Washington Place Apartment Homes

Myriad Holiday Choices Await for Activities in Santa Ana, CA!

Tue, 21 Nov 2023 14:57:00 GMT

MYRIAD HOLIDAY CHOICES AWAIT FOR ACTIVITIES IN SANTA ANA, CA!

"Winter is c oming!" may be an ominous warning in Westeros. But in Santa Ana, CA, it's a much more joyous declaration, as it signals not only the advent of a temperate winter but also the coming holiday season and all its accompanying celebrations and events.

There will be no shortage of things to do and see this winter, ranging from simple gatherings to large-scale concert productions. With cultures and traditions from around the world melding together in Santa Ana and throughout Orange County, the holidays will encourage both a zest for adventure and time for reflection.

Whether you live in Santa Ana or are visiting for the holidays, you will feel the magic of the season! Here are a few of the festivities that make Santa Ana the place to be for the holidays this year:

aCTIVITIES

Annual Christmas Together Toy Drive : Last year, this event gave away more than 7,000 toys to registered families. The event will be super-sized this season as the group plans to share 20,000 toys and, on top of that, create an unforgettable experience for children on December 18. That experience includes carnival rides, games, raffles, entertainment, pictures with Santa, COVID-19 testing and vaccinations, holiday meals, and a variety of food options from which to choose-all for free. To be eligible, participants must provide an Orange County address to register and proof of that address at the event. Quantity is limited, so interested parties are advised to register early.

Plaza Navideña: This annual event and tree lighting take place November 18 at Plaza Calle Cuatro in the heart of Downtown Santa Ana. This community event is free to attend and features a tree-lighting ceremony, holiday entertainment, delicious food, beverages, and treats. Plaza Navidena runs from 5 to 8 p.m., so don’t be late!

Newport VIP Boat Parade Viewing Aboard a Super Yacht: Newport Bay becomes a glistening beacon of lights as homeowners and businesses go all out competing in the Newport Christmas Boat Parade on December 13. On The Sea Hawk, you’ll experience a true VIP treatment as you enjoy champagne, hors d'oeuvres, and a luxurious setting surrounded by beautiful lights.

New Year’s Eve Huntington Beach NYE Bar Crawl: Nothing says Southern California quite like dressing to the nines and getting a drink in your hand while walking along Huntington Beach at the best bars around. Over 300 guests attend this annual bar crawl each year, and they come dressed to impress! This year’s welcome kit includes free entry all-access passes, drink discount coupons, free welcome shot tickets at select venues, and access to all participating bars and nightclubs.

SHOWS AND PERFORMANCES

Treat yourself to some holiday magic in Santa Ana. This year has brought some truly spectacular performances to the area. Circuses, vocal and band performances, and cultural celebrations are just a few of the holiday treats in store for you this season near Santa Ana!

Disney On Ice Presents Frozen & Encanto: Looking for a beautiful, family-friendly show that people of all ages are sure to enjoy? Look no further than this magical performance featuring two of Disney’s most popular movies: Frozen and Encanto. Not only can audiences dance and sing along to the music from the worlds of the movies, but they will also celebrate the amazing gifts that make each person unique. Want an even more interactive experience? Sign up for a preshow character experience that includes games, crafting, and interactive time with Elsa and Mirabel! Please keep in mind that all bags and purses may not exceed 12”x12” in dimension to be allowed in the venue. Also, Toyota Arena is a cashless venue, so make sure to bring your credit card for tickets, parking, merchandise, food, and beverages.

A Magical Cirque Christmas: This dazzling holiday performance by the brave performers of A Magical Cirque Christmas is full of high-flying feats and whimsical choreography. All performances are set to live Christmas music, making it perfect for all ages and a great place to take the whole family! Book your tickets early; seats won’t last long.

For King and Country – A Drummer Boy Christmas: The 2023 Tour Experience: Grammy award-winning brothers Joel and Luke will be bringing the holiday cheer across the US and Canada this Christmas season—don’t miss their stop in Anaheim, CA! They will be performing Christmas classics and more, including their fan-favorite “Little Drummer Boy” and hit single “Love Me Like I Am.” From simple reserved seats to VIP immersive circle seats with an artist Q&A, there are plenty of options to choose from based on your desired experience.

Opportunities to Share

Receiving gifts is great, but the true meaning of the holiday season is giving to others. If you have the means or the time during this special time of year, consider giving to those less fortunate so they too can feel the joy of the season. Here are some great volunteer opportunities in Santa Ana:

Operation Santa Claus: Unfortunately, thousands of children in Orange County won’t be having a very merry Christmas without our help. This holiday season, donate toys and gifts to children and families in need. Last year, Operation Santa Claus distributed over 39,000 toys and gifts, bringing happiness and hope to our most vulnerable children in Orange County who wouldn’t have otherwise had much at all.

Volunteer with The Salvation Army: Whether you like to get out and interact with the community or work behind the scenes, the Salvation Army is the perfect place to volunteer. Dress up as Santa Claus and help collect donations with the jolly-but-vigorous ring of your bell. If a red jumpsuit isn’t your style, you could help pick out gifts for kids or be a personal shopper for a family in need.

Shopping

For many, the holiday season means decorating the house from roof to floor with tinsel, Christmas trees, lights, and a host of other decorations. Then, of course, there are presents: Is there anything better than seeing a loved one’s face light up as they open a holiday gift you picked out for them? Whether you’re looking for unique seasonal decorations or a special gift to show someone how much you care, Santa Ana is the perfect place to be!

Pumpkin City’s Christmas Trees: If you’re looking for Christmas trees near Santa Ana, look no further than Pumpkin City’s Christmas Trees. They have a wide selection of fresh-cut Christmas trees, including noble fir, grand fir, Douglas fir, Nordmann fir, and Fraser fir. They also sell cute woodcut Christmas decorations and wreaths.

Sugar Plum Holiday Festival: This vintage market is host to over 165 exhibitors selling an eclectic mix of vintage, upcycled, chic, and handmade gifts and decorations.

Let’s be honest: Who doesn’t love a good pine-scented candle this time of year? But up to 7,400 fires are started each year because of household candles. Be extra careful when lighting candles in your apartment, especially your bedroom. Instead, consider using battery-powered candles to achieve the same ambiance without the added danger. Whatever you do, never leave your holiday candles unattended!

Christmas trees can create another fire hazard you need to be aware of. If you’ve brought a real Christmas tree into your apartment for the holidays, make sure you keep it watered so it doesn’t dry out. Keep all open flames, such as candles, away from the branches, and make sure you turn all lights off when you’re not at home. Stay safe and enjoy the holidays!

With plenty of shows, activities, opportunities to share, and places to shop, Santa Ana has all you need for a festive season. From all of us at Washington Place Apartments in the heart of Santa Ana, Happy Holidays!

Best Local Summer Activities in Santa Ana

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 01:20:00 GMT

Looking for summer activities in Santa Ana? Well, you are in luck! Santa Ana is full of things for you to do! From the beach to the zoo and the trails, there is something for everyone! Here are some of our favorite features.

