Common Cents: Winter Is Good Time to Rent in Rochester, MN

Renting an apartment in summer or autumn might seem like the most sensible choice if you are moving to Rochester, MN or planning to relocate to a different neighborhood in the city. "Most Americans move between May and September," the website rent.com reports.

Factors contributing to the May-to-September preference include:

• The abundance of apartment rentals in college towns during late spring when college students depart
• The reluctance of families to relocate during the school year 
• The greater ease of moving during warm weather

Why Winter Rental Makes More "Cents"

But for bargain hunters seeking apartments in areas where winters are cold, December to March may be a time of opportunity according to both rent.com and the SpareFoot blog, which focuses on information about moving as well as self-storage.

Both websites note that winter is a time when fewer apartment rentals are available and, therefore, choice is limited. However, prices may decrease for apartments that remain empty during the snowy months. Landlords are motivated to offer good deals on apartments still available.

Another Winter Advantage: Frosty, Frugal Fun

Moving to a place like Rochester when temperatures drop is also an ideal opportunity for discovering low-cost outdoor winter pastimes.  The Rochester MN Moms Blog suggests a number of locations for the following activities:

• Cross-country skiing and snow shoeing at Quarry Hill Nature Center and Oxbow Park
• Ice fishing at Chester Woods, Lake Zumbro and Silver Creek Reservoir
• Ice skating at rinks throughout the city and
• Sledding at Judd Hill and Schmidt Park

It's also pleasant to stroll city streets on chilly days and notice how the snow hushes the sound of traffic.

Winterfest and Social Ice

Two annual winter events in Rochester are Winterfest and Social Ice.

Winterfest stretches from January 18 to February 18 this year. It's a time for community fun and fundraising where you can gain a sense of the city's spirit and contribute to good causes, including Special Olympics. Activities include a polar plunge, snow softball, a youth ice fishing contest and a "Beat the Blues Bash" for which cost of entry is a canned or packaged good for a community food drive.

Attendance is free at Social Ice, which will be held February 8 to 10 in downtown Rochester's Peace Plaza. Nine popular local restaurants will serve signature drinks at outdoor bars sculpted from ice and representing themes such as Mardi Gras and Game of Thrones. Professional DJs at an ice booth decorated with special effects lighting will play popular music nightly.

Home Sweet Warm & Welcoming Home

At the end of a cold winter day, it's pleasant to cozy up with a book and a glass of wine or a mug of hot cocoa in a townhome-style apartment at the Springs at South Broadway. Members of our apartment community enjoy gathering in the community clubhouse for get-togethers and access to free WiFi.

If you don't feel like strapping on skis or snowshoes, we have a 24-hour fitness center with a yoga and Pilates exercise area.

Our pet-friendly policies include a leash-free dog park as well as a pet-spa area, both of which save community members precious free time and, as is often said, "Time is money." Finding an apartment home that welcomes furry family members isn't easy at any time of year, but you'll find it at the Springs at South Broadway.

If you work at the Mayo Clinic, another way you can save money and effort is with our complimentary shuttle to and from the clinic. Living here makes sense.