Price: $9,795,000

Bedrooms: 5

Check out: The freeform pool with a grotto and swim-up bar.

Price: $45,000,000

Bedrooms: 10

Check out: The indoor golf simulation room.

Price: $22,000,000

Bedrooms: 6

Check out: The bulletproof glass throughout the entire residence.

Price: $6,988,000

Bedrooms: 7

Check out the: Five fireplaces with 24K gold carvings

Price: $30,000,000

Bedrooms: 8

Check out: The sprawling estate with a helipad.

When a co-working space, an organic grocery store, or a new pop-up restaurant moves into the neighborhood, it’s a sign that the neighborhood is changing. This is just as true for small boutiques and specialty stores as it is for large businesses that sell the basics with flair. In fact, most larger businesses do a fair amount of economic research and projections before moving into a neighborhood. Watching retail industry moves can be a great way to spot emerging areas with strong fundamentals.

If you live in a densely populated metro area, or an urban setting with intense building restrictions, demand for homes will continue to grow with the population. Older neighborhoods close to employment centers, public transportation, freeways, and bridges tend to be prime for whole-neighborhood remodeling. This is especially true in times of population growth or rapid real estate price hikes in already-prime areas.

If there’s one major issue that has caused an area to be less desirable and it’s no longer seen as negative, it could turn the neighborhood around. The addition of a major employer could spark a serious real estate renaissance. But new notions of what’s considered cool or desirable—for example living above a commercial unit—could also affect homebuyer’s perspectives on a neighborhood.

Keep an eye out for neighborhoods characterized by a particular type of architecture. Often, neighborhoods that are filled with Tudors, Victorians, Spanish-style homes, or even Mid-Century Moderns will see a surge of revitalization when a fresh generation of homebuyers falls in love with the style and realizes the deals that can be had there unlike in other areas in town.

From cloud storage data centers in Des Moines to a new light-rail station in Denver, one large-scale employer or infrastructure development can be a very early, very strong sign that an area will see its real estate fortunes rise. With that said, areas dependent on one employer from an industry on the decline can see their fates shift downward as well. Look for industrywide investment in an area, versus a single company’s investment.

When an older area that has not seen much investment in it for years suddenly has a number of ongoing renovations, this can be a sign of a fledgling neighborhood turnaround. It might be worth taking a trip down to the city building permit counter to see whether the staff has seen the same uptick in individual owners’ investment in the area, and if so, what they think the story of the neighborhood might be—or might become. City staffers often have a wealth of information, everything from pending commercial development applications to city projects based on development initiatives.

Ten years ago, I listed a charming, pristine home on a less than ideal street. The location was its fatal flaw, and the place just lagged on the market as a result. Now millennials buying their first homes are salivating over this precise location because of its urban feel, trendy hot spots, and convenience to the subway. Homes that once took 90 days to sell began selling in 45, then eventually they were on the market for only a couple of weeks. This decline in the number of days on market (DOM) occurred much before the home prices themselves increased. A slow, steady decrease in DOM is a smart, early sign that a neighborhood might be on the verge of up-and-coming status. Ask your agent to help clue you in as to where precisely those areas might be in your area.

Price: $9,795,000

Bedrooms: 5

Check out the: Free form pool with a grotto and swim up bar

Price: $45,000,000

Bedrooms: 10

Check out the: Indoor golf simulation room

Price: $22,000,000

Bedrooms: 6

Check out the: Bullet- proof glass throughout

Price: $6,988,000

Bedrooms: 7

Check out the: Five fireplaces with 24K gold carvings

Price: $30,000,000

Bedrooms: 8

Check out the: Sprawling estate with a helipad

Price: $9,795,000

Bedrooms: 5

Check out the: Free form pool with a grotto and swim up bar

Price: $45,000,000

Bedrooms: 10

Check out the: Indoor golf simulation room

Price: $22,000,000

Bedrooms: 6

Check out the: Bullet- proof glass throughout

Price: $6,988,000

Bedrooms: 7

Check out the: Five fireplaces with 24K gold carvings

Price: $30,000,000

Bedrooms: 8

Check out the: Sprawling estate with a helipad

Salt Lake City is the perfect base camp for sports and outdoor enthusiasts. Utah’s capital has the most sports teams and leagues, and the most sporting goods stores per household of any of the top 100 metro areas in the United States. Locals love to hike, bike, and snowboard in the nearby Wasatch Mountains, which are teeming with valley trails and ski resorts. And they do it often—with 82 percent of residents having exercised in the past month. With activities ranging from bobsledding in Olympic Park, home to the 2002 winter games and now a training facility for everyday athletes, to year-round river rafting and amenities like convenient bike lanes in the city center, there’s something for everyone in Salt Lake City. Visiting? Check out the Sugar House neighborhood, home to Sugar House Park with 110 acres of rolling hills, lakes, walking paths, and views sure to inspire an outdoor expedition.

