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May 2015

DIY Plumbing MaintenanceOne of the perks and benefits of living in an apartment is maintenance service. However, sometimes it’s easier to fix a problem yourself than wait for maintenance to arrive. If you’re looking to save time and frustration, follow these simple DIY tips for apartment maintenance.

Plumbing Problems

Having the right tools can solve many plumbing problems. Keeping a plumber’s snake on hand can help you quickly unclog a sink or shower drain without having to call maintenance. Know the difference between a sink plunger and a toilet plunger? If you don’t, odds are you’re using the wrong one for the job. Also think about what you put down the drain. Oils, solids and even coffee grounds can clog up your garbage disposal and kitchen sink.

Retirement Couple On BeachAfter putting in too many hours of hard work during the first half of your life, you certainly deserve to live in a city and state that has the type of surroundings and lifestyle you are looking for in retirement. But the lifestyle and amenities that are important to one person are drastically different from another person. Fortunately, there are so many outstanding choices all over the U.S., that you can choose the best city that fits your personality and what is best for you and your family. It was difficult, but we narrowed down the best U.S. cities in which to find an apartment retire, based on Forbes’ list of “Best Places to Retire in 2015”.

Kansas City, Missouri SkylineThe Midwest is full of towns and communities with richly different dynamics. But one of the Midwest’s most distinct cities is Kansas City, Missouri. A city with a pivotal role in the nation’s history, Kansas City is blossoming in present day. It is a city with a strong core community and flourishing local economy. To get you excited to find your very own Kansas City apartment, let’s take a look at some of our favorite KC shops, stops, and eats.

Shops

When it comes to shopping, Kansas City has a hotbed of local designers, chefs, and creatives with storefronts. With places like Vinyl Renaissance, the local record store, and contemporary boutiques like Frankly Basic, Kansas City has a variety of shops to delight both local residents and tourists alike.

Woman Holding Laundry BasketWhen you’re looking through the amenities for apartments to rent, you may notice that a unit includes “washer/dryer hook ups” or connections, rather than a shared laundry room. Now you have to make a tough decision: rent a washer and dryer, buy them, or go to the laundromat. If you’re not sure how to approach the issue, take a look at these tips first to help make an appliance choice that works best for you and your budget.

Think about your future

Young Woman Under BlanketAh, the joys of living alone. Want pancakes and bacon at 2 AM? Get cookin’—you won’t wake anybody up! No need to call “dibs” on the remote—it’s always yours! Get the pet that you want, entertain guests when you want, and sing your favorite show tunes at the top of your lungs. But once the novelty wears off, living by yourself can actually be a little nerve-wracking. What if there’s an emergency and no one around to help?

Whether you have an overactive imagination or you just want to be prepared in case of a crisis, here are 5 ways to not be scared if you live alone.

Friends Rooftop GardeningOn Earth Day, people around the world celebrate all the different ways they are taking care of this planet. Some are grand plans to conserve our natural resources. Other initiatives aim to help entire cities use less electricity and water. But we know that taking care of the earth starts in our homes. There are so many small ways that you can help better our environment on April 22nd this year – right from your apartment home or community.

Top Ways to Go Green

v's headshotQ & A: Virginia Miner, senior area manager of Destination Services for ApartmentSearch

Whether you are moving to a new area because you graduated, are taking a new job, are newly retired, or for any other reason, there is so much to learn about your new destination. In the midst of all that is involved with moving to a new area, finding the best apartment for you can often seem overwhelming. Here, Virginia Miner, senior area manager of Destination Services for ApartmentSearch, explains how to find the right apartment for you.

ApartmentSearch: For those seeking a new apartment, what is the first thing they should do?

 

ApartmentSearch_KnoxvilleNestled in the Great Smoky Mountains, Knoxville has a rich history dating back to the 1780s. With a newly developed downtown area and increased interest in the arts, Knoxville has found success in revitalizing the area. Not only is the cost of living lower than other southern cities, but also there are a wide variety of exciting attractions for residents and visitors. Here are a few of our favorite places to see:

Tennessee Theatre

Built in the 1920s, the Tennessee Theatre opened as “the South’s most beautiful theatre.” Today, the Theatre has been renovated and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Whether you want to see the Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, stand-up comedy shows, or even a rendition of the Rocky Horror Picture Show, the Tennessee Theatre presents a variety of productions.

Watering plantsBringing plants into your space is a great way to liven up your one bedroom apartment, but not everyone is born with a green thumb; we’re speaking from experience here! To avoid future indoor gardening mishaps, we’ve compiled the top 5 tips you need to keep plants thriving in any indoor climate.

Set a Watering Schedule

If you’re like us, watering your plants has been somewhat of an afterthought. And by the time you remember to water, your plant might be looking a little worse for the wear. Set a watering schedule based on your plants watering needs (add a standing appointment to your calendar) and you’ll be better prepared to tend to your plant on a more regular basis.

ApartmentSearch_Tax-DayApril 15 is a wake-up call for many of us. It is a time when we re-evaluate our finances, determining where we are spending our money and how we can save more of it. Unfortunately, for those who live in a home, the “saving money” part of the equation seems elusive. Every time they feel like they are making progress on bills and savings accounts, some new expense comes along to hamper their goals. An appliance stops working. A water pipe breaks and floods the carpet or wood flooring. The sod has to be replaced after a rough winter and pressure from the HOA.

There is an endless list of unplanned-for expenses that pile up. And these are not even the regular, monthly expenses. In addition to high utility costs, homeowners are paying mortgages, property taxes, lawn and landscaping fees, and a host of other home repair and upkeep expenses. The burden of mortgages – which are still disproportionately high after the housing bubble burst – and the other expenses is what has led many homeowners to switch to apartment living.