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Renters appear more satisfied in many pricey US cities

FILE - In this Feb. 3, 2015 file photo, a luxury rental building rises high above other buildings in the East Harlem section of New York. High rents are worth it. At least that's the sentiment of apartment dwellers in New York, San Francisco and Washington, who say they're more satisfied living in those cities than do renters in far more affordable areas such as Milwaukee, Albuquerque and Detroit, according to a survey released Thursday, May 21, 2015 by Apartment List. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
FILE - In this Feb. 3, 2015 file photo, a luxury rental building rises high above other buildings in the East Harlem section of New York. High rents are worth it. At least that's the sentiment of apartment dwellers in New York, San Francisco and Washington, who say they're more satisfied living in those cities than do renters in far more affordable areas such as Milwaukee, Albuquerque and Detroit, according to a survey released Thursday, May 21, 2015 by Apartment List. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File) FILE - In this Feb. 3, 2015 file photo, a luxury rental building rises high above other buildings in the East Harlem section of New York. High rents are worth it. At least that's the sentiment of apartment dwellers in New York, San Francisco and Washington, who say they're more satisfied living in those cities than do renters in far more affordable areas such as Milwaukee, Albuquerque and Detroit, according to a survey released Thursday, May 21, 2015 by Apartment List. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)

By Associated Press 4 min read

WASHINGTON (AP) – High rents are worth it.

At least that’s the sentiment of apartment dwellers in New York, San Francisco and Washington, who say they’re more satisfied living in those cities than do renters in far more affordable areas such as Milwaukee, Albuquerque and Detroit.

The finding comes from a survey released Thursday by Apartment List, a San Francisco-based company that helps renters find homes. It dovetails with other evidence that people are spending more on rent yet avoiding home ownership given the high cost of a down payment.

Tenants in the most expensive cities expressed more confidence in the local economy, felt safer from crime and enjoyed the parks, recreation and nightlife, according the survey of more than 18,000 renters.

“These are all places that are very, very expensive,” said Andrew Tam, vice president of data science at Apartment List. “It’s this combination of having excellent job opportunities and an amazing lifestyle.”