Beaches Near Santa Ana

Here in Southern California, you might be looking for a good way to beat the heat this summer. Fortunately, Santa Ana is close to some beautiful beaches! Beaches like Newport Beach , Corona del Mar State Beach , and Huntington Beach Pier are all sure to provide plenty of summer fun!

If you are spending the day at the beach with kids, Allison at Bright Horizons recommends https://blogs.brighthorizons.com/familyroom/13-things-beach-children/ 13 activities https://blogs.brighthorizons.com/familyroom/13-things-beach-children/ you and your little ones can do, such as building sandcastles, doing scavenger hunts, playing sports, and more.

Santa Ana Zoo

Santa Ana is also home to the Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park ! A day at the zoo can be a fun and different way to spend a nice summer day, especially for families with children. The Santa Ana Zoo also has various attractions like a train, a carousel, and a Ferris wheel, in addition to a wide variety of animals! You and your family will be sure to have a great time and make some great memories. This could very well be one of your favorite summer activities in Santa Ana!

Local Trails

Summertime is always a great time to be outside and enjoy some fresh air! Here in Santa Ana, we are lucky to have a wide variety of beautiful trails. Here are some of our favorites:

This trail is a great place for a moderate hike, along with a great opportunity to see some wildlife.

The trail is primarily used for walking, running, and road biking and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on a leash.

This trail is a great option for biking! Dogs are also able to use this trail.

Whether you choose one of these trails or another, be sure to bring plenty of water and take precautions while hiking in hot weather !

Outdoor Movies and Concerts

This summer in Orange County, the OC Parks Summer Concert Series and Sunset Cinema Film Series are back! From June 18 to September 10, there will be 10 free concerts and 13 free movie showings. The concerts will be on Thursdays at 5:00 p.m., with the music beginning at 6:00 p.m. The movie nights will be on Fridays at 6:00 p.m., with the movie beginning at sundown. Visit the website to see a schedule of the events.

Whatever it is you like to do, you are sure to find some amazing summer activities in Santa Ana. From the beach to the hills, there is something for everyone—families and individuals alike! We hope you enjoy your amazing summer here in Santa Ana! And if you decide to stick around, Washington Place Apartment Homes offers two-bedroom apartment homes for rent in Santa Ana, CA. Come check them out!

Paying Rent Online? If Not, Here’s Why You Should Start

Tue, 15 Jun 2021 14:18:00 GMT

Want to boost your credit score? Try paying rent online! In 2017, TransUnion studied 12,000 renters who reported their rent payments to credit bureaus over the course of a year. The results? Renters’ scores rose an average of 16 points within six months, and the benefit was greatest for those who started with the lowest scores.

Make an online rent payment each month and see what happens to your credit score! Paying online ensures your payments are reported, shows credit bureaus what they are looking for, and can combine with credit card payments to increase your score even more. Here’s how.

Your Payments Are Reported

What’s special about paying rent online? Well, “Simply paying your rent will not help you build credit,” says Bev O’Shea at NerdWallet. “But reporting your rent payments can help you build credit—especially if you are new to credit or do not have a lot of experience using it.”

At Washington Place Apartments , we have an online rental payment system that reports information to the credit bureaus. When they receive a record of your on-time rental payments, your credit score improves.

Shows Credit Bureaus What They Are Looking For

If you’re wondering how rental payments factor into a credit score, keep reading. First, let’s talk about what goes into a credit score in general. For one example, Experian determines credit scores through the following elements :

So when you pay rent online, those payments become part of your payment history. As you pay on time and in full and continue to do so, that contributes to your score, too.

Boost Your Score Even More

To take this credit-score-boosting to the next level, consider using a credit card specifically to pay your rent.

“Open a credit card and use it to pay your rent . . . then pay your credit card balance in full each month,” says LaToya Irby, credit expert for The Balance. “The timely credit card payments will help boost your credit score.”

You don’t have to pay your rent with a credit card, but it can be an extra boost to your credit score in combination with the benefits of paying your rent online.

Improve your credit score by paying rent online through the resident portal . This allows your payments to be reported to credit bureaus, showing them exactly what they are looking for. Plus, if you choose to pay rent with a credit card, you may increase your score even more. Give it a try!

Our Apartments at Washington Place Are the Perfect Place to Live Eco-Friendly

Fri, 28 May 2021 14:52:00 GMT

According to the Environmental Protection Agency , the average person wastes up to 30 gallons of water per day . That’s a huge amount, especially when you consider that the average person also uses 100 gallons per day for basic household and personal needs. It’s everyday activities like these that contribute to the issue of water scarcity affecting us today. Currently, 3.6 billion people live in areas where water is scarce; Southern California is one of the many places that can face serious droughts.

Here at Washington Place Apartment Homes , we are doing all we can to protect the environment and promote eco-friendly, sustainable living—not just by preserving water, but also by reducing unnecessary waste. Here are three ways we live green at Washington Place.

Water Waste

Since Santa Ana is prone to droughts, we do all we can to use water sparingly. We have started by taking measures to reduce the water used in landscaping. We do this by incorporating plants, like succulents, that use much less water. We have also installed a drip irrigation system and have replaced some of our mulch and grass areas with beautiful stone. These simple measures have allowed us to save on thousands of gallons of water needed in landscaping.

We also save water indoors with our plumbing system. Most toilets use about 3.5 gallons of water every time they flush. Instead, we use low-flow toilets , which use about 20 percent less water than regular toilets. Each low-flow toilet can surprisingly save up to 13,000 gallons of water per year. This has helped us to make a significant reduction in the amount of water wasted in plumbing.

Paper and Plastic

At Washington Place Apartment Homes, we have gone completely paperless by doing everything—rent payments, service requests, applications, and notices—online. Not only is this more convenient for our residents, but it eliminates the need for unnecessary paper waste.

In our community, we strive to provide quality services to help make your life as a resident a little easier. Visit our new resident portal to pay your rent online, enter a maintenance service request, browse our calendar for upcoming activities, and much more!

We have also made a water bottle refill station conveniently available on the property. This station makes a significant contribution to our efforts to be more eco-friendly and to reduce waste.

Recycling

Another way we strive to be more eco-friendly is by encouraging our guests to recycle. Recycling is one of the simplest and most effective ways that we can be more eco-friendly. We have provided recycling bins in our offices, as well as lists of items you can recycle , in order to make recycling efforts as simple and convenient as possible.

Here in Santa Ana, you can take your recycling to SA Recycling . This small change in habit can make a big difference for our planet.

We’re Excited to Announce Organic Waste Recycling!

Organic waste recycling will be coming soon to our local community, and we can’t wait to participate! This initiative will help keep millions of pounds of food waste out of landfills and turn them into compost and renewable natural gas. You can learn more about organic waste recycling here . We’ll keep you up to date as this program expands throughout the state.

We want to do everything we can to take care of the environment and to be more eco-friendly. If you are looking for an apartment complex that cares as much about the earth and the environment as you do, Washington Place Apartment Homes is the perfect place for you!

