The James Apartment Homes

Best Holiday Activities in Riverside, CA!

Thu, 16 Nov 2023 19:15:06 GMT

Ever since first hearing the cheery song “Over the River and Through the Woods,” we all likely thought it would be enchanting to ride a sleigh to some exotic, woodsy retreat to celebrate the holidays with our grandparents. The reality for most of us, however, is that we will be visiting family and relatives somewhere in suburbia.

Those living in, or at least planning to spend some time in, Riverside during November and December will probably not have to slip and slide through snow and icy conditions to get around. The Inland Empire boasts pretty nice weather most winters, falling right in line with Southern California’s temperate climate during the holidays.

Riverside and the surrounding area offer a plethora of activities and performances to help you get your holiday groove on this year. Read on for 15 favorite suggestions.

Shopping

Riverside Plaza : Riverside Plaza, located in the heart of Riverside’s Magnolia Center, is the perfect destination for holiday shopping. The plaza offers a unique blend of specialty retailers and restaurants that will immerse your shopping senses. You can find everything from books to groceries, travel accessories to home goods, and family-fun items to quality dining. The plaza also boasts an 18-screen Regal Multiplex Theater, which is perfect for catching up on the latest movie releases after you finish your holiday shopping.

The 50th Annual Golden Candy Caneland and Craft Faire: The Ehlers Event Center is home to this special event, sponsored by the Buena Park Community Services Department. There will be food and craft booths, games, snow slides, and a visit from a jolly, bearded, overly enthusiastic, red outfit-wearing gentleman claiming to come from a northerly pole—if you catch our drift—to hold court with the kids. The event is going down on December 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Be sure to check out the popular Holidays Around the World cultural booths as well.

Activities

Baking Class for Kids - Special Holidays: Children are going to need to be entertained during the holidays, and adults could use a little bit of help having lots of treats on hand for visitors or to pass out to neighbors. The Holidays Around the Globe baking class offers solutions for both scenarios. This children’s baking class will help them learn about goodies from around the world. The classes, held at the Ysmael Villegas Community Center in Riverside, run 5–7:30 p.m., December 4–11, so there are plenty of options from which to choose.

Wickerd Farm Christmas Trees : If you’ve ever seen the movie Christmas Vacation , you know what perils possibly await if you attempt to go rogue in your hunt for the perfect family tree. But if you still want a much safer experience of picking out a live fresh tree and bringing it home, then take the family to Wickerd Farm in Menifee. Choose-and-cut Monterey Pines are grown on site, and pre-cut firs are shipped in from Oregon.

Disney’s Festival of Holidays and Merriest Nights : Two celebrations will be ongoing throughout the holidays at the self-proclaimed “Happiest Place on Earth.” Festival of Holidays, which is happening at Disney’s California Adventure Park November 10 through January 7, celebrates multiculturalism. It honors sights and sounds from around the world while recognizing Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Three Kings Day. Merriest Nights is ticketed separately at Disneyland and provides access to an after-hours party on six different nights. It includes special attractions and entertainment. Some rides also will remain open for further enjoyment later into the California night.

Performances

Million Dollar Quartet Christmas : The Million Dollar Quartet Christmas is a musical performance that will be held at the Fox Performing Arts Center on December 13 and 14, 2023. The show features the legendary musicians Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, and Elvis Presley coming together to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year. The Sun Records studio—now adorned with a Christmas tree, garland, and mistletoe—rings with the sounds of the season and the chart-toppers that made these four famous. The audience will follow along with the gang’s usual antics as they journey through a story of Christmas past, present, and future. It’s a jam-packed evening of holiday hits and classic characters you won’t want to miss! Get your tickets now.

