If you are pondering a move to a more profitable place to live, check out the top 5 cities where salaries are rising.

If you are pondering a move to a more profitable place to live, take some advice from the PayScale Index. This excellent online resource provides data about compensation and which cities are seeing growth in pay for employees.

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According to their calculations, here are the top 5 cities where salaries are rising.

5th place: Dallas, TX +4.3%
Dallas offers more than big platters of Tex-Mex food and BBQ. They’ve got big money in the form of technology, defense and telecom. That’s why they’ve earned the nickname “Silicon Prairie.” As the 4^th largest metropolitan area in the U.S., this bustling city has a lot to offer in the way of sports, arts and culture. Now they can also add rising salaries as reason why “everything’s bigger in Texas.”

Tied for 3rd place: Riverside, CA +4.5%
Situated in between Los Angeles and Palm Springs, Riverside is more than just another Southern California suburb. It’s the place to go for a job search that will result in some serious So-Cal cash. This city started as a citrus town, but now their top-grossing businesses include education, manufacturing and retail.

Tied for 3rd place: Boston, MA +4.5%
Tied with Riverside, Boston’s salary increase of 4.5% means more profitable jobs in some of the most popular industries of 2013: healthcare, finance and higher education. Its rising salaries may be attributed to the abundance of universities and colleges in this town, like Harvard University, Boston College and MIT. Where there are smart people, there are usually great jobs, after all — not to mention excellent culture, restaurants and museums.

Tied for 1st place: Seattle, WA +4.8%
Seattle has always been a leader in the technology industry, and things continue to look up as salaries in Microsoft’s hometown increase by 4.8%. This hip Pacific Northwest city is also home to retail giants like Amazon, Starbucks and Nordstrom, which continue to grow as e-commerce explodes. If you don’t mind a little rain, this is a great place to move and watch your salary grow.

Tied for 1st place: Houston, TX +4.8%
Tied with Seattle, Houston is a top city where salaries are on the rise. If you work in the energy business, you might choose to make this oil town your own. The boom goes beyond oil and gas, though, and is expanding to wind and solar power. Though Houston is known as the “Energy Capital of the World,” it’s also making a name for itself in the environmental game with many green transportation options to help you get to and from your high-paying job in a sustainable way.

It’s great to hear about rising salaries, and hope on the horizon. If a profitable job is your goal, you might consider finding an apartment in one of these five promising cities.

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If you’re a business traveler looking for a short-term apartment, here’s what you need to know.

Have you ever thought about renting a short-term apartment? Whether you’re seeking short-term accommodation for business or pleasure, here’s what you need to know.

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When
If you’re on the road for work frequently or just love to travel for personal reasons, it may be worth it to you to look into staying at a short-term corporate or vacation rental rather than a hotel. Or, if your situation requires that your living arrangements stay flexible (like if you’re a student, are in between leases or are planning to purchase a house in the near future, etc.) renting a short-term apartment may make sense for you.

Why
While you may not be offered a free continental breakfast or other amenities like housekeeping or room service, the benefits and added perks can often give the advantage to staying in a short-term apartment when you’re vacationing. And, if you’re a business traveler relocating for a few weeks or a few months, the flexibility of staying in a short-term apartment can be worth it.

More from Apartment Guide
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What You Get

• The extras. We’re not talking about stale bagels and subpar coffee. Perks like a personal washer and dryer, hot tubs, a luxury fitness center and extra space may not be available in a hotel but can be common in an apartment. When you’re traveling on a budget, having a fully equipped kitchen is a great way to save some money while staying in and cooking a meal. Outdoor amenities like a front porch, balcony or patio can be a nice perk and allow for some fresh air that you might not get in a hotel room.
• Price is right. If you’re staying for an extended amount of time at your destination, hotel fees can be pricey. Even for the most budget-friendly hotels, you can expect to pay up to $800-$1,000 a week. A short-term apartment, however, may charge a similar price for a month’s stay, allowing you to save or spend your money on other things during your trip.
• Location, location, location. Staying in a hotel when you’re traveling may mean you’re relegated to a being in a commercial area rife with chain restaurants and fast food joints. To really immerse yourself in the city, choose a short-term apartment in a neighborhood that is known for its cool location and environment. You’ll have access to public parks, trendy restaurants and unique retail shops that will give you a better sense of the personality of the city while you’re there.

