How to Find a Month to Month Apartment in Atlanta, GA
Atlanta is an ideal place to move, offering residents a booming food scene, countless festivals, incredible year-round weather, and plenty of job opportunities. Whether retirees, young professionals, or even college students, all different types of folks can find what they’re looking for in this incredible city.
With so many different great neighborhoods to choose from, finding a place to live in Atlanta is where the challenge begins. Month-to-month leases tend to be more limited, which means you might even have a more challenging time finding exactly what you're looking for.
Thankfully, we did all the homework, so you don’t have to. If you’re wondering how to find a month-to-month apartment in Atlanta, look no further. Keep reading to learn all you’ll need to know about finding monthly apartments in The Big A.
How to Find the Best Atlanta Neighborhood
Economic growth, bustling nightlife, walkable neighborhoods, and endless urban amenities are just some of the features you can look forward to while living in the A-Town. Residents are never far from hiking, biking, or a world-class restaurant in Atlanta.
Unfortunately, some neighborhoods require caution when enjoying the nightlife, and rent prices are rising in Atlanta. However, you can make the most of Atlanta's neighborhoods by using common sense and grabbing ride shares.
Atlanta's suburbs are filled with quiet single-family homes and luxury high-rises right downtown. You'll find the quality of life you seek, whatever your preference.
To help you find the best Atlanta neighborhood for you, here is a list of some of the most popular areas in this Georgia capital city.
1. Buckhead
Buckhead is considered one of the best neighborhoods in Atlanta, with an average 1-bedroom rent price of $2,040 per month. Fine dining, Fortune 500 headquarters, retail epicenter, and an upscale vibe are all common traits of this neighborhood. Visitors and locals looking for a place to shop seek refuge in Lenox Square, Phipps Mall, or The Shops at Buckhead.
With options like the trendy Aria or Bones Restaurant with a nightlife vibe, dining choices are plentiful around Buckhead. Renters have their choice of older communities and brand new condo buildings, all at various price points to fit their budget. After all, luxury apartment buildings are the norm around Atlanta, and Buckhead is no exception.
2. Midtown
Located in a central location to the rest of the city, renters choose Midtown Atlanta to live in the middle of the action, where average rents are $2,149 monthly. Here, you'll find pubs, entertainment venues, green spaces, and access to public transportation.
Students and professionals alike call Midtown home, with many attending the nearby Georgia Tech or SCAD Atlanta.
3. Old Fourth Ward
One of the best up-and-coming Atlanta neighborhoods is the historic Old Fourth Ward, where the average rent price is currently $1,869. The neighborhood is home to several key attractions like the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site, as it holds deep roots in the Civil Rights era.
The primary draw to the Old Fourth Ward is its accessibility to the Beltline and other local hot spots, including restaurants and pubs. The Atlanta Beltline is a mixed-use path that was once an abandoned railway trestle. Today you can pub crawl, skateboard, bike, or stroll through the area at your leisure.
4. Piedmont Heights
The premier Piedmont Park runs adjacent to Midtown, Atlanta, and is home to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens. Piedmont Heights brings gatherings of locals and visitors for cold brews, festivals, and dog runs at Park Tavern, with average rent prices of $1,723 per month.
With proximity to the Beltline, you can always take this pathway to the nearby Ponce City Market. Grab light bites and coffee from the food trucks if you come on a Saturday. Then, make your way to the Beltline access as you stroll the wooded trails home.
5. Decatur
Conveniently situated along the eastern edges of Atlanta, Decatur is technically its own little city. Decatur boasts urban amenities, like MARTA accessibility, green space, live entertainment, and fine dining. Best of all, Decatur is also known for its charming downtown.
On the city's outskirts, towards Scott Blvd, you can find less expensive apartment options. Or, if you want to be in the middle of it all, choose apartment complexes off the downtown square. Bike or take a stroll to nearby restaurants and events, including the Brick Store Pub, and annual AJC Decatur Book Festival, and the Decatur Wine Festival.