Learn Why You Should Choose Washington Apartments in Santa Ana as Your Permanent Home

Wed, 05 May 2021 20:45:00 GMT

If your dog could tell you about his or her dream home, what do you think it would include? A private backyard to call its own? Spacious green areas to play with friends? A cozy spot by the fireplace to curl up after a long day? If any of these sound like your furry friend’s idea of paradise, Washington Place Apartment Homes might be the perfect new home for you. Here’s why.

Amenities Your Four-Legged Pal Will Love

Our amenities are focused on you and your family. We want our residents and their pets to enjoy their time at home, so we also offer a wide range of amenities for you to enjoy. Here are a few of our most popular amenities:

Whether you want to work out in the pool or on the lawn with your dog, we have plenty of options for healthy living here.

Beautiful Location

Washington Place is located just off the Santa Ana Freeway in the amazing Mabury Park Neighborhood. It is within short driving distance to a plethora of local eateries, boutiques, coffee shops, and entertainment venues. You and your pup will have plenty to do both at home and out on the town!

Plenty of Room for the Whole Family

Our apartment homes have been newly renovated and feature a spacious, single-story floor plan. You’ll have plenty of space to stretch out with your favorite furry friends and roommates and enjoy your new home without feeling cramped.

Make your dog’s dream home a reality at Washington Place. You will love the atmosphere and amenities as much as your favorite pup, and they will feel like they have stepped into one of their sweetest fantasies.

SMART: A Better Way of Setting Goals

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 21:23:00 GMT

New Year’s Resolutions can be a great way to start fresh in 2021. However, when it comes to setting realistic goals, many of us find it difficult. We can accomplish anything we set our minds to, but it’s essential to understand that change doesn’t just happen overnight, even on January 1st.

Have you ever heard Ernest Hemingway’s phrase “ Gradually, then Suddenly ”? Perhaps you’ve seen the modern variation: “Love happens slowly, and then all at once.” Well, the same principle applies to change: Change requires determination and consistency, and the little things you do each day ultimately determine who you become.

Are you ready to take another swing at setting goals for 2021? At Washington Place , we encourage the SMART method to help you focus your efforts and increase your chances of success. Here’s what that means:

S: Specific

Our puzzle’s first piece is to be specific, meaning well defined and unambiguous. In other words, we want to be clear in our intentions. For example, you might want to be successful in your career, purchase a home, or graduate from college. These are large-scale goals that require many steps to make your dream a reality. By starting with smaller, more specific goals, you increase your chances of success.

As a well-known Chinese proverb by Lao-tzu states, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.”

M: Measurable

The M in our SMART acronym stands for “measurable.” By setting small, attainable goals, we not only keep our expectations in check but also motivate ourselves with clearly defined measures of progress. Dr. Jennifer Kunst explains, “[Progress is the] drive that pushes us beyond the limits of safety and comfort to adapt to new challenges. It is an innate biological and psychological force that propels a child from crawling to walking, from dependence to independence, from deference to authority to having a mind of his or her own.”

Visible proof of progress is key to success.

A: Achievable

You might need to take some time to think about this step in setting realistic goals. Achievable by definition means something that is “capable of being done or carried out.” The tricky part is choosing the right amount of challenge, as growth only happens in periods of discomfort.

Motivational writer Troy Wilson says, “You don’t want to set a goal that no one could possibly achieve, but you do want to set a goal that is difficult to achieve.” Think about it like this: Have you ever set an easy goal? What did it feel like to accomplish that goal? Now think of a time when you set a goal that challenged you. Did you find more satisfaction from completing something that involved a degree of effort and struggle?

R: Relevant

When setting goals, relevance is essential because unless our goals genuinely mean something to us, it is difficult to stay motivated. Consider what you want most in life. The answer could be to start a family, secure a better job, build a house, accumulate wealth, or any number of things. Set your goal and work backward, planning out smaller goals related to the end game. By doing so, you are providing yourself with a clear roadmap to success.

T: Time-Bound

Each goal needs to have a target date. By creating a sense of urgency, you are more likely to complete the task at hand. Setting realistic, time-bound goals also ensures that distractions don’t inhibit your success.

Writer Anne Bachrach with Business Know-How states, “What really matters, and what will make you ultimately successful in life, is taking action.”

The SMART method of setting goals can be a useful tool when planning your resolutions in 2021. Set goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound, and you’re sure to find greater success in the coming year.

Why Pets Love Washington Place

Thu, 24 Dec 2020 18:53:00 GMT

Around the US, many people can’t imagine life without their pets. We relax, exercise, and often sleep and eat together. About 67 percent of households in the US include a pet, and the majority of dog and cat owners consider them part of the family.

We agree, and that’s why we strive to make Washington Place Apartment Homes a comfortable, happy, and cozy place for you and your pet. Here’s why pets love living here.

We Value Pets

Pets provide companionship and so much more. Studies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the WALTHAM Petcare Science Institute show that people who own pets are healthier and happier, enjoying the following benefits:

Pets of many kinds are welcome at Washington Place, including the following:

All pets must weigh less than 75 pounds, and we ask that smaller pets (not cats and dogs) be caged and kept in a sanitary condition. Additional or other pets must be approved by the management, and only authorized pets with the Leasing Office’s approval are allowed on the premises.

We’re Surrounded by Pet-Friendly Places

At Washington Place, you can walk your pet around our courtyards—using the Pet Waste Stations throughout the property to easily clean up after your pet—or venture out to one of the nearby pet-friendly sites. Within a short drive, you’ll find a variety of dog parks and pet-friendly places:

Your pet will love living at Washington Place Apartment Homes, where we strive to make furry family members feel welcome. Whether it prefers to stroll around the courtyards, venture out to a nearby dog park, or simply relax in our spacious apartments , your pet is sure to feel right at home. Call or text us at (714) 598-0979 to see how you and your pet will fit right in at Washington Place.

Got a Holiday Checklist? Include These Appliance Maintenance Tips

Thu, 12 Nov 2020 22:47:00 GMT

The most wonderful time of the year is quickly approaching, and with this festive time comes many traditions. Some of these nostalgic traditions include roasting the perfect turkey for Thanksgiving dinner, lighting the house with twinkling lights, baking dozens of holiday cookies, flipping the thermostat from cold to heat for the first time, and even spending a few extra minutes warming up in a hot shower each morning.

However, these traditions will not work out too well if you don’t have properly working appliances. In a survey of more than 381,000 appliances, Consumer Reports calculated that 6 percent of respondents reported problems with cooking elements not lighting or heating up in the way that they should, while 5 percent of people reported refrigerators that didn’t cool enough to keep their food lasting as long as it should. An even larger 11 percent of people said their dishwashers no longer worked properly.

Don’t let household dilemmas ruin your festivities. Follow these three appliance maintenance tips to help ensure a truly magical season for you and your loved ones.

