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February 2015

Digital Hand Held DevicesIn 1984, Madonna said that she was a “material girl, living in a material world.” If she re-released that song today, we would imagine she’d be singing a new tune, that she’s a “digital girl, living in a high-tech world.” From smartphones to portable tablets to blue-tooth integration, the world as we know it has evolved over the past 30 years to make us almost 100% reliant on the technology around us. The smartphone in your pocket has more computing power that the systems that put a man on the moon. This digital life has become an integral part of our daily lives. Here are some of the ways technology is helping apartment renters get the most out of the apartment communities in which they live:

ApartmentSearch_Piggy-BankIf you’re living life on the college kid budget, then you’ve probably asked the question, “Do you have a discount for students?” at your favorite food stop. If you’re new to the student life or are looking to save a couple pennies, here are some starter tips to get you on the discounted path.

Find Expert Resources

A grad student, victory-lapping senior, or online forum could have all the golden knowledge you need to eat or shop cheaper. Beyond the usual spots around your campus, there could be somewhere you never thought would sympathize with your college going that will happily knock 15% off your taco bill.

French Quarter in New Orleans, LouisianaFebruary 17 is the pinnacle of the most festive time of the year for New Orleans residents: the famous Mardi Gras complete with its parades, community gatherings, and an overall sense of celebration. While many Americans love to celebrate Mardi Gras in their own way, there is nothing like living in the city and having a front-row seat to the greatest party in the U.S.

Here are the top five reasons why New Orleans’ residents love living in their city – during Mardi Gras and throughout the year:

Downtown Houston at NighttimeWhile everyone believes that the city in which they live is the best, the experts contend there are some that are better than others, particularly for job growth, favorable earnings-to-cost of living ratios and a safe and comfortable lifestyle. This Valentine’s Day, ApartmentSearch.com recognizes five of the top fastest-growing cities in the U.S., according to Forbes magazine. These are the cities that more of us desire to move to, in order to create a better lifestyle for ourselves:

  1. Houston, Texas: Houston is the fastest-growing city in the U.S., thanks to a surge in the energy industry and exports. Houston’s job growth outpaces the rest of the U.S. at 4.5 percent, compared to the prior year. The city – known for its friendly atmosphere, rodeos and thriving arts culture – also boasts median annual pay for college-educated workers of $71,900 – the fourth highest in the U.S. among metropolitan areas. Plus – as Houston residents can attest – the cost of living is much lower than many other cities, thanks to affordable apartments and homes.

Sunrise Over Fort Lauderdale, FloridaSo you just moved to sunny South Florida? After you get settled into your apartment in Fort Lauderdale, get out and discover all the awesome things about your new home! Living so close to the ocean has a lot of perks, but there’s also a rich history to explore around Fort Lauderdale. Here are a few historical sites we love:

Stranahan House & Museum

Built by Frank and Ivy Stranahan in 1901, the Stranahan House is the oldest remaining structure in the Broward County area. Originally built as a trading post, the house has a rich history in the Fort Lauderdale community. Not only has it housed a series of restaurants over the years, but the Stranahan House has also served as a community hall and hotel. These days, you can visit the museum year-round, attend numerous events, and many couples even choose the Stranahan House as their wedding venue.

Two waitresses posing in coffee houseTo have the lifestyle they want or need, many Americans have to work two or three jobs that pay minimum wage. In fact, 3.3 million people earned minimum wage or lower in 2013. A significant 1.66 million employees between 16 and 24 years old earn minimum wage as do 1.64 million workers who are 25 and older. That represents a huge portion of the population who are seeking affordable, comfortable places to live.

Enter apartment homes. The apartment lifestyle is perfect for minimum wage workers of all types, including foodservice employees, retail workers, day-laborers and countless other Americans. Here are the top benefits of apartments for hard-working restaurant industry staff and others:

Valentine's Day On CalendarHave you found yourself still single as Valentine’s Day is approaching? Have no fear! Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be about surviving single or moping around. Let’s shoot some of Cupid’s arrows right into the heart of that myth and start your own Valentine’s traditions this year. Here are four ideas to help you feel inspired.

Celebrate Being Single

While the rest of the world seems to be pairing off, it’s good to remember that you should embrace all the reasons being single is awesome. Use Valentine’s Day as a mini-holiday for yourself and splurge on that pair of shoes or new gadget you’ve had your eye on. Or you could revel in the alone time of your 1-bedroom apartment and sleep in as late as you want!

Plumber Fixing Broken SinkIf you’ve ever accidentally hit your thermostat the wrong way or heard a funny noise from your refrigerator, you’ve probably wondered what exactly your apartment’s maintenance can assist you with. Read on for some basics about how to approach maintenance problems in your apartment.

Major Fixes Are a Must

Your landlord is responsible for anything structurally wrong in your apartment, no matter what. If there are any plumbing problems, leaks, or anything that affects the structural integrity, your landlord must take care of it in a timely manner. If you’re renting in an older building, even simple problems could be a sign of a more deep-rooted issue in the infrastructure and should quickly be taken care of. Unfortunately, a problem like this might lead maintenance to spend a couple days in your apartment – good thing it’s on business days.