Tag: multifamily developers Austin

5 New Book Recommendations for 2022

For many of us, summer is a great time to enjoy some peaceful reading, whether it’s while enjoying the summer weather, or avoiding the heat at our luxury apartments in Austin. Here are 5 new books to look forward to reading this summer, no matter where you choose to relax!

 

The Children on the Hill

If you are looking for a suspenseful read, look no further than bestselling author Jennifer McMahon’s newest novel, The Children on the Hill. Directly inspired from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the story follows two children, Vi and Eric, who live near a private psychiatric unit in New England. When their grandmother brings in a new child, Iris, the children begin to explore the world of monsters, both real and imagined. As the story shifts back and forth in time through the perspective of Vi as a child and as an adult, the world of real life monsters comes alive. 

 

Something Wilder

Bestselling romance author Christina Lauren’s newest novel Something Wilder follows the story of Lily Wilder, the daughter of a treasure hunter who, as an adult, makes her living off of scamming tourists on fake treasure hunts. When her old flame Leo returns to town, all he wants is to reconnect with Lily, and all she wants is to take him on one of her “treasure” trails, and leave him behind. After the trip backfires - for everyone involved - Leo and Lily must confront their past love in the hopes of saving their futures. 

 

Nightwork

The perfect mixture of love and suspense is found in Nora Roberts’ newest novel, Nightwork. Harry, a lifelong master thief, falls in love with Miranda, who is not as criminally apt as he is. After his past demons come to his present, Harry leaves Miranda in order to keep her safe. But, as life would have it, Harry and Miranda’s connection is too strong to keep them apart, and Harry must find a way to confront his demons in order to avoid losing Miranda forever.

 

The 6:20 Man

Travis Devine is your typical entry-level analyst at Manhattan’s most prestigious investment firm. That is, until he discovers that his ex-girlfriend is dead in one of the storage closets in his office building - and he’s next. David Baldacci’s The 6:20 Man follows Travis’ investigation into the lives of the uber-glamorous, that he had previously only experienced through the window of his train seat each day, in order to discover who killed Sara, and to keep himself from being their next target.

 

Book of Night

Holly Black’s adult novel debut is the fantasy book of the summer, no doubt. The story follows Charlie Hall, who is trying to move her life away from her past of aiding evil magicians called gloamists. As she attempts to start a new, magic-free life for herself, she realizes getting out of this business will not be so easy. Add Book of Night to your reading list if you are looking for something new in fantasy to kick off your summer reading!

 

Let us know what your favorite reads are this summer from your luxury apartment in Austin!

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.

 

How to Lower Your North Austin Luxury Apartment Energy Bill

Are you looking for ways to save money (and the environment) in your North Austin luxury apartment? Check out our tips below on how to lower your ever-growing energy bill. 

 

Unplug your appliances

When not in use, unplugging appliances such as toasters, toaster ovens, coffee makers, etc. is one of the easiest ways to prevent wasted energy from racking up your bills each month. Only plugging them in when you use it is also going to prevent outlet overuse in your apartment, and will keep you from having to spend money on maintenance later on down the road.

 

Eco-friendly lightbulbs

Using eco-friendly lightbulbs in your lamps and light fixtures will help to reduce the amount of energy being used throughout your day, and can help reduce your carbon footprint as well! In addition to eco-friendly bulbs, turning off lights when you leave the room, or leaving your lights on timers during the day and evening is another way to reduce unnecessary light energy in your apartment.

 

Cool naturally

Closing blinds and curtains during the peak heat hours of the day and leaving windows open on cool evenings and nights are great ways to naturally cool down your apartment without having to run your A/C unit. 

 

Seal windows and doors

Drafty windows and doors, while they may not seem like a big deal, can cause multiple degree differences in your apartment temperatures, causing your HVAC to run more than it needs to in order to heat or cool your apartment to a comfortable temperature. Resealing your doors and windows, or even keeping a blanket in front of those drafty areas will cause you to see a drop in your energy bills every month!