Plan a Cooking Test Run

If some of your kitchen appliances haven’t been put to good use in a while, or even if they have, now is the perfect time to test everything out before the holidays. A couple of weeks before your holiday meal, turn the oven on to cook some chicken or make a batch of brownies. Then, test out the dishwasher by loading it up with your dirty dishes and making sure everything comes out clean. If there happen to be any problems with these major appliances, you’ll know far enough in advance that you can schedule a time for the appliances to be repaired before you have to start preparing for your holiday dinner.

Help Prevent Breakdowns by Deep Cleaning

Just before the holidays begin is a very common time for people to deep clean their homes. Before you grab those cleaning supplies, consider giving your most-used appliances some detailed attention. Help keep your fridge working properly by pulling it away from the wall and cleaning out the dust from the mechanical coils . Deep clean your oven and stove top, making sure all the heating elements or gas burners heat and ignite fully. In addition, make sure to clean your dishwasher by setting a single dishwasher-safe cup of white vinegar on the top rack and running a full cycle. These extra steps will help ensure a less stressful and more joyous holiday season.

Reach Out to Our Maintenance Crew

At Washington Place, we want you to have a magical, memory-filled holiday season. This can be tough when you are dealing with broken appliances preventing your traditions from being fulfilled.

To help ensure that your holidays are filled with seasonal magic, our on-site management and 24-hour maintenance teams are ready to help if you are having any sort of problems with your appliances. If you have discovered that your dishwasher or garbage disposal has quit working, simply visit Washington Place’s Resident Portal and submit a work order. Our team will schedule a time for the repair, getting you back on track to holiday happiness.

Alleviate the additional stress a broken appliance can cause this holiday season by spending some extra time following our appliance maintenance tips. Be sure to clean and test out those kitchen appliances and reach out to our maintenance team as soon as repairs are needed. The entire staff here at Washington Place sincerely wants your holiday wishes to come true this year!

Rent vs. Buy: Make the Right Decision

Fri, 23 Oct 2020 20:28:00 GMT

Would you guess that over 34 percent of America’s population are renters? According to RentCafé, that means that 100 million people across the country rent real estate. And that number is increasing.

These renters have all chosen to rent for different reasons, but it is clear that there are many benefits to renting that would attract such great amounts of people. Renting has fewer incurred costs than buying, as well as fewer responsibilities and more wiggle room for your life plan. If you are stuck in the “rent vs. buy” debate, read on and learn more.

The Costs Are Lower

Owning a home can be perilous at times because expenses can pop up anywhere. And the daily costs of maintenance and ownership add up quickly. In contrast, renting’s cost is set per month, so you know what to expect. The general public tends to agree; in 2019, 82 percent of renters said renting is more affordable than owning, jumping up from 67 percent the year before.

When you first rent an apartment, all you have to do is put down a deposit that is equal to your first month’s rent, which you will get back when you move out. In contrast, when you buy a house, you have to make a downpayment of around 20 percent of the purchase price of the home. That’s a lot of money to put down up front. Renting has a much lower barrier of entry to overcome.

The costs of homeownership over time are also greater. When you rent, you don’t need to pay property tax, and your insurance is much more affordable. According to a 2017 study by the Insurance Information Institute , the average renters insurance policy costs $180 per year, while the average homeowners policy costs $1,211.

The Repairs Are Not Your Responsibility

Accidents happen, and sometimes those accidents involve damage you can’t fix on your own. When you rent, there is no need to run to the hardware store or frantically look up fix-it videos; there is someone there to help you make repairs . At Washington Place Apartment Homes , we have a team of experienced staff who are trained and certified to help you when you need it. When you report an issue, our team will set up a repair appointment so that you can get back to your daily routine in no time.

The Lease Is Short

One of the most obvious benefits of the decision to rent vs. buy property is that a lease does not last forever. That means you can move from place to place whenever you need to. You can sell property, but having a mortgage makes things more difficult, especially because you never know if someone will buy your house. Robert Pinnegar at The Washington Post writes, “Regardless of age, mobility is one of the top reasons people decide to rent. For millennials just entering the workforce or in the process of building their careers, the ability to relocate is a major factor. Even if they are in a financial position to purchase a home, millennials may choose to rent to have the flexibility to take advantage of new job opportunities as they arise.”

We at Washington Place understand that you may not be able to stay with us forever, but we want you to be taken care of wherever you go. If you move from Washington Place to another AMC property or vice versa, we are excited to offer you a loyalty bonus of $250 to help you hit the ground running.

With a difference in costs, less responsibility, and more freedom, it’s easy to see why more and more people are choosing to rent vs. buy. At Washington Place , we want you to look forward to coming home every day; give us a visit and see why the decision to rent with us is for you.

Paying Rent Online: The Secret to Better Credit

Sat, 08 Aug 2020 08:56:00 GMT

Life can be challenging when your credit score is low . Loans are more difficult to qualify for, interest and insurance rates are higher, and some jobs become harder to come by. It’s not something you want to live with. Fortunately, you don’t have to—not if you start paying rent online! One study found that renters who included their rent payments to credit bureaus saw their credit score increase by an average of 16 points within six months—the lower the score, the better the benefit!

Paying rent online is a simple way to fix your credit and better your life. Let’s discuss the elements of a credit score and how paying rent online helps your payment and credit history.

The Elements of a Credit Score

You may be surprised to find that you have not one but many credit scores. Scores vary depending on who you ask, but credit bureaus generally use the same criteria. For example, FICO breaks their credit scores down like so:

As you can see, FICO gives the most weight to payment history—and paying rent online is the perfect way to boost it.

How Paying Rent Online Helps Your Payment History

It’s not enough to just pay your rent. The credit bureaus need to know it happened in order for it to affect your credit score. “But reporting your rent payments can help you build credit—especially if you are new to credit or do not have a lot of experience using it,” says Bev O’Shea at NerdWallet.

Paying rent online is a simple, hassle-free way to make sure credit bureaus know about your payment. When you use Washington Place’s online rental payment system, your payments are reported directly to the credit bureaus. They can see that you paid in full and—crucially—on time, boosting your score. In order to opt in for the credit reporting, follow these steps:

How Paying Rent Online Helps Your Credit History

You can boost your score even further by using a credit card when paying rent online. “Open a credit card and use it to pay your rent . . . then pay your credit card balance in full each month,” says LaToya Irby, credit expert for The Balance. “The timely credit card payments will help boost your credit score.”

Don’t let a low credit score sit and hope it will fix itself. Get out there and improve it yourself. Now that you know the elements of a credit score and how paying rent online helps your payment and credit history, you’re ready to start paying rent online. Use our resident portal and start today!

3 Local Ice Cream Shops in Santa Ana You May Not Know About

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 18:38:00 GMT

Are you tired of asking Google for “ice cream shops near me,” just to see too many suggestions with no context? Here are some local ice cream shops in Santa Ana and the surrounding area that we love and think you will too. With the new state regulations calling for businesses to cease indoor service , these shops can use all the help they can get.

