As a property management company in Austin, TX, we’ve heard a lot of conflicting opinions about who has the best BBQ in Austin. Luckily, our luxury apartments in North Austin, South Austin, and East Austin are all just minutes from some of the most acclaimed BBQ spots in town. We’re rounding up our top five so you can visit all the heavy hitters.

Franklin’s

You can’t talk about Austin barbecue without talking about Franklin’s. This BBQ spot is best known for having a massive line that extends well beyond the front door as people camp out to get a taste of what many say is the best BBQ in town. If you’re not into standing in lines, you can also reserve Franklin’s BBQ for pickup as long as you plan it well in advance.

Valentina’s

Way down south on Manchaca, you’ll find one of the relatively hidden gems of Austin BBQ: Valentina’s. This food truck is well worth a visit, especially with their convenient outdoor seating. If you’re a taco lover, this spot may be your top pick, because the Tex-Mex influence is strong here; tortillas are provided with your order, and the queso, chips and roasted tampiquena make the perfect sides, even if it’s a little untraditional.

Terry Black’s

Another must-visit BBQ spot, Terry Black’s is located on Barton Springs Road next to Auditorium Shores. Its venue is spacious, so you can usually find a spot to settle in, even when it’s busy. They have all the classics like brisket and beef ribs, but even the less beloved meats like sausage and turkey are delicious. Plus, they have a peach cobbler you shouldn’t pass up.

la Barbecue

La Barbecue is a delicious hot spot in East Austin, located on Cesar Chavez. Folks rave about their brisket and beef ribs and say it has the best coleslaw in town. This is another place that often has a long line, but you can also call ahead to place your order and skip the line.

Salt Lick

Although its flagship location is technically outside of the Austin city limits (in Driftwood, TX), Salt Lick is well worth the trip. We decided it had to be included even though the only location actually in Austin is at the airport (which we highly recommend as your first dinner when you arrive home after a trip). Salt Lick has one of the best BBQ sauces you’ll find anywhere and of course the brisket and ribs are to die for. Plus, you can catch live music in their outdoor seating area. Just be aware this is a cash-only, BYOB spot.

We hope you found this post informative and helpful! If you want to shop our luxury apartments in North Austin and other RPM communities across the US, check out our Communities page.

One of the perks of living in our luxury apartments in North Dallas is being surrounded by great shopping, from bustling malls to mom-and-pop shops. Whether you need something specific or you’re just after a bit of retail therapy, you’ll find something within minutes of home. Here are a few of our favorite places to shop for gifts, home decor, fashion, and more near our North Dallas apartments.

Galleria Dallas

Galleria Dallas is a popular shopping destination in North Dallas at the intersection of I-635 and the Dallas North Tollway. You’ll find a huge variety of shops like Banana Republic, Pottery Barn, Old Navy, and Macy’s. Plus, if you need a break from shopping you can stop by the ice rink for a nice change of pace.

The Shops at Park Lane

Dining, retail, and services converge at the Shops at Park Lane, making it one of the most popular shopping districts in Dallas. You’ll find tons of top retailers and eateries, including Eddie Bauer, DSW, HomeGoods, Lands’ End, and ULTA. You’ll even find Project Panic Escape Rooms here, to take a break from shopping and test your puzzle-solving skills.

Mockingbird Station

Located on Mockingbird Lane near Southern Methodist University, Mockingbird Station offers shopping, dining, and cinemas. Although it’s outside of North Dallas, an easy drive along Highway 75 will have you there in just a few minutes. It’s shops include Bath & Body Works, West Elm, Victoria’s Secret, and Urban Outfitters, as well as The Woodhouse Day Spa, 9Round Fitness, CorePower Yoga, and the Angelika Film Center & Cafe. While you’re at it, grab a sweet treat from Pure Milk & Honey to snack on while you shop.

West Village

West Village is located in Uptown, so it’s a bit farther away but still within an easy drive from our luxury apartments in North Dallas. Here, you’ll find an open-air retail complex with fashion boutiques, fitness studios, restaurants, and a movie theater. While there are top retailers in West Village, the main draw is the boutique feel provided by many of its smaller shops.

The Plaza at Preston Center

Located just off Northwest Highway, this sprawling shopping center has everything from clothing retailers to service providers and eateries. It’s an especially great spot for health food and New American restaurants, which you’ll find nestled among a CrossFit gym, spa, medical providers, and beauty salons as well as top retailers like Target, Marshall’s and DSW.

That’s it for our top shopping destinations in North Dallas! If you found this post useful or interesting, we encourage you to share it with your friends and colleagues! If you want to shop our luxury apartments in North Dallas and other RPM communities across the US, check out our Communities page.