What to Look Out For

• The fine print. Make sure to familiarize yourself with the policies before you sign on the dotted line. Cancellation policies will likely vary by rental, so be aware of the potential penalties for canceling or changing the dates of your visit. If you have young children or pets traveling with you, check ahead of time to ensure they can be accommodated. Smoking is not generally allowed in most apartments, so smokers may need to seek out alternate accommodations.
• Know the details. One of the benefits of staying in a hotel is having access to a concierge desk that is open round-the-clock. In a short-term apartment, that convenience may not be available, so make sure you have the details squared away before arriving. When and where will you pick up the keys? When can you check in? Who is your contact in case your flight is delayed or plans change? Knowing before you go can save you the headache.

Photo credit: iStockphoto/zeelee

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Read about what’s going on in apartment renting right now.

At Apartment Guide, we want to help movers stay informed about the state of renting in this country.

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Take a quick look at a gathering of recent trends and reporting about what you might expect to find when renting an apartment right now.

Rent or buy?
A common question which people looking for a new place to live ask is whether to rent or buy. Though many factors play into that decision, consider that cities where the break-even point occurs more quickly for renting versus buying a home are generally considered attractive cities for renters. The latest findings reported on Bloomberg.com list twelve cities where that point ranges from about 2.5 to 5 years.

High-tech, high rent
Multifamily Executive shares a report indicating that high-tech cities will experience the highest rent growth in 2013. West Coast technology centers like Seattle, San Jose and San Francisco will likely see greater than five percent rent hikes this year. Hopefully, strong employment rates will assist renters in keeping up with the rising rent trend in these highly-desired cities.

Capitol savings
Though rental occupancy is typically high in cities across the country, there are places where lower occupancy means an opportunity to pay lower rent. According to GlobeSt.com, Washington, D.C., is the primary hotspot where there are plenty of apartment units for renters to choose from, at perhaps a 2% average savings over last year. Other cities may see changes like these in the near future, as building resumes.

Renting is the trend
While it is important to take big-city trends into account, the U.S. Census Bureau shared some nationwide findings in April which necessitate a look back at the big picture. In cities around the country from approximately 2009 to 2011, the overall living statistic of note was an average move away from home ownership to renting. The report says that “more renters are spending a high percentage of their household income on rent,” perhaps because the decrease in available apartments means that rents went up to balance the change. For renters who spend about 35 percent of income on rent and utilities, that level is considered high.

Renters in Richmond, VA, and Buffalo, NY, scored a win, however, as the only markets among the 50 most-populated urban areas where the actual cost to rent decreased. Also of note is the finding that, in the cities of Los Angeles and New York, about half of households were rented.

Though individual statistics may not be of much practical use, taken together, they indicate the trends to pay attention to. Trends in home living are important to help make decisions about relocation, for instance. The overall cost of living in a place — which includes how much it costs to establish a home — is critical knowledge for movers to consider.

Photo credit: Shutterstock / John Henkel

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Plan a route through these top-notch airports and you’ll be sitting pretty every time you travel.

If you feel like you fly the friendly skies more often than you sleep in your own apartment, then knowing the most convenient cities for a jet-setting frequent flyer is a must.

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When the name of the game is making confident connections, finding a decent airport meal and amusing yourself during a delay, this list of best airport cities will help your trips fly by.

You might want to plant your apartment homebase in one of these cities with high-flying airport service.

Quick connections (the tablet/laptop version)
These days, quick connections mean a lot more than catching your next flight. In our digital world, we’re working all the time. Finding power outlets, Wi-Fi and quick download times is key. The frontrunner in this category is the Charlotte Douglas International Airport in Charlotte, NC. Charlotte is the domestic hub for US Airways, and, according to Online MBA, a great airport for business travelers because it offers some of the fastest free Wi-Fi Internet connections around (an average of 12 megabits per second, for the technically-inclined).

North Carolina must have some serious service, as well, because the Raleigh-Durham International Airport boasted an average data rate that was nearly that impressive. When you are in the Raleigh-Durham area, this is the place to get hooked up. (And speaking of connections, Charlotte also ranked #2 for best connection flights!)

