12 Cities for Singles To Consider Buying a Condo, According to Real Estate Agents

Being single can be a fun and exciting time in your life. There’s lots of people to meet, adventures to go on and opportunities to discover more about yourself, depending on where you live.

The right location also affords great opportunities for singles looking to purchase a home that fits their lifestyle, like a condo.

“It comes down to condo ‘desirability,'” said Dan Richards, the president of Flyhomes. “This is critical because whenever you have a market downturn the properties which tend to lose value first are condos and apartments.”

In order for a condo to maintain value over the long term, Richards said you need a city designed for condo living, where condos are prioritized and valued rather than viewed as a compromise to a single-family home. This means purchasing in established, densely populated cities where close-quarter living never falls out of fashion.

If you’re a single person looking to invest in a condominium, Matt Vukovich of Matt Buys Indiana Houses said to look for a city that “offers a combination of reasonable condo prices, growing markets and appealing lifestyles.”

Here’s a list of the 12 best cities Vukovich and Richards recommend for singles considering buying a condo.

Phoenix is fairly affordable for most people, with median condo prices sitting at $315,000, according to Redfin data.

“The city’s real estate market is growing, supported by technology and manufacturing sectors,” said Vukovich.

“Singles will appreciate the warm climate, vibrant culture and low cost of living due to no state income tax. With its potential for appreciation and reasonable prices, Phoenix is a strong financial choice.”

Citing a report from Filterbuy, Richards explained that Seattle has experienced some of the highest increases in population density among large, U.S. cities since 2010, making it an attractive prospect for condo buying.

“Whereas other large cities are flat or trending down in terms of density, NYC being among them, Seattle is getting more and more dense due to its surge in population growth,” said Richards. 

“The city also totals only 84 square miles so there’s little risk of continuous expansion like there might be in Los Angeles which has 470 square miles to work with,” he added.

While Seattle’s $510,000 median condo price is a bit on the high side, Richards said residents of the Emerald City can be rest assured they’ll see great value over the long term.

“Dallas provides good value for investment and personal use,” said Vukovich.

The most recent Redfin data shows that condos in Dallas are reasonably priced, the median sales price at $242,000.

“The market is robust with job growth in technology and finance,” Vukovich continued. “[And] the city offers a dynamic lifestyle with nightlife and diverse dining options, plus low taxes.” 

While Chicago might be trending ever so slightly down in terms of population, Richards said it remains in the top five most densely populated cities in the U.S. regardless of which metric you do by.

In his opinion, the element that makes Chicago more attractive when compared to other cities on the list is its relatively low cost. The median sale price comes in at $375,000.

“Chicago is also such an established city, featuring a metropolitan lifestyle topped only by its rival to the east, New York City,” added Richards.

Atlanta offers strong investment potential and lifestyle benefits. And, as Vukovich noted, condos in Atlanta are affordable, with a median sales price of $325,000. 

“The city’s market is stable with a growing economy in technology and media,” said Vukovich. “Singles will enjoy the rich history, vibrant arts scene and low cost of living.”

According to Richards, D.C. mirrors many of the trends he’s seen in Seattle over the past 10 years but on a slightly more subdued scale.

“The overall population is growing, the density level is growing, and these trends aren’t likely to drastically change due to the small city limit,” said Richards.

D.C., spanning a total of 61 square miles, is the second smallest among the top ten most densely populated cities only behind San Francisco.

“Add to it a building height restriction code dating back to 1910 and a relatively affordable median condo price of $475,000, and D.C. becomes a great financial decision,” he added.

Another city that stands out for affordability, Columbus has condos with a median price of only $250,000.

“The market is stable, and the city has a friendly atmosphere with diverse neighborhoods,” said Vukovich. “The low cost of living and community feel make Columbus an attractive investment for singles.”

Indianapolis also offers affordable condos at a median sales price of $208,000.

According to Vukovich, “The market is stable with steady appreciation. The city’s low cost of living and growing cultural scene are appealing.”

The low prices and economic stability make purchasing a condo a smart investment.

Nashville’s median condo price is a bit higher than some of the previous cities at $419,500. But despite rising prices, Vukovich said Nashville remains a good investment with strong appreciation potential.

“The market is booming with strong growth in music, healthcare and tourism,” explained Vukovich. “Singles will enjoy Nashville’s music scene and cultural activities.”

Vukovich pointed to Kansas City as another area with affordable condos. The median sale price currently sits at $208,000.

“The market is stable with moderate appreciation and a diverse economy,” he continued. “The city’s friendly community, low cost of living and cultural scene make it a solid investment choice for singles.”

“Philadelphia lands on my list because it shares many of the same statistics and characteristics of the other cities here,” said Richards.

Philadelphia is among the top ten most densely populated cities in the U.S., and its growing in density thanks to the city’s recent resurgence in economic viability.

Redfin lists $345,000 as the median sale price for condos in Philadelphia, which is significantly less than those in cities like Washington D.C. and Seattle. Better yet, it still offers the same benefits of living in a big city.

“The [Oklahoma City] market is stable with modest appreciation, supported by a diverse economy,” said Vukovich.

The median sale price of a condo is just $270,000 in Oklahoma.

“Singles will find the city’s low cost of living and growing cultural scene appealing,” Vukovich continued. “The affordability and stability make it a wise investment choice.”