“Why are we moving?” When your kids ask questions about moving, be prepared to answer them thoughtfully.

Moving with children is a lot of work for parents, but can be even tougher on kids. Fear of the unknown can bring up a lot of anxiety – and questions.

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According to Parenthood.com, children focus on the big picture when it comes to moving. They need answers to their questions in order to feel more confident about moving to a new place.

Here are some common questions and, hopefully, wise ways to answer them to help you hold an open dialogue with your children about an upcoming move.

Why are we moving?
The best answer to this question is an honest one. Try to keep your answer simple and straightforward, like “your mother got a new job” or “we want to live closer to your grandparents.” Be sure to highlight positive aspects of the move, such as exploring a new neighborhood or being able to visit grandparents for sleepovers.

If your child shares negative feelings, remain firm in your decision while asking what other questions he or she might have about the move. Discussing the situation thoroughly will help kids become more comfortable with the moving plan.

Where are we moving? When?
Moving with kids needs to be an exact science – as close as you can make it. When your children ask about logistics, share as much information as you can. Time can be a difficult concept for younger children, so mark your moving date on a calendar and check off the days until moving day.

Having a stable home is important to kids, and moving can feel mysterious and disruptive. Ease anxiety by showing them where their new home is on a map. Show them photos of their new home and neighborhood. If you’re moving within the same city, take them to see where they’ll be living and going to school.

What will my new room be like? Will I have my own room?
This question is a great opportunity to get your children excited about the move. Draw or describe the layout of their new room and ask them to help you arrange their furniture or redecorate. Older kids might enjoy using a site like Pinterest to make a virtual bulletin board of ideas for their room. Encourage little ones to use their imagination and draw pictures of their dream room.

What about my friends?
The intensity of this question will likely depend on the ages of your children and the distance of the move. Even if they are moving miles away, kids can keep in touch via phone or online chatting. For an across-town move, reassure children that they can visit with their friends again soon (if this is true!)

Teenagers who find themselves changing schools may have a harder time adjusting to the idea of leaving friends behind and making new ones. The teenage years are a challenging time when big changes like a move can temporarily feel like the end of the world. Share sensitive encouragement with kids who seem thrown or depressed by the idea of moving.

What will my new school be like?
One of the scariest things for children moving to a new neighborhood or city is what their school environment will be like. The thought of making new friends, meeting new teachers and learning their way around the building can be overwhelming. Be honest about the things that will be the same about the new school – lunch break, recess, lockers – and the differences – new classmates, teachers and classrooms. If possible, take them to tour the school before they actually start class. The more they can prepare, the less stressful their first day will be.

Your kids may have many more questions than these, so be prepared to answer them all thoughtfully and with a positive attitude. It might be helpful to plan a weekly family meeting where they can discuss any worries or new questions they have as they come up. The effort you make before the move will make moving day easier for your children and more fun for your whole family!

Photo credit: Shutterstock / Andresr

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Take note of these new amenity trends designed to make you feel like you’re living on Easy Street.

It’s not just what’s cooler, faster, or flashier… young people want practical, too!

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Generation Y renters have a fresh take on apartment living and aren’t wowed by passé perks. Poolside grills and covered parking are just the start of what they expect from a hip apartment community, according to industry insiders like Multifamily Executive Magazine.

On-the-move Millennials are on the lookout for practical, modern amenities that actually make living in a place easier. Here are some of the most popular amenities which appeal to a younger crowd of apartment renters.

A wired world
According to a study by Multifamily Executive, Millennials ranked amenities like reliable, speedy Internet performance and cell phone reception high on their list of key requirements for apartment living. Renters these days are looking for Cat-5 wiring and community-wide wireless network connections. Built-in iPod docking stations and charging panels are a given. In a world where landlines are no longer relevant, keeping mobile devices wired and ready is essential.

Necessities nearby
With green living growing in popularity, Gen Y is concerned about their carbon footprint, and they prefer to live closer to the places they work and play. That’s why location tops the list as one of the main, practical amenities they’re on the lookout for. Apartments with retail shops on-site or nearby are very appealing, as well as conveniences like dog parks and upscale wellness centers. Future renters scope out a community in advance to make sure their favorite restaurants, grocery stores, banks and entertainment hot spots are situated in close proximity.

