Renting an apartment can be stressful, especially if time and money are limited. It’s not uncommon for people to leap before they look just to relieve the pressure of apartment hunting. Selecting a place to live is important. If you’re unhappy with your home, it can have a significant negative impact on your life.
So, once you’ve determined the place is in your price range, take a pad and pen to make notes as you consider the following:
What’s the neighborhood like? If you’re new to the area, ask about the nearest grocery store, bank, video store, etc. Walk around to see what kind of activity is in the area. Ask about transportation routes and how safe the neighborhood is.
Who are the neighbors? You’re not asking the landlord to judge, you’re asking for facts. Do they have kids? Pets? Are they college students or elderly couples? This will help you decide if you’ll enjoy living there. This isn’t as much of a concern if you’re living in a mid or high rise. However, if you are renting an apartment in house, it may set off your allergies if the people below you have a dog.
How is the place heated and cooled? This is of particular concern if you are responsible for paying the utilities. Do you have control over heating and/or air conditioning levels? Also be sure to find out average monthly costs of water and hydro.
Are there enough windows and which direction(s) do they face? Light and temperature can dramatically affect how much you enjoy your home. If you find lack of light depressing, you may want to avoid basements or apartments with tiny windows. If there is a long wall facing north and you’re in a colder climate, find out how well it is insulated to protect yourself from northern winds.
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Furnishing Your First Apartment: Big Ideas for Small Spaces
Furnishing Your First Apartment: Big Ideas for Small Spaces
By Susan Johnston
When I graduated from college, I couldn’t wait to move into the real world and into a real grown-up apartment. I was through with sleeping on an extra-long twin bed lofted three feet in the air and of sharing a tiny dorm room with an almost-stranger. Unfortunately, living in an expensive city, I found myself living in a room with square footage that was less than my old dorm room. And did I mention it didn’t have a closet? Oh, the irony!
But after hanging curtains and creatively positioning my furniture (kinda like a game of Tetris), the room gradually began to feel more livable, cozy even. From sublets to studios, high-rises to single-family homes, my friends and I have experienced the gamut of urban real estate and picked up a few pointers along the way. Here are a few common housing situations and their decorating solutions.
Situation #1: You’ve finally moved out of the dorm and into your very own apartment. Well, technically, it’s a studio with a kitchenette, and it’s about the size of a shoebox. Houston, we have a problem…
Solution: Look on the bright side, at least with limited space, you won’t have to buy a ton of furniture and use up every penny from graduation (you’ve probably spent a big chunk on security deposits). What you need are a few small, space-efficient pieces to make your shoebox feel like home.
Repeat after me: futons are your friend. They are the perfect starter bed, because they’re cheap and space-efficient. One caveat, though: do not buy the cheapest, lumpiest 12-inch mattress you can find. In this case, saving money could result in a raging case of insomnia that not even industrial strength sleeping pills will soothe. Try out different brands and thicknesses of mattress to ensure a decent night’s sleep. Then when you want to have friends over, just fold up the futon, rearrange your throw pillows, and lounge on your comfy couch. For extra seating, you can pick up a few folding chairs and store them in a corner until company comes. Padded slipcovers will transform those secondhand chairs from drab to fab.
Now onto that kitchenette. Check on what appliances are included (and how much counter space you have) before you buy anything extra. If you can’t live without your coffee maker and food processor, look for smaller models instead of the one that brews enough coffee for a small army. Once you move into a bigger place, you can buy that super-deluxe caterers’ version and resell your pint-sized appliances to some one else in a studio.
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson
By Susan Johnston
When I graduated from college, I couldn’t wait to move into the real world and into a real grown-up apartment. I was through with sleeping on an extra-long twin bed lofted three feet in the air and of sharing a tiny dorm room with an almost-stranger. Unfortunately, living in an expensive city, I found myself living in a room with square footage that was less than my old dorm room. And did I mention it didn’t have a closet? Oh, the irony!
But after hanging curtains and creatively positioning my furniture (kinda like a game of Tetris), the room gradually began to feel more livable, cozy even. From sublets to studios, high-rises to single-family homes, my friends and I have experienced the gamut of urban real estate and picked up a few pointers along the way. Here are a few common housing situations and their decorating solutions.
Situation #1: You’ve finally moved out of the dorm and into your very own apartment. Well, technically, it’s a studio with a kitchenette, and it’s about the size of a shoebox. Houston, we have a problem…
Solution: Look on the bright side, at least with limited space, you won’t have to buy a ton of furniture and use up every penny from graduation (you’ve probably spent a big chunk on security deposits). What you need are a few small, space-efficient pieces to make your shoebox feel like home.
Repeat after me: futons are your friend. They are the perfect starter bed, because they’re cheap and space-efficient. One caveat, though: do not buy the cheapest, lumpiest 12-inch mattress you can find. In this case, saving money could result in a raging case of insomnia that not even industrial strength sleeping pills will soothe. Try out different brands and thicknesses of mattress to ensure a decent night’s sleep. Then when you want to have friends over, just fold up the futon, rearrange your throw pillows, and lounge on your comfy couch. For extra seating, you can pick up a few folding chairs and store them in a corner until company comes. Padded slipcovers will transform those secondhand chairs from drab to fab.
