Transformering Apartment: It’s More Than Meets the Eye

With over 7 million people in Hong Kong this Chinese architect really has a “transforming” idea.

Ingredients

1 344 square foot apartment in Hong Kong

a couple of sliding walls

2 fold down beds

mirror ceiling

1 screening room with hammock

1 inventive architect

Directions

Mix well until 24 different designs emerge.

Minimum space = Maximum workout

Apartment dwellers are lucky.  A lot of apartments around Texas are offering a free fitness center as a property amenity to their residents.  This means at least a treadmill, an elliptical machine and a set of free weights.  Some luxury properties have a full out gym.  Check out this one at the Domain at CityCentre in Houston.

I’m here to help you on that new year’s resolution, by maximizing your workout while you using your apartment’s fitness center.

Here are some steps that I adapted from Steve Mutziger  the owner of Results Workouts, a Odenton Gym.  Please remember that these are just tips.  Be sure to check with your doctor before starting any exercise routine.

Big moves makes a big difference

When you are using the free weights or just doing lunges and squats, use BIG movements (compound, multi joint).  A lot of muscle is used when doing these exercises.  The more muscle you put into it the more you will get out of it.  Because you are using more of your muscle to do the movements, you are burning more calories.

So, you may ask me, “But Becky, I am trying to burn fat not build muscle.”  Well, listen up then all you naysayers.  You know how you feel super sore after working out for the first time in a long time, well that is because your workout caused some muscle damage.  With continued exercise the muscles work harder to repair themselves.  While your body is doing this it is growing stronger and larger muscles.  Do you know what your body needs to do this?  You guessed it… calories!!  Simply put, more calories burned is more fat burned = less fat on your body.

Super fantastic mini circuit time

So are you super mom/ dad or a social butterfly that hardly ever has time to even think about working out?  Well then this step will be right up your ally.  Mini circuits or supersets are a great way to maximize your workout in a short amount of time.

Supersets are two exercises done back to back with no rest in between.  This is beneficial to you in two ways. 1) With hardly any rest in between exercises, you speed up your metabolism by the cardio- like effect of the workout and 2) you are getting more work done in that short amount of time.  Some great examples of supersets are: jumping jacks, lunges, step-ups and jumping rope. Here is a good resource for more superset exercises, along with some video tutorials.

A mini circuit is like a superset only done with 3 or more exercises in a row without resting in between.  An example of a mini circuit would be 30 seconds of each: jump rope, step ups, front lunges, jumping jacks and squats.  These exercises are great to do in an apartment gym, because it doesn’t require a lot of space and if someone is using the only treadmill than you can still have a great workout.

Interval what?

I think the reason why I have always had bad stigma with gyms is because I can not stand to run on the treadmill for hours.  It is SO boring!  Well my friend… those days are totally over.  Steve suggests something called interval cardio.

Instead of doing 40 minutes of regular paced cardio you can do short bursts of intense cardio like for one minute then do two minutes of easy effort.  As you gain strength, increase the resistance/ speed/ incline to make the movement harder.  A good example of this is wind sprints.  Run for a minute then walk for 2-3 minutes.  The run is your interval.  Do this interval 3 to 6 times for your workout.  Make sure you warm up and cool down properly.  In an apartment fitness center you can always do this on the treadmill or the elliptical machine.

The good thing about interval cardio is 1) it takes less time than a normal cardio workout and 2) instead of burning off the calories during the workout they are burned off a day and a half after your workout.  Since your metabolism is revved up from the workout your body continues to burn calories.

Here’s to you and your new expedited workout!

Normal vs Awesome Amenities

When you are looking to move into a new apartment community one thing you may look for are what kind of amenities that property has.  An amenity in this sense can be described as “any feature that provides comfort, convenience, or pleasure.”  Some properties use this definition in the simplest of ways.

