One thing to keep in mind about Chicago apartments is that because the cost of living is significantly above the national average in the city, apartment prices may be surprising at first. Still, those on a budget have options and may be able to find very affordable apartments in one of the many suburbs of Chicago.

Chicago Apartments: Where to Look

Being the third-largest city, Chicago may feel a bit overwhelming at first — it covers 230 square miles! So where do you start looking for apartments? Thanks to excellent public transportation, getting around Chicago can be pretty easy, especially the four main sections: the North Side, South Side, West Side and Downtown. Downtown Chicago apartments put you right in the heart of the city, close to cultural, financial and commercial institutions as well as Grant Park and towering skyscrapers. The most densely populated residential section of the city, the North Side has many high-rise apartments. The South Side is where you’ll find the Museum of Science and Industry as well as the University of Chicago and two of the city’s biggest parks, Washington Park and Jackson Park. The West Side is home to Harpo Studios, owned by Oprah Winfrey, and the Garfield Park Conservatory.

There are many more Chicago neighborhoods you want to be sure to explore when you’re searching for apartments. Lincoln Park, Old Town, China Town and Little Italy are all worth checking out.

Chicago Weather

Chicago is known for being pretty chilly in the winter — lows can  be around 20 degrees Fahrenheit — but summers are nice with highs around 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Because of winds blowing off Lake Michigan, though, weather can change rapidly, and gusts of cold wind are common.

Moving to Chicago

Moving to Chicago is no doubt exciting. Remember, to find Chicago apartments,  you can use our free apartment search tools. Once you’ve found a place to live, you can use our Moving Checklist to help organize your relocation.

Houston Apartments

If you’re planning a move to Houston, start off your search for apartments by thinking about what part of the city you’d like to live in. You may already know where you’ll be working, and maybe you’d like to live within walking distance of your job or be able to take public transportation to get there. Or maybe you’d like to live close to family, or right downtown. Decide what your priorities are for location, and then make a list of what you’d like your new apartment to have, like two bedrooms, under $1,000 per month, apartment gym, etc. Having a list will make it easier for you to compare different Houston apartments and figure out which one will best fit your needs.

Don’t forget: You can use our free apartment search tools to look for apartments, and if you find an apartment by using our site, you can collect up to $200 in apartment rental rewards.

Things to do in Houston

Those who call Houston home enjoy the many things there are to do in the city. For instance, sports fans love going to Houston Astros, Texans and Rockets games. The city’s Theater District offers great restaurants, shops and venues to watch stand-up comedy, music, live theater and independent films. Those who enjoy the outdoors will have a blast visiting all the parks in Houston — there are over 300 in all. In terms of education, there are over 60 colleges, including the Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Rice University and the University of Houston. There’s really something for everyone.

Moving to Houston

If you’ve signed the lease for your  new Houston apartment, congratulations! We’re excited for you. Feel free to use our Moving Checklist before your actual move, and then be sure to take some time after all that unpacking to get out and enjoy all that Houston has to offer. And don’t miss our tips for throwing an apartment warming party.

About Seattle

Seattle’s many features make it a very desirable place to live. A lot of people know it for being the birthplace of grunge music and Jimi Hendrix, and for all the coffee — Starbucks, Tully’s and Seattle’s Best all got their start in the city. Also ranked the most literate city in America (it tied with Minneapolis in 2008), Seattle has the highest percentage of college graduates of any major city in the United States.

Seattle Neighborhoods: Where Do You Fit In?

There’s a lot of ground to cover when you’re talking about Seattle neighborhoods, but we’ll keep it short ‘n’ sweet with a brief overview of some of them to get you on your way. Popular with University of Washington students and staffers is the University District, and there’s also University Heights — both are good options if you’re university-bound. And don’t forget about Belltown, Central Waterfront, Pioneer Square, SoDo, Pike Market and the Central Business District. These lively Downtown Seattle neighborhoods are close to shops, restaurants and pubs, and there are lots of apartments for rent. South City’s neighborhoods — Delridge, West Seattle and Greater Duwamish, for example — also have many apartments available.

