Douglas firs might be evergreen (especially the plastic kind), but you can’t exactly deck the halls year-round. Soon, the weather will be warming up, and you’ll be itching to start decorating for spring. And if you need to make room for all of your seasonal décor in your tiny space, try these six clever storage ideas for small apartments! Read the rest of this entry »

Are you attending or hosting a holiday party this winter? If so, maybe you’re fretting over what to buy for the gift exchange. Whether you’re shopping for a white elephant gift for friends or getting a present for your office’s Secret Santa exchange, we’ve got solutions that can keep you on the nice list at every holiday party! Read the rest of this entry »

From gift exchanges and office parties to Black Friday and Christmas at grandma’s, the winter holidays are all about making memories and celebrating with loved ones. And all these festivities mean there are plenty of reasons for renters to leave their apartments.

Unfortunately, vacant homes and apartments are easy targets for burglars, even if only left unattended during a few hours of shopping. Seventy-seven percent of all crimes committed are classified as property crimes (burglary, theft, and vehicle theft), and Forbes reports a spike in those numbers during the holiday season. To make matters worse, as people deck the halls and turn up the thermostats, incidents related to fire, electric shock, and carbon monoxide poisoning increase as well. Read the rest of this entry »

The holiday season is full of love, joy, and, unfortunately, expenses! Even with fun things like gifts and travel on your mind, you still have to pay for rent, utilities, and food. But you can beat the budget blues this winter with these seven ways to make extra cash for the holidays! Read the rest of this entry »

First holiday season away from home? Chances are you’re feeling nostalgic, homesick, and a little clueless (and that’s okay). You’re used to eating the traditional family Thanksgiving dinner — not making it! But worry not. If you’re celebrating Friendsgiving away from home this year, here are some no-cook potluck ideas that’ll leave you and your friends feeling #blessed. Read the rest of this entry »

Moving from a house to an apartment has its perks and its challenges – and planning your move strategically can help with the latter! Whether you’re looking for a fresh start in a new town or moving cross-country for school, there are several things to consider as you downsize to an apartment. Read the rest of this entry »

As more Americans move into urban areas, city planners have to get inventive to accommodate them. One solution that’s becoming increasingly popular is mixed-use developments. But just because this is a favorable option for city planners doesn’t mean it will be a good fit for you. Learn what mixed-use buildings are and read up on the pros and cons of living above a cafe or other type of retail space! Read the rest of this entry »

No car? No problem. Plenty of U.S. cities with good public transportation make it possible to live comfortably without owning a vehicle. Living without a car has some serious perks, like fewer responsibilities (goodbye, routine oil changes) and serious cash savings (hello, luxury apartment!).

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The spookiest day of the year is almost upon us! Though horror movies evoke fear of ghosts and apparitions, there are plenty of not-so-supernatural dangers to be scared of on Halloween. This fall, practice these 10 Halloween safety tips to keep yourself, your apartment, and your pets completely safe and completely un-scared. Read the rest of this entry »

It’s spacious, below-market price, and doesn’t require a background check—it’s the apartment of your dreams! But if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Here are some of the most common apartment rental scams, how they work, and how you can spot them before you sign a lease that turns your dream apartment into a waking nightmare. Read the rest of this entry »