In the best neighborhoods in Atlanta, you’ll find something for everyone. So whether you’re looking for low-key artsy to upscale charm, you'll be able to find a vibe here. Read more about the best neighborhoods in Atlanta.
How Much Are Month-To-Month Apartments in Atlanta
Your monthly lease costs will depend on the number of bedrooms and the type of apartment you are looking to rent. While some of the less popular areas of the city may be more affordable, remember that the more desirable neighborhoods of Atlanta will cost you more.
You can anticipate paying more for a month-to-month lease than a traditional 12-month lease wherever you live in Atlanta. So, if you’re considering moving to a month-to-month apartment in Atlanta, first learn more about the average rent prices for traditional 12-month leases.
- The average rent for an Atlanta studio apartment is $1,657.
- The average rent for an Atlanta 1-bedroom apartment is $1,841.
- The average rent for an Atlanta 2-bedroom apartment is $2,410.
- The average rent for an Atlanta 3-bedroom apartment is $3,073.
How to Find Cheap Month-To-Month Apartments in Atlanta
Despite the rising cost of living throughout the city, finding cheap month-to-month apartments in Atlanta is possible. Make it your goal to stick to your budget before you begin apartment hunting.
See if you can lower your monthly rent with the landlord by looking for outdated amenities or appliances within these month-to-month apartments. To help reduce some of your costs, you can also ask about less desirable floors or units without popular views. Lastly, find less expensive month-to-month apartments by looking away from commercial strips or on the outskirts of your favorite neighborhoods.
It might take a bit more work from your end, but finding an apartment you can afford is doable. Keep an eye out for move-in specials as another way to find cheap month-to-month apartments in Atlanta, such as a free month of rent or no application fee.
Whether you haven’t moved in a while or are a first-time renter, it's essential to budget for your apartment. Check our apartment budget checklist for more help. In addition, you can look for a month-to-month apartment that includes utilities in the monthly rent since summers in Atlanta may lead to costly electricity bills.
Beat out your competition on the best deals by coming ready and prepared to sign a month-to-month lease on your new Atlanta apartment on the spot. Anytime you tour a month-to-month apartment, bring all your documentation and references.
When is the Best Time to Move to an Apartment in Atlanta?
Whether you live in Atlanta or Los Angeles, seasonality in apartment rentals can drastically affect prices. The best time to rent an apartment is in December through February during the winter season. Rent prices are more likely to be at their lowest during the winter since fewer people are looking to move.
Peak rental season is in the summer season, July through September. As a result, you can expect to find higher rates for anyone looking for a month-to-month apartment in Atlanta in the summer. But, as more people are moving in the summer, you might find more options on the market during this season.
6 Reasons Why Renters Consider a Month-To-Month Apartment
Looking for month to month apartments for renters is a result of several different reasons, some of the most popular being:
- You’re a student and will only live in the area for 9-months (Use our apartment checklist when moving)
- You’re planning on living with a roommate that can’t commit to a 12-month lease.
- You’re expecting a significant life change in the next few months, like a career move, a child, or marriage.
- Your work requires you to travel frequently and may unexpectedly ask you to move to new cities.
- You’re new to a city and do not know where you want to live yet, so you prefer some flexibility in your living situation while you get settled.
- You’re planning to buy a home soon.
It’s good to look for a month-to-month rental apartment if you frequently relocate for work or are new to a city. Canceling your lease will come with more flexibility, usually a 30-days notice, but it's likely to cost you more.
How to Find a Month-To-Month Apartment in Atlanta
Ready to find a month-to-month apartment in Atlanta? Here's the step-by-step process to finding the right neighborhood.
1. Determine Your Budget
Before finding an apartment in Atlanta, consider your budget by following the 30% rule. According to this rule, your rent should make up 30% or less of your pre-taxed monthly take-home pay or gross income. Take your gross yearly salary and divide by 40 to get the same number to calculate this figure based on your annual salary.
Let's say you’ve found a one-bedroom month-to-month apartment in Atlanta for $2,100. Using the 30% rule, your gross income should be at least $7,000 a month or about $84,000 a year.
