Multifamily community developers are innovating the services and amenities they offer to their apartment residents.

What if the amenities at your apartment community went beyond the usual pool, tennis courts and fitness center — way beyond? How involved might you choose to be in an apartment society, a place that encourages shared involvement with fellow residents?

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In California, an apartment community developer is going beyond the basics to give new meaning to “community,” creating programs like theater troupes, adult enrichment courses and after-school care for residents. And in Denver, some lucky sports fans can look forward to cheering for baseball… from their own rooftop!

Programs that have paid off
According to John Huskey of Los Angeles-based Meta Housing Corporation, apartment communities can do more to support families who live there. In building his most recent family-oriented apartment communities, Huskey discovered that there was a real need for on-site programs — and specially-designed spaces — where children could gather after school and continue to learn. That’s why his company has created after-school learning and mentoring programs which are available to residents living in the apartment community at no extra cost.

The benefits to the children who participate have proved to be substantial. The after-school programs kept kids at home, actively engaged in study — instead of involved in risky behavior. And the learning opportunities increased their confidence at school. These programs have been so successful that Meta Housing Corp. has begun building dedicated, school-like structures in more of their apartment communities to accommodate the programs.

Sharing the arts at home
The same is true in Meta Housing Corp.’s senior communities, where education and art programs have been wildly successful. The company first began offering adult enrichment classes to seniors in great-room spaces, noting that the most popular courses involved creativity and the arts. They also noticed that, while the great-room environment was attractive to some residents, most found it too impersonal for social activity. In later generations of their senior communities, they have developed smaller, more intimate spaces for residents to gather to take classes and get to know each other. These new spaces foster a tighter-knit sense of community.

Seniors have enjoyed the enrichment and social aspects of arts classes so much that Huskey’s company went as far as building a 78-seat theater in one apartment community dedicated to a permanent theater troupe. When the theater troupe isn’t giving professional performances on-site, residents are allowed free access to use the theater building, as well.

Take me out to the ballgame… next door!
Another approach to creating community at home is featured at Broadstone Blake Street in Denver, Colorado. Alliance Residential is building a modern apartment community right next to Coors Field downtown. (Residents will be able to see the field from the rooftop of the community.) The residence-in-development is thought to appeal to young people — perhaps especially men — who want to live in a walkable area with easy commutes for working and access to downtown excitement, like ball games. Sharing that excitement with apartment neighbors — and built-in proximity — will make living in this community THE place to be a sports fan in Denver.

Toward apartment societies
The success of Meta Housing Corp.’s children and senior programs might indicate that apartment communities are evolving. With an emphasis on enriching resident lives beyond basic shelter, these spaces — based on what residents want and need — might become known as apartment societies in the future.

What else might the future hold? Amenities including on-site senior services like medical care and support groups, or family-oriented services like childcare or even home schooling could be possibilities. As apartment living continues to change shape and mature, multifamily community developers around the country will be looking to Huskey’s success to gain insight on new ways to meet the needs of their residents. In the meantime, you can look for ways to create community in your own apartment life today.

Photo credit: Shutterstock / Monkey Business Images

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Here are items you will want to weigh carefully before you add your signature to another person’s apartment lease.

If a friend or relative asks you to co-sign on an apartment lease, should you do it?

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Of course, we all want to help friends and family in need, but you have to be careful when it comes to the commitment of legally guaranteeing another person’s apartment lease.

Here are some items you will want to weigh carefully as you consider whether to add your signature.

What it means to be a apartment lease co-signer
When you co-sign an apartment lease, you give your legal guarantee that the rent on that apartment will be paid. You are also responsible for paying any fees for damages on that apartment beyond normal wear and tear, for instance.

What happens if the rent is not paid
When you co-sign, you also co-assume the financial responsibilities of renting that apartment. If the apartment tenant cannot or does not pay the rent — and you are the apartment lease co-signer – then the responsibility falls to you to pay it. If you cannot pay the rent, you are then in default. Your failure to pay the rent will be reported to your credit agencies, which could adversely affect your credit score. There is even the possibility that the apartment management company could take you to court to get the money owed to them.