Musical departures
The Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in Austin, TX, offers a unique experience that fits right in with the spirit of that city. Flyers are treated to live music from local artists on five stages peppered throughout the terminal. Clearly, Austin is working overtime to earn its claim as the Live Music Capital of the World. (You must have an airline ticket, by the way, to catch the tunes here.)

Best for stress (or lack of it)
SeaTac, the Seattle/Tacoma airport, is considered top-notch, according to SmarterTravel.com, for its smooth on-site experience which won’t leave you feeling terminal. Security clearance is efficient and friendly here – and there’s plenty of Seattle’s Best and Starbucks coffees to keep you awake enough to make your next flight!

Dine & dash
Frequent flyers know that convenient travel doesn’t always allow for delicious meals — unless eating a cold sandwich on your lap is your idea of luxury. Fortunately there are several major airport cities that cater to tenured travelers and provide the best dining this side of the security barricade.

A recent report in Gadling ranked the best airports in which to kill time, and Atlanta’s airport topped the list for best dining. Every concourse has a conveniently-located central food court, as well as eateries peppered between the gates. While Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson Airport includes the standard fast food stops, it also features savory standouts like Cafe Intermezzo, One Flew South and Paschal’s Southern Cuisine. The Atlanta airport also topped the list for amenities, dining and best flight connections.

The Atlanta airport happens to be the central hub for Delta Airlines — just one reason this airport is THE busiest in the world!

En route entertainment
You’ve charged your laptop, enjoyed a tasty meal and still have an hour to kill before your next flight. Not a problem if you are in the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. As you straddle the line between Minneapolis and St. Paul, you won’t struggle to find a delightful diversion. Gadling ranked this airport #2 for amenities. (Atlanta ranked #1, but we suspect it was for all that great food!)

When relaxing at the Minneapolis-St. Paul Airport, what fun and comforts do they have in store for you? Why not check out Lucky Lindy’s Video Arcade or enjoy a first-class massage chair at the XpressSpa? You can shop at fifty different storefronts around the airport and the Mall. And there are plenty of dining options to tide you over for a long flight.

Fly the greener skies
The Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport scores high for its planet-friendly initiatives. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has invited the airport into the Green Power Leadership Club for its collaboration in getting electricity via renewable wind resources. This type of energy-saving – harnessing power from the wind — seems altogether appropriate for an airport!

Being a frequent flyer doesn’t mean you have to lead of life of frequent frustrations. Just make sure you plan a route through these top-notch airports, and you’ll be sitting pretty every time you travel. (And if you really fly a lot, living near one of these airports might be a good idea, too!)

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If you aspire to the good life, you’ll find company in these three areas where wealth is concentrated.

Want to know where America’s richest people live?

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Between 2006 and 2011, the U.S. Census Bureau tracked where the wealthiest five percent of Americans are living. Defining high-income households as those that earn about $200,000 a year and above, the Census Bureau determined that the greatest concentration of wealth is in three main areas. These three areas are located near, but not directly in, large metropolitan areas along both coasts.

New York suburbs
According to Forbes, while New York City, NY, boasts the largest amount of wealthy residents of any city in the country, the concentration of wealth is higher in the surrounding suburbs of Bridgeport, Norwalk, and Stamford, Connecticut.  These areas are located along Long Island Sound about 60 miles away from the city. Here, nearly 20% of residents are considered wealthy.

What draws so many rich people to this area? For one thing, there’s proximity to the city. The Fiscal Times also notes that it’s a lower-tax region.

Silicon Valley
California boasts the nation’s largest population of billionaires, so it should come as no surprise that you’ll also find plenty of wealthy people living in the Sunnyvale-Santa Clara area outside of San Francisco, CA. This area is also known as Silicon Valley and is home to many of the world’s technology giants like Apple, Google and Hewlett-Packard — plus thousands of start-ups.

Unfortunately for the wealthy, it’s also home to some rather steep tax rates. The rich in Northern California can expect to pay about 12.3% in taxes versus the 6.7% rate that wealthy residents pay in Connecticut.

