Home2015 (Page 12)

February 2015

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.

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.