Disney On Ice : If you’re thinking about making a big pre-Christmas splash at home, then Disney On Ice may provide the perfect opportunity to surprise your family. With five shows over three days (December 21–23), this Disney ice-skating phenomenon affords plenty of flexibility for scheduling. This year’s program will feature on-skate appearances by characters from Disney’s Encanto and Frozen.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s “Ghosts of Christmas Eve” : Full-scale aural and visual overload is on tap, and likely a few tugs at your heartstrings as well, as Trans-Siberian Orchestra brings its holiday feast of the senses to Toyota Arena in Ontario. Fans can expect all the usual embellishments of lasers, smoke, pyrotechnics, incredible lighting, sincere storytelling, and rocked-up classical music, suitable for the whole family. If you’ve never caught any of the band’s extravagant holiday tours, you owe it to yourselves to give it a try. There will be two shows on December 2: a matinee at 3:00 p.m. and an evening performance at 7:30 p.m.

Opportunities to Share

Holiday of Hope : The D’Andre D. Lampkin Foundation is organizing its fifth annual Holiday of Hope Event on December 15 and 16. The event aims to spread cheer to families in need by donating new, unwrapped gifts or volunteering to receive donations or sort toys. There are several opportunities available for volunteers:

Sorting or distributing toys: Small groups of three to five people can volunteer to help sort or distribute toys.
Receiving toy drop-offs: Organizations can volunteer to receive toy drop-offs.

Volunteering is encouraged, and every day, Lampkin Foundation volunteers are finding ways to support grassroots community improvement projects, encourage young leaders, and respond to emergencies across the nation. If you’re interested in volunteering, please visit the Lampkin Foundation’s website for more information.

Volunteer with The Salvation Army : There are plenty of ways to volunteer with the Salvation Army this holiday season. The Salvation Army needs volunteers for Christmas Registration, where volunteers will help families register for Christmas assistance by welcoming them, getting the required information, and entering the data. You can also volunteer as a bell ringer at a Salvation Army Red Kettle stationed outside of grocery stores and businesses valley-wide. Volunteering is a great way to make a difference in your community and help those in need experience the joy of the season.

Safe Celebration

Scented candles are extremely popular during the holidays, but we want to issue a reminder that up to 7,400 fires are started each year because of household candles. Please exert extra caution when lighting candles in your apartment, especially in your bedroom. Consider using battery-powered candles or scented spray instead to address all your aroma needs while avoiding any inherent dangers. And if you do decide to use candles, please don’t leave them unattended.

Live Christmas trees, naturally, can also create another fire hazard. If you’ve brought a real tree into your apartment for the holidays, take every precaution to keep it watered so it doesn’t dry out. Take care to 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!

Riverside and the surrounding area are packed with holiday cheer. Enjoy the activities, shopping, performances, and opportunities to give back, and stay safe. From all of us who work and represent The James Apartment Homes in Riverside, we wish you a Happy Holidays!

The Top 5 Best Taco Spots in Riverside, CA

Tue, 02 May 2023 21:01:00 GMT

The Ultimate List of Summer Activities and Events in Riverside, California

Wed, 06 Jul 2022 14:18:00 GMT

Riverside Spotlight: Castle Park

Mon, 23 Aug 2021 18:10:00 GMT

There’s nothing better than spending a thrilling, fun-filled day with your friends or family at a theme park! According to Health Fitness Revolution , going to a theme park is actually a great way for you to bond with your loved ones! It’s beneficial to get out, have some fun, and make new memories.

If you’re itching for a day away from the regular hustle and bustle, gather your favorite people and spend a day at a theme park! Right here in Riverside, Castle Park is the perfect theme park to have your next fun adventure! Here are three things to know before you go!

About Castle Park

Castle Park is a family-friendly amusement park that was founded in 1976 . It has been expanding ever since and now features 27 rides suitable for all ages. In addition to the rides, the park includes water attractions, minigolf, an arcade, and more! The park spans 25 acres , and it is packed full of excitement and adventure! Whatever your interests are, there will definitely be something for you to enjoy!

