For the environmentally-conscious and plain-old foodies alike, farm-to-table restaurants are one of the best ways to get a bite that makes your heart sing. Luckily, Austin is home to some incredible farm-to-table eateries at a variety of price points! Here are a few of our top picks that are close to our communities of luxury apartments in Austin!

Emmer & Rye

It may be on the pricier side, but Emmer & Rye is a must-visit in Austin, if you ask us. Make a reservation for your next special occasion and prepare to enjoy a completely unique menu full of unexpected flavor combinations, unforgettable small plates, and incredible service that you’re certain to rave about. Their combination of traditional table and dim sum-style service will impress you with variety and ensure you never have to wait long between incredible bites. This restaurant is located on Rainey Street, so it’s an easy choice for those living in Downtown or East Austin luxury apartments.

Hillside Farmacy

Not far from some of our East Austin luxury apartments, Hillside Farmacy is a quaint farm-to-table restaurant with incredible brunch and excellent lunch and dinner options too. In addition to New American classics, you’ll find fresh oysters, delicious desserts, and a great cocktail menu with a few unique options. Make a dinner reservation or arrive early to their walk-in only brunch to make sure you get a spot without having to wait!

Geraldine’s

Not far from Emmer & Rye, Geraldine’s is another Austin classic serving up delicious farm-to-table eats. Come here with a friend (or a few) for New American fare, craft cocktails, shareable plates, and incredible service paired with great ambiance. Like Emmer & Rye, Geraldine’s is on the pricier side, so it’s a great pick for special occasions and date nights. It’s also the perfect spot to catch a gorgeous view of Lady Bird Lake and Downtown Austin.

Dai Due

Carnivores will love the selection at Dai Due, an East Austin restaurant and butcher shop on Manor Rd. Locally-sourced meats are their speciality, so vegans and vegetarians will only find a few items on the menu that are suitable, but everything found at Dai Due is delicious. When in doubt, order a meat board and a cheese board for the table and mix and match bites to your heart’s content. Then on your way out, grab some delicious baked goods to eat for breakfast the next day (if you can wait that long)!

Odd Duck

Odd Duck is a must-visit for residents of our luxury apartments in South Austin. Located on South Lamar, Odd Duck offers yet another incredible farm-to-table menu paired with great service that is ideal for special occasions or date nights. Consider making a reservation during their happy hour (5-6pm Sunday through Thursday) to grab some palomas while you peruse the menu of locally sourced New American fare.

That’s it for our favorite farm-to-table restaurants near our Austin luxury apartment communities! Don’t forget, if you want to shop our luxury apartments in Austin and other RPM communities across the US, check out our Communities page.

Did you know that the average American generates 4.4 pounds of waste per day, or that the average American home uses 867-kilowatt hours per month? Regardless of how many people share your apartment or what your personal energy needs are, there are little things you can do to reduce your carbon footprint and be mindful about your impact on the earth. You could even reduce your utility costs in the process! Today we’re going over some tips that can help you do just that.

Use Energy-Efficient Light Bulbs and Appliances

Every time you buy new light bulbs, appliances, or other electronics, take a moment to see if there’s an energy-efficient option available. For example, LED and fluorescent light bulbs use less energy and last longer than incandescent bulbs. You can also find labels on many products that make a special note if they were manufactured using renewable energy.

When it comes to appliances, look for an Energy Star label as a quick way of discerning more energy-efficient appliances from less energy-efficient ones. It’s also worth noting that newer freezers, stoves, dishwashers, and clothes washers and dryers are considerably more energy-efficient than older models, so just by virtue of living in an RPM Living apartment, you’re wasting less energy than if you lived in an older or less recently updated unit.

Be Mindful of What You Eat

Eating locally and organically can reduce your carbon footprint as can reducing the meat and dairy you eat and focusing more on plant-based options. It takes a lot of resources to transport food, fertilize produce, and raise animals. Clearing space for large farms can also contribute to deforestation. If possible, try buying organic produce from smaller, local farms and reducing your use of beef and dairy products.

Use Public Transportation Or Carpool

Whenever possible, hop on the bus or train to get where you’re going. Public transportation has the benefit of reducing the number of cars on the road since it can transport more passengers at a time.