Common Apartment Amenities

• dishwasher
• microwave
• normal sized pool
• garbage disposal
• ceiling fan
• storage
• patio/ balcony
  

Then there are those communities that provide not so normal awesome amenities that can really draw in the interests of potential residents.

Awesome/ No so normal amenities

• maid service
• coffee bar
• movie theater room
• sauna
• racquetball court
• garden tub
• self- cleaning ovens
• putting green
• car washing station (with vacuums
• dog park

Another awesome thing is… that you can find apartments with these type of amenities on moveforfree.com.

Jefferson 1001 Ross- Dallas

La Maison River Oaks- Houston

Mansions at Canyon Springs- San Antonio

Alexan Swenson Farms- Austin

Tip of the Week: Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and good food. It’s a time to gather together with the ones you care about and give thanks. It’s such a wonderful time to sit around a big table with everyone.

But what if you don’t have a big table or a table at all.  No need to fear.  Hosting a Thanksgiving dinner in your small space is easier than you might think.

Watch the video for some tips on hosting a fabulous dinner.

On behalf of everyone at Moveforfree; have a very Happy Thanksgiving!!

Video Tip of the Week: Happy Halloween!

Halloween… what a fun time of year for the young and old alike.  As a kid there is nothing better than putting on fun costumes and going from house to house and getting a bag full (or in my case, a pillow case full) of candy… for FREE!  All  you have to do is look cute and say “trick or treat.”  Trick or treating is a great experience that every child should get to experience.  Even if you live an apartment property your kids can still have a fun time without leaving your neighborhood.  Check out our video tip of the week for some tips on how to have a blast trick or treating in your apartment community.

And remember to have a safe and Happy Halloween!

Recycling in Apartments

Going through and reading San Antonio’s Waste Department’s 40 page “Proposed 10 Year Recycling and Resource Recovery Plan” was actually not as gruesome as it sounds.  There has been a lot of talk lately about San Antonio’s efforts to develop a sound plan for recycling in multifamily communities, i.e. apartment properties.  Right now, the only choices apartment dwellers have is to throw their recyclable materials away in the trash, use a private recyclable collection service or haul their own recyclables to a city drop off location.

Of the four most populated cities in Texas (Houston, San Antonio, Dallas and Austin), only Dallas and Austin have a recycling program for multifamily residents.  Actually, Austin has committed to zero waste in 2040.  Zero Waste = recycling 90% of what else we might always throw away.

Compared to Houston, Dallas, and Austin; San Antonio has the lowest recycling rate at 15%.  In the proposition from the Solid Waste Department, director David McCary suggests the number one thing the city needs to consider is requiring multifamily properties to offer recycling services to residents.  This would improve San Antonio’s recycling rate according to data from the US Census and studies done by Texas A&M Real Estate Center indicating 28% of San Antonians live in apartments or condos.

The proposition suggests several things need to be done in order to implement a city wide recycling program for multifamily properties:

1. Education and training for property managers and employees
2. Help develop efficient programs for property owners targeting the materials that would earn the most revenue
3. Establish policies ensuring the recycling programs will be convenient to all residents living in a multifamily community

Other large cities use rebates and credits, which offset recycling collection costs to residents and property owners, either partially or completely.  However, to be eligible for this credit, a certain number and specific types of materials are required to be collected by the property.  They may also have to submit a plan to the city outlining their recycling education plan for the residents of their community.

My main concern while doing research for this article was what would be the added cost for recycling for residents of a multifamily property.  Right now I only pay around $4.00 a month for trash. Would there be an extra fee for a recycling program too?  If there was, could I opt out of the service if I don’t wish to participate?

I think it would be great if there was an easier way for apartment dwellers to be able to recycle.  The city has a 10 year plan to increase the recycling rate from 15% to 40% by 2020.  Hopefully this will be a “pathway to zero waste.”

What do you think about this new plan?  Do you think it will help reduce the amount of waste in landfills?  Would you pay an additional fee to be able to recycle?  Would apartment properties increase rent because of this?

