Moving during winter months can seem like a pretty daunting task. Between snowstorms, hazardous driving conditions and slippery walkways, there are a lot of things to consider when you add freezing temperatures that moving checklist. If you are moving into or out of an apartment, it’s likely stairs will be involved, which increases the hassle and potential risks of moving in cold weather. Here are a few winter weather tips to making your next move a successful one:

Hire Movers (if you can)

Few people know that moving companies are usually cheaper during the winter season than the summer. By allowing the professionals to pack, transport and unload your possessions, you can reduce frustration and struggle of doing it yourself. Plus, using movers can decrease the amount of time your belongings spend outside in the freezing temperatures. Read the rest of this entry »

So you’ve settled into your new apartment and want to make friends with your neighbors. Maybe they’re quiet and almost transparent, making you overly cautious – or maybe they host rowdy football Sundays when you’re trying to get in some quiet time. Either way, it’s good to know how to deal with people that you share a wall (or a ceiling) with. Here are some tips on how to keep your cool and earn your neighbors’ respect, which will become a surprising advantage in your apartment life.

Be keen with social cues

Whether you’re looking to be friends or just apartment allies, you need to figure out the ways of your neighbors. Do they avoid any and all interaction, or do they ask how you’re doing when they see you? It’s important to introduce yourself no matter their behavior, but beyond that, interact as much as they want to. Any more or less and you’re in the danger zone of either bothering the introverts or offending the talkative ones. Having a good reputation with your building-mates has tons of benefits. Neighbors can help you out of a tough situation like a dead car battery, or cooperate with you if you plan on having a holiday party. Read the rest of this entry »

Whether you’re exploring your theatrical talents, just got a job offer, or are just getting a new start, Los Angeles is probably one of the more challenging places to get settled into as a new resident. As one of the biggest cities in the world, even urbanites can get overwhelmed. If you’re not sure where to start, consider these few tips to get one step closer to the City of Angels.

Don’t be Scared of Apartment Renter Competition

About 12 million people call Los Angeles home, with closer to 18 million residents in the Greater Los Angeles area. With this in mind, finding the perfect apartment or job is not as easy as in other cities. Don’t let this scare you – if you get denied an apartment application, that’s okay. If you have three interviews in a week with no calls back, that’s okay too. Persistence is key – try, try again, and eventually you’ll find your niche in The Big Orange.  Read the rest of this entry »

If you’re planning on hosting any friends and family during the holidays this year, it’s likely your apartment will need a little preparation before your guests arrive. The holiday season is a hectic time for most of us, which means things like dusting your apartment may fall to the wayside. Don’t worry though, following these simple steps can help you prepare your apartment for all your loved ones’ visits. Read the rest of this entry »

Winter is swiftly approaching, which means as the temperatures drop, heating bills rise. Considering last year’s extreme winter weather (known as the Polar Vortex), it’s likely you want to cut down heating costs while still staying warm this year. By changing a few habits and utilizing tools you already have in your apartment, you can easily save a few bucks this winter season. Read the rest of this entry »

Noisy neighbors are a common complaint for apartment tenants. However, if you complain about your noisy neighbor, it’s likely that they say the same thing about you from time to time. Even if you have carpet flooring, sometimes you need to take additional steps to keep your apartment soundproof. If you tend to listen to a lot of loud music or play motion related video games, it might be essential for you to limit your sound and stay on your neighbor’s good side. Here are a few tips on keeping the noise level down in your apartment: Read the rest of this entry »

Anyone who has moved apartments knows what a painful process it can be. Packing up all of your life into little boxes can seem pretty impossible at the beginning. However, packing doesn’t have to be so horrible! We’ve got a few essential packing tips that will alleviate some of the stress of moving your whole life to a different place. Read the rest of this entry »

If you live in a studio apartment, you know what it’s like to get creative with storage. Studio apartments can get cramped very quickly, but they don’t have to! Using storage solutions are a great way to maximize the space you do have in your apartment. Walls aren’t just for art; they can be the best vehicles for uncluttering the floor. Additionally, storage doesn’t have to be ugly. Have fun with it and you’ll make the visual dynamics of your studio apartment more interesting. Here are a few best practices when it comes to storage solutions.

Look for Multipurpose Furniture

Finding furniture that has multiple uses is key to fitting all your stuff into your small apartment. Think about the pieces of furniture that take up a lot of room, but could also provide space to store things. Look for bed frames that come with drawers or have space under them for storage bins. Furniture pieces like this are perfect for hiding out-of-season clothes or extra linens. Storage ottomans are great for packing away DVDs, extra remotes and controllers, or throw blankets. Read the rest of this entry »

Living with another human being isn’t always easy, but as rents continue to rise in many urban areas, roommates become a financial necessity. Whether your roommate is your childhood best friend or a stranger you were placed with, combining two different lives is bound to result in a few conflicts. Once you find an apartment, it’s important to try to anticipate future disputes before they arise and set up guidelines for when fights do happen.

Here are 3 of the most common roommate disputes and how to navigate through them maturely: Read the rest of this entry »

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. Read the rest of this entry »