Blog Posts

How to Make Friends in a New City-image

Moving to a new city can be tough for a lot of reasons, not least among them is having to make new friends. However intimidating the idea of finding new friends may be, though, it’ll be worth the effort! To help you get started, here are 5 great ways to make some new connections in your new town! Pick Up a Group Activity Joining a group activity is a great way to not only meet new people, but to meet new people who share your interests and hobbies! Like to cook? Join a cooking class! Into fitness? Try a local yoga class.   Attend Community Events In cities of all sizes, organizations often host meetups and events to encourage mingling and welcome newcomers. Not only are these events a great way to make new friends, they’re also a great way to discover your new favorite bar, restaurants, art gallery and more! And don’t forget the events hosted right here at 500 Park! Make sure you’re following 500 Park Avenue Apartments on Facebook  to stay in-the-know about the Resident events we have planned for you! Connect with Colleagues Don’t overlook the office; it can be a great catalyst for social connections.  To spark new friendships in the workplace, try: Eating your lunch in the break room Participating in work events Posting about events or fun ideas in your work’s communication channels Inviting colleagues to join you for lunch, dinner, happy hour, a group activity, or other social events.   Use Your Building’s Amenities Community amenities are a great way to find common interests with your neighbors. Plus, you’ll quickly learn who the regulars are. Start by waving or saying hello to the people you recognize. Whenever the chance presents itself, strike up a conversation! If you’re not sure what to talk about, make a comment or ask a question about the amenity you’re both using. For those new to 500 Park, start your morning off with a workout in our 24-hour Fitness Center, wind down after your busy day in our billiard lounge, or enjoy some time outdoors in the courtyard. Regularly spending time in these communal spots is a great way to meet your neighbors who also call 500 Park home. Throw a Housewarming Party While you obviously don’t know your apartment neighbors yet, it’s quite possible that they don’t know each other, either. A housewarming party is a great way to not only meet them but to provide opportunities for them to connect with each other as well. Having a theme for your event might help take away some of the anxiety. Try hosting a game night, ice cream social or wine tasting to help break the ice.

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Tips for Moving During Winter-image

Let’s face it… moving during any time of the year is stressful , but moving during winter can seem especially daunting. On top of having to pack up all your belongings, changing your address and finding a mover (or convincing your friends to help), a wintertime move comes with the added burden of inclement weather, fewer daylight hours, and moving during the holidays. To take the stress our of your wintertime move, we’ve gathered the best tips and tricks so you can get back to enjoying the cozy season and focusing on the joy of moving into your new home! Focus on the Positives Yes, moving during winter comes with its cons, but there are also many benefits to moving in the winter! For one, it’s cheaper! Summer is the most popular moving season, which means moving companies and rental trucks are in high demand with higher prices. During the slower winter moving season, it’s easier to find a deal or discounted prices on moving companies. Plus, they’ll be more flexible on availability as well! Check The Weather After you’ve shopped around to find the best deal on a moving company, check (and keep checking) the weather. You’ll potentially need to plan your move around snowstorms, ice conditions, or freezing temperatures. Be prepared to have to reschedule a move; ask your moving company about cancellation policies and inclement weather policies. The safety of yourself and your movers is the top priority. If bad storms are predicted, make the call on whether to postpone the move. Pack Safety Items Make a list of everything you need for your move. In addition to the usual packing supplies, stock up on kitty litter, salt, and shovels for melting ice and clearing snow, moving blankets and plastic tarps for preserving furniture and floors, and plastic moving boxes for your most valuable items to prevent water damage from snow or icy conditions. While planning to take care of your items during the move, remember to plan to take care of yourself as well. Have a first-aid kit readily available for moving day equipped with thermal blankets and a flashlight. Before you pack away your clothes, set aside a warm, layered outfit along with non-slip boots and gloves to wear on moving day.  Make a Plan for Pets and Children Moving day can be hectic, so you’ll want to make sure your pets and young children are in a safe and warm spot out of the way. While preparing for your move, check that your pet has a collar and an ID tag and that they’re microchipped with up-to-date information. If you’re moving locally, plan to either board your pet or have a trusted family member or friend watch them while you move. If you’re moving locally with children, have a trusted person watch them for the day. If you’re moving a long distance, you’ll need to factor in the trip while you’re preparing to move. Set aside everything your pet and children might need for the journey, like food, medicine, water, and comfort items. Plan to make stops along the way to give everyone time to stretch their legs and use the restroom. Once you get to your destination, put pets in a designated room of your new home with the door closed and heat running. Apartment moving is stressful for animals, so make sure they’re comfortable by providing them with access to water, their crate or cage, and other comfort items like a bed and favorite toys. For children, bring a trusted person along so that they can help watch your child during the move and make sure they have snacks and toys with them to occupy themselves as well. Pack Early Two weeks before the big day, make sure your packing is going according to plan. Everything should be packed before moving day, so it can be loaded onto the truck and unpacked at the new place as quickly as possible. Remember, it gets dark early during the winter, so don’t waste time packing while you’re supposed to be moving.  While on the topic of packing, make sure to set aside delicate items (like electronic) that should not be exposed to freezing temperatures.  Place these items in a secure container where they will remain dry, and temperature controlled. Ensure Utilities are Transferred About a week or so before your move, double check that your utilities are transferred and ready to be switched on at the new place. Even one night without heat is dangerous in freezing weather. You’ll want to confirm that at least your water, power, electricity, and gas will be on by moving day.      New Year = New Home! A winter move is the perfect time to start fresh in the new year, and by following the tips above, you’ll make it as stress-free as possible. 500 Park Avenue is now leasing studio, one-, and two-bedroom apartment homes in Mount Vernon! Call us today to schedule your tour.