Live-work lounges
Gen Y apartment dwellers want to live beyond the walls of their own apartment units. In the past, a clubhouse with a few computers would suffice, but now renters are searching for Starbucks-like cyber cafes where they can work on laptops alongside their neighbors. Whether it’s noisy roommates or a quiet studio apartment which drive them to live and work in the lounge, the new generation enjoys social connections both in person and online.

Cutting-edge amenities
Not every option veers to the practical; some are all about luxury. The needs and wants of students are driving the latest amenities in apartment community living. Laser light shows enliven pool and shared spaces, setting a modern mood you might find in a high-end hotel. Fitness centers with the very latest in interactive technology are rivaling independent, off-site options. An immersive 3D golf simulation designed for a community’s theatre room is an engaging option.

Media-savvy management
Millennials want to be able to tweet, message and friend their neighbors as they communicate from the comfort of their own apartments, as well. A non-traditional amenity that’s making the list lately is an on-site community manager who knows how to employ media tools to help residents stay connected and accomplish practical tasks. Mobile rent payment is a must-have, as is the ability to place service requests via community social media sites. Tech-smart apartment communities may even run their own local apps to connect residents.

If you are on the market for a new apartment, make note of these new amenity trends that are designed to make you feel like you’re living on Easy Street. Even when your highest priority is a certain rental price range or a great location, extras like these can make certain apartment communities stand out from the rest.

Photo credits: Shutterstock / InnervisionArt, Andrey Burmakin

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Clean up your apartment’s act with these detox tips. To your health!

These days we’re all trying to live healthier, but you can’t concentrate your efforts merely on your fitness routine and diet. Your apartment might need a cleanse, too!

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Our cozy homes often trap allergens in carpets, linens and other sneaky spots. And to make matters worse, the cleansers we use can be just as toxic as the gunk we’re trying to get rid of.

Try cleaning up your apartment’s act with these tips!

1. Lose the shoes
A great way to start your detox is to prevent dirt and dust from getting into your home in the first place. Start a “no shoes on at home” rule, and make sure all residents and guests leave their footwear at the door. (Provide a cool shoe rack for storage!)

2. Get rid of clutter
The more knick-knacks and clutter you keep around, the more surfaces dust can settle on. One of the most important cleaning tips for keeping your home allergy-friendly is to dust and vacuum often.

3. Change air filters
Here’s a simple one. Change your air-conditioner filter every month or two. You might be lucky enough to live in an apartment community that does this for you. If not, take the extra time and do it yourself — your lungs will thank you.

4. Purify the water
Speaking of filters, your HVAC system isn’t the only place where pollutants hang out. Water sources can bring contaminants into your bathing and drinking water every day. Invest in a water filter for your sink faucets and your shower.

5. Change your cleansers
Many people are allergic to the chemicals in cleaners — the same cleaners that are supposed to remove allergens and dirt from your home. To help avoid irritants, switch to environmentally-friendly cleaning products like Mrs. Meyers and Seventh Generation, or try making your own cleansers from scratch.

More Cleaning and Organizing Tips
Prioritize Your Apartment Cleaning Efforts
5 Tips to Organize Your Closet
Declutter Your Apartment: What’s OK to Throw Away!
Robot Vacuums: Fun Floor Cleaning Technology for Your Apartment
Pick the Home Organizing Personality That Works for You

6. Open the windows and let fresh air in
Our insulated, comfy apartments are great, but a lack of air circulation can make for a stale, polluted environment. Try airing out your space by opening the windows for a few hours every now and then. It’s like giving your home a chance to take a deep breath. (This might not be the best idea at the height of the spring pollen season. Wait until the coast – achoo! – is clear.)

7. Monitor moisture
Mold isn’t always easy to see, but it’s the cause of many toxic reactions in the body. Keep an eye on the moisture levels in your home to combat mold growth. Make a visual check of areas that stay damp and dry out any areas that appear wet. You can also get a hygrometer to check the general humidity in your apartment. Invest in a dehumidifier if your humidity levels are above 50%.

8. Check for carbon monoxide leaks
Gas stoves, hot water heaters, furnaces and fireplaces should be checked regularly for leaks. You might invest in a carbon monoxide detector. This is especially important for apartment dwellers, as your neighbors could have a leak that you don’t know about.