Now onto that kitchenette. Check on what appliances are included (and how much counter space you have) before you buy anything extra. If you can’t live without your coffee maker and food processor, look for smaller models instead of the one that brews enough coffee for a small army. Once you move into a bigger place, you can buy that super-deluxe caterers’ version and resell your pint-sized appliances to some one else in a studio.
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Living with a Roomate
For those of you who decided to move from roommate living to solo living, the transition can be a difficult adjustment—especially if this is your first experience of this type of living situation. This can be the case even for those who couldn't wait to get rid of their roommates.
If you're feeling lonely, follow these tips to revive yourself.
Cultivate a collection of music that uplifts you.With roommates, outside sounds are constantly filtering through, even when you're in your own room. There's the muffled sound of the television, the phone ringing, conversations flowing and music playing. Many of us take this for granted, but you may be surprised to find yourself missing this when all that is suddenly gone and replaced with...silence. To alleviate the weirdness, play your favorite albums—and get new ones when they start to get old. Or listen to the radio or have the television playing in the background.
Get a pet, such as a cat or dog.Pets make great companions for those who live alone. Yes, there is a reason that the "Cat Lady" stereotype developed. Rather than see her as pathetic, think of her as smart for realizing that our friends in nature provide emotional support. Not only do they provide affection and playfulness, but they force you to maintain the habit of addressing the needs of another living thing—something that could be easily forgotten when you have only you to think about.
Establish a regular night when friends come over.Host a gathering of friends at your apartment every week. It could be for any reason: poker night, watching the latest episode of Heroes, enjoying a potluck dinner together. A weekly event will infuse your apartment with the memories of the gatherings and give you something to look forward to.
Decorate your walls with photographs of your friends and family.Photographs are great reminders of the wonderful times you've shared with your loved ones. These images will make your apartment feel like home and rekindle fond memories. And you get the best of both worlds: the spirit of your friends without having to endure them hogging the remote or taking 30-minute showers.
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson
If you're feeling lonely, follow these tips to revive yourself.
Cultivate a collection of music that uplifts you.With roommates, outside sounds are constantly filtering through, even when you're in your own room. There's the muffled sound of the television, the phone ringing, conversations flowing and music playing. Many of us take this for granted, but you may be surprised to find yourself missing this when all that is suddenly gone and replaced with...silence. To alleviate the weirdness, play your favorite albums—and get new ones when they start to get old. Or listen to the radio or have the television playing in the background.
Get a pet, such as a cat or dog.Pets make great companions for those who live alone. Yes, there is a reason that the "Cat Lady" stereotype developed. Rather than see her as pathetic, think of her as smart for realizing that our friends in nature provide emotional support. Not only do they provide affection and playfulness, but they force you to maintain the habit of addressing the needs of another living thing—something that could be easily forgotten when you have only you to think about.
Establish a regular night when friends come over.Host a gathering of friends at your apartment every week. It could be for any reason: poker night, watching the latest episode of Heroes, enjoying a potluck dinner together. A weekly event will infuse your apartment with the memories of the gatherings and give you something to look forward to.
Decorate your walls with photographs of your friends and family.Photographs are great reminders of the wonderful times you've shared with your loved ones. These images will make your apartment feel like home and rekindle fond memories. And you get the best of both worlds: the spirit of your friends without having to endure them hogging the remote or taking 30-minute showers.
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Hallway
Hallway
Hallways are often overlooked as they are usually used as a dumping ground for shoes and bags but to make your apartment both safe and welcoming you need to extend your lighting scheme into the hall and up the stairs (if applicable).
Simple uplighters placed at intervals along the wall and up the stairs will chase the light up onto the ceiling.
The treads and risers of the stairs need to be clearly visible and there should be no dark corners.
If you have several landings make sure that they are adequately lit up.
Try using recessed spotlight in each step for a more modern effect
Put the main overhead light at the top of the stairs rather than the bottom to reduce the risk of accidents.
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson.
Hallways are often overlooked as they are usually used as a dumping ground for shoes and bags but to make your apartment both safe and welcoming you need to extend your lighting scheme into the hall and up the stairs (if applicable).
Simple uplighters placed at intervals along the wall and up the stairs will chase the light up onto the ceiling.
The treads and risers of the stairs need to be clearly visible and there should be no dark corners.
If you have several landings make sure that they are adequately lit up.
Try using recessed spotlight in each step for a more modern effect
Put the main overhead light at the top of the stairs rather than the bottom to reduce the risk of accidents.
For apartments in New Jersey go to Raritan Crossing. They are pet friendly apartments and New Brunswick NJ apartments. Rentals near Metropark and apartments in Middlesex county. For apartments in central NJ this is the place for you with Apartments in Middlesex County NJ. Raritan Crossing has apartments near metropark, apartments near Rutgers and apartments near Robert Wood Johnson.
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