Food Options

Having so much fun can make you kind of hungry. Thankfully, Castle Park has some great dining options! Here are the four in-park restaurants for you to try:

You definitely don’t have to worry about going hungry during your fun day of adventure! Make sure to try out some of the tasty food at the park during your visit.

Tips for Staying Safe

Whenever you go to a theme park, especially with kids, it’s important to stay safe! For ideas of how to keep your family safe at a theme park, Leslie Harvey with The Points Guy gives some great advice! From wearing sunscreen to making sure your kids know what to do when they get lost, there are a lot of simple things you can do to make sure your trip goes more safely and smoothly. Be sure to check out the whole article for more tips. Being safe means you can have more fun!

Castle Park in Riverside, California, is such a fun place for you and your friends or family to go! With lots of fun attractions and great places to eat, you are sure to have a great time and make some long-lasting memories. Castle Park is just one reason why living in Riverside is great. If you’re looking for a place to stay in Riverside, California, consider The James Apartment Homes ! Our friendly environment and spacious apartments could be the perfect new home for you.

Enjoy Summer at These Three Local Spots in Riverside

Fri, 30 Jul 2021 23:30:00 GMT

There is no better time than summer to get out and explore where you live! Here in Riverside, there are a lot of fun things that you can do locally! Here are three summer activities in Riverside that will make your summer memorable!

The Amusement Park

Whether you like roller coasters or the Ferris wheel is more your speed, Castle Park is a perfect place to spend a summer day. The park opened in 1976 and has been expanding ever since. With 27 rides, there is something for everyone! Castle Park is sure to provide a fun-filled day for the entire family. This is definitely a summer activity that you don’t want to miss!

The Golf Club

Did you know that Riverside is home to the most highly rated golf course in Southern California? Oak Quarry Golf Club is an 18-hole championship golf course that challenges and entertains all skill levels. It is an impressive destination that we are lucky to live so close to!

Golfing is also a great way to get exercise, spend time outside, make new friends, and more . So for those who are skilled golfers, or those just looking to find a new hobby, there are lots of great reasons for you to golf this summer! Going to Oak Quarry Golf Club could easily become one of your new favorite summer activities in Riverside.

The Art Museum

Another local destination right here in Riverside is The Riverside Art Museum . This museum was built to inspire a love of art for the people here, and it does just that. With its wide variety of different art styles and exhibits, there is something that everyone will love! The museum also offers art classes and other activities. Going to the art museum could be a great way to spend your summer in a different yet inspiring way.

As you can see, there is so much you can do locally this summer! From the amusement park to the art museum and more, there are many amazing summer activities in Riverside! We hope you have a safe and happy summer! But if you decide to stick around longer, The James Apartments offers one- and two-bedroom apartments for rent in Riverside, California.

Find Out How Online Rent Payments Can Boost Your Credit

Mon, 14 Jun 2021 20:00:00 GMT

If you’re looking for ways to increase your credit score, we have an easy answer for you: Try making a rent payment online! A 2017 TransUnion study of 12,000 renters found that renters’ scores rose an average of 16 points within six months, and the benefit was greatest for those who started with a credit score below 620.

Try paying your rent online and see what it does 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.

Ensures Your Payments Are Reported

Did you know that at The James Apartment Homes , we offer an online rent payment system that reports information to the credit bureaus? Yes! Our renters who pay online have a record of their on-time rental payments sent to the credit bureaus.

That’s because “simply paying your rent will not help you build credit,” as Bev O’Shea at NerdWallet explains . “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.”

Makes You Look Good

To understand how online rental payments make you look good, it helps to understand what goes into a credit score. Experian, for example, calculates credit scores through the following elements :

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

Combines with Credit Card Payments for Higher Score Gains

You probably already knew that paying off your credit card can boost your credit score, so here’s an idea to try: Get a credit card specifically for paying 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.”