With a temperate climate and year-round sunshine, West Palm Beach residents have plenty of opportunities to enjoy a variety of outdoor recreation. This spot in the Sunshine State and its immediate surrounding area has dedicated 15 percent of its land to green space, beaches, and landmarks—ranking number two in the park space category. With miles of trails in Okeeheelee Park, more than 160 golf courses, and neighborhoods like nearby Wellington, known for its horseback riding and polo fields, West Palm Beach has plenty of outdoor activities. And it has the second-most recreational dance companies (including ballet and contemporary) of the top 100 metro areas.

Orange County boasts the ultimate SoCal lifestyle, with 42 miles of beaches, sun-soaked days, and sprawling wilderness and nature parks with miles of trails and coastal preserves to explore. A full 14 percent of public land consists of green space and landmarks, which puts the OC at the number three spot in this category. From surfing in Laguna Beach and kayaking in Newport Harbor to and hiking in Peters Canyon Regional Park and Crystal Cove State Park, it’s no wonder that 85 percent of residents say they’ve exercised in the last month.

This urban city surrounded by natural beauty inspires residents to get out of their cars and bike or walk their daily commute. As a result, Seattle ranks 9th out of 100 cities in the bike-to-work category. There’s no shortage of ways to get out and explore this nature-filled mecca. Spectacular hiking trails abound in the wilderness areas of Discovery Park, Mount Si, and Mount Rainier, while water trails for kayakers dot the coastline. Cyclists love cruising the 27-mile Burke-Gilman Trail, which traverses the city, while health nuts in the Beacon Hill neighborhood tend a 7-acre community food garden. Seattle also ranked 6th in our list for diet and weight-loss centers, making it easy for residents to integrate health and wellness into their everyday life.

It’s easy to find space to enjoy the outdoors in Fort Lauderdale. It ranks number one on our list for parks, with 37 percent of public land dedicated to green space that everyone can enjoy. Greater Fort Lauderdale is the gateway to the Everglades, where Florida’s wilderness is easily accessible. Kayakers and paddleboarders enjoy the serenity of the coastal waters, golfers try their best at more than 40 courses throughout the city, and cyclists zip along scenic bicycle routes like the Hollywood Boardwalk and Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard. The city ranks 17th in sports instruction, too, which means amateur athletes will have plenty of company when learning a new sport.

It’s easy to be inspired by Charleston’s sports teams, who remind residents that a little friendly competition never hurt anyone. From RiverDogs baseball to Stingrays hockey to Battery soccer, the city is ranked second for its number of leagues, teams, and sports clubs, providing ample motivation to move. With easy access for water sports, world-class golf courses, equestrian centers, and plenty of road space for cyclists and pedestrians, especially during summer in the Hampton Park Terrace neighborhood, where streets are closed to traffic, allowing residents to use the space for recreational purposes, the outdoor opportunities are rich in Charleston. If the weather isn’t perfect, or if you prefer to focus more on your reps than your miles, note that the city is ranked third in number of gyms per household.

Referred to as “Boston’s Left Bank,” Cambridge is known as one of the nation’s intellectual centers, thanks to Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Lesser known, but also important to Cambridge residents who may not enjoy contending with winter weather in their recreational pursuits, the city ranks second in the number of gyms. When the snow has melted, though, cyclists come out in force. It’s no wonder the city has an official bicycle committee and was awarded honorable mention for best biking city by Bicycle Magazine. It’s also notable that Cambridge ranks fifth in sports instruction, the highest of any city on our list.

Across the Charles River from our number seven healthiest metro, Boston is a city where residents are dedicated to cycling to work, even if they have to brave the bitter cold. It’s the second-highest city in our top 10 list for that distinction. This historic city is also ideal for benchwarmers who would rather avoid winter’s chill and watch a professional sporting event (like baseball, basketball, ice hockey, soccer, lacrosse, and football) than get suited up to fully participate, ranking third in the top 100 for the abundance of its league clubs.

