Great Finds: 2-Bedroom Apartments Under $1,500

River Park at the Galleria offers two bedrooms between $1,100–$1,500. Each has a modern design, as well as walk-in closets and in-unit washer/dryers. But the best feature is for your four-legged friends: a “bark park” with an agility course. You’re also close to the upscale shopping at the Galleria Dallas, and right off the Dallas North Tollway, for an easy commute to the city center.

Monsarrat Apartment Homes offer two bedrooms from $1,100–$1,200. The building has plenty of character: It dates back to 1854 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The units (only 18 in total, so it’s not too busy/loud) feature arched windows and spiral staircases. The community is located in the Old Louisville neighborhood, which has a fitting historic feel. Specifically, it’s near S. 4th street, where you’ll find two gorgeous old theaters and a smattering of hip eateries.

If you’ve longed to live in a building that looks as if it belongs in Italy, you’ve come to the right place. Portofino Apartments feature an exterior design that has old world flair, complete with a terra cotta tile roof on the main building. The look extends to the interior common area, where you’ll find beams and wrought iron chandeliers. Here, a two-bedroom comes in a range of floorplans that run from $884 (for a standard two-bedroom/two-bath) to $1,351 (for a two-bedroom/two-bath with an attached garage). The community is in a quiet corner of Wichita that’s near your standard suburban shopping options, but you’re close to the Kansas Turnpike, which takes you to the city center.

Toftrees Apartments is a combination of a resort and a private apartment community. It’s all because of the community’s location, which is right on the Toftrees 18-hole championship golf course. Yes, it’s great if you like golf, but the added bonus is that it gives you a peaceful buffer from a bustling college town that’s pretty much its own city. A two-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom will run you $1,205, which also gives you access to a clubhouse with pool, gym and lounge. You can still bike (or drive) into State Park, which is — of course — situated around Penn State. There’s the standard mix of bars/restaurants on and around E. College Ave, but don’t miss the hidden gems on campus: the Penn State Berkey Creamery (a circa-1889 creamery that offers up fresh ice cream), The Palmer Museum of Art and The Arboretum at Penn State.

Can you get a two-bedroom in a major city for $1,500? Yes. But you’re going to have to expand beyond the usual downtown areas. This high-rise apartment is near the Buena Park neighborhood, and boasts water and golf course views. (It’s also close to Wrigley Field.) You’ll find the requisite urban must-haves like boutique fitness studios and Whole Foods a few blocks over on N. Halstead, along with the Red Line train (which takes you to the center of the city). Though your rent is $1,500, just be warned: You do have to pay for all utilities.

Midcentury cool meets mountain views at The Argyle Rentals, where you can get a two-bedroom/1-bath for $975–$1,050. The exterior features a fun argyle motif, while the building itself is inspired by vintage motels (meaning the units are off open-air hallways rather than enclosed halls). The U-shaped building is situated around the pool and also offers an on-site restaurant, Penny Ann’s Cafe, which comes in handy when you don’t feel up for cooking breakfast or lunch. Though Salt Lake City isn’t exactly known for its nightlife, you’ll be surprised to find that you’re a block away from a famous dive bar (Willie’s Lounge, a standby since 1948). Be sure to head over to State Street for an array of exotic restaurants with cuisines from around the world.

You’re never too far from a casino in Vegas. However, if you’re into more of a suburban vibe, you’ll find it at Morningstar. This luxury community is located in master-planned Summerlin, near Gardens Park, where you can shop at a farmer’s market or take in a performance at the Gardens Community Center. (You’re also close to coffee shops, pizza places and casual restaurants that have a relaxed vibe.) The complex has a colorful stucco exterior that fits in nicely with the desert landscape, while interiors have an easy-to-customize floorplan with plenty of windows. The biggest bonus in the community is the resort-like pool, a definite must-have for the arid climate. A two-bedroom/one bath starts at $1,285.

The price to live in downtown Phoenix has increased for two-bedroom units, but next-city-over Scottsdale offers slightly more affordable rents. A two-bedroom/two-bath unit (at a very roomy 1,000 square feet) at The Cortesian Apartments starts at $1,016 per month (depending on the length of your lease and the floorplan), compared to $1,500+ a month in a similar building in downtown Phoenix. This leaves you a little more room in your budget to enjoy the local nightlife, especially in the Indian Plaza area, just a few blocks down the street on E Camelback Rd. You can hang at the W Scottsdale, or head out to The Mint, a club /Asian eatery in an old bank. Want something a bit more low key? Go to Bottled Blonde, a pizza place with a beer garden that’s smack between the two aforementioned hotspots.

Though it’s not as busy as other Northeastern cities, Hartford offers a lot of job options — and it’s right at the crossroads of a few highways that take you to New Haven and New York City to the south, New York State to the east, and Western Massachusetts and Boston to the north. 210 Farmington Avenue is just outside of downtown, where you’re basically a minute’s drive from the Xfinity Center and XL Center venues, and nearby eateries. A modern two-bedroom/two-bath ranges from $1,165–$1,325.

Princeton on Back Cove is a colonial-style complex featuring classic apartments. You’ll find vintage-inspired tiled bathrooms, roomy kitchens and windows on three sides of each unit. A two-bedroom, one-bath apartment ranges from $1,299–$1,500, which includes heat and hot water. The complex also offers a bike rental program, a handy amenity during milder weather. From the complex, it’s a quick ride to the University of Southern Maine and downtown Portland. Oh, and Trader Joe’s is super close, too.