9. Get expert advice
If all of these detox cleaning tips have overwhelmed you already, don’t worry – there are people who can help! Hiring a professional organizer is a great way to get your detox done quickly from someone who can teach you about the process. The National Association of Professional Organizers has a helpful database to search for “green organizers” in your area.

10. Give it time
Creating a delightfully detoxed apartment might involve many changes, but you don’t have to take them all at once. Just tweaking one thing you do, like switching cleansers, can make a big difference. Move at your own pace and, in time, your environment will be home to fewer irritants.

Like any life change, detoxing your apartment will be more fun if you enlist a buddy to help you. Find a friend to go green with, and you can celebrate your success together. To your health!

Photo credits: Yuri Arcurs, Africa Studio, swinner

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Before you give up and read a book, check out tips to speed up your time online.

For apartment dwellers who depend on their connection to the Web, it’s a drag when a slow one seems to stop time online.

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With a little bit of know-how, you can trouble shoot a solution when the information superhighway leaves you on the side of the road. Keep these details in mind.

Consider time of day
Time of day is a typical culprit – one that you might be able to avoid. Joining a lot of people online at once can tax servers and slow down overall response time. If you happen to be connecting at a peak hour – say, in the early evening – you can expect slower loading. Consider what you are doing online, as well. Streaming video or music is more of a burden for the connection than sending an email.

Consider your computer
Maybe your own machine is contributing to the frustration. An older machine, especially one with less memory or a slower chipset, might not play well with the Web. Or perhaps your computer is not optimally set to connect with the Net. Too many open programs, large active downloads, or even virus activity could slow you up significantly.

Wireless woes
For all its convenience, connecting wirelessly can pose its own set of challenges. For one, many devices in the typical household operate on wireless frequencies, and these devices compete with each other over airwaves. (When you live in an apartment community, you may even see several of your neighbors’ networks listed on your device. The walls aren’t keeping all these wireless signals from intermingling!) One simple thing you might try is moving your router to sniff out a better signal.

Consider your hardware set-up
If you find you cannot connect at all, ask yourself the basic questions: Is everything plugged in and turned on? Are your electrical outlets in working order? A bad modem or out-of-date router software or firmware all might contribute to connection problems. If you suspect one of these culprits, contact your service provider for specific advice regarding your particular set-up.

Possible solutions for a crawling Web
Before you give up and read a book, there are a few fairly straightforward things you might try to stoke your time online.

• Try another browser. If the particular browser you’re using seems slow, try a different one. Firefox and Google Chrome are good choices.
• Simplify what you’re doing online. Close extra, unneeded programs or tabs, or avoid streaming or downloading if these activities are especially slow.
• Start a virus check. It never hurts to run your virus protection program to search for any unwanted virus visitors which may be clogging up your connection.
• But don’t be afraid of harmless cookies! Set your browser preferences to enable cookies. The computer kind won’t add to your waistline, and they just might speed up your computing experience by helping your machine remember your personal preferences on various websites.  (You should, however, be wary about the sites you visit!)
• Check your browser toolbar. An unexpected change in the look of your browser might mean you have inadvertently downloaded a piece of software which has changed your interface, like a new toolbar. While the change may not be malicious, tracking still might slow your computer’s performance.

Photo credit: Shutterstock / Drazen

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Follow these tips to make sure you don’t become a victim of rental fraud.

Renter, beware!

Not all listing sites on the Internet are what they appear to be. Some hope to take advantage of you, turning your apartment search efforts into a heist of your money and time.

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You have plenty to worry about in the middle of looking for a new apartment, but you must also be aware of online scam situations and potential rental fraud. Follow these tips to help ensure you don’t become a victim!

Choose your apartment search site wisely
Only use reputable websites to hunt for an apartment. New apartment search sites pop up all the time, so be sure to go with a trusted name, like ApartmentGuide.com. With a reputable site, you can be sure that the information connected to the apartment community is legitimate and has been verified.

