About tpham

Tu-Anh Pham is a content strategist for Apartment Guide. She writes and edits articles for Apartment Guide's Apartment Living Blog. She is also a member of the social media team. Find Tu-Anh on

How Much Should You Tip Your Movers: Infographic

Click the image to view the full infographic.

Click the image to view the full infographic.

May is National Moving Month and the official kick off of the summer moving season.

Feeling stressed about packing, moving and the expenses involved? Have no fear, Apartment Guide is here with fun facts from a recent survey about moving etiquette.

Some things to consider are providing some type of refreshment for the movers and tipping the movers for the heavy lifting. What would you recommend?

More Moving Tips
7 Tips for Easy Moving
Top 5 Apps to Help You Move
What to Do Before Moving In (Infographic)

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Spruce up for Spring: Freshen up Your Home (Infographic)

Click the image to view the full infographic.

Click the image to view the full infographic.

Looking to freshen up the look of your home? Spring is the perfect time to organize and accessorize your space to welcome the season of renewal.

Scroll down to learn more about our Spring Clean Sweepstakes.

Incorporate pops of color to each room by adding bold and bright colored accent pieces, such as picture frames and flower vases. Ring in spring with unique and creative floral displays.

For more tips and ideas on sprucing up your apartment this spring, click the infographic for our suggestions. And while you spruce up your apartment for spring, don’t forget to spring clean your budget.

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How to Spring Clean Your Budget

While you spring clean your home, consider getting your finances in order, too.

While you spring clean your home, consider getting your finances in order, too.

As you spring clean your household this season, take a moment to tidy up your finances and get your personal spending in order.

Read on to learn more about our Spring Clean Sweepstakes.

Whether you just want a little cushion in your savings account for a rainy day or you’re holding out for a new car or house, organizing your finances is a great way to get started. Here are some of our to-dos to spring clean your budget.

Take a Step Back
To start spring cleaning your budget, take a step back and review your finances. Take a look at your current budget and view what you spend your money on: rent/mortgage, bills, food, children, etc. If you’re currently using a shoebox to manage your money, this is the perfect opportunity to upgrade your fiscal strategy.

Start your apartment search today!

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Top 10 Cities for College Grads: Post-Graduation Moving Trends (Infographic)

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Click the image to view the full infographic.

More than 70 percent of graduates are planning on moving to a new city once they say goodbye to their college campus and hello to corporate America.

Nearly half of all students are most concerned about finding an apartment in the “right” neighborhood after graduation.

Click on the infographic for more interesting insights into what post-grads want most in their next place.

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What to Do Before Moving In: Infographic

Click the image to view the full infographic.

Click the image to view the full infographic.

At this point, you’ve checked off most of the items on your moving checklist.

Now before you unpack the boxes, click on the infographic to check out our suggestions of things to do before getting settled into your new apartment.

And remember to inform these contacts of your new address.

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Mix & Match: Modern and Vintage Decor

Click the image to view the full infographic.

Click the image to view the full infographic.

Clean lines dominate in modern decor, as we learned with these modern decorating tips, and vintage decor incorporates old pieces that are repurposed.

But what happens if you combine the two? You have a mix of old and new, with sleek furniture and neutral colors representing modern decor, and rustic lights and wood pallet art representing vintage decor.

Click on the infographic above to learn how to pair items and create the perfect combination of modern and vintage in your apartment.

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How to Host a Dinner Party in Your Apartment

Whether it’s for a special occasion, holiday or just because, a dinner party is a great excuse to get together to enjoy the company of others, eat delicious food and perhaps indulge in a few adult beverages.

Whether it’s for a special occasion, holiday or just because, a dinner party is a great excuse to get together to enjoy the company of others, eat delicious food and perhaps indulge in a few adult beverages.

Hosting a dinner party in your apartment doesn’t have to be stressful. With a little creativity and DIY flair, you’ll have a great night with close friends.

Gather a list of guests and use our tips to help throw a glamorous dinner party in your apartment.

Start your apartment search today!

Guest List
Look at your space and figure out how many guests you can seat comfortably. You want to create a cozy, intimate atmosphere – not a space where your guests can barely move and are bumping into one another.

Dining Table
If you don’t have room for a dining table in your apartment, take advantage of furniture you already have in your space. Use a dresser, desk and other available tables in your apartment to create one large surface. Heights may vary, but knowing that things don’t have to be perfect will take a lot of the pressure off of the host/ess. If you’re inviting neighbors, don’t be shy and ask to borrow a few chairs for the night – and you can even ask very close friends attending to bring their own chairs.

Another important aspect to hosting a party is the seating arrangement. If you are having assigned seats, arrange it so your guests can be near someone new. Split couples up, and don’t sit your work colleagues next to one another. This will force your guests to mingle and break out of their comfort zones.