Increase your credit score by paying your rent online through our online rent payment system . You’ll get your payments reported and look good to the credit bureaus. And if you use a credit card exclusively for rent, you may see even more of a boost. Best wishes in your journey towards the best credit score of your life!

The James Apartment Homes Makes It Easy to Go Green

Thu, 27 May 2021 22:17:00 GMT

Did you know that the US makes up only 5 percent of the world population, but it throws away enough plastic bottles in a week to encircle the Earth five times ? This may come as a surprise, as most people are unaware of the impact that disposable plastics and products are having on our planet. It is crucial that we all do our part in becoming more aware and environmentally friendly.

At The James Apartment Homes , we help our residents go green at home by setting up our apartments for sustainable living. Here are some actions that we are taking to make our properties a place for green living.

Water Conservation

Here in Riverside, we face the issues associated with the risk of droughts. In order to better conserve water, we have planted drought-resistant plants that take less water, laid stone where grass areas would normally consume large amounts of water, and installed a drip irrigation system that uses significantly less water than a normal sprinkler system. These measures have made a significant reduction in water waste associated with our landscaping.

We have also taken measures to reduce plumbing water waste with our low-flow toilets . Most toilets use about 3.5 gallons of water every time they flush, but ours use about 20 percent less. Every low-flow toilet can surprisingly save up to 13,000 gallons of water per year.

Paper and Plastic Reduction

As part of our efforts to go green, we have gone paperless to reduce paper waste. We have achieved this by doing everything—rent payments, service requests, applications, and notices—online. Not only is this 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 available on the property in order to reduce plastic waste. This makes it easy for residents to fill up reusable water bottles in their own efforts to go green.

Recycling Availability

Recycling is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to go green! Recycling bins are used by our staff and have been made available for all of our residents to use as well. These recycling bins can be found in our office. Items you can recycle include plastic bottles and containers, empty cans, paper, and flattened cardboard. However, you cannot recycle food, liquid, plastic bags, plastic wrap, or cups with wax or plastic coating.

Recycling can also be taken to ABC Recycling, a local recycling center located right here in Riverside. 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 are passionate about doing our part to go green in the ways that we can. If you are looking for a place that is doing its part to be environmentally conscious, The James Apartment Homes is the right place for you!

Searching for Apartments in Riverside? Here are a Few Reasons to Choose The James

Wed, 05 May 2021 21:22:00 GMT

Riverside is well-known for being the birthplace of the California citrus industry. Also, it boasts many delicious restaurants, excellent entertainment, and shopping centers.

Searching for apartments in Riverside? Our team at The James has a few reasons why you should choose our apartment homes.

Amenities

When you step onto the grounds at The James, one of the first things you might notice is how family-friendly, lively, and bright the atmosphere is. We are pet-friendly, so bunnies, turtles, dogs, and cats rejoice! We also have a dedicated pet-play area with clean-up stations.

We want our residents to love coming home, so we also offer the following amenities:

Our residents appreciate having all their basic needs fulfilled in the comfort of their home. Our on-site laundry facilities and fitness center allow you to wash and exercise at your convenience without having to leave the property.

Convenient and Safe

We understand that life is busy. It’s challenging to find the balance between work and play. When you’re up to your chin in daily tasks and duties, the last thing you want to think about is the potential for an emergency. At The James, we’ve got you covered with 24/7 on-site maintenance. When our residents have a problem, whether it be a leaky faucet or otherwise, they call us, and our personable and trustworthy team takes care of it. You can rest easy knowing that we ensure a timely and satisfactory solution to every call.

Safety is our top priority. With private gated access and our smoke-free policy, residents can be sure they’re living in a safe environment.

Riverside is a lovely place to live. As far as apartments go, The James is a fabulous option! With our excellent amenities and convenient features, The James checks all the boxes for your next place to live. Call or email us today to see what apartments are available for you!