Obviously, you must make the decision to co-sign very carefully.

Know the renter
Before co-signing a loan for someone, make sure you know them very well. We are not saying you should know their favorite color or favorite Bond film; you should know their spending habits. Are they good with money? Do they have a good track record with paying bills on time? Can they afford rent each month? Ask them to show you bill statements to make sure they are not constantly getting hit with late fees. Knowing all of these details will give you a better picture of who the person will be as a renter and how likely they are to pay rent on time.

Know yourself
Ask yourself a few questions, too. Would you be able to make the payments, should your friend or family member not be able to pay the rent? How would co-signing a lease affect your relationship with that person? Would the endorsement make you worry? It’s important to consider the ramifications before making this important legal commitment.

A third person?
If your friend or family member has a roommate, you are probably better off NOT co-signing the apartment lease. No matter how much you trust the person you know, you may not be able to predict how the roommate will act or if they will pay rent on time.

When it makes sense to co-sign a lease
There are certain times when it makes sense to co-sign a lease:

• If you are able and willing to make the rent payments in the event your friend or family member cannot.
• If your friend or family member has a proven, reliable track record with money.
• If your relationship with the tenant is strong enough to withstand no matter what happens with this renting situation.

If these conditions are met, you might go ahead and co-sign the apartment lease. If you do, you will be helping your friend or family member secure an apartment and build up credit at the same time!

Photo credit: Shutterstock / JJ Studio

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Make your move from the familiar to the new more enjoyable with these tips!

Relocating can be a stressful time for a family, so make a point to plan a fun move for your brood. With the right attitude and energizing tools, you and the members of your family can actually enjoy the adventure of moving to a new home.

Read on for moving advice on how to keep the energy level up, even when spirits might be down.

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Of course, never forget safety, keeping any moving tasks age-appropriate. With this in mind, you can involve your kids in the moving tasks that they can handle. The challenge is to make the experience fun!

Make moving a game
With kids (or kids at heart) involved, there are endless ways to make a game out of the tasks of moving. Have family members compete with each other to see who can get rid of the most stuff, pack the quickest, or clean the fastest.

On moving day, the challenges can evolve into who can carry the most stuff (safely) to the truck, stack the boxes most neatly, or police leftover odds and ends most thoroughly. And the games can continue on the road: try Twenty Questions, A Is for Armadillo, and other family favorites.

When pets are moving, you might assign a special responsibility to each child: one looks after the dog; the other, your hamster, for example. Placing importance and prestige on the tasks of moving elevates the arduous pieces of the job into something more enjoyable.

Create a playlist
Think of all the popular songs that are about moving: themes of traveling, packing bags, saying goodbye, and saying hello occur throughout all types of music. You might look through your personal music collection and see what you can find to match your upcoming adventure. You might create a playlist for each phase: packing, traveling, and so on.

Eat like kings
Good food is an instant spirit-lifter, so take the time to plan meals around your move. Think ahead about the food you’ll share on packing day and on the way to your new apartment. If possible, create a memorable picnic (or several of them) filled with delicacies that the family loves, whether that’s a last batch of fried chicken and chocolate chip cookies from your old apartment’s kitchen, favorites from a local deli, or treats from another special restaurant.

Make sure that you shop for healthy food before you go. Fill a large cooler with bottled water, fruit, nuts, sandwiches — whatever you think will raise family morale en route.

Don’t be rushed
One of the most stressful aspects of a move is running out of time — you have to finish cleaning, pick up the truck, greet the movers, catch the plane, and so on.

To safeguard your family’s sanity, make the smartest decision anyone can before a move: start early! This means your planning must kick into gear as soon as you know you’re moving, and you must allow a little more time than you think you’ll need for each and every task. Being able to whistle as you work and take deep breaths will be the best going-away gift you can give everyone in your household.

