The post Things You Need for Your Apartment that You Didn’t Know You Needed appeared first on The Residences at CityWay Blog.
]]>Our top priority is to focus on organization. Even with maximum storage opportunities in your apartment, you should capitalize on every space available to store your items. You will be more comfortable and utilize your apartment space when every item in your apartment is stored appropriately. Buy drawer and cabinet organizers for your apartment home, specifically in the kitchen and bathroom. You want to clear your countertops to feel less cluttered and make apartment cleaning easy.
While in the bathroom, use towel hooks as an easy hack to use less space and keep your towel off the ground. If your apartment doesn’t already come with towel hooks, you can get these inexpensively. Style tip: if you have a towel rack, hang decorative towels here and separately hang your shower towels on hooks to avoid clutter.
Looking to live apartment life comfortably? Use either a white noise machine or a fan to keep out noise from neighbors or traffic depending on where you live. Even in the quietest apartment communities, this is a life saver and will result in better sleep and more relaxation in your apartment.
Lastly, utilize under bed storage containers. Fill these with clothes you don’t wear frequently and easily slide the container under your bed. This will free space in your apartment closet and help maximize every square foot in your floor plan.
We hope you are enjoying apartment life! If you ever need anything else to feel comfortable in your apartment home, let our leasing team know and we will do our best to accommodate your needs.
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]]>The post Apartment Living Do’s and Don’ts appeared first on The Residences at CityWay Blog.
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DO:
Spend time researching your options before settling on an apartment home, floor plan, square feet, location, amenities, and more that are necessary in your next apartment home and community. You can save yourself time and resources by narrowing your search to only include exactly what you want in your apartment living experience.
DON’T:
Don’t make your search too narrow. There is likely the perfect apartment home community out there for you but you may need to adjust a few “must-haves” for your new apartment space.
DO:
Read your lease carefully. Reading every line of your lease is important to establish a clear understanding of the expectations from your new apartment management company. Buckingham only includes important details and encourages you to understand these from the day you move in so you have a smooth apartment living experience.
DON’T:
Don’t forget to ask questions. If something seems confusing and you don’t fully understand your lease, you should connect with our leasing team to provide clarity.
DO:
Simplify your moving process by only moving your items and furniture you know you will need. Moving too much into your apartment is easy when you are moving from a larger space like a home to a smaller space like your new apartment home.
DON’T:
Don’t buy everything you think you need at once. It can be easy to get swept into over-purchasing furniture and décor in the effort to finishing moving. We suggest that you buy everything you need to live comfortably, but then wait. Live in the space for a little and figure out through experience what you actually need for your new apartment home.
DO:
Get to know your neighbors. One of the best perks about apartment community living is the opportunity to make new connections with your neighbors.
DON’T:
Don’t be a bad neighbor. That means don’t be too loud, please pick up after your pets, and be friendly around the apartment community. Go by the golden rule and treat others how you want to be treated. Kindness can go a long way!
Follow these apartment living do’s and don’ts and we know your apartment living experience will be a positive one. Welcome home, and if we can do anything to make your experience in our community the best it can be, connect with our leasing office for assistance.
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]]>The post How to Find the Perfect Apartment Home for You appeared first on The Residences at CityWay Blog.
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Price
The most important detail when searching is price point. You don’t want to get too far along in the decision-making process to realize an apartment home is out of your budget. To avoid this, check with our leasing team to make sure our apartment homes are in your price range.
Size
Finding the right sized apartment with enough square footage for your lifestyle is very important when moving to an apartment home. The number of square feet helps determine if your furniture will fit, if there’s enough room for your pets, or even if you can go for a smaller home.
Floor Plan
Your perfect floor plan is out there! Your floor plan helps determine the type of kitchen, how many bedrooms, how many bathrooms, how big is the living space, if you have a balcony/patio and more. These details shape your next apartment home and help to make your space your own. Our apartment homes feature unique, spacious floor plans just for you.
Location
The location of your future home may be flexible but can be a very big decision. Your apartment home location determines your commute to work, restaurants, and shops. Location even effects your drive to friends and family. Ask our team about the perks of our convenient location today.
Amenities
Our apartment home community features extensive amenities for our residents. The amenities package in an apartment home is an added perk to living in a professionally managed community. You get the perks of our amenities along with the experience when you choose our community.
Should you need any help making your apartment home search easier, please feel free to contact our team any time to discuss whether our community is the best fit for you.
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Keep Your Dog at Home
We know you want to bring your furry friend to the neighborhood party, but we suggest leaving your pets behind during the fireworks. While typically outdoor adventures would be a great time to pack up your companion, the 4th of July can cause anxiety in your dog with the loud noises and unexpected sights. Take your animal off of the RSVP and leave them inside where they will be comfortable, and not tempted to escape during the excitement.
