Moving can be one of the most stressful events in life.  If you are moving just down the block from your family consider yourself lucky.  You probably will be maintaining the same family structure, job, school and social circle.  If you’re moving because of divorce, a new job or financial difficulties, you’re sure to be dealing with much more stress surrounding your move.  At Apartments.com we are familiar with the moving process and understand the emotions that go along with it.  We can help you to find your new apartment and we want to make sure you move comfortably too.  As you pack your boxes with your dishes and clothing, also pack up the life you’re leaving behind.

Here are some things you should pack for your move:
 
A Picture of Your New Life
Before you move,or soon after you arrive, make a list or write a story that describes what your life will be like in your new location.  Some psychologists say you can determine your level of happiness in your new home if you can figure out how many of the things that made you happy will still exist.  Can you still go to the gym?  Will you have a job you’ll enjoy?  Will you get to be around your kids or other important people in your life?  Pig out on pepperoni pizza? 
 
If you are going through a divorce or are dealing with a job loss, think about why those things didn’t work and what you learned from the situation.  For now, focus on the little things that make you happy and don’t worry if the perfect relationship or job doesn’t materialize immediately.
 
Memories of Your Old Life
If you’re moving to a new city, one of the worst parts of moving can be the sudden tug away from your support system.  Your friends, perhaps family and places like your favorite coffee shop are not in your daily life anymore.  As you make new connections, don’t be afraid to put up photos and mementos from your old neighborhood.  Photos of friends have a powerful place in our lives.  Be sure that you display only pictures of people who still make you happy—don’t surround yourself with photos from a failed relationship.  You’re moving on and the ol’ heart is moving on with you.  If your photo collection contains nothing but pictures of you and your ex making silly faces at the camera, go out and buy some art prints to celebrate the new phase of your life.  Make your new home a place that reflects the person you are now and who you want to be tomorrow.
 
Acceptance of Your Choice and the Ability to Embrace the Bumps Along the Way
Moving is a big decision and it’s also one that you’ve already made.  Relax and take in the experience, good and bad.  When you’re a renter, plan about $1,000 more than you budgeted for last-minute expenses.  Just consider it the price you’re paying for a great new change and don’t dwell on it.  Trust that you made the right choice and know that there is no going back.  If you dwell on the past, you might never get to embrace the new life that awaits you.  
 
A Sense of Control
Once you’ve made the decision to move, find assurance in the knowledge that you do have options when things don’t go as planned.  You can negotiate details like your actual move date, certain fees and the length needed to secure a loan.  Remember that you are the one living in this new place, not your landlord or your bank representative.  If the phone company is a week late with your connection, make sure they prorate your bill.  If all else fails, picture yourself in a month with all the details nailed down and all the boxes unpacked.  Take baby steps to get to that place and know that it will happen in time.  Sometimes, good things are worth the wait.
 
Time to Laugh and Let Loose
This is not the time to be a super-hero.  You need to see moving as a process, not a week-long crazed project.  Unpack the kitchen boxes with your favorite music on and dance around the room.  Then go buy groceries and stop for an ice cream on the way.  Enjoy your new neighborhood and all the new changes in your life.  Perhaps the only thing that made it through the move in one piece was you and that’s something to celebrate! 

Don’t be so excited about decorating your bedroom and getting your Internet hooked up that you forget about safety. Apartments.com wants to make sure you’re taken care of and while we can’t replace your mothers (sigh), we can offer some friendly advice to make your apartment a place where you’ll feel safe and sound.

Our biggest “mom” tip is to purchase renter’s insurance to protect your valuables. Even with insurance you still need to take steps to protect yourself. Here are some other easy ways to make you, your apartment and your belongings much safer.