Visit the apartment community in person
The apartment community manager or an official representative of the apartment management team should be on hand at all times during business hours at an apartment community. Don’t make a renting decision based only on talking to someone over the phone or via e-mail. While it is easy to fake an e-mail, it is much harder to fake the access needed to give a guided tour of a community, for instance. Use a phone call, e-mail or website link to set up an appointment, but visit the apartment community in person before taking any further action.

Avoid non-traditional payments
Practically all apartment communities will be able and willing to accept cash, a check or a money order for all fees and deposits in person at the time of the lease signing. This ensures that you meet the person to whom you are giving your money. Do not give your money to a third party you have never met in person. If you are asked to wire the money or mail a check somewhere, beware! This is not a traditional practice when it comes to renting apartments and should be treated with scrutiny.

Trust your instincts
Pay attention to common sense and intuition. If an offer sounds too good to be true, it likely is. When in doubt, call the publicly-listed number for the apartment community and ask to speak to the manager. Verify that the person you are speaking with actually works for the apartment community. Do not give any personal identification information to anyone you have not verified as a legitimate representative of the apartment community.

If you are scammed…
If you find that you are the victim of a rental scam or rental fraud, you can submit a complaint online with the FTC or file a complaint with the FBI. Be sure to include as much detail as possible in your complaint.

Photo credit: Shutterstock / Blazej Lyjak

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Creative design and storage strategies can make smaller spaces feel like home.

Making the most of limited space is the name of the game in apartment living.

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Live comfortably and enjoy your apartment space by employing proven decorating strategies when arranging your living room.

You can make a smaller living room feel much larger when you find space-saving furnishings that serve multiple purposes, create clever storage solutions, and add unique decorative accessories.

Choose lighter colors
Lighter colors open up a room, but darker tones can create a cramped feeling. The choice of paint color can transform a living room dramatically; stay with only two or three complementary shades for the best effect. If your lease and landlord allow, you might try painting the ceiling one shade lighter to make it seem higher, and the room light and airy.

Cool shades of green, blue, gray and beige look great and complement most color schemes. Match your wall colors with upholstery and accessories that generate a clean-lined appearance.

Select furniture for the space
Furniture that doesn’t fit well into a smaller space becomes an obstacle and makes the room feel cluttered. If you decide to buy new furniture for a small living room, choose pieces that can multitask with storage, for instance. Look for apartment-sized sofas that work perfectly in smaller living spaces.

Choose furniture that makes sense for the space you have. A 52-inch plasma television monitor might be inappropriate for a smaller living room. Try to incorporate built-in cabinetry, recessed daybeds, covered storage areas or other space-saving techniques to create living utility and architectural dimension.

Create a focal point
Creating a focal point is one of the time-honored traditions of skillful, focused decorating. Placing one or two pieces, such as a single large wall hanging or a unique design placed strategically on a wall, can open up the feel of a room, whereas scattering too many pieces around can make a room feel cluttered. Carry the color or pattern of the focal area into decorative touches throughout the room, like throw pillows, for a finished, professionally-designed look.

Add decorative mirrors and lighting
Decorative mirrors generate an illusion, making a room appear longer or even larger. While you may not be able to physically change a space, you can use reflective surfaces like mirrors to add a sense of depth.

Make careful lighting choices, as well. Natural sunlight enhances any room, though it is not always available. Lamps help to soften a space; consider placing lamps at varying heights throughout a room for subtle lighting. Wall sconces add decorative flair and light up special features like fireplaces and mantels without taking up floor space.

Control clutter
Clutter creates cramped living spaces, but unfortunately, every apartment home accumulates some amount of it. Create a designated area for coats, umbrellas, boots and other paraphernalia to keep clutter in one general area, preferably near the front door. This strategy will help keep the rest of the space reasonably clear and navigable.

You can incorporate creative design and storage strategies to make smaller spaces provide all the comforts of home. Remember that Apartment Guide can help you find the right combination of space, location, price and features that make apartment community living stress-free and comfortable.

Photo credits: Shutterstock / Deymos, Ira Shumejko

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Before you conquer your new city, settle in to your new apartment and make it feel like your own!

Congratulations! If you’re reading this, you must have survived your big move.

So, what’s next?

Before you conquer your new town, you’ve got an apartment full of boxes to tame – and a new apartment and neighborhood to make your own.

