March 2015

ApartmentSearch_Roommate-CodeIf you’ve ever shared in a 2-bedroom apartment, you know the roommate life can be rough. Dishes, turning off lights, or noisy late nights – whatever the little things are that irk you, don’t let it ruin your living situation. Here are some guidelines that all roommates should follow but might go without saying.

Share Chores Equally

You can try as hard as you want to keep your apartment dwelling separate, but you can’t avoid sweeping the kitchen floor. If your roommate is a little less tidy than you are, there are ways to communicate what’s important to you to keep fair. Putting a list of divvied-up to-dos on the fridge can be an easy way to remind your roommate of things both of you needs to keep up with.

Seafood Pasta PlateAs the snow melts and the temperatures rise, we all want to spend more time outdoors. We envision walking through meadows filled with wildflowers, hiking up mountains and biking around our city. We also are enjoying foods that remind us of spring and summer, such as seafood. There is nothing like visiting the great markets and restaurants near Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco or watching the entertaining seafood shows at the world-famous Pikes Place Market in Seattle, Wash. There are also a myriad of spectacular seafood restaurants and shops to explore in your own city. The best part is that they are often just minutes from your apartment.

Here are the top five seafood cities we found. Does your city make the list?

Detroit is a city full of rough-around-the-edges charm with a unique history. Anyone with a love of cars knows that Detroit is the absolute hub for American automobile innovation, and though motor engineering is no longer the primary economic driver for Detroit, the city’s longstanding relationship with cars has earned it the nickname the Motor City. And the Motor City has come to life with a new arts and culinary scene as big business has found new cities to call home. If you’re looking for an apartment in Detroit, here are some of the major cultural hubs that could be your new neighbor.

Apartment Patio As the spring season quickly approaches, it’s time to start thinking about giving your outdoor space a little attention. Whether it’s relaxing out on the patio or hosting an outside dinner party, a beautiful outside space can be a nice retreat from life’s hustle-and-bustle. We’ve put together a few ideas for sprucing up your balcony, patio, or deck.

Refinish the furniture

Everything looks better with a fresh coat of paint! Update your tired looking wooden patio furniture with a new paint color or touch up the current coat. For metal furniture, spray paint can works wonders too! The fresh look will make the furniture seem like new.

Downtown Myrtle Beach CoastSpring is officially here and Americans couldn’t be happier. The blizzards and cold temperatures in the Northeast, Midwest, and even the South have made everyone stir crazy. We all can’t wait to get out and enjoy the outdoors. We have found that certain U.S. cities offer more for those who like to get out and hike, bike, attend festivals and simply enjoy the weather.

Here are some of the top U.S. cities to live in, to enjoy spring:

Jefferson MemorialSpring has sprung – at least it has in some areas of the country. The birds are returning, green grass is popping up through the snow, and we are all itching to get out more and explore our cities. So does your city make the list of the Most Walkable Cities in the country? Walkable cities have high clusters of employers, civic institutions, medical centers, retail shops and cultural assets, according to a recent report, Foot Traffic Ahead: Ranking Walkable Urbanism in America’s Largest Metros.

Based on the report, here is the list of the Most Walkable Cities in the U.S.:

People Walking DogsWhether it’s running errands or just getting outside, having a furry friend by your side always makes things a lot more fun. Cities that are fun for people and pups always get two big paws up from the Apartment Search team, which is why we tracked down the best cities for pet lovers in the U.S.

Albuquerque, NM

Quirky Albuquerque is a dog’s heaven – the fresh air of the nearby mountains and the dry climate is good for just about any kind of animal. Since there’s a good amount of space, apartments in Albuquerque also provide amenities for both your indoor and outdoor critters.

Small ApartmentRegardless of whether you live in New York City or San Francisco, studio apartments have one major characteristic in common: limited space. The thing about a small area is that it gives you the opportunity to be creative with your smaller home. We’ve put together a few apartment hacks to keep your clutter to a minimum and help you maximize your space and organization.

Wine holder as a towel rack

If you’re seriously lacking shelving space in your bathroom, a wine rack is a great way to store and organize your towels and linens. Plus, the wine rack adds a functional yet elegant look to the bathroom.

St. Patrick's Day in ChicagoOn March 17, we celebrate that great American holiday known as St. Patrick’s Day. To many of us, it is a mid-week excuse to get out and party with our friends, watch parades, and act silly. But in many U.S. cities, it is one of the biggest events celebrated all year long.

Here are the best cities to live in for St. Patrick’s Day celebrations:

1. Boston, Mass.: Of course Boston is number one on our list! Boston claims the largest Irish population of any U.S. city at 20.4 percent, making the city a great place for residents to celebrate their heritage. Every year, the city’s numerous apartment residents can walk or drive to the huge St. Patrick’s Day parade, knowing the best vantage points to watch and enjoy. After the parade, they can walk to one of the many Irish pubs that Boston is famous for to celebrate the holiday.

Grand Rapids, Michigan Skyline“HOMES” is the acronym kids use to learn the names of America’s Great Lakes. But for many folks in Michigan, those Great Lakes and the surrounding cities are a home all their own! Here are a few reasons why Grand Rapids, Michigan should be on your radar for cool places to visit – and could be the site of your next home.

If You Like the Arts

The massive Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park covers 132 acres and is quickly becoming internationally known. And it’s not far from anything in the city, so you can get an apartment in Grand Rapids right next to some high-class sculptures and scenery.