2. Understand the True Cost of Renting
If your finances are straightforward, the 30% rule works well to keep your apartment hunting budget in check. However, if you have other financial obligations, such as student loan debt, there's more to determining how much apartment you can afford.
You’ll also need to budget for apartment expenses that often go unnoticed while searching for an apartment, including:
- Moving costs
- Pet deposit
- Move-in fees
- Security deposit
- Apartment application fees
Once you've used the 30% rule as a baseline for your rent, analyze your bank statements and credit card bills. Credit card debt, medical expenses, student loan payments, etc., are all considered financial obligations that could require some adjustments to your apartment hunting budget.
We know it can get tricky to balance. Thankfully, we’ve made figuring out all the moving pieces of your finances while apartment hunting easy. To find your dream apartment in Atlanta, use our Rent Calculator to help you figure out how much rent you can afford.
3. Know What You Want
Before starting your search, outline what you are looking for in your ideal rental situation and answer the following questions:
- What neighborhood do I want to live in?
- Am I interested in living with roommates?
- What are my must-have amenities?
- How much rent can I afford?
- Do I need a furnished apartment?
- What are transportation options nearby?
Since month-to-month rental apartments can be hard to find, it's imperative to know what you want in an apartment so you can strike fast! Always keep an eye out for apartment move-in specials that can help keep your budget in check.
4. Browse Apartment Lease Options
Most apartments have lease options on their websites, so always check apartment websites first. Most large multifamily properties might have alternatives for short-term options such as 3 or 6-month leases, even if monthly leases may not be available.
Landlords place a much higher priority on longer leases to make their lives easier. Check the website ahead of time to see if an apartment offer aligns with your goals.
5. Call the Leasing Office
Call different leasing offices to see what type of short-term rental options are available. Don’t be afraid to check for month-to-month leases. After all, the worst possible scenario is they say no, and you move on to the next. Plus, they may be able to provide you with local options that do have a month to month apartments available if they don’t have anything to offer.
6. Look for Sublets
For those looking for month-to-month apartments, subletting or subleasing is another option. In a subletting situation, another non-lease tenant covers monthly rent charges.
Renters may sublet their apartments short-term due to some circumstances that won’t allow tenants to live in the apartment, such as having to leave the city for work for a couple of months. However, since they are probably doing this for a short time, they will likely be open to considering month-to-month rental apartments.
7. Explain Your Situation to Your Current Landlord
If you find a place you love, make sure you explain why you need a month-to-month lease to your landlord. By explaining your situation upfront, you can prove you are a good tenant and create trust between you and your landlord. You may be able to negotiate a month-to-month rental apartment if you are completely honest about your situation.
8. Applying for Your Atlanta Apartment
It’s finally time to sign a month-to-month lease on your Atlanta apartment! Ensure you come as prepared as possible by bringing your ID, documentation, and plenty of references.
A lack of rental history for first-time renters isn’t something to worry about. You can ask your new landlord if a lease guarantor or personal references will suffice. If you're new to renting, get familiar with the apartment application process ahead of time.
The most impressive and least expensive month-to-month apartments go the fastest. So come ready to sign the lease on the spot before someone else beats you to it. Also, don’t forget to find out which form of payment they accept for your application fees and potential background checks.
9. Protect Yourself from Rental Scams
Rental fraud and scams are an issue that can sour your apartment tour experience. Some of the most common rental scams involve bait-and-switch listings and apartments that don't even exist, costing U.S. renters upwards of $5.2 million every year. 30% of renters have lost over $1,000 by paying a security deposit on a false listing.
The best way to combat rental scams is by trusting your gut. Deals that sound too good to be true are likely going to be just that - too good to be true. To help keep yourself protected, ask for recommendations from friends or work with reputable landlords or property managers.
Ready to Rent?
Congratulations on your upcoming move into your month-to-month apartment in Atlanta! Atlanta is an urban epicenter offering residents access to the great outdoors, a great job market, and superb dining.
Ready to make your move to Atlanta? Apartment List is here to help you find your dream home.
Share this Article