Chunk-N-Chip

Family-owned Chunk-N-Chip prides itself on its handmade, small-batch ice cream. They specialize in ice cream sandwiches, made with freshly baked cookies, and with a rotating seasonal menu, it’s definitely worth becoming a regular customer.

La Michoacana Station Ice Cream

Only 10 minutes away from Washington Place, La Michoacana Station Ice Cream specializes in desserts made from fresh, organic ingredients. You can get ice cream by the scoop, or indulge in a paleta—a Mexican popsicle containing chunks of fresh fruit. Satisfy your sweet tooth while being healthy at the same time!

Cauldron Ice Cream

Cauldron Ice Cream combines liquid nitrogen with a sweet, creamy base to create its delicious concoctions. Normally, this makes for a unique “dessert and a show” experience, but with indoor dining not allowed, it’s still sensational performance on your tastebuds. The Santa Ana location allows for online orders, so your ice cream can be ready as soon as you arrive.

Hans’ Homemade Ice Cream

Santa Ana is home to the first Hans’ Homemade Ice Cream location, only 14 minutes away from Washington Place. They have all your favorite, classic flavors, and the team is always working on creating new signature flavors to the mix, like Coffee OREO® and Nutella® Krunch. They also make their own hand-dipped bananas, drumsticks, and ice cream sandwiches.

As summer ramps up the heat, we could all use some help to cool off. These local ice cream shops in Santa Ana will keep you satisfied, and they’ll appreciate the help staying open.

How Do Beach Cleanups Benefit the Community?

Tue, 14 Jul 2020 21:28:00 GMT

Every year, our marine ecosystem gets polluted with over 176 million tons of plastic . That amount of waste can seem staggering, but communities along every coast are doing their part to keep their beaches clean.

Washington Place sits only 30 minutes away from the coast, so the value of beach life literally hits close to home for us. On July 25, we’ll be joining with AMC members and their families throughout California for our annual beach cleanup, socially distanced but united in spirit. Here are just a few ways banding together to clean our beaches improves our community.

Protect Ocean Life

Just because plastic and other debris wash up on the beach doesn’t mean it stays there. Tides take back as much as they leave on the shore. While garbage sits drying on the beach, there’s a prime window of opportunity to clean the beach and remove the waste from the marine ecosystem. There are countless heartbreaking examples of ocean animals falling victim to human pollution in the ocean. Cleaning the beach is a great chance to save these creatures from harm.

Make Beaches Safer

Not all debris on the beach is in the plastic soda bottle category. Taking your kids to the beach for the day sounds like an afternoon of fun in the sun until you find broken glass or used needles in your sandcastles. All kinds of hazardous waste wash up on the shore, and without regular cleanings, beachgoers can be exposed to unnecessary dangers. Clean beaches keep everyone, humans and sealife alike, safe.

Engage in Responsible Social Activity

With social distancing guidelines still in place, your opportunities to gather with other members of your community are a bit hampered. But spreading out six feet minimum and combing the beach for debris is a great way to meet your neighbors and catch up with old friends. At last, an activity we can all take part in that is well-suited to the demands of these unprecedented times. To keep cleanups safe for everyone, we encourage residents to only gather in small cleanup crews and adhere to the CDC’s guidance regarding mask usage and social distancing.

Beach cleanups are a great way to improve our community. Whether it’s to preserve ocean life, keep our children safe from hazardous waste, or just as a means to beautify the environment with our family, friends, and neighbors, removing garbage from the marine ecosystem is always a good idea. So join us on July 25—tag Washington Place in your photos on social media, using the hashtags #livehappy and #AMCcleanup. Stay safe and have fun. See you out there!

3 Things to Know about Beach Etiquette in 2020

Tue, 30 Jun 2020 19:43:00 GMT

Summer is here, and it’s time to hit the beach (like nearby Huntington Beach )! But due to COVID-19, your trip to the beach might look a little different than before. One of the biggest changes involves how you interact with other beachgoers. To make sure everyone has an enjoyable time, here are three things to know about beach etiquette in 2020.

Wear Masks and Socially Distance

The use of face coverings in California is currently mandatory , with some exemptions. One of those is for outdoor activities where social distancing can be achieved. The beach qualifies under that definition, but still, there are some situations at the beach where social distancing cannot be maintained. Be sure to have a mask on hand, and wear it whenever you are near others living outside of your immediate household. This includes your time in the parking lot and when using the restroom facilities.

Stay Local

Due to the varying amount of coronavirus cases specific to location, it’s a good idea to go to local beaches. If you do decide to travel to a distant beach, ask yourself these two questions issued by the CDC regarding travel :

If the answer is “yes” to either of these questions, it’s best to stay close to home to help curb the spread of the virus.

Another argument for the “staying local” etiquette involves the availability of supplies. If visitors are buying up store inventory, it may not leave enough for the residents of that area.

Come Prepared

Even with social distancing measures, you’ll likely come into contact with some communal surfaces, such as handrails and bathroom facilities. These are the perfect places for the virus to collect , so be extra cautious. Keep your hand sanitizer near and reapply as often as needed.

Also, avoid communal surfaces as much as you can. For example, bring a water bottle to avoid using the drinking fountain; plan to take a longer route to avoid the people and handrails on the stairs. These slight adjustments to your trip can do a lot of good in helping to stop the spread of the virus.

As we head to the beach this summer, it’s important to be mindful of those around you. Remember to observe social distancing, stay local, and come prepared. And definitely, be sure to have a great time at the beach!

3 Ideas for Celebrating National Smoothie Day

Thu, 18 Jun 2020 19:42:00 GMT

Properly made, smoothies have many benefits for your body. With the right ingredients, they can help detox your body, up your immunity, provide you with antioxidants, improve your bone health, fortify your skin, and even help you lose some weight. In honor of National Smoothie Day on June 21, we are going to look at three ways to celebrate—besides making smoothies.

Create a Beautiful Smoothie Bowl

Smoothie bowls not only taste incredible, but each one can be a work of art, pleasing the eyes as well as the tongue. A smoothie bowl begins with a base of blended whole foods like frozen vegetables and fruits. But don’t blend it too well; the bowl presentation has a much thicker cream consistency than an actual smoothie.

That veggie mix or fruit is blended with yogurt or almond milk—or both, if you want it really thick. Instead of pouring into a cup, plop it in a bowl, and garnish it with the topping of your choice. We’d suggest fruit, chia seeds, granola, shredded coconut, nuts, or hemp seeds. The possibilities are endless!

Make Fruit Smoothie Popsicles

Fruit smoothies are a fantastic way to celebrate National Smoothie day. Is there not a better treat? If you’re thinking that all you need to do to convert your smoothie into a popsicle is to pour it into a tray and place it in the freezer for a while, then you’re absolutely correct! It’s just that simple. It’s all about the presentation when it comes to being creative with smoothies. And on National Smoothie day, we have the right to be!

