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The True Cost of Renting in Downtown West Palm Beach

When you are looking for a new apartment in West Palm Beach, it's to your benefit to calculate your true living expenses instead of quickly looking at only the monthly rent. Be sure you are comparing apples to apples when making your decision.

Your rent payment is just one of your ongoing costs. Other potential monthly costs are bills for water, sewer, electricity, trash removal, cable, internet, and fitness facilities. It may be a financial mistake to balk at a downtown West Palm Beach condo that has a higher monthly rent compared to a rental unit that is further away from the city center. Besides the greater value of living in a beautiful luxury building within walking distance of shops, restaurants, night life, and the arts, many downtown buildings include extras in the monthly rent.

For instance, renting a unit in a less convenient part of town may ostensibly save you $200 a month in rent but oftentimes the rent for that apartment complex will not include the cost of services such as water, trash removal, cable television or internet. Additionally, if you plan to use a fitness center, you should add that to your monthly cost of living as well. In most of the downtown condos, some or all of these costs are included. Each building has a different policy and your expert Realtor will be your guide.

For instance, when you rent at the very conveniently located and fairly priced Montecito, you are saving on water, sewer, trash removal, as well as even internet and cable! The Montecito also has a full fitness center complete with free weights, exercise machines and multiple treadmills and stationary bicycles. You save on the monthly cost to purchase a gym membership because the Montecito's facilities are first rate. The Montecito also gives you access to their business center which is outfitted with internet enabled computer work stations.

James Scuttina, Owner and Broker of Scuttina Real Estate Group remarks, "I've had clients who originally rented outside of downtown because they thought they were getting a deal. But then they ended up buying a gym membership because the fitness room in their community had inconvenient hours or broken machines. And they would be hit with unpredictable water bills. They found themselves driving downtown quite a bit for the night life or shopping. It adds up. Then I show them units downtown that are essentially the same price or close in price and when they think of the value, it becomes a no-brainer."

Scuttina continues, "I live downtown and I love it. You get a lot for your money. I don't have to get in my car every time I want to do something and my building is full of young professionals and active people."

So when you compare the price of renting, be sure to include ALL the costs you are likely to incur.

The Whitney is another luxury downtown condo in West Palm Beach that includes many items in the monthly rent such as water, cable television, and internet. When looking over your budget, you may find that living downtown can indeed become a reality for you.

You may also find that you are saving on fuel costs because there is less of a need to drive everywhere when you are within walking distance of the grocery store, restaurants, shopping, and night life. For instance, renting in 610 Clematis means you are quick 6 minute walk from a Publix supermarket and you down the street from the some of the best night life in south Florida.

When deciding where to live in West Palm Beach, don't just look at the monthly rent. Ask your Realtor to calculate the true costs. You may be pleasantly surprised at what you can afford.

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The True Cost of Renting in Downtown West Palm Beach

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