Census workers in your apartment?

Have you filled out your 2010 Census form yet?  If not a Census Bureau worker may come knocking on your door soon, or they may already have.

According to 2010census.gov “The U.S. Census counts every resident in the United States, and is required by the Constitution to take place every 10 years.”  The Constitution states…

“The actual enumeration shall be made within three years after the first meeting of the Congress of the United States, and within every subsequent term of 10 years, in such manner as they shall by Law direct.”

– Article I, Section 2 of the Constitution of the United States

According to 2010census.gov, the number of House of Representative seats for your state is taken into account depending on the census numbers.  The data collected from the census is used for advocates of different causes, disaster rescue victims, medical research, and market research.

So, what if you haven’t filled out your census form yet?  Chances are a census bureau worker will probably be coming to your house or apartment soon.  If  you weren’t home when they came around they should have left a note like this on your door with the information to where you can reach your census worker.

So, what if you didn’t respond to this request either.  What rights do the census bureau have to gain this information?  Upon further research I found the article of the law the outlines this question.  As stated by Cornell University Law School…

TITLE 13 > CHAPTER 7 > SUBCHAPTER II > § 223
§ 223. Refusal, by owners, proprietors, etc., to assist census employees

Whoever, being the owner, proprietor, manager, superintendent, or agent of any hotel, apartment house, boarding or lodging house, tenement, or other building, refuses or willfully neglects, when requested by the Secretary or by any other officer or employee of the Department of Commerce or bureau or agency thereof, acting under the instructions of the Secretary, to furnish the names of the occupants of such premises, or to give free ingress thereto and egress therefrom to any duly accredited representative of such Department or bureau or agency thereof, so as to permit the collection of statistics with respect to any census provided for in subchapters I and II of chapter 5 of this title, …

Honestly this is a lot to swallow.  What exactly does “give free ingress thereto and egress therefrom.”  From first glance it looks like the census workers are allowed to enter a residence to get a correct count.  Really?  The property manager or landlord MUST give them permission to enter your apartment?  That sounds a little extreme.

So I turned to the only person I would know for sure could answer this correctly.  Former Crew Leader for the Elgin, IL based Census Bureau, Thomas Jacobs; who just so happens to also be my Father.  What this clause of the law means is that the census worker is allowed to ask your property manager or landlord to give them the information needed about you for the census.  “They (census workers) CAN NOT enter the residence under ANY circumstance.  Even if the resident of the home is there, they are highly discouraged from entering,” expressed Jacobs.

So rest assured that the Census Bureau DOES NOT have the right to enter your residence with out your permission.  For further information on the 2010 Census you can go to 2010census.gov

This blog is also featured on Widgets and Burritos.

Testimonial Tuesday… college edition

So the end school year is approaching fast! With finals and all those extra projects due the stress level is at an all time high!

I remember those days of to do lists that never ended, all nighters studying, and those horrid dark circles under my eyes.  There were times when I would just rest my head on my desk while writing a paper and completely fall asleep.

But I couldn’t even imagine looking for a place to live at the same time.  Many students around this time decide to move out of their dorm rooms on campus and move into their own place off campus.  Apartment hunting is stressful enough without the added pressure of going to class, studying, projects and finals.

So, of course, I have the perfect solution for you.

MoveforFREE.com makes apartment hunting and MOVING a breeze!

Take it from someone who has actually been there.

~Luis S., San Antonio, TX

“Not originally from San Antonio, moving from place to place was hard when I didn’t know anyone. I came to San Antonio for college and remained on campus for the first three years. My last year I thought it more appropriate to move off campus while holding down employment. I was dreading moving day because I didn’t know many people with trucks, at least well enough to assist me moving from my dorm room to a new apartment.