Washington, D.C. suburbs
Back on the East Coast, the third-largest concentration of wealthy Americans is settled around the Washington, D.C., metro area in the Virginia suburbs of Alexandria and Arlington. In these northern Virginia suburbs, 14% of households represent the country’s highest earners. The economy here has been shaped by proximity to the nation’s capital, and the majority of residents either work for the government, the military or for private companies that contract to the federal government. In Alexandria, for instance, the biggest employer is the U.S. Department of Defense.

Curious about the opposite end of the spectrum, as well? The southeastern states of Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana reported the lowest concentrations of wealthy residents.

For more details, check out the Census Bureau’s complete report.

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Young, professional women are proving to be a driving force in the apartment living boom.

The demand for apartments remains strong and is likely to stay that way for the foreseeable future. A bruised housing market and sluggish economy have encouraged many people to choose renting over home ownership.

According to a recent report from CNBC, many in this group are young, professional women. These women are proving to be a driving force in the apartment living boom.

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Family trending
A report shared by Raymond James housing analyst Buck Horne on CNBC suggests that educational trends and changing cultural attitudes toward marriage are fueling the boom of young female renters.

More women than men — roughly 3 million more — are attending and completing college. The result is that there are more educated, high-earning women in the workforce than men — and these women are taking longer to choose marriage than in the past.

Traditionally, it is the young family that drives the housing market. With the current generation taking longer to marry, however, there’s less demand for single-family homes and, consequently, more demand for apartments. Horne’s findings indicate that many of these young women prefer living in major cities in apartment rentals featuring convenient amenities that make the work-life balance easier.

On the move
Many young women consider apartment living to be a prudent and convenient home option. For professionals just starting their careers, apartment living offers the flexibility to move easily if and when the next big opportunity comes knocking. And for professionals in many large metros, urban apartment living also affords the chance to live in neighborhoods close to jobs — places where they can enjoy access to amenities, entertainment and culture, as well.

As independent, young women continue to succeed in the job market, they’ll likely remain a driving force in the apartment market, these findings seem to suggest.

Photo credit: Shutterstock / Santiago Cornejo

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If you’re looking for rental deals, you’re likely to find them in one of America’s emptiest cities.

If you’re looking for rental deals, you’re likely to find them in one of America’s emptiest cities — places hit hard by the real estate downturn and a weak job market.

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the percentage of vacant properties, which includes both apartment units and unoccupied homes for sale, has risen by nearly 44 percent nationwide since 2000.

While rental rates are rising in most cities across the country as the popularity of renting increases, the market has yet to recover in certain cities. Read about five empty cities where it’s definitely still a renter’s market, as interpreted in this CNBC report.

5. Richmond, VA
With a 15 percent rental vacancy rate — one of the highest in the United States — Richmond definitely offers space to spread out. And it may also offer opportunity to job seekers in the law and finance industries, which are the main drivers of its economy. Home to several Fortune 500 companies and a high concentration of Fortune 1000 companies, Richmond has also been ranked as one of the best cities for business.

4. Detroit, MI
Detroit has been one of the hardest-hit cities since the economic downturn, seeing a record number of foreclosures and a high unemployment rate. Rental vacancies are soaring in this city, though, surprisingly, the average number of unoccupied homes remains quite low. Despite being hit hard, the Motor City is still a great place to live thanks to a rich culture of Motown sound, legendary sports teams and historic architecture.

3. Memphis, TN
Memphis is third overall in the nation for available (read: vacant) homes. A decline in population has led to an abandoning of certain civic hopes. The Pyramid in Memphis, designed as a major entertainment arena venue for the city Elvis Presley made famous, has sat empty for a number of years, though reports indicate the space may reopen as a retail business venture. Meanwhile — for the near future, at least — Memphis finds fewer folks living near musically-famous Beale Street.

2. Dayton, OH
Dayton’s homeowner vacancy rate is falling, which is great news for this empty city’s housing market — but not the rental market, where vacancies are still high. Aerospace, defense and healthcare are strong industries in Dayton. If you’re looking to start a career, Dayton may be the place.