Moving isn’t easy, especially when you have others counting on you to make it go smoothly. Time, creativity and a good attitude will help you make the relocation from the familiar to the new as painless – even enjoyable — as possible.

Photo credit: Shutterstock / iordani

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Being an empty nester gives you a great opportunity to see the country and the world.

You’ve finally got the kids out of the apartment and living independently. But what do you do now that you don’t have to plan vacations around school schedules or research kid-friendly destinations?

Taking vacations without the kids can be an adjustment. Follow our tips below to plan a great trip and have a good time even though your little birds have left the nest.

Go when you want
No kids? No need to plan a vacation around their school’s schedule. Enjoy the peace and quiet—and cheaper hotel rates—of going during off-peak times of the year. Before you go, check out Travelope, a real-time website aggregator that provides customers with the best deals on hotel, airfare, cruises and rental cars.

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Choose grown-up destinations
Theme parks like Disney World bring out the kid in all of us, but sometimes it’s fun to do things a bit more relaxed and laid back. Avoid the kid-crowded beaches and hit up some historic city you’ve always wanted to visit, or take in a museum. Rent a cabin in the mountains and get back to nature. You could also try one of these wonderful tourist cities:

• New Orleans, La. A historic city with French roots and a distinct culture, New Orleans is a great destination for empty nesters. If you’re a music lover, there are a number of venues where you can take in a great jazz show. Don’t miss strolling through the quaint French Quarter.

• Portland, Ore. Pacific Northwestern charm and a vibrant, artistic feel mark this beautiful city. Nature lovers will enjoy exploring this green town and its mountainous environs, as nearby Mount Hood is only 50 miles east. Experience the local farm-to-table food scene at the Portland Farmers Market, which has locations all over the city.

• Charleston, S.C. This popular coastal city boasts live entertainment venues, a gorgeous seaside atmosphere, plenty of shopping and a burgeoning food scene that emphasizes local flavors. Can’t miss stops include Rainbow Row, known for its colorful historic houses, and the Battery, which stretches along the lower shores of the city.

• Raleigh, N.C. Museum-goers will love this beautiful city located in the Research Triangle metropolitan region. Stroll through the permanent collection at the North Carolina Museum of Art, or check out the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, now ranked as the top tourist attraction in the state.

Travel
Being an empty nester gives you a great opportunity to see the country and the world. Instead of the usual spring break hot spots, check out Mexico or Europe, or travel to a region you’ve always wanted to see but never had the chance. Websites like Groupon, Vacationist and Jetsetter often offer great deals on exotic travel packages, so keep your options open and be spontaneous, and you might just have the trip of a lifetime.

Photo credit: iStockphoto/amriphoto

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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.

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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

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Surprise the man in your life with one of these suggested gifts.

Whether you’re shopping for your friend, boyfriend, brother or dad, you know that he isn’t the easiest person on your list to shop for. He is easygoing and probably already has everything he could ever possibly want. But every guy deserves something special under the tree. Give it a little thought, and consider what he really needs or what he does for hobbies. If you’re still unsure, read on for Apartment Guide’s suggested gifts for him.

For the Sports Enthusiast
The Nike+ Fueldband ($150) tracks daily activity, including running, walking and various activities, as well as each step taken and calories burned. The user sets a goal, and the band’s LED display lights up to show your progress throughout the day. And to stay accountable, the user can share his activity and achievements on Facebook, Twitter and Path.

For the golfing man in your life, check out this palm-sized GPS unit ($180) to calculate distances on various golf courses. The data is simultaneously displayed on its monochrome LCF screen. The device measures the length of drives, and it automatically detects the golf course and hole you are playing from its preloaded database of 35,000 courses.

Staying hydrated is crucial, so motivate him to drink more water with this insulated, wide-mouth stainless steel drinking bottle ($20). It is insulated with a double wall, which keeps drinks cold for more than 24 hours or hot for at least 12 hours. It doesn’t have that plastic taste, and the bottle never sweats.