How to View Goal Setting in a Different Light

Wed, 10 Mar 2021 18:44:00 GMT

Goal setting can be intimidating. With your friends and family constantly asking about New Year’s resolutions and social media influencers talking about the long list of goals they are going to achieve throughout the year, it can feel like a burden to even think about your goals.

However, setting goals can do a lot to keep you motivated, help you achieve more, and boost your confidence. Consider using these three tips to get you out of your goal-setting rut and accomplish anything you set your mind to.

Break Goals Down into Smaller Steps

One reason why goals can be so hard to achieve is that they are too difficult or intimidating to begin working towards in the first place. To combat this, break down your big goals into small steps you can take every day. Instead of merely defining your goal as “losing weight” or “being healthier,” think of specific, actionable steps you can take to achieve these things. For example, you could make it a goal to take a daily walk, do an online workout video a few times a week, or try a new workout class at least once a week.

Not only will breaking your goals up encourage you to get started, but you will also be more motivated throughout the process. Additionally, it will help you prioritize your long-term goals and keep them at the forefront of your mind even when you have daily tasks you need to complete.

Reward Yourself

Motivation is key when it comes to achieving goals. So, how can you keep yourself motivated long enough to actually get things done? Well, one important thing you should add to your goal-setting process is a way to reward yourself for a job well done.

Every time you do something to work towards your goal, celebrate with something you love. It doesn’t have to be anything big. It can be as simple as making yourself your favorite breakfast after a hard workout or sitting down with a book and relaxing after finally finishing that hard project at work. Any reward, however big or small , will reinforce your behavior and keep you motivated.

Focus on Progress Instead of Perfection

Another reason why goals can be so difficult to achieve is that you could be too focused on perfecting them rather than growing because of them. Progress does not have to be perfect for it to help you make a change or improve in your life. Every small step matters in your journey to getting what you want done, so don’t count yourself short.

Not only is perfection unattainable, but it can also be counterproductive. If you are too focused on perfecting your goals, you could be so worried about them that you don’t even get started and end up putting them off. Define your expectations from the beginning to make sure you aren’t being too hard on yourself. And remember: Every milestone matters.

With these three tips in mind, hopefully goal setting doesn’t seem quite as impossible. Using the right mindset and empathy for yourself and your efforts, you can achieve anything you set your mind to!

Supporting Local Restaurants in Riverside

Fri, 19 Feb 2021 23:01:00 GMT

Food brings people together . Not only is eating delicious things an enjoyable experience in itself, but we also commonly use it to bond with loved ones and spend meaningful time together. Cultures are drawn together by a love of their cuisines, families congregate in dining rooms to eat dinner together, and friends use eating as an excuse to spend time together.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we could all use some quality time spent together, and enjoying food is a great way to do so. Plus, local restaurants could use more support than ever before as small businesses throughout the United States are forced to shut their doors forever due to stay-at-home orders. Luckily, supporting local restaurants is easy when you have so many great places to try in Riverside. Here are a few of our personal favorites that we would be thrilled for you to try.

Greek Street Grill

One of our favorites, Greek Street Grill , serves authentic Greek food that you are sure to love. With a full menu featuring a variety of options, including salads, classic pita sandwiches, wraps, grilled meats, and seafood, you won’t run out of new yummy meals to try. We think their souvlaki and falafel plates are particularly delicious.

Greek Street Grill also makes it easy to support them, even during a pandemic. They offer easy takeout and delivery options that won’t require you to sacrifice your health. Delicious food AND I can stay at home in my PJ’s while I eat it? Sign me up!

Bann Thai

We have a soft spot for Thai food, and Bann Thai does not disappoint. The owner, who immigrated from Thailand several decades ago, created the restaurant in the hopes of accurately capturing the cuisine of his homeland. If this is what authentic Thai food tastes like, we can’t wait until we can travel to Thailand because this restaurant is seriously delicious.

