NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Valentine’s Day may have come and gone, and if you’re still on the hunt for true love, there's some not-so-romantic news: Music City is now ranked as one of the least affordable places for singles.
Living the single life in Music City can be very fun, but it can also be quite expensive.
Au’Janae Roberts came to Nashville in December, arriving like so many of us did.
“I decided, since I'm young and a single professional, I wanted to live the downtown life for the first time,” explained Roberts.
As Roberts searched for the perfect place, she was taken aback by the price tags.
“I was really shocked at the prices for apartments, especially because I'm a bit bougie and I like a nice apartment—something that's modern, new, and nice,” added Roberts.
Enter Nashville Apartment Locators, where she met real estate agent David Fleita.
“I've definitely dealt with more single individuals looking for housing compared to couples here,” explained Fleita.
RentHop found Nashville is in the top 10 worst cities for singles seeking a roof over their heads. The study indicates that if you don't have a special someone, on average, you’ll spend more than $1,400 to rent a studio, draining nearly 31% of your paycheck.
“We meet with them, we figure out their wants and needs, price point, and all the details, and then we'll run the search depending on their personal situation,” said Fleita.
Fleita works with renters for free—his commission comes from the apartment’s marketing budget.
“If it works out for them, great. If not, there's no harm, no foul,” added Fleita.
Current supply and demand help David steer singles toward some sweet deals.
“What's available in the current market, which changes every day? I can tell you, right now, I just recently helped somebody find a place that was offering three months free contingent on a 14-month lease,” said Fleita.
But even with the special offer, Roberts says her current rent is higher than her mortgage back in the suburbs of Atlanta.
“I definitely would have ended up spending more money had I not been able to have David's help,” said Roberts.
To find the best deal, David suggests starting the hunt early, setting a budget, knowing what you want, and finding someone who can help you navigate the market like a pro.
According to RentHop, the current ranking of cities where singles spend the most income on rent is as follows:
- New York
- Miami
- Detroit
- Boston
- Los Angeles
- Philadelphia
- Baltimore
- Virginia Beach
- Nashville
- Houston
Conversely, the ranking of cities where singles spend the least on rent is:
- Wichita, Kansas
- Columbus, Ohio
- Minneapolis
- Seattle
- Colorado Springs
- Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Albuquerque
- Austin, Texas
- Oklahoma City
- Indianapolis
To contact Fleita, click here.
Do you have insights or experiences about renting in Nashville? Share your thoughts with me at Patsy.Montesinos@Newschannel5.com
Breaking barriers and moving to the beat! One local dance company is making it possible for young people in wheelchairs to move and groove like everyone else. Good for your mental health, good for your physical health and good for your dose of positive news today. I hope you check out what they're doing!
-Rebecca Schleicher
