Five Popular Cities Where $1,000 a Month Gets You Plenty

Anyone who has ever browsed real estate listings in New York, Southern California, Miami, or Washington, D.C. knows just how high the cost of living in certain areas can be. These are the types of places that have lots of things to do, but you’d have to work like crazy just to afford housing and would have no time left to enjoy life. With so many major cities around the country being extraordinarily expensive, it’s easy to get the impression that you need tons of money to live in a good area. Fortunately, this is completely untrue — there are a number of vibrant, safe cities where you can live, work, play, and not spend an arm and a leg.

Here are five cities where just $1000 a month can get you a nice pad.

1. Austin, Texas

The benefits of living in Austin are close proximity to major employers, fairly low crime rates, and a ton of entertainment, dining, and shopping options. If performing arts and live performances are your thing, you’ll feel right at home in the Capital of Texas. The real estate market for buyers in Austin has become insane, but renters in the city can still get a decent deal. This nice two bedroom apartment is one such example. It costs $900 per month and is minutes away from The Domain, Lakeline Mall, The Arboretum, and popular area parks.

Inside the unit are modern features and a great open layout. This apartment’s bedrooms are spacious, and the kitchen is well equipped — no ancient, half-broken appliances here. The fireplace won’t get much use due to Texas’ weather, but it still looks good. The apartment community itself is well landscaped and has a gated pet park, swimming pool, and a business center.

2. Denver, Colorado

Denver has awesome scenic views, is a virtual paradise for outdoors types, and over 20 percent of the population is comprised of millennials. The natural sights around Denver are amazing, and it also has excellent museums, a lovely botanical garden, professional sports teams, and the historic Larimer Square. The unemployment rate in the Mile High City is just 6 percent, and rents in good areas are affordable. This cute one bedroom, one bathroom, 550 square foot condo is a bargain at $1000 a month, especially since water, sewer, trash, and heat costs are included in the rent.

The hardwood flooring and newer appliances are a great touch, and this condo also comes with a detached one car garage. The area surrounding the building is neatly maintained, and this complex has an on-site laundry area. Shopping, nice restaurants, big parks, and walking trails are nearby.

3. Minneapolis, Minnesota

Minneapolis has one of the best park systems in the nation — including Minnehaha Park and it’s wonderful waterfall — tons of fun things to do, and is a prime location for those who are looking to raise a family or simply live a life that’s rich, yet inexpensive. This is a great place to be for anyone that’s into arts and culture, as Minneapolis is home to a number of museums including the American Swedish Institute, Walker Art Center, and the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Rents of $1000 a month or less are common here, including this nice home. It has two bedrooms, one bathroom, 875 square feet of space, and is suitable for a small family or someone who wants a lot of room to spread out.

There’s quite a bit of storage space in this rental, and the kitchen has nice cabinets, appliances, and a small island. The bathroom isn’t the biggest around, but the rest of the interior makes up for it. This house is in an established neighborhood, which is ideal for those who want to live in a peaceful community.

4. Ann Arbor, Michigan

Ann Arbor, Michigan has speedy commute times, a low unemployment rate of 4.4 percent, and it’s quite affordable. This is a city with tons of personality and enough amenities to satisfy just about anyone. Catching a game at U of M Stadium is just one thing to do here. Ann Arbor also has many parks, landmarks and sights, a great nightlife scene, and it’s a safe area. The Matthaei Botanical Gardens & Nichols Arboretum, Michigan Theater, and The Creature Conservancy are just a few of the area’s highlights. As for rentals, Ann Arbor doesn’t have a shortage of apartments, condos, and homes in the $1,000 range. This apartment in the downtown area has two bedrooms, one bathroom, and 912 square feet.

It has a big kitchen, living room, and dining area combo, which is great for entertaining or relaxing. There’s also a new washer and dryer inside, which is an awesome bonus — who wants to lug dirty laundry around town? The apartment is close to the University of Michigan campus, boutique and major retail shopping, and quality dining options.

5. Birmingham, Alabama

Forget what you thought you knew about Birmingham, Alabama. This city is in the deep south, but that’s not at all a bad thing. It has a blossoming food scene that has been tapped by many as the next best thing, excellent craft beer is aplenty, and there’s so much to see and do. The area surrounding downtown Birmingham, Alabama has significantly grown in recent years, and employment opportunities have increased right along with it. There are historical sights throughout the city along with the Ruffner Mountain Nature Preserve, McWane Science Center, and the state’s Jazz Hall of Fame. Cheap rentals aren’t hard to find here. It’s possible to snag two and three bedroom apartments for less than $400 per month in Birmingham, but if you can splurge a bit you’ll find some real gems ranging from secluded homes to modern condos and apartments.

This house — yes, an entire house — boasts three bedrooms, two bathrooms, 2,000 square feet, and costs just $950 per month. It has a nice layout, great style, and has some distinctive architectural features. The finished basement is 480 square feet, and the home sits in a neighborhood full of other older, well kept houses. In addition, some of the best entertainment and eateries in the city are just a short drive away.