Bann Thai has a great online ordering system that makes takeout easy and efficient. You can even schedule pickup for another day and pick it up exactly when you want! If you end up ordering food from here, you have to try the Pad Thai or Panang Curry and let us know what you think.

Anchos Southwest Grill and Bar

Anchos Southwest Grill and Bar is another excellent restaurant in Riverside. You know this place is good because it has been around for three decades. They are well-known as one of the best Southwest restaurants in the area, and we definitely back up the truth of that statement. Their homemade tortillas and chips and salsa are so delicious.

Anchos Southwest Grill and Bar ensures the health and safety of its customers and employees by strictly enforcing COVID-19 guidelines . They are dedicated to providing the best service possible through this difficult time.

If you end up trying any of these amazing restaurants in Riverside, you have to let us know. We would love to hear about your favorite restaurants too! Now is the perfect time to give some love to our community, and supporting local restaurants is an excellent way to do that.

The Life of a Pet at The James

Thu, 24 Dec 2020 19:13:00 GMT

It’s easy to see why we love pets so much. Not only are they adorable, loyal, and constantly smiling, but they also offer their owners several health benefits. According to Harvard Health , owning a pet is associated with a decreased risk of cardiovascular disease, lower cholesterol levels, and improved overall well-being. The benefits of having a pet are profound.

The James is dedicated to offering our renters a place where they can find joy, which is why we are so happy to offer pet-friendly apartments! Keep reading to see what a typical day could look like for your favorite furry friend.

A Morning Spent Lounging Around the Apartment

Your pets will love how much space they’ll have at The James to explore and lounge around your new apartment. Our one- and two-bedroom floor plans both provide plenty of room for early morning cuddles and a quick sniff around the kitchen.

An Afternoon at the Pet Park

When your dog has an incurable case of the wiggles, our community has a beautiful pet park and grassy fields for your pets to enjoy. There are also options for walks around the neighborhood, like our garden pathways. To make this time spent on our grounds even more enjoyable, we provide Pet Waste Stations throughout the community to make cleanup easy for you and your neighbors. We know pets love to spend time outside with their humans, which is why we have created so many options for them to partake in!

An Evening Spent Exploring the Area

Our location is also perfect for easily accessible adventures, like a quick walk to Arlington Square to pick up dinner or a drive to Don Jones Park to soak up even more fun. Living in a pet-friendly community like The James means you are sure to run into neighbors who also love pets, making dog play dates easy to organize. We are sure that you and your pets will make friends in no time.

A Place for Pets

Interested in bringing a pet other than a dog? Don’t worry! We also welcome cats, as well as hamsters, guinea pigs, reptiles, and birds, which must be kept caged in a sanitary condition. Additional or other pets must be approved by the management. We also have breed restrictions due to size and behavior traits. Please call our leasing office for more information. Only authorized pets with the owner’s approval are allowed on the premises.

We know your pets would love life at The James. We are so excited to be able to offer you and your furry friends such a pet-friendly space to enjoy. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to reach out to us!

There’s No Place Like Your Apartment: 5 Ways to Make Your Apartment Feel Like Home

Wed, 02 Dec 2020 13:21:00 GMT

There are few things as exciting as moving into a new apartment. With a new space, new routines, new places to go, new friends, and new sights to see, you’re starting a fresh chapter in your life. And decorating that new space is so much fun!

Despite how enjoyable it is to decorate, sometimes people don’t know where to add that personal touch to make their new apartment feel like home. But feeling at home in your apartment is vital, so here are our best tips for doing just that.

Use Some Elbow Grease

First things first: give your apartment a deep and thorough clean . Declutter, throw any garbage away, and give all surfaces a good scrub. With your apartment now a clean, blank canvas, you can clearly see where your apartment could use that personal touch.

Get the Lighting Just Right

Have you ever stepped into a poorly lit room and felt sluggish and even down? Lighting , whether good or bad, can affect your mood in many ways. While insufficient lighting can contribute to depression, better lighting can actually help people feel more energized. If the lighting in your space is a little off, experiment with lamps that help you feel relaxed or alert—whatever the situation calls for.