Do…

• Write only your last name or initials on your mailbox.
• Although you may have to pay a small fee, it’s a good idea to have an unlisted phone number for safety reasons. Having an unlisted number will also cut down on solicitation calls.
• Make sure the locks on all doors leading into your apartment have been changed since the last tenant was living there. You may need to make copies of your keys for roommates but most apartment owners forbid copies made for anyone not living in the apartment. This includes your best friend, boy/girlfriend and parents. For safety reasons, keep copies of keys in your hands only.
• Apartment doors should all have peephole viewers. If you don’t have one, ask your landlord to install one.
• On the elevator, avoid riding alone with a stranger. If you get stuck with someone you do not know, stand near the control panel so you can exit in an emergency or if the stranger makes you feel uncomfortable in any way.
• Stay alert when entering your apartment. Don’t talk on your cell phone or look preoccupied when walking toward your building. Criminals look for a weak target and are more likely to pass up someone who appears focused, aware and strong.
• Report bad lighting or overgrown shrubbery to your landlord. You are never being too picky when it comes to your safety.
• Inventory the description, serial number and cost of your valuables. Keep a copy of your records online, in a fire-proof locked box or in a safe deposit box in a bank. Take pictures of your most valuable items and attach those to your receipts to make any insurance claims run as smoothly as possible.
• Keep a broom handle or other long stick in the track of sliding glass doors. This may deter a break in.
• Purchase light timers and set them so that your lights turn on when you’re away from home in the evening.
• Take in your newspaper and packages on a daily basis.

Debt. A word so ugly and heavy it’s hard to even say it without drooping a bit. Just a little bad luck or some less-than-perfect spending decisions and the next thing you know, debt can take over your life. It can get so bad that even grab lunch at a take-out place or pick up the dry cleaning becomes a guilt-laden task.

The staff at Apartments.com has experienced their fair share of money woes and would like to offer some advice. The good news is that you do have options and by just taking the first steps toward pulling yourself out of the hole, you start to feel better!

Step One: Know the Real Credit Facts!

The good news…

• It is possible to get out, and stay out, of debt. It is true that the average American has $8,400 of credit debt, but it is also true that only 1 in 20 Americans owes $8,000 or more.
• Most households owe balances that are $2,000 or less.
• Only 1% of Americans have over $20,000 of credit card debt.

The bad news…

• The percentage of disposable income used to pay debts is at a record high in this country.
• Personal bankruptcy hit a new high in 2003.

Step Two: Quick—Put Down That Credit Card! Like nothing else in the modern world, credit cards can go from a blessing to a burden in a heartbeat. When you needed a quick loan for car repairs or an emergency road trip, the old credit card was there. But before you knew it, it took on a life on its own and is now sucking your bank account dry with its enormous hidden fangs, the interest rate. This monster’s power is multiplying every month and will soon steal your ability to get a good rate on a loan or even rent an apartment. If you have a high balance on your cards, stop it now by ONLY using the money you have in the bank, unless it’s an emergency.
Step Three: Learn the difference between good debt and bad debt. It’s kind of like when you first found out about good fat and bad fat and thought, “There’s good fat? How’s that?” Well, debt works like that, too. While too much of anything can fall under the bad category, some types of debt are almost necessary for most people to have in order to live their lives. Good debt means the interest rate is below 10% and the funds will appreciate in value. This means you’re getting something for your money over time. Student loans and home mortgages fall into this category. Automobile loans on the fence; they have low interest rates but cars very rarely appreciate in value. Any other loans including personal and credit cards are considered bad debt. Now you know what to focus on—get rid of that bad debt! You still need to make payments toward good debt accounts, of course, but you can rest easy knowing that those were smart decisions.

Dear Apartments.com,
Okay, I’m living in an apartment by myself for the first time and I’m really short. I have a hard time doing things in the apartment like changing the light bulbs and getting things down off shelves. I’ve been calling the building maintenance people sometimes but I really think they’re starting to get annoyed with me. What exactly is included in my rent and what things should I be doing myself?Stumpy in Stanford, CT

Dear Stumpy,
Unfortunately, your landlord may not be very sympathetic to the fact that you’re having problems reaching things in your apartment. It is better to ask a friend or neighbor for help. As for the light bulbs, they fall under the category of “routine maintenance” which should be described in your lease. Look for the “lawn mowing and snow removal clause” as this usually accompanies other routine maintenance tasks. If you see the clause it means that you are responsible for changing light bulbs, replacing washers, etc. Even if this clause is in your lease, I would still consider asking for help when the landlord or maintenance worker is around the building. Hopefully he/she will understand that you are not trying to abuse the lease but rather just need a helping hand.

