1. Take a Close Look at Your Bank Account

Before you can determine how much you are able to spend on your monthly rent, you first need to take some time looking through every detail in your bank account. A relatively easy way to see what you are working with is to determine your monthly income, subtract the monthly expenses that you already have, and put away a little extra each month for your savings. Make sure you account for necessary expenses such as your car payment, gas, insurance, and groceries.

2. Figure Out Your Living Expenses

Now that you have figured out how much you can potentially put towards an apartment each month, it’s time to start checking out your options. As you are touring apartments and learning about what each community entails, make notes so that you can begin calculating your living expenses. What else will you have to pay each month in addition to your rent? Are utilities included in your rent? How much will cable and internet cost? How much is renter’s insurance? Are there any additional fees for things such as pets, parking, storage, garbage pickup, etc.?

3. Evaluate Your Living Situation

Once you have determined costs for everything, now you can really start to hone in on all the details for your first apartment. Maybe you will have to compromise on location in order to afford the rent. Maybe you will need to get a roommate to live in your ideal apartment community. Maybe you will need to make some other sacrifices to get an apartment that you are happy with. Just remember – you don’t want to put yourself in a situation where you are apartment poor. It’s fine to spend a little more on rent if that’s what you really want, but you want to have some funds available to still enjoy your life.

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1. Keep It Clean

Cleanliness at the pool means different things to different people, but try to keep things clean. First, keep your stuff organized and your trash picked up. Then, make sure you keep your language and behavior family-friendly. This is not the time to practice your most risqué forms of communication, because chances are other residents may be enjoying the pool with their kids in tow.

Cleanliness can also refer to you, personally. Consider showering or rinsing off before jumping in to remove beauty products and oil from your skin. Finally, make sure your dress is appropriate for community swimming. This may not be the right place for that Speedo or barely-there suit!

2. Keep It Quiet

Yes, pool play is noisy, but make sure you are being conscientious about the community around you. Leave your loud music at home, and enjoy your play with a normal level of volume. This isn't the time to have a competition to see who can be the loudest.

3. Share the Space

A community pool is for everyone. This means that the pool, the seating and the areas around the pool are communal. Don't stake out a claim to a large area and refuse to share. Remember that the space is a shared one, and you need to be willing to share.

4. Watch the Kids

A pool is a place where kids like to congregative, but make sure you keep an eye on them. Most apartment community pools do not have a lifeguard on duty, and even if they do, it's still your job as a parent to know where your kids are and how they are playing. It only takes a few moments for a tragedy to occur when water is involved. Also, make sure your children are not intruding on the activities of others who may wish to relax poolside.

Remember, your community pool is a community amenity, and you aren't the only one who wants to enjoy it. By practicing these rules of etiquette, you can keep it a place that everyone will be able to enjoy fully!

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1) Keep a Seasonal Closet

Even with spacious walk-in closets in many modern apartments like Millis and Main, closet space is limited no matter where you live. Why take up that valuable space with bulky winter clothing in the middle of summer? Pack away your parka when warmer weather hits and send it to storage.

2) Build Storage Up

If your apartment has tall ceilings, utilize that space for storage. Add shelves or bookcases that reach to the ceiling, so you can maximize every spare inch of your storage area. The more things you can take off the floor and put up on the shelves, the more space you will free up in your apartment.

3) Utilize Hidden Storage

Are you making the most out of your storage options? Clean out under your bed, for example, and utilize this space for storage. Ditch one of your living room chairs in favor of a storage ottoman. Store tall items behind the couch between the wall and the back of the couch. The more hidden storage areas you find and utilize, the better your overall organization will feel.

4) Hang Bathroom Clutter

Find creative hanging options for the items you store in your bathroom. Hanging mesh storage pockets over the back of the bathroom door creates instant space for toiletries. You can even use over-the-door shoe racks for this type of storage. Use baskets and shelving above the toilet to store towels and washcloths, and hang a storage caddy over your showerhead.

5) Create a Catch-All Area

Finally, create an area in your home that can serve as a catch all. Whether it's a basket by the entryway or a shelf on the coffee table, this is the spot where the car keys, remotes and other random odds and ends are collected. By having a spot for this type of clutter, and addressing it regularly, you can avoid unwanted piles.

Staying organized is essential in apartment living. In 2018, embrace these tips to keep your Millis and Main apartment clean and clutter free!

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1) The Greensboro Arboretum

This pet-friendly, free location changes scenery with the seasons. Come in the spring to see beautiful flowers making their debut or in the fall for fall foliage. While you can't drive through the arboretum, it's a beautiful place to take a walk, and it's known for being quite clean.

2) BurMil Park

BurMil Park has boardwalks and bridges that meander through the woods, all while being surrounded by lakes. Several of the lakes have viewing platforms that go out above the water, and these are excellent places to take in the sunset over the water.