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Day One
You’ve finally arrived at your new apartment. Sprawled on the sofa with your tired feet plunked on a cardboard box, you feel relief knowing what you’ve accomplished. Everything you own is here with you, albeit in boxes, bags and suitcases.

At this point, resist the temptation to start unpacking the first thing you see. You’re tired and hungry. Enjoy some local takeout or, better yet, eat out somewhere comfy nearby before you tackle the next phase of settling in.

Hopefully, for your first night in your new apartment, your priority box has the items you need most urgently standing by. Locate any medications you use daily and keep them clear of the unpacking chaos that will no doubt ensue in the coming days. Find your bedding, pajamas and alarm clock. If you have to work tomorrow, unpack just those clothes you’ll need in the morning and then find your breakfast foods and coffee maker, as well as your bathroom essentials. If it’s late already, stop unpacking for the day and get a good night’s sleep.

Week One
If your boxes found their way into the right rooms, your organization skills have served you well. Maybe you used good professional movers or had very organized friends helping you. If your belongings are nowhere near their target locations, sort them by room or area before unpacking anything. With everything in its target zone, you can prioritize what to unpack first.

Over the next week, you can gradually begin to unpack things according to their priority. This means that the kitchen and bathroom are higher priorities than your books, wall hangings and hobby supplies. Keep in mind that, before unpacking, it may be a good idea to wash surfaces or hire a professional cleaning company, if the apartment was delivered to you “broom clean” only.

You may be happy using your smartphone for now, but some time during the first few days, you’ll want to set up your apartment Wi-Fi. Also ensure that all utilities have been transferred and are working, and that you are beginning to receive your snail mail.

Month One
During the first month, complete all necessary address change notifications. Gradually add decorative touches and find the best furniture arrangements that may not have been obvious, at first. You may have decided to do some painting, install a closet organizing system or take on other DIY projects. (Be sure that you have your landlord’s blessing before making alterations to your apartment, however.)

Now is also the time to settle into the neighborhood. Try out nearby services, like the gym, yoga studio, green grocer and restaurants. You may want to locate nearby parks for jogging or cycling routes, as well as checking out tourist attractions to share with friends and family when they visit. Most of all, enjoy the feeling of coming home to your own place as you settle in more and more each day.

Settling in and getting used to a new place to live may take some time. Give yourself the space and breathing room to unpack at your own pace and really enjoy your new world.

Photo credit: Shutterstock / alphaspirit, auremar, haveseen

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Here are some of the luxurious options you should be booking for!

Forget living the high life – go for the spa life! The newest things to look for in apartment community amenities are convenient spa services, on-site and off.

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If a spa lifestyle is important to your well-being, here are some luxurious options you should be booking for!

On-site aaaaah-ptions
A developing trend in apartment living is the addition of on-site spa and wellness services, including massage, facial and custom treatments. Upscale residences may feature a wellness spa, especially when the building shares patronage with a hotel where guests can use the spa, as well.

But you don’t have to be high-brow to make the most of spa life. Smaller apartment communities often offer basics like a pool, hot tub, sauna and steam room. Some even feature a spa treatment room where massage therapists and aestheticians can make house calls.

Nurturing nearby
On-site spa treatment might not be a necessity if you have a spa center located near your apartment. Self-proclaimed spa junkies might look for apartment communities adjacent to med spas, wellness facilities and beauty salons. If your aren’t sure what neighborhood conveniences are in the area, sites like Bliss and SpaFinder can help you scout out a soothing solution.

Off-site services may give you a wider range of options, like laser hair removal, mud baths, specialty peels, collagen treatments and craniosacral (head) massage. To get the best deal on these spa delights, sign up online to receive updates from SpaWeek, a site devoted to discounts which encourage you to try new spa services. You can also find great deals on sites like Groupon and LivingSocial for the latest trends in spa treatments.

Outdoor ohms
Remember, not all pampering has to take place indoors. Relaxation is an essential part of the spa experience, and it might be easy to find soothing outdoor spaces in your apartment community.

Does your apartment have a Zen garden, nature trail or dog park? Those are all great places to escape to nature, relax and have a little fun. Venture outside and see what kind of spa-like experience you can create for free. An afternoon on a blanket in a grassy spot might just do the trick!

