a potentially fake apartment listing.

Don’t Forget to Spring Clean These 5 Spots in Your Apartment

Lilly Milman

Mar 11, 2024

You may already have decluttering your closet or cleaning out your pantry on your spring cleaning checklist, but don’t forget to also clean these easy-to-miss spots in your apartment. Read on for our lesser known spring cleaning tips.

Apartment Tour: This Renter Completely Transformed Her 450-Square Foot Back Bay Studio

Claire Nicholas

Mar 07, 2024

When 28-year-old Claire O'Brien moved into her Back Bay studio, it needed a little love. The 450 square foot apartment had old finishes and was filled with the previous tenant's left behind belongings. However, she saw potential. In this apartment tour, she talks us through how she transformed her space.

Every Kind of Apartment Layout, Explained

Lilly Milman

Mar 05, 2024

Need help deciphering an apartment unit listing? Check out this guide of every type of apartment layout.

Why Am I Not Hearing Back from Apartment Inquiries?

Lilly Milman

Mar 01, 2024

We’ve all been there: You’re scrolling through a ton of apartment listings, submitting your information on dozens of apartments, and hearing… crickets. It’s frustrating to be left wondering why your apartment inquiries aren’t getting answered — especially in cases where it’s totally out of your control. However, there are a few best practices you can follow to try to increase your success rate. (Template included!)

What Dog Should You Get Based on Your Apartment?

Claire Nicholas

Feb 28, 2024

Did you know that a Great Dane may be a better choice for your small apartment than a Jack Russell Terrier? In this article, we talked to an expert to find out how to pick the right dog breed for any living space.

What is the Best Way to Pack Plants for a Move?

Lilly Milman

Feb 26, 2024

Plants are perhaps the most delicate cargo that you’ll pack into a car or a moving truck when it’s time to move to another apartment — so how do you ensure that they don’t get damaged along the way? We spoke with John Selletto, owner of the gift and plant store Petali Flowers in Cambridge, MA, to get his expert moving tips for taking indoor plants to their new home.

Making Your Apartment More Eco-Friendly: A Room-by-Room Guide

Claire Nicholas

Feb 22, 2024

A few small changes you make in your apartment can have big environmental impacts. Read on for our room-by-room guide to sustainable living at home.

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

Lilly Milman

Feb 19, 2024

In this article, we’ll go over what pre-war architecture is and its history, how it differs from post-war architecture, what the pros and cons are of living in a pre-war apartment, and tips for how you can find or identify a pre-war apartment.

Tips for Moving In with Your Significant Other

Claire Nicholas

Feb 16, 2024

As much as it’s an exciting step forward in a relationship, moving in with your significant other for the first time is a milestone that comes with some uncharted territory. That’s why we spoke to relationship expert Ricki Romm, LCSW, who specializes in both individual and couples therapy, to get her advice on moving in together.

From Random Roommates to Romantic Partners: 4 Couples

Cassandra Cloutier

Feb 14, 2024

Romance probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind when you think of random roommates. At best, it might be friendship, and, at worst, dirty dishes. But for these four couples, finding a roommate also meant finding love — even if the romantic relationship didn’t last forever.

How Clean Is Your Apartment Bathtub?

Claire Nicholas

Feb 12, 2024

We spoke to two renters and an epidemiologist to get to the bottom of the controversial question: How clean is your apartment bathtub, really?

The Most Competitive Rental Markets

Lilly Milman

Feb 08, 2024

We calculated the most competitive rental markets in the U.S. right now, using our rental data as well as the Q4 2023 vacancy rates released by the U.S. Census Bureau. The Syracuse, NY metro area came out on top.

Apartment Tour: How This Lifelong Renter Transformed Her Queens Apartment

Kaitlin Stevens

Feb 06, 2024

Stacy M. is an art director and lifelong renter in Queens, New York with a unique home situation: She lives in the same NYC apartment she grew up in, except now she’s the sole renter. Find out how she renovated her parents' old apartment to turn it into her new home.

How to Create the Perfect Home Gym in Your Apartment

Claire Nicholas

Feb 02, 2024

The premium on fitness centers in the U.S. is often not so friendly, so why not consider making use of the space that you already have? Read on for our guide on how to set up a home gym in your apartment — whether you are repurposing one corner in your living room or a full extra bedroom.

Be My Valentine… And My Roommate? Here’s How Much You Can Save By Moving In Together.

Lilly Milman

Jan 31, 2024

Whoever said distance makes the heart grow fonder clearly never heard of rent splitting. And while cost savings alone may not be the best reason to move in with your significant other, it’s certainly an added bonus when you can save upwards of $15,000 each per year in cities like New York or San Francisco.

What is a Railroad Apartment? The Definition, Pros, and Cons

Lilly Milman

Jan 29, 2024

All aboard! In this article, we’re covering everything you need to know about railroad apartments, from how to define them, to their history, to their pros and cons.

The Do's and Don'ts of Storing Wine in Your Apartment

Claire Nicholas

Jan 25, 2024

We asked a sommelier to guide us through the common mistakes people make when storing wine in their apartments — and how to avoid them.

My Neighbor’s Dog Keeps Barking. What Should I Do?

Lilly Milman

Jan 23, 2024

While many of us can agree that we love dogs, it can be frustrating when a neighbor’s pet barks all night when you’re trying to sleep or throughout the day when you are trying to work or study. In this guide, we walk you through a few steps you can take to get your peace and quiet back.

What is the Best Way to Pack Books for a Move?

Lilly Milman

Jan 19, 2024

Any big reader knows that one of the worst parts of moving is packing and transporting a book collection to a new home — so we asked Peter Win, owner of Brookline Booksmith, for his moving tips for book lovers.

What is Hygge?: Tips on How to Hygge Your Apartment for the Winter

Claire Nicholas

Jan 17, 2024

Hygge is many things: a lifestyle, the way you interact and connect with your space, a coziness that meets the eye, and a comfort that meets the soul. And although it’s employable year-round, hygge can be especially comforting during the winter months. We offer tips on how to hygge your apartment from an expert.