Décor
Keep your decor simple. Add bold-colored, low-profile floral arrangements to the dining table and throughout your apartment. Dim the lights and add a few candles to create an intimate atmosphere.

Food and Drink
Make sure you’re aware of dietary preferences and requirements in advance. You don’t want to prepare a large meal that only a select few of your guests can enjoy. If a guest has dietary restrictions that are unusual, feel free to ask for suggestions on what will work for them.

For your dinner menu, keep it simple and delicious. Choose dishes that can be mostly prepared ahead of time so you can spend more time with your guests and out of the kitchen. A sample menu could include a green salad, crusty bread and lasagna. Remember to not cook anything you’ve never tried before, and avoid potentially messy foods like spaghetti or lobster. If it’s easier, set up a buffet-style area so your guests can serve themselves. This frees up space on the dining table.

For drinks, provide bottled waters, sodas and beer to keep possible spills to a minimum. For adult beverages, you don’t have to get the most expensive bottle, but provide something that your guests will enjoy. Consider making a punch, like a champagne punch, that becomes your “signature cocktail.” When your guests offer to bring something, it’s okay to encourage them to bring a bottle of wine they like.

Be a Good Host
Prepare everything ahead of time in order to spend quality time with your party guests. Make an effort to connect with every guest, and be sure to introduce your guests to one another. Instead of just introducing your guests by name, add an interesting fact that could help jump-start a conversation. For example, “Joe, this is Jennifer. She just got back from a trip to Spain.” If you’ve invited a mix of work colleagues and personal friends, avoid talking only about work. Create conversations in which everyone can participate.

Photo credit: iStockphoto/arsenik

Must-Haves for Any Gen Y Apartment

We all have a list of what we look for to find the “perfect” apartment. From a gated community to one with a pool, and from the neighborhood to the distance to work, we all have some idea of what we’re looking for. Generation Y is no exception. They judge an apartment on more than what’s inside of it; they check out the social environment, entryways and community decor, as well as the amenities of the community. If you’re looking to market your community to the 80 million young adults who are entering the apartment rental market, consider their must-haves.

gen-y-apartment-must-haves

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Living “Green” in Greenville Apartments

In an effort to create a more sustainable Greenville, the city has adopted the Trails & Greenways Master Plan.

In an effort to create a more sustainable Greenville, the city has adopted the Trails & Greenways Master Plan.

Looking for an environmentally-conscious city in South Carolina? Then Greenville might be the right city for you to call home.

As the sixth largest city in South Carolina, Greenville is growing and offers a thriving downtown. With mild winters and gorgeous warm summers, it’s no surprise that many want to call Greenville home.

The name says it all; adapting to the green lifestyle, Greenville was the first city in South Carolina to have an electric car charging station. Currently, Greenville County is home to more than 50 electric vehicle charging stations. It has also adopted the Trails & Greenways Master Plan, which is in place to develop a framework for building an integrated system of bicycle and pedestrian trails. These trails will connect Greenville residents to popular destinations, which will help encourage quality, sustainable growth. This is a part of the plan for a more sustainable Greenville.

Start your apartment search today!

And if you’re searching for a green apartment community to call home in Greenville, you’ll be glad to know you have several options.

Compared to conventional buildings, green buildings typically reduce 24 to 50 percent of their energy use, 40 percent of their water use and 70 percent of solid waste production. The apartment buildings are constructed from recycled materials, including recycled metal, wood and stone. Some apartment communities incorporate energy-efficient light bulbs, Energy Star certified appliances and dual-flush toilets. Living in a green apartment could mean saving money on your utility bills, and you will be living in a healthier environment.

More About Green Living
Recycling Tips for Newbies [Infographic]
Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products
Best Apps for Green Living

Even if you’re not living in one of the green apartment communities in Greenville, you can still adapt to a greener lifestyle. Here are our tips:

  • Turn off the lights. Get into the habit of turning off the lights and television when exiting a room. Additionally, close the refrigerator door. We tend to open the fridge and stare blankly at its contents, but we’re just wasting energy.
  • Conserve water. Installing low-flush toilets might not be OK in your lease agreement. Instead, fill a milk jug with stones and place it in your toilet tank to displace water and use less to fill the tank. Spending less time in the shower will also help conserve water, as well as turning off the faucet while you are brushing your teeth. Avoid using hot water when doing your laundry, and only run the dishwasher when you have a full load.
  • Grow a garden. Use your porch or balcony to your advantage. Add a couple of window boxes to your porch, and grow herbs and vegetables.
  • Add houseplants. Houseplants are easy to take care of, and they also act as natural air filters for your home. Use this list of best houseplants for your apartment as a guide.
  • Check your air filters. Check all appliances in your apartment that have filters, and be sure to replace the filters on a regular basis. This will help your appliance run cleaner and use less energy.
  • Open windows. Turn off your central heat and air, and use doors and windows to let in sunshine and fresh air. Additionally, turn your thermostat down one degree in the winter and raise it one degree in the summer, which can reduce your energy costs by almost 5 percent.