We like to make it easy to move into our East Austin luxury apartments because we know moving can be a major undertaking. Heavy or awkwardly shaped furniture can be difficult to get through doors or even up a flight of stairs! Luckily, there are a lot of steps you can take to make moving can be difficult easier and keep both your furniture and apartment protected along the way.

Buy or Rent a Furniture Dolly

“Lift with your legs and not with your back” is great advice, but “put it on a dolly” is even better. You’ll exert less energy and protect your floors by rolling your furniture instead of lifting it or dragging. You can easily buy or rent a dolly at a store like Lowe’s or Home Depot. Uhaul will also rent out dollies and other moving supplies.

Buy or Rent Lifting Straps

Where a dolly won’t cut it, lifting straps can help. These straps wrap around your body and the object being lifted to provide extra support and stability during the lift. They’ll also help you find the most comfortable position to grip your furniture and so you can focus on keeping the object stable.

Disassemble Furniture

Taking the legs off a table or sliding the drawers out of a dresser can turn a challenging lift into a doable one. Not only does this make the object lighter, it can also make it more compact to easily carry through doorways, narrow hallways, or around tight corners.

Protect Floors and Doorways

Moving can result in accidental scrapes and scuffs to your apartment and belongings. Lay down plastic tarps, wrap blankets around sharp corners, or use moving blankets to protect your furniture and help you move safely and without accidental damage.

Furniture sliders under heavy furniture can also help protect your floors while you move in or out of your East Austin luxury apartment.

Get Help

This one may be obvious, but whenever possible, don’t move furniture alone. Whether you decide to hire movers or ask a friend or to help, you’ll save yourself a lot of strain and potential damage. Some movers can even be hired by the item, which helps keep costs low while still ensuring you have the help you need for your heaviest and most awkward items.

That’s all our tips for moving awkward furniture! We hope you found this post informative and helpful! If you want to shop our East Austin luxury apartments and other RPM communities across the US, check out our Communities page.

Looking for date night ideas near our luxury apartments in Midtown? Houston is full of engaging places for a date, whether it’s a first date scenario or a night out with your long-term partner. We’ve gathered a list of some of our favorite date spots in Midtown and beyond for the next time you’re planning something fun for two. From super casual and affordable to special and planned, there’s something for everyone.

Take In a Show At a Local Theater

There are plenty of places to support the local arts in Midtown, including some great local theaters! Plan a visit to The Ensemble Theatre or MATCH (Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston) to catch a show, then enjoy dinner or drinks. This should give you plenty to talk about and is a great way to get to know each other better.

Take a Class at Painting with a Twist

You don’t have to be skilled at painting to enjoy some creative time with your date! Taking a painting class together can be a great way to break the ice or laugh together over your minimal skills. Painting With A Twist also sells at-home paint kits if you prefer to spend an evening with just the two of you, or you can visit their studio just across the street from HCC. Be sure to schedule your class ahead of time to make sure you and your date have spots reserved.

Talk A Walk Through Buffalo Bayou Park

If stunning views, fresh air, and walking trails are your idea of a good time, a walk through Buffalo Bayou Park is hard to beat. You could even bring your dog(s) along for the fun, keeping it super casual and comfortable.

If you’d rather have the convenience of staying close to home, Midtown park is also a great place to enjoy a picturesque stroll near our luxury apartments in Midtown.

Explore Art in the Museum District

The Museum District is just minutes from our luxury apartments in Midtown, Houston, so why not take advantage? Invite your date for an afternoon at one of the many Houston museums you’ve been meaning to visit. The Museum of Natural Science is incredible as is the Museum of Fine Arts and the Houston Museum of African American Culture. Or, stay in Midtown and visit the Station Museum of Contemporary Art or the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum.

Test Your Puzzle-Solving Skills in an Escape Room

If you know your date likes puzzles, mysteries, and/or timed challenges! There are multiple Escape Rooms to try in Midtown; we highly recommend Escape The Room Texas or PanIQ Escape Room.

If you found this post useful or interesting, we encourage you to share it with your friends and colleagues! If you want to shop our luxury apartments in Midtown, Houston and other RPM communities across the US, check out our Communities page.

With spacious interiors and modern amenities that add extra privacy and convenience to your home, we have some of the best luxury apartments in San Antonio for hosting. But if you don’t have a guest room set aside, hosting overnight guests in an apartment can be challenging. These five tips can help make it easier to give guest(s) a comfortable place to stay while maintaining your own privacy and peace of mind.

