September 2014

Why Generation X Loves Apartments

The children of Baby Boomers are very practical, self-reliant, and independent. That is why this group – Generation X (those born between 1965 and 1980) – are choosing to live in apartment communities all over the U.S.

The independence and practicality of this group of 51 million Americans are fueled by the fact that many of them grew up as “latchkey kids”, or the parents of divorce. This has caused Gen Xers to learn to rely on themselves and make decisions for their lives – and those of their children – based on their own experience, not what someone tells them is best.

September 25, 2014

Tips on Prepping Your Apartment for Fall

As September 23rd approaches, the signs of autumn are beginning to pop up everywhere: the cooler temperatures, shorter days, and infiltration of pumpkin-flavored products. Like spring, fall offers up a chance to freshen up your apartment life for the coming months. Here are a few tips to prepping your apartment for the fall season.

Cleaning Up

Spring-cleaning shouldn’t be the only time for a deep cleansing of your apartment and clearing out unwanted items. Before you snuggle up on the couch for the longer nights ahead, grab your cleaning supplies and scrub down all the nooks and crannies you ignored over the summer. You’ll be glad to have a clean apartment during the colder months spent inside.

September 23, 2014

Apartment Decorating

Why Millennials Love Apartment Living

Millennials (20 to 35-year-olds) are heading to apartments in droves, not only for the value they offer but also because the apartment lifestyle matches their personalities. This massive group of approximately 77 million consumers is important in part because of its incredible buying power. The only demographic group closest in size is the Baby Boomer population.

Many of these children of Baby Boomers grew up in single-parent households and, as such, had more responsibility than any generation before them. This led to not only a greater sense of value, but also a greater sense of their own self-worth and independence. Some millennials are still in college or have just graduated. They are not interested in buying a home; instead, they are seeking apartments that offer them the convenience, value, and lifestyle they want.

September 18, 2014

Must-Visit Entertainment Venues in Austin, Texas

If you’re new to Austin, you probably want to visit the iconic Austin landmarks that make the city so unique. So once you’ve set up your Austin apartment, go check out the entertainment scene and discover your personal favorites. Austin has a great entertainment scene that’s perfect for showing off your new city to out-of-towners. Whether you prefer a night at the theater or a heavy metal concert at an outdoor venue, there are plenty of entertainment venues to appeal to everyone. Here are 4 Austin classics to jump start your exploration of Austin entertainment.

The Paramount Theatre

Established in 1915, the then-called Majestic Theatre opened in Downtown Austin as a vaudeville theatre house. After almost 100 years of service to the Austin area, the Paramount Theatre remains a staple of the Austin entertainment scene. From national touring theatre companies to screenings of classic movies to self-produced comedy shows like Greater Tuna, the Paramount plays host to a variety of shows year-round.

September 17, 2014

Favorite Historical Attractions in Cincinnati, Ohio

Unbeknownst to many Americans, Cincinnati was actually one of the first major cities established after the American Revolution. Cincinnati became a boomtown in the 1800s, often fondly referred to as the “Paris of America” for its elaborate architecture projects. These projects and the city’s lengthy history contribute to the extensive number of historical sites found in Cincinnati. Here are a few of our favorite historical attractions to visit next time you’re in Cincinnati.

Over-the-Rhine

Over-the-Rhine is a historic neighborhood in urban Cincinnati believed to be the largest intact historical district in the country. Founded by German immigrants, Over-the-Rhine has several distinct districts within the neighborhood. Comparable in architectural significance to the New Orleans French Quarter or Greenwich Village in New York City, Over-the-Rhine features a unique mix of styles popular in the late 1800s, including Greek Revival, Queen Anne, and Italianate.

September 16, 2014

The Top Cities to Enjoy the Fall Season

As summer comes to an end, we start looking forward to the joys of fall: the cool, crisp weather, the autumn leaves, the aroma of fresh pumpkin pies, and celebrating Halloween, to name a few. Still, apartment dwellers in certain U.S. cities have the advantage of truly enjoying the beauty, fun, and festivities of fall.

Here are some of the top cities where apartment residents can enjoy fall:

Portland, Maine:

While the Northeast U.S. is known for its beautiful fall scenery, Portland is especially renowned for its fall foliage – and for making it easy for apartment dwellers to view the gorgeous scenery around them this time of year. They can take a bike tour of the trees and waterways using bike-share program Zagster or hike up Bradbury Mountain. Plus, there are local apple orchards where they can pick their own apples. October’s Harvest on the Harbor, which includes food samplings and the Maine Lobster Chef of the Year competition, is not to be missed by residents from all over the city.

September 12, 2014

Skipping the Tourist Attractions: 5 of Chicago Locals’ Favorite Places

If you just moved to Chicago, then you probably have seen or heard of the quintessential tourist places to visit (like Wrigley Field or Millennium Park). Once you’re settled into your new Chicago apartment, it’s time to venture out and find your own beloved local treasures. You probably won’t find any tourists here, but these 5 spots will be your favorite local hangouts.

My Pie

Obviously, no Chicago list is complete without a deep-dish pizza restaurant and there are plenty to choose from. My Pie, our go-to, local pizza establishment, ranks on a lot of Chicagoans favorite pizza places. And what’s not to love? The homemade sauces and fresh ingredients are lip-smacking good. Don’t worry if you don’t like deep-dish pizza, My Pie has delicious thin crust options too!

September 9, 2014

Score Big By Living the Apartment Lifestyle

The NFL football season is back and sports fans around the country are celebrating the return to action of their favorite teams and players. When you move into an apartment, you also join a team. A team composed of neighbors as well as the employees that manage your apartment community. As a member of this team, you receive many benefits and lifestyle perks that make every day a victory.

Price

In recent months, exaggerated reports plague the news that living in a house is more affordable than apartment living. These examples are only true in five percent of U.S. markets where the population is living in densely-populated urban cores. Examples of this include San Francisco, New York, and Washington, D.C. In the other 95 percent of housing markets, the apartment lifestyle remains the most affordable option, which takes more into account than mortgage versus rent. The unforeseen maintenance costs and increased utility expenses cost home owners thousands of dollars per year over what renters pay.

September 4, 2014

Things Your Upstairs Apartment Neighbors Might Be Doing

THUMP. BUMP. WHUMP. If you’ve ever lived on the bottom floor, these kinds of noises might be all too familiar — but what’s going on up there? When you go knock on your upstairs neighbors’ door to discuss the noise, they never seem to have any idea what you’re talking about. Here are a few theories that you may want to ponder next time you feel compelled to go upstairs and investigate.

Your neighbors might be…

September 3, 2014