 

Limit hot water usage

Hot showers, baths, as well as dishwasher and laundry loads can cause your energy bills to rise. That’s why being aware of your hot water usage and trying to limit it as much as possible can cause a huge decrease in your energy bills each month! Being mindful of the size of your dishwasher and laundry loads, and not running them when they are barely full, is a great way to make a subtle change to your day to day activity, and lower your bill at the same time.

 

That’s all for our list of ways to lower your energy bill in our North Austin luxury apartments!

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.

Tips for Moving to Your Apartment In Dallas, TX

Moving to a new city is exciting, but it can also cause some anxiety if you are not familiar with the area. Here are some tips if you are planning to move to one of our apartments in Dallas, TX

 

Traffic

There’s no denying that Dallas is a large and very densely populated city, and the traffic is a great reflection of that fact. When relocating to Dallas, many people underestimate the difference in traffic patterns from their previous city - don’t let that be you! 

 

If you choose to drive, as most Texans do, always account for a little extra driving time. Dallas roads have been constructed to carry a high-volume of cars, so traffic-jams are frequent. Plan accordingly by checking your map apps before heading out to see how long it will take you to get to your destination. If you prefer to use public transportation instead, take advantage of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART), which provides rail and bus services. 

 

Restaurant and bar scene

If you’re wondering if Dallas can keep up with your love for food and entertainment, spoiler alert, it can. Restaurant life is HUGE in Dallas, and there is something for everyone! We encourage you to venture out of your comfort zone when trying to find your new favorite eateries in the city. In Dallas, there is no shortage of food festivals either, so take advantage of what your new city has to offer!

 

Dallas is also well-known for bars & nightlife. Whether you’re looking for a bar and grill, cocktail bar, speakeasy, nightclub, or anything in between - the sky's the limit when it comes to Dallas nightlife.

 

Arts and culture

Dallas’ arts and culture scene is known to rival even the likes of New York City with its impressive display of the arts. Museums and music halls, galleries and concert venues - Dallas certainly does not lack in arts and culture displays! The Dallas Museum of Art, Nasher Sculpture Center, The Echo Hall and Music Lounge, and Reveler’s Hall are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to a list of artistic venues worth visiting in Dallas!

 

Weather and climate

If you’re moving to Dallas, especially if it’s from somewhere typically unfamiliar with hot temps, be sure to educate yourself quickly! The summertime heat in Dallas is no joke. You and your pets will want to stay hydrated and try to avoid strenuous outdoor activities during the afternoon. Enjoy some exercise with your pup early in the morning or once the sun starts to go down. Pups get hot too, so make sure their feet are protected when walking on paved paths and concrete. Even though it’s hot in Dallas, the heat brings plenty of opportunities to enjoy pool days or an air-conditioned stroll through a museum.

 

Acquire a love for Tex-Mex

If you are new to Texas, get ready to love Tex-Mex. In Dallas, we love our twist on traditional Mexican cuisine, and it is everywhere! If you’re learning to love Tex-Mex, find a staple dish to get acquainted with Tex-Mex. If you’re not entirely sure where to start, we’d recommend the enchiladas con carne. Play around with customizing your Tex-Mex favorites, and run with it. We promise you won’t be disappointed. 

 

Visit the State Fair of Texas

Whether you’re a lover of State Fair food and culture, or you’ve never been, the State Fair of Texas is an experience that EVERY Dallas resident should have. Deep-fried bacon cheeseburgers and fried flan cakes are just the beginning of the delicacies that the State Fair of Texas has to offer! Don’t forget to say “howdy” to Big Tex while you're there and grab a Fletcher’s corny dog for the road. 

 

Good luck on your move to your apartment in Dallas! For more recommendations on Dallas life, and for finding your ideal home at one of our RPM communities across the US, check out our Communities page.