Clear Space For Your Guest’s Stuff

Whether it’s a coat rack by the door, bathroom counter space, or a shelf in the hall closet, make sure your guest has space to put their stuff. This will make your guest feel welcomed and prevent clutter from piling up in your shared living spaces while they’re staying at your place.

We recommend doing this even if it means moving some of your things to a less convenient location while your guest stays with you. It’s more comfortable for you to be slightly inconvenienced in your own apartment than it is for a visitor trying to settle into someone else’s apartment.

Invest in a Pull-Out Couch

A pull-out couch makes hosting overnight guests much more convenient both for you and them. This way, you can relax in your living room during the day but still give your guest a comfy place to sleep at night. Make sure you have spare linens for the pull out bed too!

Pull-out couches can be expensive, so if you’re looking for a little less financial commitment, an air mattress also works. You might even be able to borrow one from a friend or a neighbor at our luxury apartments in San Antonio.

Take Advantage of Collapsible Furniture

Drop-leaf tables, nesting coffee tables and end tables,and folding chairs, help you expand space to suit more people without adding permanent clutter to your luxury apartment in San Antonio. In fact, this tip is useful whether your guests are staying overnight or not. Being able to expand the table for a shared dinner, then collapse it to make more room in the living area is a great option to have up your sleeve whenever you want to host friends or family.

Get a Folding Screen for Privacy

If your overnight guest is staying in your living room, offering a little extra privacy can make a huge difference to their comfort and yours as you move through each other’s space. A folding screen can be just the thing to give your guest a little of their own space within your apartment. You can easily store a folding privacy screen in a closet for the next time you have guests.

Spend Time Outside of Your Apartment

There’s no need to spend all your time inside your apartment! Plan some excursions to your favorite places in town, or enjoy a COVID-friendly afternoon in a local park. The more time you can spend outside of your apartment, the less frustrating it will be to have limited space to share when you’re both at home.

That’s it for our tips for hosting overnight guests! We hope you found this post informative and helpful! If you want to shop the best luxury apartments in San Antonio and other RPM communities across the US, check out our Communities page.

Looking for a roommate to share your luxury apartment in Dallas with? Finding the perfect roommate can be challenging and stressful, especially since a roommate relationship can make or break your apartment living experience. To make the process just a little bit easier, we’re compiling our top five tips to help in your search for the ideal roommate.

Post on a Specialized App or Online Forum

You’re far from the first person to need help finding a roommate, which thankfully means there are plenty of specialized apps and forums dedicated to it. Posting on Craigslist is a classic way to start, but there’s no need to stop there. Try posting in your city’s subreddit, or check out Roommates.com, Roomster, and Roomi.

Get The Word Out On Social

Asking around the old-fashioned way can sometimes yield the best results. Let folks know you’re looking for a roommate by posting on your social media accounts. You might just find a friend of a friend who’s in the same boat.

In addition to social media, talk in person with your friends, family, and even coworkers about how you’re looking for a roommate. Often, networking with the people who know you best can result in the best roommate matches.

Plan Ahead As Much As Possible

You don’t always have the luxury of a flexible time frame, but give yourself as much time as possible to find the right roommate for you. That means as soon as you know you need a roommate, start getting the word out through all the relevant channels. This will give you time to vet those who express interest and make sure you’re a good match, especially if you’re total strangers. Schedule some time to meet with potential roommates so you can discuss some important things ahead of time. Speaking of which...

Be Honest About Your Deal Breakers

It may feel rude, but it won’t serve anyone by not talking about your deal-breakers. You and your future roommate should know you’re on the same page about the responsibilities you’ll share and the lifestyle that’s important to you. For example, if you don’t want your home to play host to raucous parties but your potential roommate loves hosting these kinds of events, it’s better for both of you to know you may not be a good fit.

While you’re at it, think about your nice-to-haves as well. For example, if you have a dog that could use a friend, finding another dog owner may be ideal (but make sure they have the opportunity to meet first to see if they get along!).

Once you’re actually moving in together, make sure also draw up a roommate agreement to ensure you’re on the same page about housekeeping chores, quiet hours, and other important topics. It doesn’t have to be formal, but having this discussion ahead of time (and writing it down so you can both reference it later) helps set you up for a better roommate relationship regardless of whether you’ve got natural roommate chemistry.

Don’t Be Afraid to Discuss Finances Up Front

Not only is it important to discuss how much of the rent you’ll each be responsible for, it’s also worth asking about their sources of income. That way you’re not hung out to dry when your roommate’s income falls through partway through your lease term. Talking about money may be uncomfortable, but if you can’t talk about it with your roommate, then you shouldn’t be roommates.

