Tag Archives: TriBridge Residential

Ways to Conserve Water & Save on Utility Bills

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Use Less Water

Image via MorgueFile

With the average annual water bill coming in at $335 and expected to rise in the coming years, water conservation means a healthier environment and a healthier bank account. The good news is that there are dozens of ways to conserve water in your apartment. Whether your apartment community uses Conservice or another provider, the following tips and links to websites will provide more in-depth information on some of the most effective ways to conserve water.

Study Up

Make sure you actually read your water bill every month. This advice is not emphasized enough. Simply being aware of how much water you use can go a long way towards changing your behavior. Over time, you’ll be able to pick up on patterns of when your water usage is the lowest and the highest so you can use this information to your advantage.

DIY

As a renter, you don’t always get to decide which appliances and fixtures your home will be equipped with. But Mother Nature Network shares this clever trick on creating your own low-flush toilet. Simply put a plastic water bottle filled with rocks or sand in your toilet tank. Sounds simple right? It is!

Soak it Up

This water saving tip for frugal renters is so obvious we couldn’t believe we didn’t think of it ourselves. There are tons of water conservation sites that will say you have to adopt a life of strict 5-minute showers. But sometimes a hot bath is exactly what you need at the end of the day. Instead of swearing them off, just be smarter about it. Most people run the bath water and wait for the water to reach the desired temperature. This makes sense for a shower, but for a bath you can plug the tub up from the start and just adjust as needed to make sure it’s the perfect temperature.

An Even “Greener” Thumb

We’ve all heard the tip about turning the faucet off when you’re not actually using water. But no one wants to step into an ice cold shower while they’re waiting for the water to warm up. You don’t have to watch all that cold water go down the drain. Simply place a container or bucket under your shower head to catch some of that water. It can be reused to water plants.

Easy Street

This tip isn’t so much creative as it is simple, so simple in fact that we had to include it. Leaking faucets and pipes can add up to significant water waste over the course of the year. Letting your community’s team members know about these issues as quickly as possible not only makes your home more comfortable but it also cuts back on water loss. Typically, these services are free to you as long as the leak wasn’t caused by damage. All you have to do is submit a work order!

Additional tips we can offer to our renters looking to save on their water bills include the following:

  • When washing dishes by hand, don’t let the water run while rinsing. Fill one sink with wash water and the other with rinse water.
  • Run your clothes washer and dishwasher only when they are full. This can save you up to 1,000 gallons of water a month! Also, when doing laundry, match the water level to the size of the load.
  • Don’t use running water to thaw frozen foods. Defrost food in the refrigerator for water efficiency and food safety.
  • Teach children to turn off faucets tightly after each use.
  • Soak pots and pans instead of letting the water run while you scrape them clean.
  • Turn off the water while brushing your teeth and save 25 gallons a month.
  • Drop used Kleenex tissue in the trash instead of flushing it.
  • Keep a pitcher of water in the refrigerator for cold drinks instead of running the tap.
  • Turn off the water while you lather to wash your hands and while you shave. Turning the water off while you shave can save up to 300 gallons a month.

While some of these methods may sound silly, we think these are useful tips that when put into practice can positively impact your life as well as the environment! If you have other creative water saving tips for renters, share them with us on our Facebook page.

 

Creating Conversation Areas in Your Apartment With Your Furniture

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When arranging the furniture for your living room, you want to create a look that’s stylish and sophisticated. But you also want to arrange furniture so that it lends itself to socializing and visiting.

Try to create “Conversation areas.” You can do this with furniture arrangements that focus less on television and other forms of entertainment, and more on interacting with your guests. There are a variety of ways to create an inviting space that family and friends will gravitate towards. Here are a few expert tips on how to achieve the look.

The Washington Post recommends placing chairs and sofas in a circular arrangement in close proximity so that you can have “a relaxed conversation without straining to hear.” Also, keep a few extra chairs nearby (if you have the space). You can always use your dining chairs or folding chairs that can be tucked away in the closet once your guests leave.

living room furniture arrangements
 

Hamptons.com offers another approach – Anchor the space with the sofa, and then flank it with chairs on both ends, with no more than eight feet between them. A coffee table can be placed in the middle as a place to set food and drinks, or to be used as the focal point of the room.

living room furniture arrangements
 
The article “Arranging Furniture to Create a Conversation Area” offers several helpful suggestions. First, it advises to arrange furniture in either an L or U-shape. Which arrangement you choose depends largely on the shape of your living room, but both are great for creating a sitting area that makes guests feel welcome and engaged in the conversation.
creating a conversation area

If your living room is oddly shaped or if you have limitations on floor space due to other furnishings, the article recommends placing furniture closer to the center of the room in a “box shape with one open end being the focal point of the room.”

 
How do you arrange the furniture in your TriBridge apartment so that it encourages conversations? Leave a comment to share with us!

Tips for Budgeting for Your New Apartment

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Whether you’re looking for your first apartment or you are relocating and looking for a new place to call home, searching for the perfect place can be exciting. And while it may be tempting to jump right in and start touring properties, there’s an essential step that needs to come first – determining your budget.

budgeting for a new apartment

Knowing your budget will help you identify exactly what you are looking for in a living space. At a very basic level, determining your budget involves knowing how much money you make in a month and how you spend it. MyNewPlace offers a more in-depth explanation of determining your budget, which includes the following:

  • Income Sources – Determine your monthly, after tax, salary, including any wages, tips, etc.
  • Current Expenses – Monthly expenses include mandatory costs and optional costs. Mandatory costs can include car payments, cell phone bills, medical insurance, student loan payments, groceries, etc. Optional costs cover the extras that you don’t necessarily have to have, such as eating out, going to the movies, and other forms of entertainment and recreation.