Creating a spa life means being open to unexpected moments of comfort and relaxation in or near your apartment community. When you need to chill out, why not get out there and explore your options!

Photo credit: Shutterstock / kurhan

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The special things you bring with you when you move help keep your past home living experiences alive.

It’s normal to feel attached to your possessions. Try as you might to think that your stuff is just stuff, it’s not — there’s a psychological reason why everything you collect in life means so much.

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As a result, it can be difficult and even overwhelming to pack up for a move.

We’re sharing some helpful psychology to help you understand your attachment to the things you own and perhaps help improve the mood of your move.

Stuff: it’s how you identify with home
There’s a rather complex psychological reason why we go through life collecting possessions and then arranging them carefully in our homes. As Julie Beck describes in The Atlantic, the objects we collect and display are powerful symbols of who we are and where we’ve been in our lives.

That collection of seashells you cherish? They’re not just decor; they’re memories from the wonderful family vacation you took to the Oregon Coast. The miniature Empire State Building that’s sitting on your mantle? It’s a reminder of the early years of your professional life that you spent trying to “make it” in New York City.

According to Beck, Western culture values moving around a lot. We perceive from a young age that we’re always supposed to be striving to move to a newer, better and bigger home. And as a result, we may not form a deep attachment to our actual homes, but we do become attached to the objects we carry with us as we “trade up.”

What do we do when all of this baggage makes moving seem daunting? Understanding our personal attachments with possessions may well be the key.

Move with respect for your memories
Given that the objects we possess mean so much to us, it’s not hard to see why the process of packing up and moving can be psychologically difficult for so many people.

Only you can determine the time you’ll need to prepare yourself for the transition. These tips, however, might help you break down the moving process into segments so it doesn’t seem quite so hard. Every journey — even moving — begins with a first step.

1. Start now. The minute you know you’re moving, do something to kick off your move — anything as long as you take that one first step. Whether it’s calling around to get moving quotes or decluttering your apartment, you’ve got to make yourself start the process sooner, rather than later, so you don’t leave everything for the last minute. This will also aid the emotional process of moving.
2. Gently “edit” yourself. A move gives you the chance to determine which of your things are truly most meaningful. Don’t move the stuff you don’t need! Give yourself plenty of time to toss broken and old items, and donate usable items to charity before you move. You’ll feel good that you’ve cleared the clutter and helped others in the process.
3. Get the right moving supplies. You’ll feel prepared if you’ve got all the tools you need to pack your valuables for safe passage. Before you start, make sure you have everything you need: boxes, tape, labels, bubble wrap and any special protective materials for electronics, antiques and breakables.

When you choose to live in a place, you both alter that place with your presence and are altered, as well. The special things you bring with you when you move help keep your past home living experiences alive.

Photo credit: Shutterstock / Subbotina Anna

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“No wonder I can’t find an apartment here.”

Find it hard to secure an apartment in New York City? It’s just another way that city is one of the most competitive in the world.

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For those who find New York a challenging place to live, there’s hard research to back that up.

As reported in the New York Times, a brand-new study, published by The Economist Intelligence Unit for Citigroup, places New York #1 on the list of most competitive cities worldwide.

The dominant cities
Rounding out the top five most competitive cities in the world are London, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Tokyo. These are the cities which likely will attract the most money and the most people in years to come. And, as noted in the research, city living is where it’s at in the 21^st Century for more than half of the world’s people.

In the United States, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and San Francisco fill out the list for the most competitive places to live, according to the new report. Additionally, the cities of New York, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Dallas and Seattle were cited as leading American cities where government infrastructure is helping to drive economic growth.

How is a city judged as competitive?
The Economist report judged its findings based on weighted categories. Some of these criteria include a city’s business environment, the availability of human talent, its cultural reach, and its ability to deal with natural disasters.

New York’s high ranking is based on its strong economic maturity and its “institutional character,” the way the political process there influences growth.

One aspect of the report was to look ahead to predict which cities would be dominant in the decade or more to come. The study reinforces New York as the reigning financial capital of the world and predicts that city will retain its influence at least through the year 2025.

Interestingly, New York is not the most expensive city to live in. That distinction, as noted in the Times article, goes to cities like London and Tokyo.

Photo credit: Shutterstock / ollyy

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