Decorating your Metairie apartment with local art is a wonderful thing to do! Buying local art helps support local artists within your community, and it adds a regionally distinct flair to the aesthetics of your apartment.
One of our favorite local artists is the eccentric French sign-maker Simon Hardeveld. You may have seen his work all around town – in bars, restaurants, homes, and shop fronts. Simon has made a name for himself by capturing the essence of the city’s informal wisdom on his signs, which add a relaxing and cheerful atmosphere to any space.
Where can you find local art? The best places to shop for and purchase local art are at festivals and weekend markets. Two local markets that consistently feature arts and crafts booths are Freret Market, and OCH Art Market.
If you’re contemplating your next move, there are very easy ways to keep from breaking the bank or raising your stress levels to unnecessary heights. Most of the important steps when planning a move just take a little forethought and a tiny bit of elbow grease.
You Can Take it With You, But Don’t Take the Junk
First of all, take the time to de-clutter your current house or apartment. Most people tend to accumulate things over the course of living somewhere that they either don’t need or no longer have use for. Being able to separate junkable knick-knacks from family treasures is a big step in minimizing the packing and sorting that will need to be done later. If you don’t want to simply throw away the items you won’t be taking with you, donation is always a great option. Most cities have multiple donation centers, with many offering paperwork to help claim donations on your taxes.
After you’ve removed the excess clutter, begin packing far in advance of your move date so you don’t become overwhelmed or feel rushed through the process. Few things are more troublesome than being up against a moving deadline with important (and not-so-important) items still left unpacked and unaccounted for.
Work with Your New Landlord
Be sure to set up a move-in date with the office staff of your new apartment community. This will help ease the process and allay any confusion or frustration that could arise from making last-minute plans. This will also allow you to make sure you have the keys to your new apartment upon moving in.
Did We Forget to Mention? We’ve Moved
Remember to change your mailing address with businesses, utilities, government agencies, and other entities as soon as you know your new address. Transferring service from one residence to another is quick, easy, and can generally be set up with a simple phone call or even online. Having your mail forwarded to your new address will also save you from potentially losing important correspondence while you transition to your new apartment.
Put People On Notice
Notify your previous landlord well ahead of time about your upcoming move, so you can collect your deposit refund and hand over your keys upon moving. Companies like 1st Lake Properties ask for a 30 day written notice before vacating and some private owners may ask for 60 days advance. Make sure to confirm with management so there isn’t any confusion regarding your move. Added confusion with your old apartment will only distract from the new and exciting move you have ahead of you!
Budget for the Move
Moving costs can vary from place to place, and can depend on distance among many other factors. These expenses can add up and become a huge chunk of your total moving expense if you’re not careful. Some movers charge by the hour, others by the square footage, still others by weight. If you decide to use a moving company, always get multiple estimates and ask how they arrived at their number so you can look for opportunities to cut costs.
If you have friends who are willing to help you move, this can save you a lot of money. However, professional movers are generally more adept at moving large items carefully, so you’ll want to weigh out the benefits of using friends vs. movers. If you decide to have friends help you, make sure you lock in your plans for the date of your move well ahead of time. Be sure to double-check to make sure your friends still remember your big moving day and haven’t accidentally committed to other plans along the way!
Design in Your Mind before Unpacking
Once you’ve moved your boxes and belongings into your new apartment, take the time to envision the best use of your space. Before putting up items simply to get them out of the way, decide how to best maximize your new area. Being careful and considerate about how you decorate and arrange your new surroundings can make all the difference in making your new apartment truly feel like your home. Don’t be afraid to be creative this is your home now.
Mardi Gras is kicking into gear, and the entire greater New Orleans area is about to become a party! While locals and tourists alike can get together to enjoy this fantastic carnival season, it’s also imperative everyone be prepared.
Dealing with your parking situation can save you a lot of headaches and money! This time of year, there is always a very limited amount of parking around parade routes.
Once you’ve ensured your vehicle is parked safely and legally, make sure that your vehicle isn’t a target for vandals.
If you follow these basic rules and exercise common sense, you can have a fantastic and safe Mardi Gras season!
The rate of home ownership among young people in America has dropped significantly along with household net worth in the last several years. Because of the struggling job market and strict lending restrictions, home ownership for younger citizens has become difficult to achieve. Enter: apartment communities – affordable and attractive options for a person of a younger age, or any age for that matter.
Households made up of occupants 35 years or younger have largely opted for apartment renting instead of home ownership, even for young families with children. Some were forced out of their homes due to foreclosures following the Great Recession and others have been discouraged to buy in the current high-risk state of the housing market.
Luckily for those who don’t wish to pursue home ownership at an undesirable time, 1st Lake Properties offers hundreds of fantastic apartments for rent in metro New Orleans, including in-demand areas like Metairie, Kenner, River Ridge as well as on the Northshore and in Ridgeland, Mississippi. According to census data, home ownership by heads of households that are 35 years or younger have been on the steady decline with no signs of improving any time soon. Choose an apartment home while they are ripe for the picking!
1st Lake Properties’ apartment rentals in New Orleans and the outside area are serene escapes with beautifully landscaped grounds inside access gates that provide privacy and at the same time are near all the business, shopping, community resources and entertainment in their respective towns that any resident could ask for.
Half the fun of watching the Super Bowl is being a part of the right gathering! If you plan on hosting a Super Bowl watch party, do it right! Your guests are sure to be starving from all the excitement!
The most important aspect of your party being a success are the Super Bowl snacks! You could choose to go with the tried and true favorites, such as:
…or you could try your hand at something a little different for your guests!
If you’re a Patriots fan, try making some New England clam chowder to keep your guests in that New England spirit! If you’re pulling for the Giants to win the big game, try making some New York style pizza or New York style cheesecake! If your apartment will be filled with guests who are split among each team, try making both!
How ever you choose to nosh for this event is sure to set the tone for your party! Live it up!
1st Lake Properties | P. O. Box 73709 | Metairie, LA 70033 | info@1stlake.com
