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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Introducing a brand-new apartment search mobile app: Search with AI agent Ren, browse via scrollable video feed, apply in the app
Apartment Search by RentCafe is here, and it’s the first mobile app in the industry to offer a seamless renting journey from search to application….
What should you ask before renting an apartment in Charlotte, NC?
Charlotte is drawing new residents from across the country, from young professionals chasing careers in banking and tech to families looking for a mix of…
New apartment construction drops 27% in 2026, but the Northeast defies the trend
Apartment construction across the U.S. is dropping sharply in 2026. An estimated 442,395 new apartments are expected to open this year — a 27% decline…
Public transit in Arlington, VA: What renters need to know
If you’re apartment hunting in Arlington, VA, you’re already one step closer to a car-free lifestyle. Arlington is one of the most transit-friendly places in…
How to break a lease without wrecking your finances or your record
Life changes fast. A new job across the country, a growing family, or an unexpected health situation can all make your current apartment feel like…
From dorm to lease: A step-by-step guide to the first apartment rental process
The first apartment rental process is your transition from shared dorm living to renting a place that’s fully yours. It involves setting a realistic budget,…
Mid-year Renter Engagement Tracker: Miami jumps 130 spots as Minneapolis holds #1
The first half of 2026 brings notable shifts in where renters are searching for apartments. Miami makes the biggest jump in the ranking, climbing 130…
San Diego vs. Los Angeles: Which city fits your renter budget?
Los Angeles and San Diego share a coastline, a climate and a reputation for expensive rent, but the day-to-day cost of living in each city…
Tempe, AZ on a budget: The most affordable neighborhoods to call home
Tempe is the kind of city where college-town energy meets serious career infrastructure. It’s home to Arizona State University, one of the largest universities in…
Finding an apartment for a new job: How to nail your search on a tight deadline
Landing a new job in a different city is exciting, but it comes with an immediate challenge: where are you going to live? Finding an…
Renting in Palo Alto, CA? Ask these 5 questions first
Palo Alto draws tech professionals, graduate students and young families who want to live near Silicon Valley’s biggest employers and Stanford University. It’s one of…
These are the best affordable neighborhoods for renters in Savannah, GA
Savannah is one of those cities that makes a strong first impression and an even stronger lasting one. The combination of coastal living and real…
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…
The money talk you need to have with your roommate before you co-sign a lease
Before you co-sign a lease with a roommate, you need to have an honest conversation about money. A jointly signed lease means both renters share…
Philadelphia, PA vs. Atlanta, GA: Cost of living comparison for renters
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…
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…