It was then that I had heard about MoveForFree.com. I remember hearing an advertisement and not believing what I was hearing. I had ignored it at first and as the end of the year approached I became more stressed. All of this was unnecessary, but little did I know that MoveForFree.com would be the answers to my prayers.

I finally called, got information, and before I knew it, I was set up. I gave my qualifications of what I was looking for in an apartment and what area I was interested in and in less than a week I was given my choices, I selected, and a moving date was set. With most of my stuff packed and some furniture ready to be taken out, the process was amazing.

I kick myself now for making it harder than it should have been, and the few friends I had at the time with trucks were relieved that I didn’t need their help for this…I mean  how often do people with trucks get approached to help them move things.

MoveForFree was easy, stress-free, and convenient. I highly recommend them for your move from a college campus to an apartment or just from one apartment to another. Their customer service was on par with greatness, no confusion, and no run around.

Thanks a lot MoveForFree! You’re keeping San Antonio moving, one box at a time!”

College is hard, moving shouldn’t be.  Contact us today at moveforfree.com!

Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Youtube.

On the move in Austin!

Last week I was “on the move” in Austin, I thought I would recap a bit for you all!

Austin is one Unique city!  I suppose that’s why their official slogan is “Keep Austin Weird.”  That slogan was actually created for a campaign to preserve small local businesses and resist excessive corporatization. (via wikipedia.org)

But Austin is also Texas’s state capitol.  The actual capitol building is the largest, but not the tallest state capitol building in the United States.  Although I did get kinda dizzy looking down from the top floor.

Looking up at the dome from the ground floor.

Austin has a lot of really cool apartments.  If you are a student at UT and are looking to move off campus, there are A LOT of apartments near the university that are perfect for students!

I also shot a quick video while I was in Austin.  Did you know Austin is also known as “The live music capitol of the world”?

Be sure to check out moveforFREE.com for some great Apartments in the Austin area!

Testimonial Tuesday Extravaganza!

We get a lot of testimonials here at MoveforFREE.com! Just take a look at our Customer Opinion section on our website.

But I have to say this one is one of the best! A super big thank you to Will L. of Houston, TX.

This is what Will Had to say about MoveforFREE.com…

FANTASTIC!!

“I’ve never been so happy using any website before. Seriously, I use the web for everything from pillows to cars, but THIS… this was FANTASTIC. I found a great apartment at a greatly discounted price (15% below market), and when it came time to move – BAM! Luis and Jesu (the movers) were there RIGHT on time and had all my stuff loaded in two shakes of a jackrabbits tail! I barely had enough time to say goodbye to my neighbors (though they gave me every second I wanted)! And even though I was moving almost an hour and a half away to the other side of town (Rayford/Sawdust and 45 to near Westheimer and 8), they kept in constant contact and let me know where they were, so that when I pulled up at my new complex they were RIGHT behind me. They unloaded me in about two minutes – putting EVERYTHING right where I wanted it. They even COMPLETELY refused my offer to help! They were exceptionally professional, and I really couldn’t have been happier with how those two fine gentleman handled my stuff – loading/unloading or even while driving. My stuff might has well been the Queen’s Jewels for how gently they handled it every step of the way. Really, way to go for those guys! But the best part – after they loaded me in, they brought me the bill – and it was CHEAPER than what I was told! I was told right off the bat that there would be an out-of-zone charge (and with the hour-and-a-half or so each way I understood!), but I couldn’t have paid a friend gas money for what this cost me. I will NEVER move apartments with anyone else ever again! Thanks so very much for everything, it was the single best moving experience of my life. I’ve always said moving was the single WORST thing in the world, but tonight changed my opinion about moving. SERIOUSLY! I hope to be a customer of your service until the very last place I ever rent. “

We take great pride in our employees and our business. Thank you so much to Will for taking the time to write to us and let us know how you felt about your experience.  We appreciate you, your kind words, and your willingness to take the time to let us know how we did.

Photo Credit

Ten years strong and still moving!