Take the Party Outside

Why not take the party outside? You’re living in Santa Ana, where the temperature is always perfect (most of the time). If it’s a good day, take your bowl or popsicle outside. Get together with friends and family, if possible, to make it even more enjoyable. Keep social distancing in mind, however. Perhaps you can even put some outdoor decorations up as well.

It may be an off-beat holiday, but we could all use more reasons to celebrate these days. Curl up with a smoothie bowl, make a popsicle, or take some time in the sun. However you decide to celebrate your smoothies on National Smoothie Day, we hope you enjoy it.

Four Helpful Hints to Improve Air Quality in Your Apartment

Thu, 28 May 2020 19:30:00 GMT

Even before the stay-at-home orders, Americans were spending about 90 percent of their time indoors. That can be a problem, though, since the EPA reports that the concentration of air pollution is often “2 to 5 times higher than typical outdoor concentrations.”

While outdoor pollutants can be visible in smog, haze, and smoke, the status of your indoor air can often go unnoticed. Here are three helpful hints to help you improve the air quality in your apartment.

Air Conditioners

Believe it or not, your air conditioner is also playing a vital role in improving the air quality in your apartment. If you didn’t already know, your air conditioner removes moisture from the atmosphere, creating a slightly dry climate inside your apartment. Many irritants are water-soluble, so this can help improve the quality of your air. Make sure your air conditioner is working properly. If it’s not, submit a service request through the resident portal .

Gas Stoves

Always keep a window open when cooking with a gas stove; doing otherwise could lead to a risk of nitrogen dioxide build-up. Opening your windows in and around the kitchen, or even turning on an exhaust fan if you have one, can help make these noxious fumes disappear much quicker. Make sure to always close your windows when fumes completely go out once you’re finished cooking.

Indoor Gardens

A fantastic technique to reduce indoor air pollution is to grow plants indoors. Indoor gardening can be used just to decorate, but many plants can help you reduce levels of pollutants in your air. For example , aloe vera helps filter benzene and formaldehyde, as do spider plant and snake plant. It’s one of the reasons you often see flowers and trees in restaurants and shopping malls. Just like your apartment, even office buildings can utilize indoor gardening as well.

With all the time we’re spending indoors, now is the perfect time to pay attention to the quality of our air. By applying these helpful hints, you can significantly improve the quality of the air inside your apartment. So what are you waiting for? Let’s make your air fresh and clean once again.

3 Kid-Friendly Activities to Do this Memorial Day

Fri, 22 May 2020 22:44:00 GMT

Are your kids excited for Memorial Day? If past years are any indication, the answer is yes. In 2019 , Americans geared up to barbecue (60 percent of Americans, in fact), watch the televised National Memorial Day parade (1.5 million), run in races (more than 120 are normally held), and travel (42.8 million) to celebrate the weekend. This year, due to social distancing and other restrictions brought on by COVID-19, Memorial Day will look quite different for your family. But that doesn’t mean it needs to be less memorable.

This year, you can take time to teach your kids about what the holiday is truly about—the people who gave their lives so we can be free here in the US. Here are some activities you can do, even during this pandemic, that will help both you and your kids have an enjoyable time getting into the spirit of the holiday.

Read together.

Reading together is a powerful way to build bonds with your children, whatever the occasion. Select a Memorial-Day-themed children’s book and read it together. Also, consider learning about those on your family tree who fought for our freedoms. If you don’t know of anyone related to you who served in the military, consider studying up on great American heroes. These activities may spark some great conversation about the sacrifices made that ultimately lead to the personal freedoms your children enjoy today. Help them make this connection.

Write a letter.

Do you know a soldier who is currently serving in the military? If so, help your kids draw a picture or write a thank-you letter to them. Talk to your kids about how soldiers work hard to protect our freedoms and are often away from their families, sometimes even overseas.

If you don’t know anyone who is currently serving, there are plenty of nonprofit organizations that have dedicated their time to this effort, such as Any Soldier , A Million Thanks , and the USO Care Package program. Take part in these causes to help the men and women of our military feel appreciated and loved.

Enjoy this land.

Get outside and enjoy this beautiful land that we have because of those who fought for our freedoms. While many outdoor spaces are closed due to the pandemic, some are still open , though you will need to practice proper social distancing. Get some time in the sun, even if it’s just a walk through the neighborhood or enjoying the beautiful sunset. Talk with your children about how their lives have been positively impacted because of the freedoms we enjoy.

This Memorial Day may not be exactly what we have all come to expect, but it can still be worth remembering. Take these suggestions, or apply a little imagination of your own, to help your family make memories and increase in gratitude for the many freedoms we enjoy each day.

Ways Volunteering Can Strengthen Your Shared Community

Mon, 04 May 2020 00:16:00 GMT

The world is always in need of volunteers, especially now during the COVID-19 pandemic. With the “stay home” order in place, volunteering might look a little bit different now than it did before. Here are four easy ways to help your community without leaving your home:

1. Donate to Hospitals

Since the start of COVID-19, a huge concern is the lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) in hospitals. Check out Get Us PPE , a website that connects people and facilities in need of supplies with those who can donate to fill those needs. If you don’t have extra PPE (like gloves and facemasks) lying around your house to donate, consider making PPE to help fill the supply gap. The website includes resources and guidelines for making PPE, from face masks and shields to medical gowns and goggles.

2. Ease Loneliness

Due to a new stay-at-home lifestyle, many people in your community are struggling with loneliness right now. Reach out to those in your network who may be hurting. Spend some virtual time with them to see how they are really doing. A phone call with your grandmother, a video chat with your sibling, or a text exchange with your friend might be a huge service to them.

Also, don’t let this time stop you from making new friends. Reach out to a local nonprofit or healthcare facility to see if they know of anyone who could benefit from a new penpal during this lonely time. Your friendship could make all the difference to them.

3. Support Local Businesses

Tired of cooking at home or eating frozen pizzas? Treat yourself and support a local business by ordering takeout. If possible, include a tip for the staff. The suspension of indoor dining means that many employees aren’t receiving the normal tips they rely on for paying rent and buying food.

4. Start an Online Fundraising Campaign

Raise awareness and boost funding for your preferred charity by launching an online fundraising campaign. Here is a link to several nonprofits responding to the pandemic that could use your support. No matter which organization you choose, your campaign could make a real impact in helping those affected by the virus.

The beauty of modern-day technology is that we don’t have to break social distancing rules to help our community. Reach out to others in one of these four ways, or come up with one of your own that better aligns with your personality or talents. You’ll strengthen your shared community by supporting someone with a specific need while you stay home to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

Living Green with Kids

Wed, 22 Apr 2020 04:37:00 GMT

Your kids look to you for an example in all things. Though they may rebel, they’ll ultimately talk like you, eat like you, work like you, and play like you. And when it comes to caring for the planet, they’ll live as green as you.

In honor of Arbor Day, here are some tips to make green living with kids as simple as possible.

Be Active

We can all improve our carbon footprint by opting for the bike instead of the car for a quick run to the corner store. Instill a love for self-propelled travel in your kids by taking the family for the occasional bike ride or walk through the neighborhood.

