Articles by
Adina Dragos
Adina Dragos is a real estate writer and research analyst with RentCafe. She has solid experience in real estate writing, covering topics ranging from best cities for renters and the top cities for rental activity to cost of living. Her work was featured in several prominent media channels such as Axios, The Dallas Morning News, ConnectCRE and The New York Times.
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Philadelphia, PA vs. Atlanta, GA: Cost of living comparison for renters (2026)
Weighing a move from Philadelphia to Atlanta or the other way around? Both cities have a lot to offer renters. Philadelphia is a draw for…
Best cities for renters to live in 2026: McKinney, TX, leads again in a South-dominated top 50
For the second year in a row, McKinney, TX, holds the top spot in RentCafe.com’s ranking of the best cities for renters. This year, Southern…
Orlando, FL vs. Tampa, FL: Cost of living comparison for renters
Thinking about a move from Orlando, FL, to Tampa, FL, or vice versa? Both cities offer warm weather, no state income tax and plenty of…
What walkable cities actually mean for renters searching for an apartment
If you have browsed apartment listings lately, you have probably come across the phrase “walkable neighborhood” more than once. But what does that actually mean…
End-of-summer move-in specials: Which move-in deals are actually worth it?
As the peak moving season cools off, apartment communities across the country roll out promotions to fill remaining availability. But not every deal saves you…
Oakland, CA living for less: Best neighborhoods for affordability
Oakland earned its reputation the old-fashioned way: through culture, grit and character. The city’s economy runs on everything from health care and logistics at the…
Getting around Phoenix, AZ: A renter’s guide to public transit
Searching for an apartment in Phoenix means thinking beyond square footage and floor plans. One of the biggest things you need to consider is how…
U.S. apartment sizes are growing: Where are renters gaining the most space?
If you’re hoping for larger floor plans, the good news is that apartment sizes have increased in 2025 compared to the previous year. More precisely,…
Baltimore, MD vs. Washington, D.C.: Which city fits your renter budget?
Thinking about a move from Baltimore to Washington, D.C.? The nation’s capital has long been a magnet for renters chasing career opportunities and world-class culture,…
Cost of living in Lafayette, IN: What to expect when living here as a renter
Moving to a new city always comes with a learning curve, and one of the biggest unknowns is how much everyday life will cost. For…
Millennial renters with kids: Navigating the shift from ‘cool apartment’ to ‘family-friendly rental’
Millennial renters with kids face a unique crossroads: the apartment lifestyle they built in their twenties no longer fits the life they’re building in their…
5 questions to ask before renting an apartment in Surprise, AZ
Surprise has gone from a quiet agricultural town into one of the fastest-growing cities in the Phoenix West Valley, attracting families, professionals and retirees. But…
Your first month of solo apartment life: A week-by-week guide for new renters
Moving into your own apartment is one of the most exciting milestones of young adulthood. But it’s also one of the most overwhelming. Between setting…
5 questions to ask before renting an apartment in Asheville, NC
Asheville has earned its reputation for good reason. The food scene punches well above its weight, the Blue Ridge Mountains are a short drive away…
5 questions to ask before renting an apartment in McAllen, TX
McAllen has a lot going for it as a place to settle down for renters. The cost of living is low, the food is outstanding,…
Moving to Santa Barbara, CA? Here are 5 questions to ask before renting
Santa Barbara, CA, draws a wide mix of renters — young professionals working in tech and healthcare, UCSB students and graduate researchers and remote workers…
Lease renewal season is here: Your step-by-step playbook for negotiating your next lease
Lease renewal season doesn’t have to feel stressful. With the right timing, a little research and a clear plan, you can approach the conversation with…
Public transit in Providence: What renters need to know
This compact, walkable city is one of the most transit-friendly in New England, making car-free renting not just possible, but genuinely enjoyable. If you’re relocating…
These are the best affordable neighborhoods for renters in Cary, NC
Cary has built a reputation as one of the best places to live in North Carolina. The town sits at the western edge of the…
5 questions to ask before renting an apartment in Tuscaloosa, AL
Tuscaloosa draws a steady stream of renters, like students enrolling at the University of Alabama, young professionals settling in after graduation and families drawn to…
Which are the most sought-after cities entering summer 2026? The West leads for the first time
The peak rental season is right around the corner and renters are already eyeing their next move ahead of the busy summer months. The West…
How to choose the right neighborhood in a new city as a young professional
Relocating to a new city is one of the most exciting and overwhelming decisions a young professional can make. Between evaluating job opportunities, budgeting for…
5 Questions to ask before renting an apartment in El Paso, TX
El Paso draws a mix of military families, university students and young professionals who appreciate the city’s affordability relative to other Texas metros and the…
Denver, CO vs. Salt Lake City, UT: Cost of living comparison for renters (2026)
Looking to trade the buzz of Denver for the mountains of Salt Lake City, or vice versa? Denver has long drawn renters with its mix…
A guide to Hartford, CT public transit for renters
Finding your next rental in Hartford, CT is exciting, and knowing the city’s transit options can make car-free living not just possible, but genuinely enjoyable….
Moving to Reno, NV? Ask these 5 questions first
Reno has become one of Nevada’s most in-demand rental markets, drawing remote workers, tech employees and newcomers priced out of California looking for more space…
You got rejected from your dream apartment — now what?
Getting turned down for an apartment you loved stings. You toured it, imagined your furniture in the living room and pictured your morning coffee on…
Your happy place is just a conversation away with the new RentCafe app in ChatGPT
Meet the new RentCafe app in ChatGPT, an exciting step forward in apartment search. It combines the trusted rental listings platform used by millions of renters with the conversational power…
Move-in budget: What it is and how to build one for a smooth rental start
A move-in budget is a financial plan that outlines all the costs associated with starting a new residential rental. It goes beyond rent, and should…
See what you’ll really pay: RentCafe introduces Total monthly cost and the Cost calculator
RentCafe listings now display the Total monthly cost and the Cost calculator, two new features designed to give you a clear, complete picture of what…