Moving into Your Seattle Apartment

Signing the lease and moving into your Seattle apartment means you’re oh-so close to being a Seattle resident. It’s exciting, no doubt — but be sure and get everything in order before move-in day so there are no surprises. Our Moving Checklist is perfect for organizing your move. Once you’re done moving, be sure and explore your neighborhood and start enjoying Seattle!

Austin Neighborhoods

There are a ton of very different Austin neighborhoods, so you’ll want to choose carefully based on criteria most important to you, like proximity to your job or school, or just the overall feel of the neighborhood, for example. If you’ll be attending the University of Texas at Austin, nearby neighborhoods like West Campus have a lot of new housing to offer thanks to recent construction. You can also look for Austin apartments on a UT Shuttle route — with a student ID, you can ride these shuttles for free.

Other areas like Hyde Park, Clarksville, Tarrytown and French Place include apartments in historical districts. Families may be interested in renting in suburban areas where, generally, more space can be had for less money. The East Side is a popular pick for those looking to live close to downtown. If you’re looking for luxury apartments, you might have great luck looking in Northwest Austin near the Arboretum area. And South Austin has plenty to offer in terms of funky apartments in lively communities.

Narrowing Down Your Choices

Once you decide on an area, next comes actually finding a place to call home. As we’ve suggested before, making a list of your priorities is a great idea and will help you compare different apartments. For example, if wood floors, a swimming pool and the ability to have a cat are all essential, make note of it so you don’t wind up with something that doesn’t meet your needs.

Enjoy Austin Living

All moved in? Whew — bet you’re glad to be able to put out the welcome mat and relax. Now that you’re settled into your new Austin apartment, you’ll be able to enjoy everything the city has to offer. Take your time and soak up everything, like running on Town Lake, watching the bats, swimming at Barton Springs and shopping on South Congress.

If you’re just getting started on your search for Austin apartments, we’re happy to offer our free apartment search tools — we’re here to help! If you wind up finding an apartment using our site, you can collect up to $200 in apartment rental rewards.

Once You’ve Found the Perfect Apartment

The most important part of the Reward process is telling your apartment complex where you found them. Make sure you write down ApartmentSearch.com by CORT as the referral source on your rental application and you are on your way to a $200 Reward. At this point, you will want to let ApartmentSearch.com know that they helped you find your apartment. To do this, go onto www.ApartmentSearch.com and go to the ‚ “Claim Reward” tab, where you will find step by step instructions on how to claim your Reward.

How the Reward Works

You might be asking yourself, “What’s the catch?” Well, you will be pleased to know that there is no catch! When you source ApartmentSearch.com for finding your apartment, your apartment complex pays ApartmentSearch.com a referral fee. As a result, ApartmentSearch.com can provide you with a Reward as a thank you for using their site to find your apartment at no expense to you!

The Reward

The Reward is anywhere from $100 to $200. In most cases, you will get a $200 Reward, which consists of $100 in CORT Bucks and a $100 American Express card that you can use anywhere AMEX is accepted. You can use your CORT Bucks at any CORT Showroom nationwide to buy or rent furniture for your new apartment.

If you are in a city that offers a $100 Reward, that consists of $100 in CORT Bucks. The $150 Reward is $100 in CORT Bucks and a $50 AMEX card. Click for a list of cities and their corresponding rewards.

When Do I Receive My Reward?

Once ApartmentSearch.com has confirmed that you’ve signed your lease, they will send you your $100 CORT Bucks. This is convenient, so that you can get that last piece of furniture you need for your new place. You will receive your AMEX card once your apartment complex pays ApartmentSearch.com for the referral. Go ahead and allow around four to ten weeks to receive your AMEX card so that ApartmentSearch.com and your apartment complex can get all of the scores settled.

For more information, read the terms and conditions on claiming your reward and good luck finding your perfect place!