As the economy recovers and more jobs continue to spring up from growing businesses, the millennial generation has begun to leave the confines of mom and dad’s home to set forth on their own. Certain educational specialties will drive a few of these 20 to 35-year-olds to suburban or rural areas. But, as a whole, this generation is heading to the city. As they dodge the financial burdens of home and car ownership, they seek apartments that are close to work, their friends, shopping and the things they want to do. What they crave is walkability.
In fact, the areas that have great walkability are seeing an unprecedented surge from this high demand demographic. Washington, D.C., has realized the largest growth with an increase of 82 percent in the past six years alone. San Francisco, Austin, New York, and even smaller cities, such as Seattle and Denver, are also seeing their downtown apartment markets more in demand than ever before. When seeking these apartments, a great “Walk Score” has become one of the most sought-after amenities and are a major way communities are differentiating themselves from their competitors.
Urban apartment dwellers want everything close. And, since they do not have huge sums of money tied up in mortgages or car loans, they are willing to pay a premium to be in a more desirable location. The benefit is not just to the millennials who live there. All of the local businesses that serve the area are also supported. The cycle creates an entire urban ecosystem that has gone as far as to revitalize once-dying city centers such as Detroit and Cleveland.
Walk Score recently printed its latest ranking of the top ten “Most Walkable” cities. They are:
- New York
- San Francisco
- Boston
- Chicago
- Philadelphia
- Seattle
- Washington, D.C.
- Miami
- Minneapolis
- Oakland
When you are searching for your next apartment in one of these great cities – or any other city – ApartmentSearch.com is the best place to start. Not only are you able to narrow down your search by size, price, and amenities, you are also able to see the Walk Score and information about the surrounding neighborhoods. You instantly have information about the schools, restaurants, entertainment, and other businesses that support the neighborhood. In addition, when you let your apartment community knows that you found them through ApartmentSearch.com, we will send you $200 in rewards. That goes a long way into helping you settle into your new home and helping you enjoy the new neighborhood that you are now a part of.