Photo credit: iStockphoto/carolinablue

Staying in Seattle Short Term: Things to See and Do

If you're only staying in Seattle for a short period of time, be sure to check these places out, including Pike Place Market.

If you’re only staying in Seattle for a short period of time, be sure to check these places out, including Pike Place Market.

If you’re temporarily relocating to Seattle with your company, enjoying a sabbatical or looking for a place in between leases, Apartment Guide is there with resources and an easy-to-use apartment finder tool to help you find the perfect short term rental. Luckily for you, Seattle is home to gorgeous neighborhoods that have unique personalities and styles, so finding a place that feels like home should be a breeze in this beautiful Pacific Northwest city.

Start your apartment search today!

Refine your search on ApartmentGuide.com and select short term apartments in Seattle where you’ll find dozens of options. Whether you’re searching for an apartment that allows pets, one that offers a gym or a furnished apartment, you can narrow your search further by using the advanced search feature.

More about Seattle:
Settle Into One of These Seattle Neighborhoods
Student Living in Seattle

Make the most of your time while renting a short term apartment in Seattle. Nestled in the breathtaking Pacific Northwest, Seattle has lots to offer its residents – even those staying for a short period of time. To make the most of your time in Seattle, here are a few things to add to your Seattle bucket list.

Landmarks
Be sure to snap at least one picture of yourself in front of these famous Seattle landmarks.

  • Space Needle – Originally designed for the World’s Fair in 1961, this monument now serves as a prominent symbol for Seattle. Go 600 feet up and step out onto the observation deck for breathtaking 360-degree views of the city. 400 Broad St., Seattle, WA 98102
  • Original Starbucks – It seems like there’s one on every corner, but there’s something special about the original Starbucks. The store retains its original façade from 1971. 1912 Pike Place, Seattle, WA 98101

  • Pike Place Market – This unique market offers up hundreds of vendors, street performers, farmers and craftspeople. Explore the market, watch the fish fly and try some of the best food around. First Avenue and Pike Street, Seattle, WA 98101

The Great Outdoors
Surrounded by natural beauty, Seattle has lots of recreational activities to offer its residents. Here are a few suggestions.

  • Fishing – Seattle has lots of places to go fish. Choose a guided tour with experienced anglers, or throw a line off a pier.
  • Ballard Locks – This popular spot, linking Puget Sound to the Ship Canal, which connects eastward to Lake Union and Lake Washington, allows locals and tourists to watch the parade of sailboats, motorboats, yachts and tugs to pass through, as the locks’ water levels are adjusted to allow their safe passage. The fish ladder, located here, is a great spot to watch salmon pass between fresh and salt water. There are glass panels below the water line, which allow visitors to watch the fish as they swim through the ladder. 3015 NW 54th St., Seattle, WA 98107
  • Bainbridge Island – One thing you must experience is taking a trip across the open waters of Puget Sound. Take a 35-minute ride on one of the Bainbridge Island ferries, which takes you from Seattle to Bainbridge Island. You’ll have a great view of the city skyline from the deck, as well as inside of the ferry. 270 Olympic Drive SE, Bainbridge Island, WA 98110

Dine Well
Eat fresh, locally grown food at one of these favorite Seattle spots.

  • Breakfast – Head over to the Capitol Hill neighborhood and check out Volunteer Park Café. This cute neighborhood spot makes you feel like a local, and the food keeps you satisfied and coming back for more. Order a cup of coffee to go with your blueberry scone, or try the caramelized banana brioche French toast. 1501 17th Ave. E., Seattle, WA 98112
  • Lunch – Right in the heart of Pike Place Market sits Market Grill. Order a bowl of freshly-made chowder or a fresh halibut sandwich. 1509 Pike Place, Suite 3, Seattle, WA 98101
  • Mid-Day Snack – Roaming Pike Place Market works up an appetite. Follow your nose to Le Panier where you’ll find fresh baked goodies, including breads, croissants, pastries and macarons. 190 Pike Place, Seattle, WA 98101
  • Dinner – Check out The Walrus and the Carpenter, a Ballard neighborhood favorite. Get in early, grab a cocktail and get ready for a delicious meal. Oyster lovers, this is the place to go. You won’t be disappointed with the oyster sampler. 4743 Ballard Ave. NW, Seattle, WA 98107
  • Dessert – Treat yourself to chocolate before dinner at Theo Chocolate in Fremont. Make reservations for the one-hour tour, where you’ll learn about the cacao fruit, as well as the process of making chocolate. The best part? You get lots of chocolate samples along the way. 3400 Phinney Ave. N., Seattle, WA 98103

Photo credit: iStockphoto/phudui