To keep him in-the-know, consider purchasing a subscription to a sports magazine. View a list of the top-selling magazine subscriptions on Amazon. Subscriptions range from $5-50, depending on the magazine. A few suggestions include ESPN The Magazine, Sports Illustrated, Golf Magazine and Outdoor Life.

For the Cocktail Connoisseur
Keep his spirits high and cold with non-diluting whisky cold stones ($40). These stones keep your drinks chilled without diluting the flavor like melted ice. Each set comes with 12 stones that will never lose their cooling ability.

A remote control cooler ($80) is the perfect gift for any guy. If he can’t miss any minute of the big game, this cooler will keep him in his seat while delivering a cold brew. The cooler holds and keeps cool up to 12 drinks in ice, and the four wheels makes it easy for the cooler to glide over indoor floors and carpets, as well as outdoor surfaces.

For the Techie
For the techie in your life that is connected in every way possible, get him a mobile power station ($41). IOGEAR’s power station will give up to two devices a reliable charge while you’re on the go. When you’re back home, plug the power station to a wall power outlet to charge the station before heading out again.

A new pair of headphones makes a good gift for any music lover. These Id America Spark In-Ear Headphones ($35) are compatible with iPhones, various Apple products, as well as most devices with a 3.5 mm jack. They include an advanced in-line microphone module, feature a unique design and provide good comfort.

The washable keyboard ($36) by Logitech features an easy-to-clean design. The keyboard has drainage holes that makes it easy to hand wash and dry. Twelve shortcut keys give you instant access to email, Web browsers and the music player. This is the perfect gift for a germaphobe or someone who eats and drinks regularly while at his/her computer.

Photo credit: iStockphoto/justme_yo

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Looking for inspiration for your next craft project? Check out these top 5 blogs for crafting.

You can spend hours on Pinterest or Google searching for that perfect craft project to complete the look of your apartment, home or office. Finding inspiration and motivation can sometimes be tough, especially if some websites give you just pictures, rather than explanations. But we’ve sorted the Web and came up with a list of our five favorite blogs for crafting. Read on for our picks.

The Happy Home
Belinda created The Happy Home to document her journey through renovation, decorating and various projects, as well as raising her three children. Her goal is to create a happy home for her family, which includes livable spaces, creative projects and fun activities. For the holidays, she has tips on unique ways to gift wrap, little DIY steps to create the perfect accessory for your holiday outfit and décor DIY. http://thehappyhomeblog.com/

Michele Made Me
This blog isn’t your ordinary craft blog. Michele, blogger and crafting extraordinaire, creates unique items for around the house by upcycling old materials. She uses her hobbies, such as sewing, quilting, knitting and cutting and pasting to create gold from garbage. More recently, she created a Christmas snowflake ornament using junk mail. http://www.michelemademe.com

Mod Podge Rocks
Her roots are in knitting and sewing, but Amy of Modge Podge Rocks has become a decoupaging genius more recently. In addition to giving tips on transforming dull items into magical pieces, she vlogs on YouTube in addition to her everyday “real life.” On her blog, she walks you through craft projects for every member of your family. This includes patchwork for children’s chairs, holiday cases and coasters. http://modpodgerocksblog.com

Craft Test Dummies
Jenny’s blog, Craft Test Dummies, is a forum for Jenny to test out new crafts, products and techniques without any fluff. If you’re visiting your local crafts store and see a new product but aren’t sure if it will work, then Jenny will help determine its usability. And if you’re stuck this holiday season on what to get for your difficult person on your list, then check out Craft Test Dummies’ gift guides, which walk you through various ideas. http://www.crafttestdummies.com/

Dollar Store Crafts
This daily crafting blog brings you tips and ideas for projects on a budget. The finished products are chic, but getting there doesn’t mean breaking the bank and getting stressed. Most of the materials in projects on Dollar Store Crafts can be found at your local dollar store or the dollar section in various stores. Whether you’re looking for décor, fashion, wedding or kids crafts, Dollar Store Crafts has project ideas for you. http://dollarstorecrafts.com

Do you have a go-to crafting blog?

