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Boy Hugging His MotherThe tears began to well up in Shawna’s eyes. She tried hard to make sure Sam didn’t see. It was always like this on this particular day every year. Sam looked back and waved as he got onto the school bus to his first day of 5th grade. She pushed back the tears, smiled and waved, then started the walk back to her apartment. Summer was over and school was back in session.

She closed her apartment door and walked to the kitchen for a fresh cup of coffee. As she scooped the grounds into the coffee filter, she once again began to cry. She remembered his very first day of school just like it was yesterday. He had cried before they left the apartment. Now he was a “big boy” and “too cool” to be seen with his mom doting over him. She wiped away the final tears, poured a fresh cup, and walked out on the balcony to enjoy a little peace and quiet.

Things haven’t been easy since Steven went back on active duty. He had been in Afghanistan for most of Sam’s life. Luckily, they had found an apartment that was close to the base, their friends, and a top-rated school district. Their old house had been too much for her to keep up by herself and was not in a great location for the things Sam would want as he grew up. When he left for overseas, Steven had agreed that she should find an apartment best suited for them.

Movers unloading a moving vanMoving is stressful in any scenario. Whether you are moving across town or across the country, there seems to be an insurmountable mountain of preparation. Tasks include finding a new home, finding new schools for your children, packing, moving all your belongings, turning off utilities at your old place at the right time, and turning on the utilities at your new apartment.

However, when you are moving for job relocation, the process is even more complicated. Now, on top of everything else, you have to adjust to a new work environment and fellow employees as well as learn your way around a new city. Fortunately, this is what ApartmentSearch specializes in: helping businesses and people in transition have a smooth and easy move to their new location.

Man Moving an Old CouchMany people who move out of an existing apartment end up moving into a new one. If that’s you, congratulations on your new place! Now, how do you get all your stuff from one apartment to the other efficiently and inexpensively?

Don’t Pay for Boxes

Lots of moving stores offer boxes for cheap — but why get boxes for cheap when you could get them for free? Check these 10 places for free moving boxes, plus the bins behind your local liquor store, deli, and self-storage units. In most municipalities, well-constructed, barely-used boxes are plentiful. Just get a roll of quality packing tape, and don’t go box-hunting if there’s been a heavy rainfall. (Soggy moving boxes are a big mistake.)

Puppy with Broken Plant PotIt is a truth universally acknowledged that a puppy left alone in an apartment must be in want of a chew toy. And without one, anything nearby is fair game: chair legs, HDMI cable, new shoes, XBOX 360… you name it, your puppy will see it as a plaything. That’s why preparing an apartment for a puppy is a necessity both for you and for your new pal. Use these tips to keep your puppy safe and your possessions unscathed.

Keep Cables and Cords Out of Reach

Take a look around your apartment from a puppy’s point of view. You may be surprised by the number of cords and cables dangling from sockets and electronics onto the floor. To prep for your pup, situate the cords so they are well out of reach of inquisitive paws and jaws.

Invest in Good Chew Toys…

To keep your dog entertained while you’re away from your apartment (or simply in the other room), buy some toys to keep him occupied. Whether it squishes, squeaks, bounces, or speaks, keeping your puppy entertained is important. This is especially key if your puppy is still teething, which occurs within the first 3-8 weeks of a dog’s life.

ApartmentSearch_Kids-RoomIt’s an equation many parents are all too familiar with: siblings + hot tempers + small spaces = timeouts. Sibling squabbles are bound to happen even when kids don’t share a bedroom; but add a small, shared apartment room to the equation, and there is enormous potential for chaos. Whether you are moving into an apartment and already have children, or have one with a baby on the way, you’ll need to come up with some creative solutions that let your kids coexist peacefully. Here are a few things to think about as you find an apartment that’s right for kids if they’re sharing a bedroom.

Find an apartment that’s kid-friendly.

A kid-friendly apartment doesn’t have to have 2 rooms or even have a totally symmetrical single room, but the right potential for configuration is imperative. When you tour prospective apartments, think about the kinds of furniture that will fit in the bedroom and whether it is the right space for your children. If you are planning on staying in the apartment for a long time, also consider how you will be able to change the space as the kids grow.

Divide the room.

ApartmentSearch_Kid-AprtmentWhether you’re expecting a baby or are in need of a redesign now that your infant is growing older, there are plenty of things you can do to make your apartment more kid-friendly. From furniture changes to finding a whole new apartment, think about these things as you start to redesign a family-friendly apartment.

Start with the floors.

After all, this is where your baby will be spending the most time—and consequently, so will you. Invest in a good, easy-to-use vacuum if you don’t have one already; get comfy, stain-resistant rugs for the living room and bedroom; and consider putting a few floor pillows down for your own comfort when it’s time to play.

Think outside the apartment.

Since many apartments don’t have a private yard or patio, you can always take advantage of your apartment’s playground or other communal area.

ApartmentSearch_Dirty-SinkHave you forgotten what the bottom of your sink looks like? Have you taken to using plastic forks because you can’t find your cutlery? Do you hold your breath when you open your (smelly) fridge? Do you avoid opening your kitchen cabinets for fear of a Tupperware avalanche?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you may be in need of an apartment kitchen intervention. The good news is that there’s hope for any apartment kitchen, no matter how messy it may be. The bad news is that you’ll have roll up your sleeves and get a little dirty to put things right. So go on: grab some gloves and consult this list for some handy kitchen rehab tips.

One Step at a Time

Overwhelmed? Don’t be. Tackle one area at a time, my friend, and soon you’ll be on your way to kitchen rehabilitation and a better apartment life.
Start with your refrigerator and freezer. If your foods and beverages are all jumbled together, it can be hard to locate the right ingredient when you want it… or locate the source of that unusual smell. Empty your fridge of everything expired, give the shelves a good scrub, assign each food group a section in the fridge, then rearrange your food so everything is visible. While you’re at it, follow these useful tidbits:

ApartmentSearch_GrillingWith the official start of summer on June 21, apartment residents all over the country are looking for ways to stay cool. Fortunately for them, apartment communities offer so many different options for having fun and staying cool in the summer heat – much more than are typically available to homeowners.

Here are the top ways you can cool off this summer:

1. Most apartment communities have swimming pools. You can literally spend all day relaxing by the pool while your kids burn off some of that pent-up energy from being indoors. Children love pools! Plus, many communities offer special events such as “dive-in movies” and summer parties at the pool. This is a great way to cool off AND have a great time.

2. Another advantage that apartment residents have over homeowners is staying cool without breaking the bank. Apartment utility costs are lower than homes, even during the hottest months of the year. You can enjoy spending time in your air-conditioned apartment without worrying about the cost getting too high.

ApartmentSearch_SuitcaseThere you are on a sandy beach, basking in the sun, your cell phone and laptop far away, when suddenly it hits you: Rent is due in two days! And you can’t remember if you paid your utility bills! And… oh God… did you leave the stove on? Did you even remember to lock your apartment door?! If this scenario sounds like something you might experience while on vacation, don’t fear. Before you depart from your apartment for summer vacation, be sure to do these 7 things.

1. Plan ahead to pay rent and utilities.

Avoid the mid-vacation panic of remembering overdue bills by planning ahead a little. Before you leave, set up autopay online for both or pay them ahead of time.

2. Take care of your mail.

If you are expecting deliveries while you are away, ask your neighbors to receive them or bring them in for you until you get back. If the mail item will be delivered to the leasing office, you should also notify your apartment’s management so they will know to hold it for you until you return.