When you can’t take public transportation, carpooling is also a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. Instead of meeting your friend somewhere, consider picking them up on your way there. Or, when the weather is good, opt to bike to your favorite local restaurant instead of driving.

During times of social distancing, simply reducing the number of trips you take (something you may already be doing anyway) can make a big difference. But be mindful of how the positive benefit of fewer car trips on your end may be offset by greater reliance on delivery services like food and grocery delivery, which can result in car emissions and extra packaging waste. When ordering items online, you may have options to reduce the amount of packaging used and/or consolidate items into a single shipment, which is easier on the environment.

Reduce Your Water Usage

Besides shaving off a few minutes from your shower time and turning off the water between steps when you brush your teeth and wash your face, there are a few things you can do to reduce your water usage. Wash your car less often. Have only climate-appropriate plants at home to avoid the need for extra watering. Maximize the efficiency of your dishwasher and washing machine by not running them when they are partially empty.

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle

We’ve already touched on a few areas where you can reduce the waste you create by eliminating extra packaging or reducing your water use. But the classic three R’s are the golden rule of early environmental pedagogy for a reason. Whenever you safely can, reuse products as many times as possible before tossing them and if you’re able, always recycle instead! Many of our RPM Living communities make it easy with a community recycling program.

That concludes our tips for reducing your carbon footprint! We strive to make it as easy as possible for our residents to make energy-efficient choices that are good for our community and the planet! If you found this post useful or interesting, we encourage you to share it with your friends and colleagues! If you want to find your ideal home at one of our RPM communities across the US, check out our Communities page.

Modern, energy-efficient appliances are a must-have for renters, but in order to enjoy consistent functionality for all your appliances, regular cleaning is also a must. Residents are often unsure how often they should clean their apartment’s major appliances or what method works best. That’s why we put together this blog post on how to clean the top home appliances at our luxury apartments AND how often you should do it. Let’s jump right into it!

Washing Machine

Regular cleaning helps clear out residue and keep your washer running smoothly. To clean a washing machine, run an empty load once per month with hot water and about a cup of distilled white vinegar to sanitize the basin and wipe out any lingering germs.

Dishwasher

Your dishwasher should be cleaned once a month to rinse away food residue and ensure your dishes are optimally cleaned every single cycle. To clean the dishwasher in your apartment, run an empty load with a cup of white vinegar placed in the top rack of the washer (inside a dishwasher-safe vessel). Use hot water. Leave the dishwasher open to fully air dry.

Microwave

There’s no hard-and-fast rule when it comes to how often you should clean your microwave; just be sure to do it whenever it’s dirty in order to avoid stains and stuck-on food that just gets worse over time. When cleaned regularly, using plain old dish soap, water, and a sponge will typically suffice. For stuck-on particles, microwave a cup of white vinegar or water in a microwave-safe dish for 5-10 minutes, then clean as normal.

Refrigerator

The refrigerators at our apartments should be cleaned once every few months or whenever dirty. To begin, remove everything from the refrigerator, including drawers and shelves. Clean everything with soapy water or diluted vinegar. Don’t use surface cleaners with non-food-safe chemicals. Make sure to clean the gasket around the fridge door (the part that makes the door seal) with soapy water. If even with regular cleanings, you experience problems with a smelly fridge, baking soda can be kept in the fridge to help eliminate fridge odors.

Stove & Oven

If you cook at home, your stovetop is likely the item on this list that should be cleaned the most often. Clean your stove and oven whenever dirty, especially because leaving them dirty can create smoke or even fire AND make stains and stuck-on food harder to clean later. If the stovetop is cleaned regularly, warm water, dish soap, and a sponge should do the trick. To clean your oven, place an oven-safe pan filled with water on a rack in the middle of the stove and heat to 225 degrees Fahrenheit. Wait 15 minutes, then turn off the oven. When cool to the touch, mix remaining water with dish soap and use a sponge to clean out the oven.

That’s it for our tips on cleaning your household appliances! As always, if you’re looking to live in a community that makes it easy to care for your apartment, you can always shop RPM communities across the US by checking out our Communities page!

