Hometown, Illinois Neighborhoods and Nearby Cities

The rental experts at ApartmentHomeLiving.com provide you with top advice, tools, and tips for understanding the leasing process and finding the perfect rental. Here are a few helpful rental and leasing articles from our experts to guide you on your search.

Helpful Local Expert Guides

The Windy City Price Tag: Your Complete Guide to the Cost of Living in Chicago

Written by: Nicole Harms

When choosing a place to live, there are many things you must consider. Your employer, your shopping preferences, and even schools are all important to think about. Yet cost of living is also important to know and plan for.

Best Places to Live Near Chicago: 5 Cities That Keep the Windy City Accessible

Written by: Nicole Harms

I’m Nicole, you’re ApartmentHomeLiving.com Local Expert for Chicago. There’s no denying I love the Windy City. Yet there’s also no denying that rental homes in Chicago can be pricy, small, and hard to find.

Chicago Relocation 101: Mastering Utilities, Registration, and the CTA

Written by: Nicole Harms

Moving to a new city is always an exciting time, especially one as vibrant and diverse as Chicago. With world-class museums, a breathtaking lakefront, and numerous employment opportunities, there’s much to love about this city.

Explore the Windy City (But Watch for Falling Ice) - An Insider's Guide to Renting in Chicago

Written by: Nicole Harms

From Lake Shore Drive to the O’Hare Airport, the city of Chicago is a study in diversity, resilience, and culture.

Articles, How-To's, and Tips

First Apartment Regrets: Real Renters Share What They'd Do Differently

Written by: Robin Stewart

Hindsight is 20/20. Live and Learn. With age comes wisdom. We’re familiar with all those expressions, and all of them apply to lessons first-time renters learn.

Renters Insurance 101: What It Is, What It Covers, and Why You Need It

Written by: Robin Stewart

Insurance seems to be a part of life. In some states, having insurance is the law, as is the case for automobile insurance. Renters are no exception.

Apartment Occupancy Rates: Renter Attraction vs Renter Retention

Written by: Robin Stewart

There’s a tenet in marketing about client or customer attraction and retention. Studies and data have consistently shown it costs less to keep a current customer than to attract a new one.

How I Find the Perfect Rental for My Clients: A Real Estate Pro's Guide

Written by: Robin Stewart

Evaluating rental properties for clients draws many parallels to house-hunting. Whether an apartment, loft, townhouse, or other rental, finding the right place means finding “home” for your client.