Photo Credit: iStockphoto/Green_Leaf 

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Rock collecting is a great, educational hobby for kids that also happens to be inexpensive.

Getting your children involved in a hobby is a great way to teach them valuable skills, learn something educational and just plain keep them out of trouble. But many hobbies can get expensive. Below are a few great hobbies for kids that won’t break the bank.

Rock collecting

This is a great hobby that is also very educational. Rocks are all around us, and free. And you can check used bookstores for a cheap rock identification guide.

Crocheting and Knitting

All you need is some yarn and a crochet hook to start this inexpensive hobby. Patterns can be found online for free, and the things your child makes can be given away as Christmas and birthday presents or sold at local fairs.

Puzzles

Putting together jigsaw puzzles, doing crossword puzzles or Sudoku is a great way to train the mind and keep kids occupied. You can purchase crossword and Sudoku books for less than $3, and most jigsaw puzzles for $20 or less. Once it’s finished, slap on some puzzle glue and your child will have her own work of art suitable for framing.

Bird-watching

Another great educational hobby, bird-watching is also very cheap. Find a cheap new or used bird-watcher’s guide (and free guides are available at Birdwatching.com) and a pair of binoculars and your child is all set to go about identifying the birds that live in his own backyard.

Astronomy

Yes, astronomy can be a cheap hobby, if you go about it the right way. Just pick up a star map and guide and a pair of binoculars and you’re good to go. You can also find plans online for making your own small refractor telescope out of cardboard.

Painting and Drawing

Paints, brushes, pencils and paper are relatively inexpensive, and are great ways for kids to pass the time, especially if they are younger. Kids love being creative, and drawing and painting helps them express themselves while also developing their fine motor skills.

Photo credit: iStockphoto/grafvision

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Gather a collection of photo frames in a range of sizes and styles to display old family photos.

Moving into a new apartment or home can be both exciting and exhausting. New residents are able to explore local shops and gathering places or meet new neighbors that may become friends. On the other hand, unpacking and arranging countless belongings is often one aspect of moving that many people dread.

Do you still have boxes hiding in a closet or attic from your last move?

Have you stored away old family photos, your college graduation cap and gown or a preserved wedding dress?

Chances are, the items that you have deemed fit “for storage only” could serve as interesting conversation pieces that can help turn your house or apartment into a home!

Search online for free or discounted dressmaker forms to display a wedding dress or vintage clothing. Create your own still life in the corner of a room by placing large vases of flowers, curios or old garden statuary near your mannequin.  Let your imagination guide you! Try to add two or three complementing colors with a mix of textures to maintain visual interest.

Gather a collection of photo frames in a range of sizes and styles to display old family photos. Arrange your collection on a wall or decorative table as a tribute to past generations of your family and to make relatives feel welcome when they visit. Adding family photos to your décor gives your home warmth and instant personalization.

What about an assorted collection of hand-me-downchina, candlesticks or orphaned cups and saucers? Don’t hide them away. You may have picked up a few family heirlooms or partial sets of crockery that can add a touch of elegance to a mantelpiece or cabinet. They don’t even have to match to be displayed.

Use an ornate cup or sugar bowl to hold loose change or keys. Attach a pretty saucer or dish to the top of a candlestick using a bit of clear epoxy craft glue to create a one-of-a-kind cake plate.

Many items can also be refreshed by adding a new coat of paint or embellished with flowers and decorations to help older pieces transition with the seasons. Antiques may be polished or professionally restored to bring out their hidden beauty.

Decorating with family heirlooms or sentimental items from the past creates a sense of history and permanence in your new living space. Treasured objects passed down from family members remind us of home and can also comfort transplants adjusting to a new city. Experiment with a mix of old and new to showcase your style and what matters most to you.

Photo credit: iStockphoto/vgabusi

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