We like to make living with roommates as comfortable as we can at RPM Living communities by providing convenient payment platforms, attentive resident service, and well-maintained amenities inside your apartment and out. Still, living with others isn’t always easy, and if you have roommates, it’s important to be thoughtful, respectful, and communicative in order to create a home that everyone enjoys living in. These five tips can help you develop excellent roommate relationships and a pleasant living environment.

Set Ground Rules and Stick To Them

Every group of roommates should have some kind of roommate agreement, whether it’s written down or just discussed in person. There are lots of logistics when it comes to sharing a home and failing to set expectations, boundaries, and responsibilities is bound to result in some discomfort. Take some time when you first move in with someone to discuss how you’ll handle things like cleaning the apartment, cooking meals, running the dishwasher, inviting people over, stocking the fridge/pantry, and so on. Once you’ve set these ground rules, stick to them. If you find any of them no longer suits you, have an explicit conversation with your roommates to discuss potential changes before you abandon any rules you had initially agreed upon.

Respect Others’ Privacy

You may be living in the same apartment, but that doesn’t mean you can’t maintain privacy! Make sure you don’t enter your roommates’ bedrooms or bathrooms unless invited. Be mindful of your roommates’ needs to sleep and spend time alone and make sure you’re not compromising their ability to do so. Even if you’re best friends with your roommates, we all need a little privacy in our lives; in fact, bear in mind that your roommate(s) may need more privacy than you do, especially if they identify as an introvert.

Always Clean Up After Yourself

You should be explicit about how you and your roommates will handle cleaning, but in general, it’s always kinder to clean up after yourself. Put your dirty dishes in the dishwasher and never hoard them in your room or leave them in a place that your roommates will need to use like the living room or sink. Throw away trash promptly instead of leaving it around. Never leave clothes lying around outside of your bedroom, especially dirty ones. Your private bedroom can be as messy as you like (within reason), but shared spaces should always be kept in a state that all can enjoy.

Practice Good Communication

There will inevitably be times when you and your roommate(s) clash, make mistakes, or fail to live up to your responsibilities to each other. As long as you have the ability to communicate effectively with each other, these situations don’t have to create major conflict. Make sure to be honest and respectful to each other while holding each other accountable. Share your feelings and ask nicely for behavior to change. If you’re the one at fault, be open to constructive criticism and apologize, then promise to do better and make good on that promise. Remember, you all want the same thing when it comes down to it: a good place to live. Create an environment where you and your roommates can continuously get better at meeting that goal.

Live and Let Live

You and your roommates all want to live life to the fullest and you all have an equal right to do so. So chase your bliss, but make sure doing so never impedes upon your roommate’s ability to do so as well. Don’t blast music loud enough for your whole apartment to hear, don’t monopolize access to in-home amenities like the TV or kitchen, and avoid interrupting your roommates when they’re hard at work or taking time to recharge.

That’s it for our roommate tips! If you found this post useful or interesting, we encourage you to share it with your friends and colleagues! If you want to find your ideal home at one of our RPM communities across the US, check out our Communities page.

We love pets at RPM Living, so much so that unlike many property management companies, we impose no breed restrictions at our communities! Still, one of the downsides to owning a pet is the toll they can take on your apartment. Even well-behaved pets sometimes leave behind damage or make your living space a little less comfortable for you and your family or your roommates. Luckily, there are some very simple steps you can take to help pet-proof your apartment, preventing damage and minimizing discomfort. Here are our top pet-proofing tips for dog and cat owners living in apartments.

Pet-Proofing Tips for Cat Owners:

One of our top pet-proofing tips for cats is to have plenty of scratch-friendly items. In fact, get multiple types if you’re unsure what kind your cat will prefer. Scratching posts, cat trees, scratch lounges, and other scratch products use rope or corrugated cardboard to provide a spot where your cat can engage in their scratching instinct without harming your furniture, curtains, or other areas. Remember, scratching helps keep your cat’s claws healthy, so the goal is not to prevent scratching entirely, just to make sure they are scratching in approved locations.

You should also ensure that you have multiple litter boxes (and clean them regularly). Most vets recommend having one litter box per cat plus one extra. This helps ensure that your cat has a comfortable place to do their business. Many cases of cats urinating outside of a litter box are due to insufficient litter box availability or cleanliness—cats can be pickier about this than you might think, and can even develop stress-related urinary tract issues if not provided with just the right litter box arrangement.