Once you have a good idea of what’s coming in and out, you can start looking at the apartment options available and begin narrowing down your choices. Keep in mind that your apartment will most likely be your biggest expense every month. U.S. News Money says, “The conventional wisdom is to spend no more than 30 percent of your annual income on housing costs,” but some renters may need to add a little more if they plan to live in a more urban area. Knowing what you can expect to spend on your rent helps you eliminate the apartments that aren’t within your budget.

To help keep expenses in check, remember that location is key. Ideally, you’ll want to find a community that is in close proximity to your place of work or school, so you can reduce gas expenses.

As you are looking at the apartments available within your budget, don’t forget that in many cases, you will likely be required to pay a deposit or the first and last month’s rent when you sign a lease. Also, keep in mind that some properties may include utilities in the monthly rent, while others may not. Be prepared to ask the property’s management about what deposits or payments are necessary upfront and what is and isn’t included in the monthly rent so you can adjust your budget accordingly.

If you’re ready to start looking for an apartment, we invite you to begin your search with TriBridge Residential. We have communities in states throughout the South and apartments available at a variety of price points. Please visit our website for more information on our communities.

Image courtesy of Stuart Miles / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

 

Keeping Your Dog Happy in an Apartment

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Dogs offer unconditional love and companionship that can’t be matched by our human friends. In return, our canine friends need love and attention. However, many people may find it hard to keep a furry family member happy when there isn’t a spacious yard to play in. With a bit of resourcefulness, though, your dog can be just as happy living in an apartment as they would be on a big farm out in the country.

Below are a few good ideas we came across on Apartment Therapy for dog owners who live in apartments. If you’re looking for inspiration to keep you and your puppy connected and active, consider trying some of these out.

keeping a dog happy in an apartment

First, carefully choose your breed – If you don’t own a dog yet, but want to, choose the breed with care. Some breeds are more active than others and need lots of space to expend their energy, while others are more mild-mannered and better suited for apartment living.

Give your dog lots of exercise and play time – Since you don’t have a yard, you’ll need to think of other ways to get your pet moving to use up their energy. Short walks around the neighborhood are great. Also, keep a variety of toys on hand for your dog to play with while indoors.

Visit nearby dog parks – Find some dog parks near your apartment and visit them on a regular basis. For instance, Twin Oaks, one of our communities in Nashville, TN, has a great dog park! And dog parks are great because they give your pooch lots of space to play without the need for a leash. They also create opportunities for your pet to socialize with other dogs (and you the opportunity to meet other dog owners). Before you visit any dog parks, be sure to check for any special rules or regulations that might be in place.

keeping a dog happy in an apartment

Do you have additional suggestions for keeping a dog happy while living in an apartment? Leave a comment below to share with us.

Are you looking for a pet-friendly apartment for you and dog? All of our communities would be happy to take in you and your furry friend! Visit the TriBridge Residential website to check out our apartment communities throughout the South and find the right fit for you and your pet.

Image 1 courtesy of James Barker / FreeDigitalPhotos.net. Image 2 courtesy of morguefile.

 

Attention Atlanta Apartment Seekers!

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As the cultural hub of the South, Atlanta is made up of a variety of boroughs, each having something unique and enriching to offer. You don’t have to go far to find your own fulfillment, and every day can be a new adventure!

If you’re considering a move to Atlanta, TriBridge Residential has plenty of great apartment communities in and around the city to choose from.

Highland Square
Highland Square is tucked away in the Virginia Highlands neighborhood of Atlanta and is very close to the beautiful campus of Emory University. This property features one, two, and three-bedroom floorplans, which include amenities like built-in bookshelves and entertainment centers, courtyard and pool views, vaulted ceilings, and more. Beyond the doors of all Highland Square apartments, residents enjoy on-site amenities and local attractions such as :

  • BBQ/Picnic area
  • Fitness Center
  • Sundeck and Swimming Pool
  • Tanning Salon
  • Being within walking distance of Starbucks, Burger Tap, Evolve Boutique, and the Carlos Michael C Museum at Emory University.
highlands square kitchen viewhighlands square living room

Enso
Enso in Downtown Atlanta makes it easy to enjoy city living and green living at the same time. Enso’s apartments feature Energy Star appliances; water-efficient showerheads, faucets, and low-flow toilets; and Green Label Plus carpet for better indoor air quality. There are also a few other unique amenities:

  • Multimedia bar with movie theater;
  • Fitness and conditioning club with a yoga/spin room;
  • Resort-style salt water pool;
  • Close proximity to local attractions like Grant Park, Zoo Atlanta, Brownwood Park, Carroll Street Café, Tin Lizzys, Inman Perk Coffe, and others.
enso kitchen photoEnso exteriorgame room
 
The Pointe at Preston Ridge is a great choice any time of the year. As we near the end of February, spring may already be heavy on your mind. Or perhaps you prefer snuggling up to a warm fire during the winter season. Either way, The Pointe at Preston Ridge has the perfect blend of season-friendly amenities.
 
Fireplace at The Pointe at Preston Ridge
Amenities at The Pointe at Preston Ridge include such favorites as a wood-burning fireplace, a clubhouse, swimming pool and tennis court. This community also has a few amenities you may not readily find elsewhere, such as:
 
  • Direct Access to Big Creek
  • Greenway
  • Energy Star Appliances
  • Private Patio / Balcony
  • Business Center / Computer Station
  • Barbecue / Picnic Area
  • Gourmet Kitchen with Breakfast Bar
  • Large Closets
  • Ceiling Fans
 
 
 

Do any of these TriBridge Residential properties in Georgia interest you? If so, contact that property to schedule a tour. Or, visit the TriBridge Residential website to learn more about our other fantastic apartment communities in and around Atlanta, Raleigh, Durham, Jacksonville, Orlando, Nashville, and more.