1. Orlando, FL
With rental vacancy rates at nearly 20 percent, Orlando is one of the emptiest cities in the country. But it’s not all doom and gloom for a place that’s been nicknamed “The City Beautiful.” Unlike other empty cities experiencing financial woes, Orlando still has money in its budget, which may be due in part to its distinction as the theme park capital of the world. With Walt Disney World and many other parks attracting tourists year-round, Orlando is one of the most-visited cities in the country.

The five other cities that made the Census Bureau’s top ten list of emptiest locales:

10. Toledo, OH
9. Tampa, FL
8. Houston, TX
7. Atlanta, GA
6. Las Vegas, NV

These cities may be “empty” now, but trends show that the economy’s recovering. You might want to snag a rental deal fast, before they fill up again!

Photo credit: Shutterstock / Santiago Cornejo

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Rental history is judged by many landlords to be a reliable measure in choosing whether to extend a new lease.

Here’s some important news to be aware of if you are a renter or a potential renter.

The apartment leasing industry (also known as the multifamily industry) is increasingly using a new metric besides the credit score to help determine whether they should offer a lease to a prospective renter.

Rental history is becoming a key criterion for approving new leases, and it is judged by many landlords to be a very reliable measure.

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Why is rental history so important?
In the apartment industry, one typical way that financial behavior is gauged is to check credit reports for renters. If these reports indicate responsible spending alongside other positive qualifications, then offering a lease ought to be a reasonable bet.

Good credit is still the gold standard, but now, checking whether residents have historically paid their full rent amounts — on time — seems to be a key to reliably suggesting that those renters will continue to do so and should be cleared for new leases.

The addition of rental history data has come about as new technology and credit company connections have emerged to make renting history easier for landlords to access. Credit bureaus, in fact, are often the agencies which collect and share this rental history data. With rental history added as a part of credit considerations, it can help support an individual’s overall picture as a reliable spender.

Check your own rental history
This change suggests that even if renters have experienced credit difficulties, they may still be eligible to rent IF they also have proven that they can pay rent on time every month for a period, likely for the length of a past lease. For renters in this situation, this should be heartening news.

So, how can you double-check your rental history and ensure that your records reflect a good standing? You might wish to check in with the same reporting agencies a potential landlord might, like Experian. Also, consider contacting former managers in apartment communities where you have a strong rental history, asking them to share with you the official history they have on file for your tenancy.  Keep in mind you will need to know the addresses where you have lived to best verify your rental history information.

Know that if you have missed rent payments, paid late, or abandoned a lease early, you will not be seen as a great renting candidate by apartment community managers. You can address the situation, however, and make a case for your tenancy.

What about first-time renters?
For first-time renters, you will have different hoops to maneuver to help convince a landlord to rent to you. Keep in mind that credit history is still considered a major part of the mix when considering lease authorization.

Money – and how you spend it — still talks!
If you are a renter, good renting behavior is not only your financial and legal responsibility, then; it may also keep your renting options alive in the future. When the time comes to renew your apartment lease or find a new apartment home, you won’t regret the positive history you have built as a reliable resident and renter.

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Check out five strategies to help secure an apartment lease — even when your credit score has a few dings!

Think you can’t rent an apartment with bad credit? Think again.

While it may be a bit more difficult for those with credit issues to rent an apartment, it’s not impossible.

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To make yourself a more appealing applicant, you have to understand what property managers are looking for and know how to convince them to work with you.

Here are five strategies you might use to help secure an apartment lease — even when you have a few dings on your credit report.

Get a co-signer
If you have bad credit or very little credit history, getting a co-signer may help you land an apartment. Having a co-signer on an apartment lease is a bit like putting up collateral for a loan. Essentially, a co-signer is a guarantor. This person would most likely be a trusted family member or close friend (with good credit) who’s willing to sign their name on your lease, assuming financial and legal responsibility for your apartment if you default on rent payments.

For property managers, having the guarantee that rent payments will be made under any circumstance might convince them to rent to someone who’s recently gone through some financial difficulty.

Offer to pay a larger initial deposit
Another way you can make yourself a more appealing applicant for an apartment is to offer to pay a larger security deposit than what the property typically requires of its renters. Keep in mind that some properties have strict rules about deposits, so this tactic may not always be possible. But if it’s an option, offering up “good faith money” could sweeten the deal for a property manager. If you have the cash in reserve, you could also offer to pay the first three or six months’ rent in advance.