Block Outside Sights & Sounds
Once you have determined it would be best to leave your pets at home, create a calming environment for your furry friends. While you may not be able to control how your neighbors celebrate, you can ensure your pets feel safe by closing the blinds to keep out unexpected sights. Next, turn on a distracting noise to keep your pets from being shocked when a firework goes off in proximity. Music or the TV make great background noise to keep on while you are out and lowers the chance of an unexpected sound terrifying your pets. If possible, keep your pet in an interior room without windows for maximum relaxation.
Monitor Your Guests’ Interactions with Your Dog
If you decide to stay home and find your furry friend hanging around with the grill fired up and friends surrounding you, be careful with food scraps. A few surprising toxic cookout foods for pets are onions, avocados, and grapes. Other toxic chemicals that can be harmful to our furry friends are found in insect repellent and sunscreen when sprayed too close.
Claim Your Furry Friend
In case of emergency or escape, it is always a safe practice to ensure your animal is wearing identification tags or has a microchip inserted. With the excitement, loud and unforeseen sounds, and unmonitored guests there are extra escape opportunities to watch out for. If you know your dog will be joining you for holiday excitement, remember to claim them as your own with proper identification.
We hope that your Independence Day is full of grilling out, community fun, and fireworks! Take care of your animals in your apartment home, and enjoy your holiday knowing your pet is safe and taken care of indoors.
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]]>The post 5 Tips for Working from Your Apartment Home appeared first on The Residences at CityWay Blog.
]]>Make a list of daily tasks.
When working from home, it’s important to stay on task and hold yourself accountable. The beauty of flexibility means you can make your own schedule, but keeping that schedule is important to stay productive and produce quality work. By making a list, you can help keep track of progress toward your goals.
Get dressed.
Although a perk of working from home is the chance to wear pajamas, try getting dressed every day. People say that when you look good, you feel good! This helps set boundaries and will subconsciously motivate you to get started on your day.
Set aside workspace.
Working from bed or a couch may be comfortable, but they aren’t as likely to be productive workspaces. Try designating a desk or table for your work in order to keep work vs. relaxation separate. If you don’t have room for an office in your apartment home, clearing your counter or using your kitchen table can work just as well.
Get out of your apartment.
Whether it’s working from a coffee shop for the day, or simply running an errand, plan to leave your apartment at least once during your WFH (work from home) day. Working elsewhere helps add a little peer pressure to not be “that guy” who takes up valuable space near an outlet in the coffee shop. Or, consider going to your local library for a free, quiet space to work. If you are running an errand or run out to get lunch, this will motivate you to set small goals to accomplish before and after the time you leave, adding little reminders to stay on task.
Set clear office hours.
Sticking to regular office hours even when you aren’t in the office can help hold you accountable for a healthy work-life balance. This way, you are online when co-workers are working, and you are available when needed. Plus, setting a time to log off each day will help keep work and your personal life separate, even when you bring work home.
If you have the flexibility to work from your apartment home, we hope you found these five tips helpful. The key is to set goals, stay motivated and find your balance!
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]]>The post Ideas for Growing Food in Your Apartment Home appeared first on The Residences at CityWay Blog.
]]>Want to utilize your windowsill space? Try basic herbs like basil, rosemary, mint, ginger, cilantro, or parsley. If you have counter space in your kitchen, this is the perfect location for these little plants. Plus, when it’s time to harvest your goods, you don’t have to go far!
Have balcony or patio space? Try growing a plant that needs ample sunlight and a little more room like tomatoes or a dwarf fruit tree. You can get different kinds of dwarf trees like apple, lemon, or orange easily. These outdoor plants may need a little more care-taking, so be ready to take on a challenge.
Don’t have a great space for natural light in your apartment? Buy a mushroom growing kit online to get started. You don’t have to do much, and you can enjoy fresh mushrooms from your apartment home.
This spring we hope we can spark some ideas and that you can to grow some delicious fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs right at home. It’s easy and a great hobby to get started. Happy growing!
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Many people do not get the recommended eight hours of sleep for a variety of reasons and the bedroom may be part of the issue. Sleep is vital for our bodies and there are several steps you can take to ensure a bedroom is maximized for sleep. Use the following tips to update your apartment bedroom or change your bedtime habits to enhance more restful sleep.
Don’t do work, watch TV, or eat a meal in bed. The bed should only be used for sleep and although a cozy bed can sound inviting, separating the way we think about our beds can help change our attitude toward sleep. If we only think of our bed as a vessel for sleep, we are more likely to feel relaxed around bedtime. Live in a studio apartment? Try breaking up your space so the bed doesn’t become the focal point of both the living and sleeping area. This way, daytime activities can be separated from nighttime.
Clean up clutter. The bedroom should be an organized haven from the chaos of life. Simple décor and proper storage can ensure a bedroom is a clean as possible and therefore more relaxing.
Save the electronics for the living room. The brightness of a screen is very stimulating and will keep people awake for much longer. This includes TVs and even alarm clocks. Though alarm clocks are helpful, the brightness can be distracting. If necessary, simply face the alarm clock away from the bed to avoid glancing at the time throughout the night.