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How to Start a Gratitude Journal-image

Studies show that practicing gratitude has numerous emotional, social, career and health benefits , among them improving our friendships, improving our sleep, and making us happier. One of the best ways to show thankfulness daily is to keep a gratitude journal. A gratitude journal is, quite simply, a tool to keep track of the good things in life. No matter how difficult and defeating life can sometimes feel, there is always something for which to feel grateful. The great thing is that it’s an easy habit to form and after a while, you are left with a collection of inspiring material to look back on when you need a pick-me-up.   How to Start a Gratitude Journal Routine You’ll Stick With If you make a commitment to a gratitude journal (even if only for a short time) it can help you cultivate an attitude of gratitude. That's where you don't need to try so hard to feel grateful—you just will. Here are some tips for starting a gratitude journal routine you will actually stick with! Specificity is key to fostering gratitude, so be as specific as possible. “I’m grateful that my apartment’s fitness center helps me achieve my fitness goals” will be more effective than “I’m grateful for my apartment’s fitness center” Elaborating on why you are grateful for the things you write down can can help you understand what is truly important to you and what you can cut out of your life. Get personal. Focusing on people to whom you are grateful has more of an impact than focusing on things for which you are grateful. Savor surprises. Try to record events that were unexpected or surprising, as these tend to elicit stronger levels of gratitude. Revise if you repeat. Variety is the spice of life, so try to list new things as much as possible. Writing about some of the same people is OK, but zero in on a different aspect in detail. Write regularly. Whether you write daily or every other day, commit to a regular time to journal, then honor that commitment. Set a reminder if you must! And remember, there’s no “right time” – it’s fine to write something early in the day. Don’t set a minimum number of things to be grateful for every day—aiming for five things is fine but accept that there will be some days when you need to gift yourself understanding and flexibility. Don’t rush through the process—try to savor the act of journaling. Be creative!  Feel like adding a picture of your significant other instead of making them into a single line? Do it! 10 Writing Prompts to Get You Started While there’s no wrong way to keep a gratitude journal, sometimes feeling like we don’t know where to start can keep us from getting going. If you need some help getting started, ahead you’ll find 10 gratitude journaling prompts to help rewire your brain to focus on the positives in your life and in the world. Just remember, the physical record is important—don’t just do this exercise in your head. Describe your favorite moment of each part of the day At the end of the day, write three things for which you're grateful: one about your morning, one about your afternoon, and one about your evening. This forces you to search for the good and we promise—the good exists in all parts of the day! Write about how someone helped you achieve a success Be sure to describe in detail how you wouldn't be where you are now without said person. Write about a hobby How does this hobby make you feel, and why is it so special? Are there specific memories or people you associate with this hobby? Do you make time to practice this hobby? Write 5 things you're grateful for in the past 24 hours This is the most common type of gratitude journaling and for good reason. Reflecting on your day will allow you to notice all the smaller moments that were actually quite special, like your partner having coffee ready for you in the morning, or your apartment’s beautiful sunrise views! Write about one of your life’s best experiences Explain the experience and then write why you are grateful. What about the experience was unique? Who was with you? Writing about it allows you to deeply feel how you felt in the moment, while also keeping this positive memory alive! Write a list of 10 things you love about yourself From your physical characteristics to your personality, write a list of 10 things that make you, you. These should be aspects of yourself that you really appreciate and admire. Open your phone and describe a photo you like Why are you grateful for this photo? Who in the photo are you grateful to have