It’s Move In Month! August is a huge move-in month here in Flagstaff, and we’re seeing it here in our community, too! We’re so happy to have you all joining our community, and look forward to serving our new residents and continuing to serve our current residents. This month, we’re focusing on ways to make your new community feel more like home.

There’s nothing scarier than moving to a new place. Whether you’re just moving out of your parents for the first time, moving across the country from all your friends, or simply relocating to a new apartment community, the big move is daunting more for the personal change than the change in location. But did you know there are a lot of easy ways to meet new people in your neighborhood? It just takes a little courage and a willingness to put yourself out there! Here are a few ideas to get you started!

1. Classmates and Coworkers

Whether you’re in Flagstaff for school or a new job, there’s no doubt some of the first people you’ll meet after your move are your new classmates and coworkers. So why not reach out to them? Suggest a study group. Invite your coworkers to hang out at a local restaurant or happy hour. As you get to know these people, pinpoint shared interests and begin forming connections based on those!

2. Welcome Mat

No doubt as you move into your new place you’ll run into at least a few of your neighbors. Say “hello” to anyone you pass in the community, whether it’s your next door neighbor, a neighbor on a nearby building, someone you pass at the mailboxes, or that other late night laundry washer. Don’t be afraid to be the first to make introductions, and create a sense of openness and welcome that will in turn encourage your new neighbors to reach out to you.

3. Surf the Web

Not too long ago we shared tips on using social media sites to meet new people. While it can feel a little awkward, there are plenty of helpful sites that will get you out into your new neighborhood meeting people in no time. Check out Meetup.com, where you can find a ton of great groups based on shared interests that meet weekly or more right where you live!

4. Get Furry

We know this kind of falls into the same circle as “using your little brother/sister to pick up a date” but … come on, everybody loves a new furry neighbor. Take your dog to the dog park or walk him around property. Hang out with your cat and let her meet your neighbors. Ask someone in the neighborhood to share their best tips on keeping all that animal fur off the carpet and your furniture. Who knows … maybe your puppies new best friend will lead you to your new best friend.

5. Be “That Guy/Girl”

We all know “That Guy” who we always run into at the bookstore, or “That Girl” who always sits at the end of our favorite bar. Become that person by finding your favorite restaurant or shop and joining the crowd of regulars! Don’t be afraid to accept that invite into a conversation. Ask the other person you always see there how long they’ve been coming to this new favorite spot of yours, and what else they love about your new town. And remember, you can become “That Guy/Girl” right here … once you start running into the same people at the laundry room or fitness center, spark conversation! Grab your morning coffee and hang out in a common area, and be “That Guy/Girl” who makes anybody else who joins you feel welcome!

Remember: A night in with Netflix may seem like an ideal way to spend your evenings, but you’ll never meet new people that way! Accept invitations to hang out. Ask to borrow a cup of sugar, and be willing to lend out your toolbox. And don’t forget, we’ve already made it a little easier for you to meet your neighbors! Our awesome CARES Team provides a number of fun and free events every month that you can easily join in, and that present a perfect opportunity to meet your neighbors and make friends right where you live!
 

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We wish all our residents could stay forever … but we also understand that not every member of our community can stay with us as long as we’d like! If you’re moving out, we’re here to help you get your security deposit back when you leave us! If you don’t want to throw away your deposit, make sure you follow these five easy steps!

1. Let Your Unit Condition Checklist Be Your Guide

Forget Jiminy Cricket … your Unit Condition Checklist may be your best guide to getting your security deposit back! If you filled out your checklist at move in, review your copy for any notes and photos you took while moving in, and use them as a guide to returning your apartment to how it looked at move in. If you lost your copy, just stop by the office; we keep it on file and can get you one pronto! If you didn’t complete the checklist remember: it’s assumed your apartment was in perfect condition when you moved in … so get it back there before you move out!

2. Leaving? Let Us Know (On Time)!

Make sure you give your notice to vacate in time. As a reminder, we require a 60 day notice to vacate (so if your lease ends July 31^st, you’ll need to give written notice by May 31^st). And don’t forget to share your forwarding address with the office. We can’t send you your refund check if we don’t know where it’s going! (As a side note, you also want to remember to put in a forwarding address with the post office so your mail doesn’t get lost!)