For cats that fight, spray, or scratch where they aren’t supposed to, consider a feliway diffuser. This harmless diffuser releases a pheromone into the air that cats release when they are feeling at ease. For some, adding feliway diffusers helps reduce stress-related behaviors and aggression between cats.

Pet Proofing Tips for Dog Owners:

For dog owners, we highly recommend getting a safety gate. A gate can be a great way to introduce a new dog to one part of your apartment at a time without having to keep them behind a closed door. It also provides an option for separating visiting pets and/or people from your own pets and gives your pets a safe place to retreat to if they’re feeling anxious.

Getting a puppy? Definitely use puppy mats to help train them to use the bathroom in designated areas while they’re still on their way to being fully house trained.

General Pet Proofing Tips:

For both cats and dogs, ensuring your animal is fixed (if they are old enough) can help address undesirable behaviors and ensure all animals in your apartment are living together harmoniously.

When it comes to protecting your furniture, consider water-resistant furniture protectors like mattress covers, Scotchguard spray, or naturally resistant materials like faux leather.

It’s also important to have toys that captivate your pet’s attention. This will help keep them from directing their playful attention toward your furniture, clothing, and other belongings. Note that automated toys can be great for pets with boundless energy, but nothing beats setting aside time to play with your pet yourself.

For pets that like to chew on cables and cords, try a chew deterrent spray or electric cord protectors. These help prevent harmful electric shocks and damaged appliances.

Additionally, always ensure toxic items (including plants) are out of reach. Bear in mind that dogs and cats both have a habit of getting into unexpected places, especially if looking for food. You may even want to look into baby-proofing cabinet locks and similar items.

Finally, definitely go ahead and invest in a pet-specific cleaner spray that neutralizes odors. Even for well-behaved pets, having this spray on hand can help address pet-related messes quickly enough that they don’t leave behind lasting damage to furniture or fabrics.

That’s it for our pet-proofing tips! As always, if you’re looking to live in a community that takes pest control seriously, you can always shop RPM communities across the US by checking out our Communities page!

One of the best parts of living in Austin is the eclectic variety that “keeps Austin weird,” and the shopping scene is no exception! From local boutiques to major retailers, this city has it all in spades. Best of all, no matter where you live in Austin, there’s a shopping hub within 5 or 10 minutes of home (except maybe during those brutal Austin rush hours) that offers everything from daily essentials to holiday gifts and home decor. Here are some of our top shopping hubs in Austin that are well worth exploring.

South Congress

When you’re looking for boutique shopping, there’s no better place in Austin than South Congress. Walking up and down SoCo ducking into whatever shop catches your eye is the perfect way to spend a weekend afternoon—you can even stop into some of Austin’s most iconic eateries and cafes for a bite to eat along the way.

Some of our favorite shops on SoCo are the Kendra Scott Flagship store, Allens Boots, Parts & Labour, and Tesoro’s Trading Company, but there are plenty more to explore!

2nd Street

Another great place in Austin to explore local boutiques is 2nd Street, right in the heart of Downtown Austin. In addition to major retailers like Urban Outfitters, you’ll also find clothing boutiques like Austin Rocks, Hemline Austin, and Francesca’s alongside jewelry boutiques like Eliza Page and specialty shops like Toy Joy and Luxe Apothetique (a clothing boutique and hair salon).

Barton Creek Square

For residents of our luxury apartments in South Austin, Barton Creek Square is a convenient shopping hub focusing on major clothing, gift, and home goods retailers. Here, you’ll find big names like Macy’s, Hollister, JCPenney, Nordstrom, and Banana Republic alongside specialty chains and boutiques like Modern Man, Label Society, LOFT, and James Avery Artisan Jewelry.

Central Park

Located near the Triangle in Central Austin, the Central Park Shopping Center is home to boutiques and chains alike, all situated around the Central Market. Stop by and explore if you’re looking for clothing boutiques, stationery, cosmetics, and salons. You’ll also find multiple mattress stores, Gap, and Athleta. Plus, in the Triangle nearby are additional options like Texas Blooms and Gifts, InStep Austin, Natural Grocers, and Sound Sanctuary.

