Downtown Is the Fresh Place to Be, Especially in the Southeast

Professionals need places to live that serve them best. While many moved out of town in the last couple of years, they have been returning to city centers. Fortunately for them, real estate developers have been building increasing numbers of new downtown apartments, with cities in the South Atlantic region leading the way. 

If you want to move, getting a freshly built modern apartment means not worrying about rusty pipes or iffy A/C, and you’ll probably find yourself in a trendy, happening part of town. A recent study by StorageCafe showed that cities in Georgia, Tennessee, Florida, and North Carolina constructed more than their share of city-center apartments between 2013 and 2022. So, if you want a perfectly functioning and fashionable residence, plus the excitement of downtown living, consider what cities in these states are offering and how you can manage your living space there. 

Southeastern Hotspots Add Most Residential Square Footage

Atlanta, Georgia, saw the most apartments built in the last ten years, more than doubling the inventory. If you work in tech, The Silicon Peach might have the new job you are looking for, or perhaps the Hollywood of the South can give you your break in the entertainment industry! Confidence in the city’s downtown is on the up, with commercial developments complementing the new residential accommodation. So, if you think The Big A could be for you, check out its fresh downtown real estate. 

In downtown Nashville, Tennessee, almost 80% of the apartments have been built in the last decade, more than in any other large US city. In addition, getting on for 5,000 more new apartments are under construction here. As well as being the undisputed home of country music, the city is also a vital tech hub, with companies like Oracle and Amazon announcing new developments locally. So, whether you sport rhinestones or nerdy glasses, the Athens of the South might be the place for you!

Charlotte, North Carolina, saw the fourth-highest square footage of new downtown residential space added in the last ten years, adding more apartments than were already in the city’s housing stock. And yes, we know that The Queen City doesn’t have a ‘downtown,’ but its Uptown encompasses the Central Business District plus excellent shopping and entertainment options, so it still counts! The employment possibilities here are traditionally very healthy, with finance being a significant sector. 

Florida Cities Keep Downtown Magic Alive

Further down the Atlantic coast, no less than two-thirds of Miami’s downtown apartments have been built in the last ten years, demonstrating that the magic has not gone out of Magic City for real estate developers. Moving into one of these new pads would give immediate access to jobs in the city’s Central Business District and a big buzz in the Arts & Entertainment District. 

While big cities still appeal, many smaller ones have up-and-coming reputations, attracting newcomers for work and play. St. Petersburg, on Florida’s Gulf Coast, has a population of only a quarter of a million, but its downtown also has a Central Business District plus theaters and museums. No less than 77% of the apartments here were built in the last ten years, indicating a massive surge of interest in the place. 

Nearby Tampa is not far behind in terms of downtown residential construction, with two-thirds of its downtown apartments having been completed in the past decade, which has gone hand-in-hand with commercial development. The area is highly favored with beaches and watersports, and if you decide to move here with a new partner, you could consider spending time on nearby Honeymoon Island!

Self Storage Helps Downtown Apartment Dwellers

New downtown apartment dwellers may not find their living space as big as they are used to. However, self-storage can plug this gap, and new storage facilities often follow on the heels of residential construction, providing vital low-cost storage space near people’s homes. You can keep seasonal items such as winter clothes and Christmas decorations, plus bulky gear only used on weekends, such as golf clubs. 

Atlanta has been building more storage in the last ten years than any other large US city. Joining the trend of Southeastern urban development, self-storage in Raleigh, North Carolina, saw the third-highest square footage of storage built in this period, adding to its substantial inventory. This city’s downtown includes historic districts, museums, and great places to eat, and with the city being an integral part of the ‘Research Triangle,’ high-quality jobs are on the table here! 

The South Atlantic region is trending for professionals looking for new downtown apartments. Incidentally, Houston, Los Angeles, and Phoenix also show healthy city-center development, indicating a preference towards warmer locations. And although returning to downtowns after a drift away due to home working is not seen uniformly across the US, these cities are providing new modern housing in central locations that should appeal to professionals looking for the buzz.