Dear Apartments.com,
Dude, I’m totally broke and I’m freaking out. I’m in an apartment that has pretty cheap rent, but my car was all messed up this week and I had to fix it in order to get back and forth to work. I’m about $200 short on my rent and there’s no way that I’m going to be able to pay it by the time it’s due. How do I break the news to my landlord without getting evicted?
Cashless in Corpus Christi, TX

Dear Cashless,
This seems like a tricky case but the best course of action is to be polite (VERY polite) and know what your options are. First, read your lease to determine what late fees apply. A landlord can only charge you a late fee if it is explicitly stated in the lease. However, seeing as you are breaking the lease by not paying you rent on time, it is in your best interest to pay a reasonable late fee if your landlord requests one. This will deter him/her from wanting to evict you. Write your landlord a letter explaining the circumstances and the date that you will pay the rent. Assure your landlord that this was an emergency situation and that it will not happen again in the future. You should also offer to pay whatever part you can immediately. Be sure you have the landlord’s permission to pay late in writing BEFORE sending a late check, as in most states a landlord can start the eviction process if rent is even one day late. In the future, I recommend getting an emergency-only credit card to be used for situations like this. Pay car or medical bills with credit and save cash for the rent.

Why is it that the moment we feel a cold coming on, one of the first things we think about is chicken soup? There’s more to it than just your mother’s advice or old wives tails. Ancient Egyptians actually “prescribed” chicken soup for the common cold. So why? What’s the deal with chicken soup? It’s the vitamins! Sr. Stephen Rennard, professor of pulmonary and critical care medicine at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, has completed research that found the blend of vitamins and nutrients in chicken soup may slow the activity of white blood cells. This slowing causes an anti-inflammatory effect that may lead to the temporary alleviation of the symptoms of the flu.

Chicken soup isn’t the only “miracle cure” for what ails you. Vitamins have been used for centuries for the cure, relief and rehabilitation of many people for many different health issues and concerns. We’ve compiled some of the most popular vitamins and their benefits for you.

Please note, vitamins are drugs, and as with all medicines, may have serious side effects or dangerous interactions. Before you begin any vitamin regime, you should consult with your doctor or other health professional to determine what treatment is best for you and your particular condition.

Calcium – Extremely important for strong bones and teeth, Calcium helps fight osteoporosis. In some people it can prevent muscle or leg cramps and lower blood pressure. Calcium reduces stomach acid, helps regulate the heart, supports healthy blood clotting, helps prevent kidney stones and can reduce the threat of colon cancer. It helps in the healing of bone fractures and eases the symptoms of menopause.

Chondroitin Sulfate – May help in the reduction of cholesterol. Chondroitin Sulfate is an anti-inflammatory vitamin; it eases the pain for gout sufferers and may diminish osteoarthritis symptoms. It promotes healthy joint movement.

Ginko Biloba – Works on the brain to increase circulation and as a result has been used in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, depression, Raynaud’s disease, tinnitus, vertigo, allergies, vision loss due to aging and peripheral vascular disease. It aids in concentration and emotional fatigue. It also promotes circulation to the lower extremities and treats hardening of the arterites.

Folate (folic acid) – Aids in the production of red blood cells, tissue growth and cell function. Folic acid is usually prescribed for pregnant women to aid in the development of the fetus.

Summer brought fresh basil from your window box and blooming annuals from the potted plants on your porch. But suddenly, you’re watching football on the weekends and sporting a jacket on trips to the grocery store. As the weather begins to cool, what will happen to your apartment garden? Don’t pack up and get ready to migrate yet—there are steps you can take to maintain your garden through the colder weather. Here’s a guide to help keep your plants maintained year round:

September
Did you plant perennials or annuals? Annuals were only meant to live one season but perennials give you lots of options. If you live in a climate where freezing is unlikely, you can keep your potted plants and window box gardens alive through the winter. Extra attention will be necessary as the weather changes but watering, fertilizing and cleaning up debris are still the basics for maintaining a healthy garden. Those in colder climates can take comfort in the fact that plants can be transferred indoors.

Plants often do best when they are restarted inside. To do this, snip off a six-inch section of the terminal growth (the actual buds) from the plant. Strip off the lower leaves and start a new planter of water, sand or soil. When the plant begins to root, usually within a few weeks, it can be transferred to a pot.

Artificial sun can be created by the use of a fluorescent light. This light can be used up to 14 hours a day. Some plants may thrive if only kept near a sunny window.

If you don’t choose to grow an indoor garden, plan on putting an end to your garden by next month (earlier if you live in a far northern climate).