in your life? While it's important to not get stuck in the past, reflecting can help us remember (and appreciate) significant moments and people! Write about a tradition for which you're grateful Especially during this time of the year, traditions can make you feel a sense of belonging and bring great comfort. In a chaotic world, honoring traditions can add meaning and connection to life. So, what is your favorite tradition? What is a failure or mistake in your life for which you're grateful? Recognizing your failures or mistakes can allow you not to repeat them again. Through these perceived failures, you can learn valuable lessons that may make you rethink and reconsider your decisions and self. So why not pick one and write about it? What's something you're grateful to have today that you didn't have a year ago? Think big and small! New people in your life or a new job may make you feel grateful, but how about your own personal growth? Do you feel more creative, independent, or determined than you were a year ago? These things are worth celebrating, too!     Starting up a new hobby or practice can be difficult, so don’t be alarmed if you find it to be a difficult, overwhelming, or highly emotional experience at first. Try to lean into the discomfort and keep your commitment to daily gratitude, because greater peace and contentment lie on the other side! The key to sticking with a gratitude journal and reaping its benefits is to have fun with your and remember to make it uniquely “you!”   Have you ever practiced regular gratitude journaling? Are you currently keeping a gratitude journal? Do you have any tips or tricks to avoid some common distractions or difficulties? Let us know in the comments!

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November 15 th is America Recycles Day; a day aimed towards recognizing the importance and impact of recycling. Environmental Protection Agency encourages every American to contribute by recycling right, not only on America Recycles Day, but all year long. This means not only checking with your local recycling provider to know what they will accept in your recycling bin, but also learning how to properly recycle item that do not go in the curbside bin , like plastic bags, electronics, and batteries. Benefits of Recycling Recycling offers many benefits; some of which you are likely already aware and others which you may not have considered! Beyond reducing the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators, some of recycling’s other benefits include… Conserving natural resources such as timber, water, and minerals Increasing economic security by tapping a domestic source of materials Preventing pollution by reducing the need to mine raw materials Saving energy Supporting American manufacturing Creating new jobs What You Can Do to Reduce Waste    Whether you're at home or on the go, there are many opportunities to go green by reducing, reusing, and recycling. For example, ask yourself these questions before making a purchase: Do I really need it? Do I have something similar? Will I use it often? Can I borrow this from someone? Can I buy it secondhand? Do I just want it because someone else has it? Recycle More, Recycle Right How often do you ask yourself what's right to put in your recycling bin? Making sure we know how to recycle the items we are discarding is important to preventing contamination, because too many contaminants can make the recycling load unacceptable. Recycling machinery and sorting lines must slow down to sort through additional waste material. This slower processing increases operating costs and puts our national recycling efforts in jeopardy. You can help improve the recycling rate by following these steps… Check with your local recycling program to know what goes in your recycling bin . Keep recyclables clean and dry. Keep food and liquids out of the recycling bins. Place your recycling bin and trash bin together so it’s easy to recycle. Consider composting your food waste . Keep plastic bags and wraps out of your recycling bin. Instead, find a drop off location that accepts these items for recycling. Empty and flatten cardboard boxes before you recycle them. Pizza boxes are recyclable; pizza is not! Spread the word about the benefits of recycling and recycling right. When in doubt, throw it out.   On this America Recycles Day, we encourage our Residents to revitalize our efforts to help address the climate crisis and meet the obligations we have as a Nation to future generations. Together we can create a cleaner and greener country.

