Once upon a time, if an apartment building had a pool, it was uptown. These days it takes a lot more than that to stand out. Do they offer something that can get you out of your unit? Does the apartment have an on-site restaurant? What about a crafting room, supplies included?
New research from Zillow Rentals® finds listings with a turfed pet area, co-working space, or community happy hours are drawing more interest than listings with typical luxury amenities like a fitness center, a pool, or a business center. And a lot of these coveted features focus on spending time around your neighbors.
“Renters are spending more money and more time in the rental market than ever before, making them more intentional about the spaces they choose,” said Emily McDonald, Zillow’s rental trends expert. “They are prioritizing practical amenities while also seeking community-focused perks like coworking spaces and social events.”
With this in mind, we’ve compiled some of the best apartment amenities you can find on Zillow across the country.
On-site dining and drinks
Some apartments offer you the chance to eat out while staying in, thanks to restaurants located in the building. The Mill District City Club Apartments in Minneapolis house a ramen restaurant and Japanese bar and restaurant on the first floor, so residents can take a quick trip downstairs to slurp up noodles.
The Lodge in Marlborough, Massachusetts, has its own residents-only bar called The Night Owl with beer on tap, so you can sip with your neighbors and friends, poolside or inside. And if you’re a really big wine enthusiast, some properties offer private, resident-only wine tastings, like Allaso Vineyards in Albuquerque. This apartment complex boasts that New Mexico is America’s oldest wine region and they want to pay homage, so they also give residents their own wine lockers, and have grapevines on site.
Pet parks
More renters are looking for apartments that suit their fur baby’s needs as well as their own. When searching for rentals on Zillow, you can filter for apartments that allow cats, small dogs, or large dogs.
A small patch of grass outside won’t cut it anymore. Now properties like Astoria Apartments near Tacoma are offering things like K9 hydrotherapy. That’s their in-house doggy spa where owners can freshen up their pooches after a muddy day at the park.
If you’re looking for a place to play, dog parks are getting more popular around the country, including at High Ridge Apartments in Athens, Georgia, where their dog park includes a teeter totter and some hoops where you can really help your dog get their steps in and let their energy out.
Some places offer several amenities aimed at your pets; The Kestrel in Bozeman, Montana, for example, has a dog washing station and a “bark park.”
Co-working spaces
More on-site co-working amenities are now included in apartment buildings as we’ve settled into the WFH/hybrid era. Artem apartments in Miami offer a fully wired work-from-home lounge as well as private rooms where you can Zoom and earn your paycheck without spending the day at the local coffee shop like some amateur WFHer. South Main Station in Longmont, Colorado has a co-working lounge with a computer bar, kitchen, conference room, and flat-screen TVs.
In each case, you’re just an elevator ride away from your apartment. You can easily check on the pets and the plants or indulge in the WFHer’s favorite activity — a 25-minute nap.
Art rooms and maker’s spaces
Some buildings have spaces to scratch your arts and crafts itch. AMLI Addison in Addison, Texas, has a big maker’s room that includes supplies like tape, scissors, markers, pliers and thread, so you can bring all sorts of ideas to life. It also has sinks and lockers to wash up and store your creations for later.
Neffsville Cottages in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, offers an arts and crafts center where you can host a paint and wine night for your friends.
Music and podcast studios
Keep your rock star dreams alive or share your thoughts with the world in a special studio. AMLI at the Ballpark north of Dallas offers a podcast studio stocked with audio equipment for two hosts — or a host and a guest, if you want to be the star. Meanwhile AMP 30 apartments in San Diego has made music the whole theme of its complex, from a lounge inspired by the world of music, to a recording studio where you can jam out and make some beautiful beats of your own.
Pelotons
The fitness world offers lots of opportunities to meet new people, and when your building has state-of-the-art Peloton equipment, you could become friends with other sweaty gym-goers. The Americana in Philadelphia has Peloton stationary bikes and Peloton treadmills. The Preserve at Cantera apartments in Warrenville, Illinois, offer a Peloton-focused spin studio.
Private bowling alleys
How about a quirky perk? At the Harland West Hollywood apartments, you can challenge your neighbors to a few frames in the residents-only, leather-paneled, two-lane alley. Maybe you could join (or start) an in-house bowling league! The Ashley in New York City has a couple lanes for their resident bowlers as well, just an elevator ride away.
Fields and courts
McDonald said renters who are looking at higher-end apartments may expect a suite of amenities, not just one or two things.
“Some features, such as a fitness center, don’t stand on their own, but are most often paired with other desirable amenities, such as a playground, or a tennis or sport court,” she said.
Golf enthusiasts can perfect their swings indoors at the Residences at Capital View in Nashville, offering a full-sized golf simulator. The Heights at Legend Hills in Clearfield, Utah, include pickleball courts so residents can play to their heart’s desire. Some apartments offer multiple spotting spots. The Fountains Apartments in Des Moines, Iowa, have tennis courts, indoor racquetball courts, and table tennis.
Private movie theaters
Going to the movies isn’t for everyone. Having to pay $20 for popcorn and dealing with sticky floors can turn some people off from going to the theater. But some apartments, like Kraewood Flats in Northfield, Minnesota, offer a mini movie theater. Kraewood’s has eight overstuffed recliners with built-in cup holders and a large projector screen for your enjoyment.
Westlake at Morganton Apartments in Fayetteville, North Carolina, also encourages its residents to bond over film in its four-level theater, equipped with theater lighting and posters of its latest showings.
Farmer’s markets
Having a place to find fresh fruit and new friends can be very convenient. The Belterra rental homes at Tres Lagos in McAllen, Texas, has its own farmer’s market for the community where residents can support small businesses and meet their neighbors on a Sunday morning. Ora Flagler Village in Fort Lauderdale is right next to a local farmer’s market as well, meaning you can take the short walk over with a neighbor and chat about finding the perfect tomato.
Playrooms for the kids
Being a parent can present certain challenges in meeting new people, but having a dedicated play zone for your kids in your building could help. Avia Luxury Apartments in Richmond, Virginia, offer an indoor kids playroom called the “fun zone,” so you and your child can make some friends.
Your kid can meet up with their buddy down the hall at the Albion Highland Park apartments in Highland Park, Illinois, then spend a weekend afternoon in a playroom full of games, a ball pit, and TVs where they can watch Bluey to their heart’s content.