October-November
If you’re not moving your perennials indoors, here are your options:

• Plant them. Use your own garden space or ask a friend if they wouldn’t mind having some plants until spring. Place them in an area with ample drainage and water them once a week.
• Plant them in their pots. Unless you are using terra cotta planters, you can put plants in the ground right in their planters to be dug up in the spring.
• Create a leaf shelter. Take all your plants to a north or east facing part of your property and cover them with shredded leaves. When the deep winter ends, you can put the plants back in their summer home.
• Store them. Put the plants in a garage or other shelter that is dark and stays 40-50 degrees. Water them one time and then let them be until spring.

So you’re graduating from the kegger and cries of “help yourself” to a gathering a bit more civilized. Whether you’re throwing a shower or a housewarming or are a guest at a gathering, there are some bits of etiquette you should keep in mind to ensure that you and your guests, have a wonderful time.

When you’re the host/hostess:

• When you have people over to a gathering at your home, you need to meet them at the door when they arrive. Don’t leave the door open, or leave a sign that says “come on in”. One of the most uncomfortable feelings is for a guest to walk into a party where they don’t really know many other guests and try to find their way to the host/hostess. It’s just tacky. Show your guests that you truly appreciate them being there.
• Never be late to your own party. Make sure that all preparations are made and done 30 minutes prior to the time your guests are scheduled to arrive. This will allow you a short period of time to relax before the party begins.
• Make sure you have a secure place for guests to put their personal belongings (purse, coats and umbrellas). Whether it is a bedroom or other room, or a closet, your guests should not have to carry their stuff all night long.
• Watch the alcohol. You are there to take care of your guests, not the other way around. If you care to imbibe with a few cocktails, by all means do so. If you drink excessively, you’re no longer in control of your party and your guests won’t appreciate it.
• If you don’t want stains on your wood furniture, provide coasters for your guests.
• When your guests leave, walk them to the door.

When you’re the guest:

• ALWAYS, ALWAYS RSVP to an invitation, regardless of whether you will be attending or not. A good deal of planning goes into having a party, knowing the total number of people who will be attending is imperative to proper party planning. RSVP as early as possible and definitely before the due date on the invitation. Delaying your response will make the host/hostess feel as if you are waiting for a better opportunity. RSVP-ing AFTER the due date on an invitation is extremely rude.
• If you RSVP that you will be attending the party and later find out that you can not make it, be sure to tell the person who invited you. It’s better to let that person know later, rather than never, that you will not be attending.
• DO NOT bring guests that are not invited to the party. Only bring additional people if you have the permission of the host/hostess.

You drag your tired feet up the stairs and tug your earphones out; you switch your iPod off and check your voicemail as you unlock your door. It’s the end of another day and all you want to do is to put your feet up and forget about everything else.
Whether you like to collapse into a bed with hundreds of pillows, love the scent of freshly baked cookies or need a foot rub when you finish your day, the best feeling is the world is often the feeling of just being “home”. Sometimes, creating this feeling is a little tough when you’re living in an apartment. Perhaps your apartment carries the spirit of too many others who have lived there before you, or perhaps you haven’t been there long enough to feel “homey”. Well, fear not, here’s some ideas to get on the fast track to creating a more homey feeling.

Arrangement
One of the core teachings of Feng Shui, the ancient Chinese art of placement, is de-cluttering. Don’t bring endless boxes into your new place and stack them up everywhere. Move in only what you need, unpack it, put it in its place and put the rest into storage. Feng Shui principles state that rooms should be arranged in a complete square or rectangle. This balance in a room can translate to the one living in it, creating harmony and stability. Feng Shui teaches that in order to have a positive life experience, Chi (life-force, energy) needs to be able to flow freely. To ensure this happens, don’t place furniture directly against the walls and never make a television or other electronic device the focal point of a room. Ideally, you would have three places to sit inside a room with a welcoming piece in the middle, like a coffee table, that forms a full circle. Televisions and other objects should sit outside the circle in the larger “square” of the room.

Create a sense of harmony by only including items in your apartment that have meaning to you. Flowers may symbolize your connection to nature; a set of doves may represent love. As you decide where to put each object in the room think about its meaning and why you chose to put it there. Now your apartment is not filled with “junk” but with the things that are important to you.

Touches of Comfort
Now that your rooms are in order, add colors and fabrics that will make your environment pleasing to all your senses. Don’t paint your apartment with bright colors in an effort to make it more cheery. Instead, have a neutral base on the walls and in your furniture and add rugs, cushions and wall décor in colors that you like. If you appreciate change, choose colors that are fitting to the season and change them throughout the year. Don’t worry about impressing guests or creating a certain “look” when buying décor. Follow your gut and choose what you like. To illuminate your décor, aim for indirect light sources (keep light bulbs hidden) in every room. Overhead lights can sometimes be too jarring.