3) Bog Garden at Benjamin Park

Explore the seven acres of natural wetlands at the Bog Garden at Benjamin Park. Along the way spot birds and wildlife that call the area home. This free garden features stone and wood paths through a forested hillside, along with wetlands and even a waterfall called Serenity Falls. Part natural space, part man made, Bog Garden is beautiful.

4) Guilford Courthouse National Military Park

Though its main attraction is the military museum, the Guilford Courthouse National Military Park also has some pretty stunning views. Well-maintained trails through the woods make walking a pleasure, and when you're done with your hike the visitor's center is full of interesting information to learn about the Revolutionary War and the area's role in it.

5) Trails Around Lake Brandt

The Lake Brandt shoreline has trails that wind through the woods. At many places along these paths, you will be able to pull off and enjoy the view of the lake. Visit at sunset for the best views, and make sure to plan another visit in the fall when the foliage is at its best.

The Jamestown and Greensboro areas are quite picturesque, with many natural and protected areas to explore. So grab your camera and hit some trails this weekend, then return home to your Millis & Main apartment to rest when you're done!

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Millis and Main is a luxury apartment community featuring one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartment homes. With floor plans ranging from 806 to 1,340 square feet in size, we make it easy for you to get as little or as much space as you need. Why pay for more space than you need? On the flip side, we definitely don’t want you to have to cram into a tiny unit if you need something larger. With affordable rates and modern interiors, we‘re confident that you will find something you love at Millis and Main.

Regardless of which stylish floor plan best suits your needs and lifestyle, all our apartment homes come equipped with details and features that will make you feel right at home. Have you always wanted to live in a space with an open concept floor plan, tall ceilings, and walk-in closet? We have you covered. Our apartment homes have also been finished with modern kitchens, granite countertops, and brushed nickel hardware. But the real icing on the cake is that each apartment unit has its own washer and dryer – say goodbye to evenings and weekends spent in the laundromat!

Another perk of living in the Millis and Main community is our extensive list of amenities available for all residents to use. You can stop paying that monthly gym membership because we have an expansive fitness center, and you don’t have to worry about where you and your friends will hang out during the summer months because we have a swimming pool and outdoor kitchen. Millis and Main also has a car wash area, business center, pup wash station, and rentable clubhouse.

To learn more about our apartments for rent in Jamestown, contact the team at Millis and Main today.

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Southern Charm at the Farm

Head over to Clemmons and Tanglewood Park for Southern Charm at the Farm. This is the best artisan snow in North Carolina, and you can shop for local, hand-made items, repurposed items and vintage items all day long. With over 200 vendors on hand, you are sure to find what you need. You will also enjoy food trucks and live music for a great day out. This event is schedule for Saturday, October 28.

WaterFall Festival

If you are looking for something a little less scary, consider the WaterFall Festival in nearby Colfax. Living Waterscapes opens their doors for the festival, which features pumpkins for sale, as well as a number of free snacks and events. On Friday, September 29 your family can enjoy a viewing of Hocus Pocus on a large outdoor screen, with s'mores and free popcorn. On Saturday and Sunday, bounce houses, face-painting, pumpkin painting, photos with the Peanuts game, a Storybook Treehouse and more will keep the entire family entertained. This particular event is weather permitting, and will be held October 6 through 8 if the weather is poor.

Pumpkin Carving with Baby Goats

The Spring Haven Farm is hosting a pumpkin carving event with its baby goats! The goats and the farm's chickens love to eat the "guts" of the pumpkins, so you can dispose of the gore easily. Bring your own pumpkin to the Chapel Hill farm, and they will supply all of the tools you need to start carving, as well as plenty of candied apples and hot cider to purchase if you wish. This event is hosted on Saturday and Sunday October 14 and 15.

Whether you're partying in costume or carving pumpkins with baby goats, the communities around Jamestown will provide plenty of fall fun. Make plans to attend one of these events to take in all that the area offers. Also, be sure to follow us on Facebook to see what other members of our apartment community are doing this time of year!

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Over the past several decades, Americans have become increasingly isolated from their neighbors, but there are a lot of benefits to having social connections right where you live.

Here are some of our favorite tips for making friends in your new apartment community:

1) Introduce yourself. When you run into neighbors, ignore the urge to look at your feet and walk on by. Smile and introduce yourself! The more neighbors you meet, the more you’ll get a feel for which ones are potential friends. And it never hurts to give your neighbors a good impression of you as being a friendly person.

2) Make small talk. Okay, fellow introverts, this one might make you a bit squeamish, but small talk is undeniably necessary for making social connections. You may not be in the mood to make small talk every time you see your neighbors (and they probably won’t be, either), but try to be intentional about it once or twice a week. Small talk can be a bridge to an ongoing friendship.

3) Attend community events. When the on-site team at Millis and Main hosts any type of event, show up! This is one of the best ways to get to know your neighbors on neutral territory. The legwork is already done for you; all you have to do is be there.