Keep the bedroom dark. Blackout curtains are an easy fix and will keep out light from streetlamps and the rising sun in the morning. If curtains are too difficult, try using a sleep mask.
Keep the bedroom cool. Studies show sleeping in a cool room leads to better sleep. Try adjusting the thermostat to below 70 degrees or wear light pajamas.
Keep the bedroom quiet. Don’t fall asleep to TV or music because it adds the risk of being woken by an unsuspecting sound. Try setting a timer on the device so it doesn’t continue all night. If sound comes from neighbors or outside noises, try a sound machine or fan. The consistent sound is lulling and can drown out distracting sound.
By making simple adjustments to your apartment home bedroom, you can maximize your sleep for the better. We hope these tips can help lead to sound sleep and relaxation in your apartment home.
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]]>The post Ways to Introduce Yourself to Your Apartment Neighbors appeared first on The Residences at CityWay Blog.
]]>The days of bringing baked goods to new neighbors are in the past. Now, breaking the ice can be downright intimidating, especially in an apartment community. Everyone wants to have a strong relationship with their neighbors. Who else can you rely on to watch over your home when you’re out for the weekend? Good neighbors make our lives easier, and it helps everyone feel like part of a community.
Whether you’ve been in your apartment community for years or you’re just moving in, you might need some extra help finding the best way to introduce yourself. Yes, it can be awkward at first, but there are easy ways to make it less intimidating. Are you ready to make a change and turn your neighbors into people you feel confident running into in the hallways?
Smile Often
This is the easiest way to meet people, but also the most often overlooked. How often do you walk between your apartment and your car looking at nothing other than your phone screen? Put that phone away and be aware of your surroundings. Not only is this a great habit to get into in everyday life, but it gives you the chance to meet people.
Smile as you pass people in the hallway. Introduce yourself, and let them know where you live. You don’t have to take up any more time than that, but your neighbor will remember your friendly hello going forward. This is how you start breaking down those walls.
Connect Online
This is the digital age, so it’s no wonder neighbors have taken to social media. With the NextDoor app, you can be sure you’re only seeing posts for the people immediately near you. While connecting online isn’t a substitute for real-life interaction, it is a great way to put names to faces. If you have any questions or ideas for the community, this can be a great space to ask.
Go to Events
Neighborhood events are the perfect chance to actually meet people. Not only do they sometimes involve free food (yum!), but you’re likely to run into someone new. Be active at these events, and ask the community if you can bring baked goods or a food dish to share. Food will always make people eager to talk to you. These events are designed to bring the community together. Don’t keep putting off Friday Night Socials and holiday feasts.
Be Respectful
Finally, one of the best ways to meet your neighbors on the right terms is to be a good member of the community. Every apartment community has a set of rules, most of which are for the peace and respect of everyone who lives there. Nobody likes the neighbor who blasts music until 2 am or the person who always leaves trash outside their door.
The same goes for your property manager. Many property managers also live on-site, and this is a great way to get to know them when you see them out during the day or at events. However, never impose your questions or concerns on a property manager after hours when they’re no longer on duty.
Another common problem is renting your apartment through Airbnb when you’re not in town. This might seem like a good way to make extra cash, but it exposes your community to unknown tenants. Your property managers might be alerted through a service like Rentbelly, so it’s never worth the risk.
Following the rules might not get you very far on its own, but without it, you’ll have the hardest time making a good impression on your neighbors. The more you can learn to respect the rules, the more pleasant your community will be as a whole. As long as you smile, put yourself out there, and are an asset to the community, your neighbors will welcome you.
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]]>The post Tips for Living with Roommates appeared first on The Residences at CityWay Blog.
]]>- You don’t have to be best friends with your roommate (we’ll repeat that for the people in the back – You don’t have to be besties). Sure, it would be easier if everyone liked each other, but sometimes roommates are just roommates, nothing more…nothing less. If you’re cordial and can stand each other’s presence, you’re #winning at this roommate thing.
- If you don’t get along with your roommate, there are coping mechanisms to get past the shade and to work toward harmonious living. Our favorite advice? Work on openly communicating with one another about conflict in a positive and constructive way. For example, instead of saying, “I don’t like that you never take out the trash” try saying “I would be really thankful if we could work on taking the trash out when it gets full.”
- Consider a chore chart. If you aren’t totally happy with how you have been splitting duties around your apartment home, sometimes having a defined set of responsibilities helps sort through problems before they become too hostile.
- Set boundaries and expectations early. If you aren’t planning on sharing food or toilet paper, make sure to say that loud and proud. If you don’t, you may start noticing your shampoo bottle feels lighter than usual, or that you are the only one that ever sweeps the kitchen.
If aren’t living alone, we hope this advice helps you have a positive roommate experience! Our team understands that roommate troubles happen, so if you need someone to vent to or more insight on handling roommate conflict, let us know.
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