The lease is signed, the boxes are ready to go, and your roommate is due in town any minute. You’re ready for the apartment, but are you ready for the new neighborhood? Moving is one of the top five most stressful events in life. At Apartments.com, we understand how hard it can be to adjust to your new place as well as your new town. Never fear, we’ve assembled some tried-and-true tips that will have you cruising your new city as if you’ve lived there for years!

Even before you pick up the keys to your new apartment, there are a few things you can do to help make yourself feel more comfortable in your new surroundings. A month or so before you move, tape this list to your refrigerator to check off before the big move:

• Call your new town hall or community center and inquire about upcoming neighborly gatherings.
• Transfer or look into a new gym membership or other activity that you enjoy. Perhaps the local recreation center offers tennis lessons, and you know you’ve always meant to get more acclimated with a racket.
• Transfer or establish a new bank account.
• Arrange to have your mail forwarded (this can be done online at https://moversguide.usps.com/?referral=USPS).
• Transfer or order new utilities, including water, heat, electric, cable, and internet.
• If you have kids, look into local schools and arrange visits.
• Call or visit the website of your new town’s chamber of commerce to find the locations of the closest grocery stores, general retailers, discount shops, movie theaters and other places you’re interested in visiting.
• Check out your bookstore for a travel guide for your area.

Once you’ve arrived, don’t drive yourself crazy with the need to immediately have every spoon and towel in its place. Instead, get outside and explore. Locking yourself in and obsessing about every detail will only make you feel isolated. If you’re a real social butterfly, you might be able to make friends in line at the pharmacy or while petting a friendly dog. For those who aren’t quite that outgoing, you can still find plenty of ways to meet people who you can really click with:

• Take a class at the local art center, YMCA, or other cultural center.
• Go to the library. No, you may not be in school anymore, but local libraries can be great places to check out community boards and pick up community and transportation route maps.
• If you’re comfortable, go online to a local chat board and look for others with whom to network.
• Read the newspaper and free local magazine and browse the classifieds for restaurants, shops and community events.

Shopping for furniture seems like a pretty fun undertaking, until you realize you have no idea what to buy. Thumbing through a catalog, you see ottomans, loveseats, vanities… what happened to the old couch and table? If finding sturdy, well-priced, useful furniture is your goal, then arm yourself with Apartments.com’s guide to furniture shopping. We’ll clue you in on modern furniture lingo and pass along some tips for creating a great living space. Now all you need is a way to get it home! (We’ll give you some tips on that, too).

Bookcases-Yes, these obviously store books in a neat and convenient fashion but they also make great shelving solutions for living rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens. Pick up a small one to hold the toiletries in your bathroom, a large one to serve as a hutch (more on that later) in your kitchen or a mid-sized one in your bedroom to hold the extra clothes that don’t fit in your drawers.

Chest-These are great for extra storage, but are often quite heavy and can’t really serve another purpose unless they are designed to be sat on when the lid is closed. Look for designs that can also serve as stools, pedastals or benches.

China Cabinet-This is a thin cabinet designed for displaying china. You’ve probably seen one before in a larger house but if you have a spacious kitchen or dining room in your apartment, these will work great! If you don’t have china, but like the cabinet, go ahead and store collectibles or even your everyday serveware in it. China cabinets usually have clear doors, so make sure that you’re okay with the world seeing whatever you may store in it.

Dinette-This term refers to a set of table and chairs used for dining purposes. You can usually save money by buying the entire set as opposed to buying one piece at a time. A dinette is usually smaller than a standard dining room set.

End table-An end table is similar to a coffee table. Many end tables have additional drawers or storage space underneath. These are great for apartments that are short on cabinets or closets.

Hall tree-This is a tall stand with hooks on it for hanging coats, hats, umbrellas, etc. You might consider buying one if you have extra space near your front door. You can also create storage for coats and the like by hanging hooks on the wall close to the front or back door.

Hutch-A piece of kitchen furniture designed for extra storage and as a display for dishes or knick-knacks.

Loveseat-A loveseat is not just for lovers—this shorter-than-usual couch is great for smaller spaces where a full sized sofa won’t fit.