With an annual average temperature of 70 degrees and 70 miles of sun-drenched coastline, outdoor adventure is a year-round pursuit in San Diego. The city ranked 10th in exercise, with 83 percent of residents reporting that they regularly break a sweat. Water sports enthusiasts choose between surfing,  paddle-boarding, sailing, scuba, and kayaking at La Jolla Shores or Carlsbad Lagoon, while land-lovers take advantage of the diverse topography, mountain biking, rock climbing, horseback riding, golfing, and hiking beachside along sandstone bluffs or inland at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park. With so many options, its a good thing San Diego residents don’t have to worry about finding the right gear; the city ranks 16th out of 100 for number of sporting goods stores per household.

Many residents have fallen in love with San Francisco—thanks to its expansive park space, hilly topography, and ample coastline—and have found it an ideal place to work exercise into daily life. San Francisco is ranked number one of cities where residents bike and walk to work, with 9 percent of people reporting that they do so. With a wealth of bike paths and great routes to ride, like across the Golden Gate Bridge, the city respects its cyclists. But with great urban hiking trails in Golden Gate Park and Land’s End, as well as nearby spots like Mount Tamalpais, Mount Diablo, Angel Island, and Point Reyes National Seashore, San Francisco is a great spot to get out and about. Healthy foodies here enjoy a wealth of grocery stores, with 77 stores per 100,000 residents.

This is a tricky tip because everyone’s budget is different, and there are many different budgeting methods. To simplify, Kelley Long of Financial Finesse suggests you try what’s known as the 50/30/20 Rule. “Fifty percent of your income should go towards fixed costs and needs like rent, transportation, utilities, groceries. Thirty percent should go toward wants, like dining out, entertainment, shopping and Netflix/SoulCycle/Uber/Spotify/Instacart fees. And 20 percent should go toward your goals, like paying down debt and saving for the future,” she says.

The basic rule of thumb is that housing expenses should not exceed 30 percent of your gross income. So, for example, if you make $60,000 per year, your rent and insurance shouldn’t top $18,000 per year—or $1,500 per month.

Or, if you want to think of it in a different way, try the 40 percent rule. In this approach, “the asking rent should be no more than 40 percent of the tenant’s monthly income, minus all other monthly bills such as utility payments, renters insurance and loans,” says Ryan Coons, CEO of Rentulations.

That said, there is one other factor to consider: the market norm where you live. If you are in a high-demand market such as New York, LA or anywhere near Google headquarters, for instance, you might find the rent far exceeds both the 30 and 40 percent rules. In these markets, potential landlords will probably expect their tenants to prove their incomes (single or combined) are 40 to 50 times the monthly rent.

You may have some accounts to pull extra cash from—but don’t take the bait. It’s a no-brainer that you shouldn’t dip into your retirement fund, but some people might be tempted to grab some cash from savings and emergency accounts. Resist the urge. Once you start draining these funds to cover rent, you’ll be without a safety net.

You should also avoid using credit cards or taking out personal loans in order to cover your expenses. Similarly, if you find yourself charging groceries in order to pay your rent on time, it might be time to rethink your living space.

It’s easy to be dazzled by a beautiful space with the latest amenities and think that if you stretch yourself financially just a little, you can make ends meet. When asking “How much rent can I afford?” do not fall into that trap.

One mistake Long made was justifying a place she couldn’t afford by figuring that eventually she would have her car paid off and could put that money toward the rent. “What I should have done was rent a less expensive place and then started saving my car payment toward a down payment on a house,” she says. “I would have been able to afford to buy a lot sooner in life if I’d just sacrificed a couple years in a cheaper place.”

Nothing is sadder than a beautiful apartment furnished with an air mattress and a coffee table made of milk crates. What good is a view if there’s nowhere to sit and enjoy it, right?

It might seem easy to solve a furnishing dilemma by plunking down plastic and paying it off later. But this can get you into a lot of hot water if paying off those expenses makes covering your rent difficult. Instead of buying things you can’t afford, check your local message boards to see if other people might be selling or giving away items you can snag and repurpose.

It’s amazing what a few questions can do. Don’t be afraid to ask the landlord, leasing agent or broker about the expectations for your income-to-rent ratio, whether someone can co-sign along with you and if you are allowed to have roommates to defray rental costs. If their expectations are different than the market norms or standard rules, you’ll save yourself a lot of time.

Originally published August 18, 2017; updated on December 14, 2017.

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