Not to mention that most apartments have mininum lease durations, and penalties for breaking said leases. So if you move for a new job, sign a one year lease (because that's all that's available, or you can't afford to pay extra for shorter terms), and then a month later you're handed a box and a security escort...

Indeed. And of course the biggest advantage of them all: living in a big city. One of the main reasons for the salary difference: it's a lot easier to get raises if there are 10 companies offering the same job