Mueller

For residents of our luxury apartments in North Austin, Mueller is one of the most convenient shopping hubs in town. Flanked by the Northwest Greenway, Mueller Lake Park, and Bartholomew Park are multiple clusters of shops, eateries, and attractions that have helped make Mueller one of the up-and-coming Austin hotspots. Here, you’ll find the Mueller H-E-B and major retailers like Marshalls, Bed Bath & Beyond, and rue21. Also present are boutique shops like Lilla & Beth, Toy Dojo, and ino Scarf Boutique.

What’s your favorite place to shop in Austin? We hope we’ve given you some new spots to explore near our Austin apartments! Meanwhile, if you want to shop our luxury apartments in Austin and other RPM communities across the US, don’t forget to check out our Communities page.

If you’re looking to add some greenery to your apartment, choosing the perfect plant can be harder than you’d think. That’s especially true for pet owners, since cats and dogs are notorious for chewing on houseplants while you’re not looking, and many plants are toxic to pets. Luckily, there are plenty of pet-friendly houseplants and flowers to choose from; you just have to know what to look for. These six plants are safe for dogs and cats and will add plenty of natural beauty to your luxury apartment.

Friendship Plant

So called because its cuttings grow roots quickly, making this plant a great gift for a friend, the friendship plant has velvety, quilted leaves with tons of visual appeal. This plant is also relatively easy to care for, requiring several hours of indirect sunlight a day and moderate temperatures. The only challenge this plant presents for residents of our luxury apartments in drier climates is that it prefers consistent humidity—a humidifier can help with this during dry months.

Lace Flower Vine

Lace flower vine is an easy-going houseplant that looks great in a hanging planter or overflowing along a windowsill or bookshelf. This plant likes bright light and will tolerate a little bit of neglect, which is perfect for beginners or folks who spend a lot of time out of their apartment.

Parlor Palm

For a taller plant option, a parlor palm makes a great pet-friendly addition to your apartment. This palm enjoys bright, indirect light and average humidity, though if you find the tips of the leaves browning, incorporating a humidifier may help the plant recover. This plant can grow up to around 6 feet tall indoors, so it is a great way to add visual interest and botanical vibes to a corner of your apartment.

Prayer Plant

A prayer plant is another easy houseplant for pet owners and features beautiful variegated leaves that add visual interest to your apartment. It tolerates a variety of light levels, preferring indirect light, and does best with soil that is kept moist consistently (without overwatering).

Spider Plant

The spider plant is a common go-to for beginners and it is mercifully non-toxic to pets as well! The curved, ribbon-like leaves of this houseplant look great in a hanging planter or spilling over a decorative pot on a table. It enjoys partial light and does not need frequent watering; once every 5 to 7 days—or however long it takes for the soil to fully dry between watering—should do the trick.

African Violet

The African violet is perhaps the most high-maintenance plant on this list, but careful gardeners can keep it thriving just fine in an apartment setting. Coming in a variety of colors, this flower makes a beautiful addition to your apartment as long as you give it plenty of indirect sunlight, consistent watering, and around 60% humidity (you may need to use a humidifier during drier months).

That’s it for our pet-friendly house plant recommendations! If you found this post useful or interesting, we encourage you to share it with your friends and colleagues! If you want to find your ideal home at one of our RPM communities across the US, check out our Communities page.

Spring is here and that means it’s the peak season for household pests! While we take pest prevention measures regularly at our multifamily apartment community across the US, there are many actions that residents can and should take to prevent and eliminate pests in their apartments. Here are a few of the best strategies you can employ to help us keep RPM Living communities pest-free.

Keep Counters and Floors Clean

Keeping your apartment clean is your first line of defense against pests. That’s because pests are typically looking for sources of food and water that will allow them to thrive. Depriving household pests of these sources by wiping down surfaces, vacuuming floors, and cleaning up spills promptly will mean pests don’t see your apartment as a nice cozy home of their own.

Put Food Away

If you’re keeping food or dirty dishes out on the counter instead of putting them away, you’re increasing the chances that a pest will find their way to a tempting food source, which could also give them the opportunity to settle in and start multiplying. Always putting away food promptly can help prevent pest infestations. While you’re at it, take a look around your kitchen and see if there are any foods you could be storing differently to reduce the likelihood of pest infestations. For example, fruit left on the counter can attract fruit flies and ants.