Have monthly rent automatically deducted from your bank account
Because automatic payments are quick and easy for both payees and businesses, offering your landlord the ability to automatically deduct monthly rent payments right from your bank account is another good tactic for landing an apartment. You may want to propose this option up front, and if you do, you’ll likely need a letter of employment verification to prove that you qualify.

Request letters of reference from former landlords
If you have poor credit, renting an apartment is more challenging. You must convince a landlord to look past the numbers of your credit score and trust that you will pay rent on time each month. In many cases, having someone vouch for you can be very convincing.

If you’ve rented an apartment in the past and been a good resident who paid on time, having your former landlord or property manager write a letter on your behalf can pay off — especially if you lived in the same apartment for a longer stretch of time. Any evidence that demonstrates your financially responsibility should help you.

Write your own recommendation letter
Being up front about your financial situation can also help you land an apartment. A strategy for renting with bad credit is to disclose that you have credit issues — before a property manager even runs a credit check. Share, as well, exactly what you’re doing to fix these issues.

You might explain the source of your debts; some landlords look more favorably on medical debt, for example, than on other debts like bankruptcy or foreclosure. You may also choose to explain how you’re working to correct errors on your credit report or to repay your debts. Providing proof, such as bank statements and bills, to back up your claims may help landlords follow your story.

In general, the more honest you can be about your credit situation — and the more options you can offer a potential property manager — the better. It may take you a bit longer to find someone who will work with you, but it’s definitely possible to rent with credit obstacles when you’re willing to be flexible.

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Have you considered these five details on your apartment search?

It’s easy for an apartment search to become overwhelming, even when you follow a careful search plan.

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Don’t bog down your brain with zillions of requirements. Focus on a few things you feel are important to your perfect apartment space.

Here are five essentials that might be easy to overlook, but are extremely important to consider when choosing your new apartment home.

Location, location, location
The coolest apartment loses a little of its luster after a 50-minute commute to work or play. When you look at an apartment community, map out how long it will take you to get to work, your gym or your best friend’s house. You should also drive around the neighborhood to see which grocery stores, drugstores, gas stations, dry cleaners and restaurants are nearby. Be sure you choose a location you can live with.

Comfort is key
A lot of people get wowed by amenities, attempting to make an awkward space work out because they love the saltwater pool or decked-out clubhouse. Remember that this particular unit is going to be your apartment home, and you need to consider your overall comfort in the space.

Walk around and ask yourself “do I feel truly comfortable here?” Do your favorite pieces of furniture fit the room layout? (Bring a measuring tape to make sure.) Is there enough natural light? Are there places to plug in your electronics, appliances and beloved KitchenAid mixer?

Don’t rush your walk-through. Spend some time and feel out whether the apartment will provide the comfort level you need.

Can you hear me now?
Now we’re getting down to the nitty-gritty. You love the place, you’re sure your furniture will fit perfectly, and you can walk to your favorite coffee shop. But what if you can’t use your cell phone inside the unit? Arrrrrgggh.

Going outside to find the magic spot for cell service will get old fast, so don’t forget to check your cell reception signal strength inside the apartment before you sign on the dotted line. Try calling a friend from inside the apartment, just to make sure you have a strong signal that won’t leave you hanging.

Will laundry trip you up?
Another key factor in choosing an apartment is easy laundry access. Renters may get excited by the interior of an apartment unit, forgetting to think about small, yet important, details like where the washer and dryer are located. If appliances are provided or if there are hook-ups to install your own in the unit, great! If that luxury is not the case, you’ll want to know whether you have convenient options.

If there is no laundry room in your apartment, ask the apartment manager about an on-site community laundry room. Take a quick visit, noting how far a walk or drive the service is away from the apartment.

Trust your instincts
We don’t call the places we live “home” without reason. The right apartment should feel like home base, both the launchpad for going out into the world and the place where we return to recharge.

As you evaluate various apartment living possibilities, pay attention to your instincts. Let your sixth sense about a place guide you in making a final renting decision.

Not sure you trust your instincts? Remember that you can always compare specific aspects of home living you have appreciated in the past with those you observe in a new place.

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