Consume Responsibly

Those disposable diapers, sandwich bags, and water bottles have a way of adding up over time. Even if the waste is out of sight and out of mind on a landfill, you’re still feeling the waste on your wallet. Look into purchasing eco-friendly kids products instead; there are plenty of options. You’ll find they last longer and make green living with kids even easier.

Grow a Family Garden

A garden is a simple step to self-sufficiency and green living. Plant an herb or vegetable in a pot and leave it on your counter. Get your kids involved by assigning them planting or watering duty.

Involve Them

The most important thing you can do to get your kids to live green is to involve them in the decision-making process. Ask for their input when planning a bike ride. Give them a section of the garden to make their own. Bring them to the store to pick out groceries and eco-friendly products.

“Life is defined by the choices we make, and it’s important that we equip our children by teaching decision-making skills starting at a young age,” says Dr. Allie Ticktin . “By building small choices into the daily routine, you are teaching your child to be an active part of the decision-making process and allowing them to learn to manage both decisions and their outcomes.”

Green living with kids doesn’t have to be a herculean effort. It can be as simple as setting a good example for them. Live an active lifestyle, buy eco-friendly products, grow a garden, and ask them for their input whenever you can. You’ll find your love for our planet rubbing off on them.

Looking for the Recipe to Healthy and Happy Living? Try Being More Kind.

Thu, 26 Mar 2020 23:28:00 GMT

Kindness. We just can’t get enough of it. Millions of us click on viral posts of random acts online: people proudly post images of the exorbitant tip left to an unsuspecting waitress or videos of a rescue team saving a horse from drowning. Even today’s workplaces are exploring the emotional effects of kind acts among coworkers.

“Office culture can be cutthroat and competitive, leading to hurtful criticism, lack of collaboration, and miscommunication,” says Dr. Pragya Agarwal . “However, now we are increasingly talking about wellbeing in the workplace, and bringing an authentic quality to our work, being gentle with ourselves, and with others around us.”

Research shows kindness and well-being are closely linked. Although the benefits to the recipients of kind acts are evident, science is uncovering connections between kindness and one’s health and overall happiness.

If you need an incentive to take the high road when you interact with people, here are four healthy and happy rewards for choosing kindness.

1. Improves Heart Health

There’s a reason why kind people are known for having big hearts—literally. According to Dr. David R. Hamilton , the emotional reaction to acts of kindness release the hormone oxytocin.

“Oxytocin causes the release of a chemical called nitric oxide in blood vessels, which dilates (expands) the blood vessels,” explains Hamilton. “This reduces blood pressure and therefore oxytocin is known as a ‘cardioprotective’ hormone because it protects the heart (by lowering blood pressure).” So it seems science proves that having a heart is actually good for it, too.

How can you reap these heart-health benefits? Plenty of studies have shown that social support is associated with better health, including cardiovascular health. So get out there in the community, make friends with your neighbors, and see how it benefits your heart—emotionally and physically.

2. Reduces the Risk of Depression

A study headed by Stephen Post of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine found that when we share our time, resources, and other selfless acts, everything from life satisfaction to self-realization and physical health is significantly improved. Mortality is delayed, depression is reduced, and wellbeing and good fortune are increased.

At Cedars-Sinai , scientists are studying the links between kindness and increased dopamine levels. As dopamine is known for elevating feelings of euphoria, research is focused on the effects dopamine has on mental health.

“Mindfulness-based therapy is becoming increasingly popular for treating depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions,” say doctors at Cedars-Sinai. “The therapy is built on mindfulness meditation, documenting your gratitude, and acts of kindness. People being treated in a mindfulness-based therapy program incorporate acts of kindness into their daily routines.”

Essentially, practicing kindness increases your dopamine levels, which ultimately helps improve your overall happiness and health.

3. Reduces Anxiety

In a study published by the University of British Columbia Study , a test group comprised of highly anxious individuals performed at least six acts of kindness a week. After one month, there was a significant increase in positive moods and relationship satisfaction, as well as a decrease in social avoidance in socially anxious individuals. The act itself didn’t need to be big to be effective. Kind acts took larger forms like donating to a favorite charity and small gestures such as putting a quarter in a stranger’s parking meter that was about to expire.

“We found that any kind act appeared to have the same benefit, even small gestures like opening a door for someone or saying ‘thanks’ to the bus driver,” says Dr. Lynn Alden, who led the study. “Kindness didn’t need to involve money or time-consuming efforts, although some of our participants did do such things. Kindness didn’t even need to be ‘face to face.’”

In other words, it isn’t the size of the act that promotes happy feelings but the act itself. When anxiety creeps in, try being more kind. Doing so can help reduce your anxious feelings and replace them with positive ones.

4. May Extend Your Lifespan

Some experts believe one of the keys to a long life is our social network. “What we call loneliness—the feeling that you have no one to turn to, that no one understands you—is a form of stress,” explains Health.com writer Ray Hainer . “And if it becomes chronic, it can wreak havoc on your blood vessels and heart.” With heart disease being the number one killer among Americans, the connection between improved heart health and avoiding stress contributes to a longer life.

Socializing with purpose also has healthy effects. “People who volunteer tend to experience fewer aches and pains,” writes Christine Carter in her book Raising Happiness; In Pursuit of Joyful Kids and Happier Parents. “People 55 and older who volunteer for two or more organizations have an impressive 44% lower likelihood of dying early, and that’s after sifting out every other contributing factor, including physical health, exercise, gender, habits like smoking, marital status and many more. This is a stronger effect than exercising four times a week or going to church.”

Looking for a new strategy for better health and happiness? Try kindness. Studies show that performing kind acts have a positive effect on everything from reducing depression and anxiety to longevity. “We all seek a path to happiness,” says Dr. Waguih William IsHak, a professor of psychiatry at Cedars-Sinai . “Practicing kindness toward others is one we know works.”

The Surprisingly Wonderful Benefits of Rental Living

Tue, 25 Feb 2020 20:45:00 GMT

If you are considering moving into an apartment, you are not alone. Experts estimate there are just over 43 million renter-occupied housing units in the US. And while renters are renting for a variety of reasons, there are some common perks that renters enjoy.

Here are four of the most common benefits of rental living.

1. Location, location, location

Sometimes, the easiest way to live close to the communities you frequent isn’t to buy property, but to rent. “Renters can live virtually anywhere—a tiny apartment in Greenwich Village or a townhouse in Queens,” says professor of economics Teresa Ghilarducci . “Homeowners are more restricted to neighborhoods they can afford.”

There are certainly times when paying rent over is more expensive than paying a mortgage. For example, many renters will see their lease increase the moment their contract is up for renewal. But in some cases, experts say there are financial advantages to renting in desired locations rather than trying to buy property. “If you live in a market where you can rent an apartment for substantially less per month than you could own a home, you can invest the difference,” explains David Weliver , founder of Money Under 30. “The difference doesn’t have to be huge.”