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Location, Location, Location - 3 Reasons You'll Love Living at 500 Park Avenue in Mount Vernon-image

When it comes to location, Mount Vernon, which is filled with museums, shops, restaurants, and boutique hotels, just can’t be beat! Here are three reasons you’ll love living at 500 Park Avenue in Mount Vernon! The Good Eats It’s not hard to find great food in Baltimore…our restaurants have received recognition from Food & Wine, Zagat, Open Table and more, and multiple city chefs have been nominated for James Beard Awards. Mount Vernon is no exception! In fact, you can find some of the city’s best restaurants right next door at  Mount Vernon Marketplace . Whether its oysters, dumplings, bibimbap, or fresh fish you crave, you’ll find it (plus more!) at the Marketplace.   The Sights One of Baltimore’s oldest neighborhoods, Mount Vernon is a hip and elegant neighborhood filled with grand old mansions that once belonged to Baltimore’s 19th-century industrialists. This historic district is filled with museums, gorgeous architecture, and green spaces sure to please. At the center of it all is the gorgeous  Washington Monument and Mount Vernon Place . Did you know the monument has been part of Mount Vernon’s skyline for over 200 years!? The Nightlife There’s always something to do in Mount Vernon. Catch a play at  Baltimore Center Stage , hear the world-renowned  Baltimore Symphony Orchestra  at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, or grab a drink at one of Mount Vernon’s top-tier bars, which include The Manor Tavern,  Centre Bar , and Bloom’s.   Come Home to 500 Park Avenue!  At 500 Park, we love our neighborhood of Mount Vernon, and we know you will too! Come home to our upscale Baltimore apartments experience the best of Mount Vernon living for yourself!

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Location, Location, Location - 3 Reasons You'll Love Living at 500 Park Avenue in Mount Vernon-image

When it comes to location, Mount Vernon, which is filled with museums, shops, restaurants, and boutique hotels, just can’t be beat! Here are three reasons you’ll love living at 500 Park Avenue in Mount Vernon! The Good Eats It’s not hard to find great food in Baltimore…our restaurants have received recognition from Food & Wine, Zagat, Open Table and more, and multiple city chefs have been nominated for James Beard Awards. Mount Vernon is no exception! In fact, you can find some of the city’s best restaurants right next door at  Mount Vernon Marketplace . Whether its oysters, dumplings, bibimbap, or fresh fish you crave, you’ll find it (plus more!) at the Marketplace.   The Sights One of Baltimore’s oldest neighborhoods, Mount Vernon is a hip and elegant neighborhood filled with grand old mansions that once belonged to Baltimore’s 19th-century industrialists. This historic district is filled with museums, gorgeous architecture, and green spaces sure to please. At the center of it all is the gorgeous  Washington Monument and Mount Vernon Place . Did you know the monument has been part of Mount Vernon’s skyline for over 200 years!? The Nightlife There’s always something to do in Mount Vernon. Catch a play at  Baltimore Center Stage , hear the world-renowned  Baltimore Symphony Orchestra  at the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, or grab a drink at one of Mount Vernon’s top-tier bars, which include The Manor Tavern,  Centre Bar , and Bloom’s.   Come Home to 500 Park Avenue!  At 500 Park, we love our neighborhood of Mount Vernon, and we know you will too! Come home to our upscale Baltimore apartments experience the best of Mount Vernon living for yourself!

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