That’s it for our tips on finding the ideal roommate! If you found this post useful or interesting, we encourage you to share it with your friends and colleagues! If you want to shop the best luxury apartments in Dallas and other RPM communities across the US, check out our Communities page.

It’s usually springtime when people start thinking about how to keep their apartments tidy, but it’s hard to maintain a tidiness routine year round. As a property management company in Houston, TX, we’ve seen our apartments at many levels of tidiness. Today, we’re rounding up our top tips to keep your apartment clean without getting overwhelmed.

Creating A Cleaning Schedule

There are many ways to create a cleaning schedule; the key is to so find one that works for you! You might decide to spend an entire afternoon cleaning every few weeks, or you might prefer doing a little bit of cleaning every day so that you’re never cleaning too much at once.

If you live with others, delegate some of these tasks and communicate clearly about your shared cleaning and tidying responsibilities. Don’t take on the extra mental or physical labor to keep track of every cleaning task if there are others who are able to help.

Buy Organizers

Shelves, fridges, drawers, cabinets, shoes...there are many organizers built to suit them all and they can actually make quite a difference to the feeling of tidiness in your home. After all, your kitchen can be entirely clean, but still feel messy if you can’t find what you need easily or put things away to make room on your countertops. The same goes for your bathroom, shower, and closet. It may seem like a small thing, but it can transform how spacious and tidy your apartment feels.

Give Your Entryway A Makeover

Let’s face it, the first thing most of us do when we walk in the door is drop all our things. We throw our keys on a table, kick off our shoes and drape our jackets over whatever’s available. If you have the money for it, consider investing in a shoe rack plus hooks for your jacket and keys. You can buy all these things separately or as one multi-purpose front entrance piece. All that matters is that you give yourself somewhere to put your stuff!

Buy Furniture With Built-In Storage

Whether it’s a coffee table with a drawer, an ottoman with a hollow chamber inside, or a bench with built-in drawers underneath the seat, furniture with built-in storage can give you more places to put away odds and ends that contribute to clutter. For example, an ottoman can become a great place to store throw blankets, board games, or movies. And a bench with drawers could be a good place to store extra scarves, gloves, hats, and shoes near the entryway of your luxury apartment in Houston.

That’s it for our tidying tips! We hope you found this post informative and helpful! If you want to shop the best luxury apartments in Houston and other RPM communities across the US, check out our Communities page.

Whether you’re new in town or a long-time resident at our luxury apartments in South Austin, you may know of a few places where Austinites and tourists alike love to take photos. With murals and street art throughout the city, plus scenic greenbelts, riverside views, and iconic architecture, there’s no end to the Instagrammable spots in our city. Here are just a few of our favorite places in the city for a photo op. Have you visited them all?

I Love You So Much Mural

Perhaps the most famous mural in the city and also one of the most simple, the “I Love You So Much” mural is a popular spot for engagement photos, fashion shoots, and run-of-the-mill selfies too. We’re not sure what it is about this understated bit of wall art, but it certainly is one of the most charming spots for a photo op in South Austin. You’ll find it along South Congress on one side of the Jo’s Coffee building.

You’re My Butter Half Mural

Austin has many Instagrammable murals to choose from, and the “You’re My Butter Half” mural has become popular for many of the same reasons as the “I Love You So Much” mural. You’ll find it in East Austin along MLK across from Bennu Coffee. Stop by for a photo with your pet, your partner, or bestie, because this photo op is best experienced with your butter half.

Greetings From Austin Mural

The last mural on our list, “Greetings from Austin” is just begging to be made into a postcard (and of course, it has been many times). It’s located at the corner of South 1st and Annie St. and it’s a great opportunity to snap a photo to show off your Austin trip or get a picture to send to out-of-town family and friends.

Ladybird Lake Hike & Bike Trail

The Hike & Bike Trail along Ladybird Lake is the perfect place to capture a scenic photo of the river with the Austin skyline in the background. The entire stretch of this miles-long trail is full of picturesque views perfect for the ‘gram. Plus, you’ll get a wonderful walk in and you can easily bring your dog with you too.

Pennybacker Bridge Overlook

The Pennybacker Bridge is one of the most iconic Austin sights and the 360-overlook is a great place to snap a photo of it for Instagram. You’ll get there by locating the unassuming trailhead along 360, just north of the river as you’re driving south. A steep, narrow trail leads from the side of the road to a scenic overlook with incredible views of Pennybacker Bridge. Just be sure you wear sensible shoes!

Those are our top five Instagrammable spots near our luxury apartments in South Austin! If you found this post useful or interesting, we encourage you to share it with your friends and colleagues! If you want to shop our luxury apartments in South Austin and other RPM communities across the US, check out our Communities page.