Weliver presented an example like this: If you compare $1,000 rent per month versus a $1,300 mortgage payment on a comparable home, that generates $3,600 each year that you can save or invest. “And, unlike home equity, those savings are liquid,” added Weliver. “You can use them to build an emergency fund, pay down student loan debt, or fund a retirement account. None of which you can do with home equity.”

2. Awesome amenities

Most of us haven’t included installing an in-ground pool on our to-do list. But that doesn’t mean we wouldn’t enjoy having access to recreational amenities like a swimming pool, a fitness center, or tennis courts. And today’s rental properties are offering even more options to entice would-be renters.

Some of the more popular features include onsite laundry facilities or a washer and dryer within the unit. Many offer cable or satellite television and free Wi-Fi. Others offer fully-furnished units. And as a person just starting out on their own, having options for these types of services can help the transition to apartment living.

3. Flexible career options

The workplace model is changing, with more employees at varying job levels working from their homes. Experts estimate that almost half of the US workforce works remotely. But that also means employees are more mobile. And that is where the convenience of renting a home or apartment works well. Renting gives workers the freedom to move more frequently than they could otherwise. Additionally, some apartment communities offer amenities for workers. In some of our communities, for example, we offer dedicated workspaces, perfect for individuals who work remotely.

Have job, will travel. That’s an effective way to set the pace for job promotion or move to a better job opportunity should the need arise. “You need to be able to credibly leave a job to be well treated by employers,” says Ghilarducci . “Mobile workers can move for a pay raise or to make a career move.”

4. A sense of community

There are varying degrees of socializing among renters. You can be as social or reclusive as you choose; the fact remains that you are sharing common space with other people. Whether it’s the parking lot, the pool area, or the fitness center, apartment living offers a unique opportunity to befriend your neighbors.

“Apartment buildings draw an array of residents and visitors. Your neighbors, their families, their friends, their delivery people, and anyone offering an at-home service will pass through your shared entryway. Your children will learn to share a space with these people—and perhaps even open the door for them,” says Natalie Saaris , writing for Zillow. “While living in an apartment may deprive you of the privacy of a standalone home, the feeling of community may more than compensate for the loss.”

Whether your apartment is a temporary arrangement or a permanent decision, the benefits of apartment living offer pleasant and financially strategic opportunities for you.

Reasons Why Setting Goals is a Good Thing

Fri, 24 Jan 2020 15:03:00 GMT

Don’t let New Year’s resolution failure fool you. Setting goals is a good thing.

Let’s talk about goals.

Wait! Not New Year’s resolutions. I mean regular, everyday goal setting; those goals that you can (and should) start at any time. Although around 80 percent of us fail to achieve our New Year’s resolutions, setting a goal—a SMART goal—will make you feel better. And in some cases, literally.

A SMART goal is a task based on something Specific, Meaningful, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely. And while resolutions may bite the dust two months after we set them in place, the truth is that almost half of us (40 to 45 percent) continue to make goals for ourselves each year.

We, as humans, struggle with following through on New Year’s resolutions. But the practice of continually setting goals is a good thing. Here are six reasons why.

Do you know how it feels to merely coast through life, where you find yourself simply reacting to things? When you target your energies into achieving a specific goal, you are forcing action.

“ Goal setting helps you align focus with behavior because you get feedback on your progress,” says Forbes contributor Jeff Boss . “The actions you take—or avoid—offer clues about your values, beliefs, challenges, strengths and weaknesses which allow you to course correct as necessary and reset your goal achievement strategy (and subsequently, your focus).”

Goals that truly make an impact are those that are specific and follow a timeline toward completion. For example, instead of making a goal to be thinner, a well-thought-out goal will include a series of smaller goals that encourage weight loss and are arranged over a month, a year, or two even years.

“ Think of your goal as the destination. Now think of each step you take toward that goal as a smaller yet attainable step to get you there,” explains Dave Richards , a performance and leadership coach. “If your goal is to launch a business someday, your smaller steps would include defining your products or services or getting funds to start up.”

There is no better feeling than one of accomplishment. And when you set attainable goals, your success at achieving those goals is an incredible boost to your self-esteem. Keep in mind the operative word here is “attainable.”

“By setting goals and achieving them, you send a signal to your brain that you are successful which builds confidence and pride in yourself and that helps build your self-esteem,” says Jennifer Silvershein . “We all love to feel accomplished and meeting or exceeding your goals does just that.”

By setting up a primary goal, which is your main objective, and secondary goals, which are the stepping stones that move you toward your primary goal, Silvershein believes “you can set yourself up for success with the right mindset and the right tools.”

This process of identifying a primary goal that’s supported by secondary goals boosts your self-image. But it can also stave off mild forms of depression. “ Setting goals and targets can sometimes help when a person is feeling demotivated,” reports Jayne Leonard . “However, it is important to make sure that goals are achievable, specific, and realistic.”

For instance, a goal to no longer be depressed may not be all that successful as a stand-alone goal. But setting a goal that is proven to help treat minor forms of depression, such as to eat two servings of fruits and vegetables every day or exercise daily, makes reducing or eliminating depression an added benefit to your primary goal, which may be losing twenty pounds. This brings us to the next benefit: your health.

Of Inc.com’s ten top New Year’s resolutions of 2019, five dealt with improving our health. So while we may not always follow through on those resolutions, they are certainly on our minds. In fact, out of the 2,000 people surveyed, 71 percent of them wanted to eat healthier in the coming year. Sixty-five percent of those surveyed planned to exercise more, and over half (54 percent) hoped to lose weight. Whether you are a fan of New Year’s resolutions or not, making conscious goals about lifestyle changes will have a positive impact on your overall health.

“Staying engaged in life as you age is essential for your health,” say experts at Harvard Health . “Goals should revolve around a purpose in your life: What matters to you now? What is important?” Once again, setting up a SMART goal will help connect your goals with a meaningful outcome within a specified amount of time. And when it comes to goals about your health, the end result feels great.

Let’s consider for a moment what the process of setting goals is doing. According to research by goal-setting theorists Edwin Locke and Gary Latham, goals not only affect behavior and work performance, but they also ignite a desire to put forth a higher and more persistent effort. And because with every action there’s a reaction, people around you are impacted by your efforts.

For example, if your goals are to be more productive and efficient at work and to manage your time better, you’ll likely return home sooner. Depending on what goals you’ve made regarding your habits at home, your family will benefit from the time you are able to spend with them. Perhaps you’ve made a goal to be more patient or a better listener. Those efforts impact others.

You will likely see similar positive effects if you have a goal to volunteer in your child’s school every month or plant a vegetable garden and share your harvest with neighbors. And as the cycle of goal-setting continues, you’ll be motivated to set more goals because of the positive feedback you receive from those who’ve benefited from your efforts. See? Win-win.

Don’t let the bad publicity surrounding resolutions fool you. Setting goals is a good thing. Nothing else is more effective and empowering than setting goals that improve your health, quality of life, focus, and contributions to the things you care about most. So let’s hear it for the new year and make it a goal to ensure it’s the best one ever.