Eliminate Sources of Moisture

Many pests thrive where humidity and standing water is present. In fact, some pests will specifically seek out standing water or moist organic material as a place to lay their eggs. Cleaning and drying your sink, clearing your drain, taking out the trash, and using the fan in your bathroom can help reduce the moisture in your apartment and give pests fewer places to thrive.

Get Rid of Clutter

Clutter like cardboard boxes and papers can provide extra places for pests to hide, making it easier for pests to stick around once they’ve arrived. Getting rid of clutter not only makes your home a less likely target for pests but also makes it easier to get rid of pests if they do show up in your home.

Notify Staff of Cracks & Leaks

Cracks in windows and exterior-facing doors are the most common ways that pests get inside your apartment. Leaky faucets or sweating pipes can also introduce moisture that makes your apartment a more ideal environment for pests. Always be sure to request maintenance promptly for cracks and leaks in order to reduce the chances of pest problems and keep your apartment in perfect condition.

That’s it for our pest prevention tips! We hope you’ve learned a few tips to help make pest prevention easier! As always, if you’re looking to live in a community that takes pest control seriously, you can always shop RPM communities across the US by checking out our Communities page!

Through our years of experience as a property management company in Houston, TX, we’ve had the opportunity to visit many of Houston’s incredible eateries. It’s not just BBQ and Tex-Mex that Houston does right (although these cuisines are certainly a must when you visit or live in Houston)! From staff favorites to resident recommendations, these six restaurants come highly recommended by seasoned Houstonians and newcomers alike.

Guard and Grace

One of the newer additions to Downtown Houston, Guard and Grace is just a quick drive or bus ride from our luxury apartments in Midtown, Houston and not much farther for those in the Museum District. If you haven’t visited this steakhouse since it opened in 2019, you should definitely check it out.

This restaurant is perfect for a date night or special occasion, specializing in upscale dining and great atmosphere. Folks rave about the great service in addition to delicious entrees like Alaskan Black Cod and Wagyu Brisket Melt.

Nancy’s Hustle

Located in East Downtown, Nancy’s Hustle has a more casual atmosphere but just as many rave reviews from our residents and staff. It offers a mix of New American and European cuisine, including must-tries like their lamb tartare, Nancy cakes, and parmesan cheesecake. This restaurant is a great pick when you want something innovative and unexpected.

Bludorn

Located in Montrose, Bludorn is a great option for residents of our luxury apartments in River Oaks, Houston looking for something a little closer to home, but it’s also well worth the quick drive from our other Houston communities. This New American restaurant specializes in seafood dishes like fresh oysters and their iconic lobster-chicken pot pie. You’ll also find decadent eats like their black truffle gnocchi and baba au rhum.

Caracol

Another local option for our River Oaks residents, Caracol is located in Uptown, just west of 610. Caracol specializes in Mexican food, especially seafood dishes like tacos de camaron (shrimp tacos) and pulpo ahumado (smoked octopus). People describe the atmosphere as chic and upscale and say the churros are a must-try for dessert, but we’re fans of the caballeros pobres ourselves (Mexican-style French toast with cherry compote, orange rompope, and cinnamon ice cream).

Brennan’s

Located just a few minutes from our luxury apartments in Midtown, Houston, Brennan’s is an upscale Creole restaurant with excellent service and an even better atmosphere. You’ll find classics like shrimp po'boys and gumbo done to perfection alongside other mouthwatering eats like blue crab ravigote and roasted bandera quail. You can expect to spend quite a bit here, so it makes a great option for special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.

93 ‘Til

From its central location in Montrose, 93 ‘Til is a great option for many of our Houston residents! This unique restaurant is another relative newcomer to the Houston restaurant scene and it features refined homestyle fare, craft cocktails, and vinyl records that contribute to a great atmosphere and dining experience. We highly recommend their frisee salad, duck confit, and olive oil cake.

That’s it for now! We hope we’ve helped you discover a new restaurant to try in Houston! If you want to shop our luxury apartments in Houston and other RPM communities across the US, don’t forget to check out our Communities page.