4) Invite people over. Ask a few of your neighbors to come over for coffee, board games, or to catch up on that TV show everyone’s binge watching. It may feel awkward at first, but you’ll be surprised at how many people would really like to hang out, but are waiting for someone else to make the first move.

5) Arrange a playdate. This tip is for parents only, of course, but if you do have kids, consider asking other parents in the community to get together for a playdate. Having friends for your kids as neighbors will benefit them, and you can get to know the parents as well.

Most of all, keep an open mind about the ongoing opportunity to make friends. Having neighbors who you trust and are friends with can be an invaluable asset to your apartment life.

The post 5 Ways to Make Friends with Neighbors in Apartment Community appeared first on Millis and Main at Grandover Blog.

Millis and Main is a luxury apartment home community in Jamestown, NC – just a short drive from the Greensboro area. So, whether you need to commute for work or you just love hanging out in Greensboro, you will be able to quickly get to all of your favorite spots.

One of the great things about Millis and Main is that we have several different floor plans available to accommodate the different needs and lifestyles of our residents. The Aspen floor plan features one bedroom, one bathroom, and 806 square feet of space, making it the perfect size if you plan on living alone or with a significant other. The Birch, Cedar, and Elm floor plans all have two bedrooms and two bathrooms, which is an ideal set up if you will have a roommate or need a spare room. Dogwood is our largest floor plan, with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and 1,340 square feet of space for you and others to enjoy.

What can you expect to find in our apartment units? Our brand-new apartment homes have been designed and decorated with open concept floor plans, oversized windows, modern-style kitchens, granite countertops, energy efficient appliances, walk-in closets, and personal intrusion alarms. Plus, a washer and dryer is included in each home, which can be hard to find in apartment communities.

Apartment living should be easy, which is exactly why we are proud to offer an impressive list of amenities for our residents to enjoy! Just a few of the community amenities available at Millis and Main include valet waste pickup, 24-hour access package lockers, resident clubhouse you can rent out, business center, outdoor kitchen, swimming pool, large fitness center, and more.

Contact the team at Millis and Main today to learn more about our new apartments near Greensboro, NC.

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Spacious Apartment Homes with Luxury Finishes

At the heart of what makes Millis and Main so attractive is our beautiful apartment homes. They range in size from 806 to 1,340 square feet, with open floor plans that maximize every inch of space. With a variety of floor plans to choose from, you'll be able to find one that perfectly fits your needs.

Because Millis and Main is a brand-new apartment community, each apartment is stocked with the latest amenities and modern finishes. Our designers thought of every detail to create a comfortable, attractive home for you. Oversized windows, granite countertops, energy-efficient appliances, vinyl flooring, and walk-in closets are just some of the features that make our apartment homes stand out. And because you will be the first renter, it's all brand-new for your enjoyment.

Ditch the Gym Membership!

In addition to the beautiful apartments, Millis and Main has amenities you need for a comfortable lifestyle. If you currently have a gym membership, you can cancel it! Our on-site fitness center has all the equipment you need to stay fit, plus we have a swimming pool for outdoor recreation and exercise. But that's just the start of the luxury amenities you'll find here. A car care wash area, outdoor kitchen, business center and on-site pet park are all available as well. We've tried to think of everything you need, so all you have to do is choose your floor plan and move in.

You deserve a luxury lifestyle, and that's exactly what you will find at Millis and Main! Schedule a tour of our brand-new community today, and see the difference that a luxury apartment home can make in your life.

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If you’re already sold on making Jamestown your home, Millis and Main at Grandover is bringing brand new apartment homes to this community. What exactly do our apartments in Jamestown, NC have to offer?

Millis and Main has five different floor plans for our residents to choose from. The Aspen floor plan features one bedroom, one bathroom, and 806 square feet of space. If you need a unit with two bedrooms, we have three different floor plans that all feature two bedrooms and two bathrooms, just with slightly different configurations. Lastly, the Dogwood floor plan is our largest option, featuring three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and 1,340 square feet of space.

Once you have selected the right floor plan to accommodate your lifestyle and needs, you’ll enjoy the variety of luxurious features in each of our apartment homes. Just a few of the amenities we offer in each of our apartment units include open concept floor plans, wood plank vinyl flooring, modern kitchens, energy efficient appliances, private patios or balconies, 9-foot ceilings, walk-in closets, and washer and dryer sets in each home.

In addition to our fabulous apartment amenities, Millis and Main also provides an impressive list of amenities for all residents to take advantage of, including a swimming pool, fitness center, conference room, business center, pet spa, car wash area, and more. We even offer valet waste pick-up and 24-hour access package lockers to make your days as easy as possible. Plus, Millis and Main is a pet-friendly community, so your furry friends are always welcome!

Contact the team at Millis and Main today to learn more about our apartments in Jamestown, NC.

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