It’s no secret that the U.S.’s top cities are expensive to live in, but you may be surprised by how high these city’s rents can go. Time recently put out a list of the most expensive cities for renting. This list includes some repeat offenders, like New York City. It also had some more surprising places, like San Jose, CA. Unless you want to squander your life’s savings on rent, you’ll probably want to avoid living in the cities on Time’s list. Still, if you can afford them—or if you manage to score a good deal—these nine cities will offer you tons of culture and amenities for your money.
1) San Francisco, CA
Ever since the world’s leading tech companies moved to Silicon Valley, rent in San Francisco has jumped sky-high. The median price for a one-bedroom apartment is a whopping $3,590. If you are able to find an apartment in the City by the Bay, you’ll get to spend your days walking the gorgeous, hilly streets of the city. If you love hiking, you’ll be just a short drive or bike ride from the beautiful Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which offers sweeping views of the city and landscape. Or, if you’d rather explore San Francisco’s nightlife, you can head to the Mission or Nob Hill neighborhoods to find the city’s best bars and clubs. Apartments in San Francisco may come with a high price tag, but in return, the city offers lots to do for everyone from nature lovers to nightlife aficionados.