3. If It’s Broke, Let Us Fix It!

Don’t leave any service requests until your move out day! We have an awesome onsite maintenance team that would love to help you fix anything that’s not working in your home. And we want to make sure we help you keep your home in its best condition. But we can only do that with your help. If your blinds have broken or an appliance isn’t working, make sure you tell us as soon as it happens. Delaying it may lead to more than just not enjoying your apartment at its peak while you’re here … it could also cost you cleaning or damage fees when you move out!

4. Hand ‘Em Over! (Your Keys, That Is)

Don’t forget to turn in your keys on or before the last day of your lease. Turning in your keys is the only way we know you’ve given us possession of the apartment back; it’s actually a legal act that we can’t overlook! Leaving your apartment keys in the apartment when you move in not only delays your move out process … it may actually cost you if we don’t know you’ve vacated the unit in time! If you don’t want or need to be present during the inspection of your apartment, you still want to make sure you turn the keys into the office team. If you have to turn your keys in after our office has closed, just make sure you put them in an envelope with your apartment number on it!

5. Cleaning is Key

This is probably the hardest part … because by the time you’re moving out, you’ve already done so much that you’re exhausted! Make sure you clean all surfaces, including sweeping and vacuuming your floors. Giving your apartment a thorough cleaning before moving out is also a great way to make sure you don’t leave anything behind! (We’re looking at you, oh dreaded back corner of the bottom cabinet drawer!) After everything is moved out and your apartment is clean, you’re ready for a final walk-through. Try and schedule this so you don’t wind up in a time crunch to finalize your move out and get wherever you need to go next! While you can’t always be there for your walk-through, it’s a great opportunity to make sure you don’t wind up with surprises on your final paperwork. It’s also your chance to get any final questions asked, make sure you’ve done everything you needed to in order to get your deposit back, and bid farewell to a team that’s sure to miss you when you’re gone!

Remember: It’s our goal for you to have a great experience during your time with us. The last thing we want is for your experience while moving out to be a dark stain on the joy you had while living here. Make sure you ask questions about your move out before it’s too late … we’re here to help! Together, we can make sure that from your first day to your move out day, your time at our community was a breeze you’ll look back on with fondness!

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There may be nothing more exciting that getting your first apartment. Putting down the deposit, finding out it’s yours, and finally picking up your keys … what could be better than that? That being said, there’s a lot that goes into a move, and the first move is always the hardest! (And let’s not kid ourselves: the second and third move isn’t exactly easy, either.) Fortunately, we’ve got your back, and we’re here to share some great tips that will make your first move as smooth as possible!

Know Your Timeline

Move-in day sneaks up faster than you think. And there’s nothing worse than thinking you have all the time in the world to get ready to realize the big move is … tomorrow. The better organized you are for your move, the better your move-in day will be! So take some time, at least a few weeks out from your move, to plan out a moving timeline. Figure out times for everything from when you’ll sign your lease (hint: your new apartment’s leasing office can probably give you a good idea of how long it usually takes!) to setting up your bedroom and cooking your first meal in your new place! Plan for setting up your utilities if necessary, scheduling internet or cable installs, shopping for renter’s insurance, and everything in between!

Take Care of Your Utilities

Do you know what utilities are included with your new place? If not, get in touch with your apartment community and find out which ones are included and which ones you’ll need to set up. Get in touch with the utility companies as soon as you have set your move in date and get the ball rolling. And don’t forget cable or internet installations. And don’t forget that just because some things are included you may still want more … so ask specific questions about your utilities. If cable is included, find out what package. If the internet is included, ask if you have a data limit. If water, gas, and/or heat are included, know if there are caps.

Size Up the Joint

It’s time to break out a good old fashioned tape measure! Measure doorways, rooms, ceiling heights, hallways/stairwells, and more. There’s nothing worse than moving into a new place and realizing you can’t get your couch through the doorway! Hint: our website has a home décor tool you can use to plan the landscape of your move! If getting full measurements isn’t an option, at least know the square footage, so you know how much space you have to play with!

