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 »

If you just moved to Chicago, then you probably have seen or heard of the quintessential tourist places to visit (like Wrigley Field or Millennium Park). Once you’re settled into your new Chicago apartment, it’s time to venture out and find your own beloved local treasures. You probably won’t find any tourists here, but these 5 spots will be your favorite local hangouts.

My Pie

Obviously, no Chicago list is complete without a deep-dish pizza restaurant and there are plenty to choose from. My Pie, our go-to, local pizza establishment, ranks on a lot of Chicagoans favorite pizza places. And what’s not to love? The homemade sauces and fresh ingredients are lip-smacking good. Don’t worry if you don’t like deep-dish pizza, My Pie has delicious thin crust options too! Read the rest of this entry »

THUMP. BUMP. WHUMP. If you’ve ever lived on the bottom floor, these kinds of noises might be all too familiar — but what’s going on up there? When you go knock on your upstairs neighbors’ door to discuss the noise, they never seem to have any idea what you’re talking about. Here are a few theories that you may want to ponder next time you feel compelled to go upstairs and investigate.

Your neighbors might be… Read the rest of this entry »