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January 2015

Football Helmet and BallAs the nation eagerly anticipates Super Bowl XLIX on February 1, two cities in particular are on the edge of their seats: Seattle and Boston. But a lot more is on the line than who will be crowned this year’s NFL champion. Both of these cities are in a knockdown, drag-out duel over which city is the best place to live. Both have rich histories and traditions, fun things to see and food that is loved around the country. Of course, the proud residents of both cities believe their hometown is superior. Here is a closer look at top amenities of both cities; decide for yourself which team has the better city.

Seattle Lifestyle

  • Great place for business, especially tech companies
  • Lots of parks and green spaces
  • Great place for cyclists
  • A mecca for academic minds

Couple Signing Apartment LeaseSo you finally found the absolutely perfect apartment for rent? Before you pop that bottle of champagne and kick back to celebrate, take pause; there may be a few considerations your new property manager or owner didn’t mention. Here are the key questions to ask before you take the renting plunge.

What amenities are included?

What is the parking situation like? Where do residents wash their laundry? What appliances come standard? When moving into a new complex, it’s easy to forget that not all apartments are created equal. Some complexes may require assigned, paid parking spots or don’t have a laundry facility on-site. Asking about the amenities can help narrow down your choices.

Friends Moving Into New HomeGenerally, multiple bedroom apartments save each tenant some money compared to renting a one-bedroom or studio apartment by yourself. Of course, this leads to the dreaded roommate dilemma. Maybe you have had a bad roommate experience, or have never had a roommate at all. Thinking about trying a “blind” roommate? Use these tips to avoid setting yourself up for disaster and have a pleasant experience in your apartment while saving money on rent.

Do: Seek Practical Resources

Where you look for a roommate should depend on your situation. If you’re in college, there are usually resources for students to find roommates. Even if the university doesn’t provide it, there can be Facebook groups, or an outside resource online like RoomSync to match roommates at specific colleges.

Apple Pie and ForkHappy National Pie Day! This great day – January 23 – celebrates the most delicious of all desserts. There is nothing more American than pie. Apple pie, Key Lime Pie, Chocolate Pie – you name it, we love to eat it. But where are the best cities to have an apartment if pie is what you crave?

We did a little digging, and found the best places to grab a slice of pie. Is your city on this list?

New York, N.Y.

Pies – n – Thighs in Brooklyn is so well-known for its Banana Cream Pie, Bourbon Cream Pie and many more, that it was featured on the TV shows “Unique Eats” and “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives”. And City Bakery is known around the country for its classic, but perfectly executed, Pumpkin Pie.

Downtown Denver Skyline

This Colorado city in the mountains gets much praise for its culture, natural beauty, and activities. Why, exactly? Here are the top five reasons Denver is just really, really cool.

1. It’s smart

According to the New York Times, Denver’s population of young, educated people has increased 47% since 2000. Additionally, Forbes rated Denver as tied for No. 6 City Gaining the Most College Graduates. A combination of work and play attracts the young professional crowd that looks to start new careers in fun cities. Careers for young people are not something Denver is short of, either – its industries are booming in the high-density downtown area, particularly with technology and startups.

 2. It’s beautiful

Denver really is a mile high and the largest city in a vast region, making for quite spectacular scenery. Snowboarding, skiing and hiking are the obvious attractions for being situated in the mountains, but Denver boasts its natural qualities in many ways. It began one of the first large-scale municipal bike sharing system, and has amazing city parks. Even a walk from your apartment in Denver to downtown – there’s no way to not enjoy the beauty.

New Villa ApartmentsWelcome to the New Year. As we bid farewell to 2014 and say hello to the new journeys of 2015, people begin to take stock of the world around them. Many will make resolutions to lose weight, stop a bad habit, or spend more time doing the things that they love. Unfortunately, many of these quests for self-improvement will fail. But not to worry! There is a task you can undertake in 2015 that could have profound impact on your life. And this amazing journey to create a new you is actually one of the easiest things you could ever strive for. It is time that you create a new lifestyle for yourself by finding a better apartment for your life.

Psychologists have done countless studies on the effect that your surroundings have on you personally. If you have negative thoughts attached to the place you live, it becomes very difficult to escape those feelings. Many of these could be a result of life circumstances that happened to you throughout 2014. Or, maybe you are the victim of a negative environment, such as having neighbors who perpetually argue or living in a more distressed part of your area. Whatever the case, if your current home is causing you undo distress, the best thing you can do to improve your life is to find a new place to live.

New Year's ResolutionsNow that the holidays and New Year’s Day have come and gone, it’s easy to get wrapped up in the hustle-and-bustle of everyday life and forget about those pesky resolutions that were made on January 1st. Whether your resolution was to lose weight, spend less money, or just be happier, life has a habit of getting in the way of achieving your goals. However, there are plenty of easy ways that apartment living can help you stick to your New Year’s resolutions.

Save Money

There are many different ways to go about saving money, and apartment living can help you do that! If your finances are getting a little tight, consider moving in with a roommate, cut back on the little things like eating out, or check out our Budget Blog Roundup for excellent tips on saving money while living in an apartment.

Be Happier

If 2014 wasn’t your best year, maybe it’s time for a change. Take the leap and find a new job that makes you happier or cut out the negative people in your life. A new year allows you to change things up, so consider where you’re living and if you’re content there. Start fresh, find an apartment in a new city, and jump into the culture there. Making a big change can seem scary, but it might just be the thing you need to make 2015 your best year yet.