If you’re new to apartment living, you may want to read our top list of apartment living do’s and don’ts! These are a few great tips and rules to live by when living with neighbors, rented space, and community living. Follow these, and your apartment home experience will be great!

DO:

Spend time researching your options before settling on an apartment home, floor plan, square feet, location, amenities, and more that are necessary in your next apartment home and community. You can save yourself time and resources by narrowing your search to only include exactly what you want in your apartment living experience.

DON’T:

Don’t make your search too narrow. There is likely the perfect apartment home community out there for you but you may need to adjust a few “must-haves” for your new apartment space.

DO:

Read your lease carefully. Reading every line of your lease is important to establish a clear understanding of the expectations from your new apartment management company. Buckingham only includes important details and encourages you to understand these from the day you move in so you have a smooth apartment living experience.

DON’T:

Don’t forget to ask questions. If something seems confusing and you don’t fully understand your lease, you should connect with our leasing team to provide clarity.

DO:

Simplify your moving process by only moving your items and furniture you know you will need. Moving too much into your apartment is easy when you are moving from a larger space like a home to a smaller space like your new apartment home.

DON’T:

Don’t buy everything you think you need at once. It can be easy to get swept into over-purchasing furniture and décor in the effort to finishing moving. We suggest that you buy everything you need to live comfortably, but then wait. Live in the space for a little and figure out through experience what you actually need for your new apartment home.

DO:

Get to know your neighbors. One of the best perks about apartment community living is the opportunity to make new connections with your neighbors.

DON’T:

Don’t be a bad neighbor. That means don’t be too loud, please pick up after your pets, and be friendly around the apartment community. Go by the golden rule and treat others how you want to be treated. Kindness can go a long way!

Follow these apartment living do’s and don’ts and we know your apartment living experience will be a positive one. Welcome home, and if we can do anything to make your experience in our community the best it can be, connect with our leasing office for assistance.

The post Apartment Living Do’s and Don’ts appeared first on Mosaic at Levis Commons Blog.

The days of bringing baked goods to new neighbors are in the past. Now, breaking the ice can be downright intimidating, especially in an apartment community. Everyone wants to have a strong relationship with their neighbors. Who else can you rely on to watch over your home when you’re out for the weekend? Good neighbors make our lives easier, and it helps everyone feel like part of a community.

Whether you’ve been in your apartment community for years or you’re just moving in, you might need some extra help finding the best way to introduce yourself. Yes, it can be awkward at first, but there are easy ways to make it less intimidating. Are you ready to make a change and turn your neighbors into people you feel confident running into in the hallways?

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Smile Often

This is the easiest way to meet people, but also the most often overlooked. How often do you walk between your apartment and your car looking at nothing other than your phone screen? Put that phone away and be aware of your surroundings. Not only is this a great habit to get into in everyday life, but it gives you the chance to meet people.

Smile as you pass people in the hallway. Introduce yourself, and let them know where you live. You don’t have to take up any more time than that, but your neighbor will remember your friendly hello going forward. This is how you start breaking down those walls.

Connect Online

This is the digital age, so it’s no wonder neighbors have taken to social media. With the NextDoor app, you can be sure you’re only seeing posts for the people immediately near you. While connecting online isn’t a substitute for real-life interaction, it is a great way to put names to faces. If you have any questions or ideas for the community, this can be a great space to ask.

Go to Events

Neighborhood events are the perfect chance to actually meet people. Not only do they sometimes involve free food (yum!), but you’re likely to run into someone new. Be active at these events, and ask the community if you can bring baked goods or a food dish to share. Food will always make people eager to talk to you. These events are designed to bring the community together. Don’t keep putting off Friday Night Socials and holiday feasts.

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Be Respectful

Finally, one of the best ways to meet your neighbors on the right terms is to be a good member of the community. Every apartment community has a set of rules, most of which are for the peace and respect of everyone who lives there. Nobody likes the neighbor who blasts music until 2 am or the person who always leaves trash outside their door.

The same goes for your property manager. Many property managers also live on-site, and this is a great way to get to know them when you see them out during the day or at events. However, never impose your questions or concerns on a property manager after hours when they’re no longer on duty.

Another common problem is renting your apartment through Airbnb when you’re not in town. This might seem like a good way to make extra cash, but it exposes your community to unknown tenants. Your property managers might be alerted through a service like Rentbelly, so it’s never worth the risk.

Following the rules might not get you very far on its own, but without it, you’ll have the hardest time making a good impression on your neighbors. The more you can learn to respect the rules, the more pleasant your community will be as a whole. As long as you smile, put yourself out there, and are an asset to the community, your neighbors will welcome you.

The post Ways to Introduce Yourself to Your Apartment Neighbors appeared first on Mosaic at Levis Commons Blog.