There are lots of simple tricks you can use to keep our luxury apartments in River Oaks, Houston feeling stylish, spacious, and totally your own. These four tips can help you add personal flare to your ideal apartment without adding clutter to your living space. Know a friend, coworker, or neighbor who could use these tips? Go ahead and share this post with them! Now without further adieu, let’s talk design tips.

Make Use of Vertical Space

Floating shelves, stackable storage, and wall hooks are just a few of the tools to take full advantage of vertical space at our luxury apartments in River Oaks. Removable wall hooks and other mounting tools on the market can provide an easy way to display jewelry, mount pictures, hang bags, and more. Plus, an over-the-door shoe organizer can provide a convenient way to store toiletries, tools, and other odds and ends. Making use of vertical space will keep things from feeling cluttered or cramped while still offering plenty of space for you to show off what makes you you.

Embrace Mirrors

Mirrors instantly make a room feel larger. Decorating with mirrors can bring extra light and the illusion of more space to a room. A large mirror in the living room or several artfully-arranged smaller mirrors can emphasize your style while providing a practical function whenever you need them to. Plus, you can easily mount them on the wall so they don’t take up floor space.

Get Creative With Corners

When it comes to any home, including your luxury apartment in Houston, corners are likely to be your most underutilized space. Getting creative with how you use your corners can turn low-traffic areas into convenient design accents. For example, you can easily find corner desks, console tables, and shelves that will add storage and provide opportunities to express your interior design style. A tall potted plant like a fern or tree also makes a great addition to your underused corners.

Opt For Furniture With Built-In Storage

Whenever possible, opt for furniture that offers additional storage space. After all, if it’s going to take up space on your floor, why shouldn’t it do double duty? Coffee tables, entertainment centers, and ottomans are common items that offer additional storage space, whether you use that to keep cozy blankets in the living room or to organize your board games.

That’s all the design tips we have for maximizing space at our luxury apartments in Houston! If you want to shop our luxury apartments in Texas and other RPM communities across the US, check out our Communities page.

Working from home at your luxury apartment in North Austin or another Texas community managed by RPM Living? Many of our residents across Texas are still working remotely during the pandemic, not to mention those who already worked from home for other reasons. Luckily, our apartments in North Austin and across Texas provide an excellent remote work environment, with many having high ceilings that keep you from feeling cramped, high-speed internet to help you avoid connectivity hiccups, and a high-tech business center on-site when you need access to a board room or private conference room.

But even with these perks, having the ideal home office may not be easy. Home has become the center of everything, and it can feel hard to carve out a space that’s strictly devoted to work. But these helpful tips can give you a great space to focus, get comfy, and be productive.

A Place to Shift Your Perspective

Working in the same spot all day long can put us in a haze and drain us of energy. Having a place to go to change things up, even if it’s just a comfy chair on the other side of the room or a yoga mat in the corner that you can roll out for some midday stretches can make all the difference. We encourage you to use this spot to take a break. Even if you are unable to take a break, moving your laptop to another room of your Austin luxury apartment can reenergize you and literally shift your perspective on a challenging task.

Aromatherapy Options

Smell has a massive impact mood, so surrounding yourself with scents to help you feel focused and uplifted can really help your workday. There are lots of aromatherapy options that can easily sit on your desk or a table nearby like incense, essential oil diffusers, or sage and palo santo sticks.

A Pair of Bluetooth Headphones

When you need to use headphones for work, corded headphones can sometimes be a nuisance. While many over-ear headphones have great sound quality and added comfort, a pair of reliable Bluetooth headphones will free you up from cords, allowing you to be more mobile during your workday and make your desk setup feel that much less cluttered. You don’t have to find an expensive set either; there are many affordable reliable options.

An Ergonomic Computer Chair

Working from home often means spending hours in the same chair, so it should be a comfortable one! Computer chairs with poor support can lead to back and pelvic strain resulting in sore muscles, pain, or joint issues.

A Better Webcam & Microphone

We all know the trials and tribulations of a bad video call experience. Buying a higher quality webcam and microphone can eliminate the stress and miscommunication caused by poor sound or video quality. High-quality external webcams can be very affordable; finding one between $40 and $75 should suit you just fine. High-quality external microphones can run a little more expensive, usually between $75 and $150. We recommend a Blue Yeti or Blue Snowball for affordable and reliable options.

That’s it for our home office must-haves! We hope you found this post informative and helpful! If you want to shop our luxury apartments in North Austin and other RPM communities across the US, check out our Communities page.