Get Those Sentimental Items Out

Once you have the new place clean and the lighting is just right, get out the sentimental pictures and items that give you warm fuzzies. Doing this will really give your apartment that personal touch as you see familiar memories all around.

Spritz a Scent You Love

Speaking of memory, smell is a powerful way to remember positive emotions and events. Is there a scent that helps you feel calm or happy? Go to the store and look through the air fresheners to find the smells that help you feel great. Spritz your home regularly, and you’ll feel a difference!

Throw Yourself a Housewarming Party

Even if you aren’t finished setting everything up the way you want it, consider hosting a get-together when it is advisable to do so. If you can’t wait, give your friends a virtual tour of your new place! Having people you care about see your home makes it feel more like yours.

The sooner you’re all settled in, the sooner you can feel at home in your apartment. So try these tips and see the transformation!

Wondering How to Improve Credit? Pay Rent Online

Sat, 07 Nov 2020 23:29:00 GMT

The post Wondering How to Improve Credit? Pay Rent Online appeared first on The James Apartment Homes.

The surprisingly wonderful benefits of rental living

Fri, 06 Nov 2020 19:26:00 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.

Holiday Meals Can Be Even Better When Appliances Are Maintained

Thu, 05 Nov 2020 22:27:00 GMT

The holidays are finally upon us! It’s time to start preparations for the most wonderful time of the year. From Thanksgiving through the end of the year, there is so much to do as family draws close and homes grow cozier. You’ll be breaking out those decorations, digging through your family recipes, and cranking up the heat as the cold weather sets in.

The last thing you want is one of your trusty appliances breaking down during this important time. That would really put a damper on all the holiday fun. In a survey by Consumer Reports , it was revealed that 6 percent of respondents reported problems with cooking elements not lighting or heating up on ranges, while 5 percent of people reported refrigerators that didn’t cool properly. Surprisingly, 11 percent of people reported that their dishwasher was malfunctioning.

Make sure you add these three holiday appliance maintenance tips to your list of tasks over the next few months to ensure a happy holiday for all.

Deep Cleaning

Over the last few months, your home has probably received a heavy dose of sanitization. With all the traffic your kitchen will likely see this season, holiday appliance maintenance is at the forefront now. Give your most-used appliances some love with a special deep clean.

Before your home is overrun with relatives and holiday decor, set aside some time to get behind your refrigerator and clean out the dust from the mechanical coils . Deep clean your oven and stovetop to make sure both are working the way they should. And make sure to give your dishwasher a little extra attention by setting a single dishwasher-safe cup of white vinegar on the top rack and running a full cycle. Though simple, these extra steps will go a long way to extending the life of your appliances.

Test before You Bake

There may be a few appliances that only see use during the holiday season. Even if you use an appliance regularly, it’s important to run a test batch before the holiday pressure kicks in. A couple of weeks before your holiday meal, test any new recipes and make sure your oven and stovetop are in working order. Then be sure to load up the dishwasher to make sure everything comes clean. This way, if one of these major appliances needs to be repaired or replaced, you will know well in advance. Take care of any holiday appliance maintenance before the crowds show up.

Contact Our Maintenance Crew

At The James Apartment Homes, we want your holiday celebrations to be as magical and memory-filled as you envision. To help ensure that 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 garbage disposal or a stove burner has quit working, simply visit our Resident Portal and submit a work order. Our team will respond and 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 both cleaning and testing out those kitchen appliances and remembering to reach out to our maintenance team as soon as repairs are needed. The entire staff here at The James Apartment Homes sincerely wants your holiday wishes to come true this year!

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

Tue, 03 Nov 2020 21:09:00 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.”

Reasons why setting goals is a good thing

Sun, 01 Nov 2020 03:12:00 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.