Shop Insurance

No matter how well you take care of your apartment, you want to make sure you have renter’s insurance whether it’s required or not! Find out if your new apartment community has a preferred or partnered renter’s insurance provider (i.e. ours is Resident Shield) and any specific requirements for coverage. If your community requires renter’s insurance, make sure you know minimum coverage requirements. Whether you go with your community’s preferred provider or a third party, it’s always a good idea to have your insurance information sent to the community in advance of your move, so you can get anything corrected prior to your move in to avoid delays in your timeline.

Avoid the Stores

It’s tempting to start buying new décor and furniture in advance of your move … but hold off. First, it will only add to what you have to pack! More importantly, you’ll avoid buying something that you later learn doesn’t work in your new place, whether because of space or a last minute change in décor plans.

Hire Help

We don’t mean you have to go and hire a moving company. But be prepared to at least bribe a few friends with a nice dinner for helping you move! Even if you’re convinced you can do it all on your own … chances are you’re going to need help with something along the way to moving into your new place. When picking folks to help you, keep in mind the things you usually struggle with: maybe it’s setting up your electronics, or moving that big bookshelf, or figuring out how to fit everything where you want it. Be sure to ask your pals for their help at least a few weeks in advance … and if they say they’ll help you, make sure you check in on their availability leading up to the big day!

Remember to Breathe

No matter what, remember: the move is just one day (or a few days) of the rest of your time in your new home. Don’t let the stress of a move ruin the love you have of your place! Take a deep breath, plan things out as best as you can, and go with the flow. Stay calm, and remember: This place is all yours!

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If there’s one thing we can all agree on about apartments … it’s that it’s a pain to move. While we all wish we could find the perfect place we’d never have to leave, we also all know that life happens. Maybe your family is growing and you need more space. Maybe you lost a roommate and you need to downgrade. Maybe you’re just moving into your own place for the first time. Whatever the reason, and whether you're moving in or out, we’re here to help you make an easy breezy move!

Map Your Move

Make a floor plan for your new place and layout your furniture before you make the big move. If you’re lucky enough to be moving to one of our communities, check out our property websites! You won’t wonder for long why we’re the “Eight Wonders” of Flagstaff when you see our wonderful virtual floor plan organizers! You can use these to layout furniture and figure out exactly how your precious belongings will fit into your new home! If you’re more of a hands on person, use colored paper cutouts of furniture (try color coding by room) to plan things. This will save you a ton of time on move-in day!

Snap Your Cords!

Before you disconnect any of your electronics, take a quick pic of the cords! It’s always a pain to try and remember exactly how your electronic devices are hooked up. One quick photo is all it takes to make resetting them up a breeze once you move! On a related note, try to bind all the cords for each device together. This will save you from having to spend hours figuring out which cords go to which electronic during set up!

First Night Box

If you’ve ever watched a doomsday prepper or zombie-themed television show, you probably know what a bug out bag is: a bag that’s packed for an emergency so you can get out in a flash. But have you ever heard of a first night box? It’s kind of the same concept, except rather than making a quick exit you’re helping yourself make a quick move in! Grab a moving box and pack it full of essential items you might need the first night in your new place. Things to include are items like toilet paper, medicines, snacks, water, a light, bedding, disposable plates and utensils, and a change of clothes or two. With a first night box, you’ll easily get settled in even if you don’t have time to get completely organized!

Think Outside the Box!

You don’t necessarily need tons of boxes and bins for your move. Use wheeled suitcases to pack heavier items like books. Use pot holders and oven mitts to transport utensils and knives. Tuck socks into shoes. Make sure you take advantage of what you have, and all the space your things already offer, before spending money on too many boxes!

Don’t Pack

You know there are some things you don’t have to pack, right? If you have a dresser full of clothes, why waste time packing the clothes into boxes only to unpack them back into the same dresser across town? Leave the clothes where they are and save yourself a little hassle! The same can even go for your bed. Seriously! Make it up just how you like it, and use two fitted sheets (one for the top and one for the bottom) to completely cover your already made bed … You’ll love this on move in day when you can just remove a fitted sheet and enjoy the comfort of your own bed and favorite sheets!

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