Money Saving Tips for Moving Into Your New Apartment Home

So you’ve finally signed the lease for your brand new apartment home at Arcadia Run, and now it’s time to move in! Moving can be costly, depending on how far you are moving and how much stuff there is to move. Because you are probably going to want to focus on buying things for your new apartment, spending all of your money on moving might not be ideal. Check some of these great tips for saving money while you move:

Plan: Planning ahead is a very important part of moving. The further in advance you plan, the less money you will spend. Often times, waiting until move-in day to plan will result in things going wrong and last minute expenses popping up.  Make sure to shop around to get the best deal!

Seasonal: If you can help it, try and move during the winter because it is the slowest season for moving. Often times, there are hidden deals and discounts that appear during this season to entice people to use moving services.

Disassemble: If you put all of your furniture together, why not take it apart again? Most furniture is easier to transport when it is in pieces, and if you are not using a moving truck, it may just fit in your car! Because you already put it together once, it will be much easier the second time around.

Declutter: While you are moving into your new apartment home, you should probably go through all of those memorabilia boxes from high school. Moving is a great time to get rid of everything you don’t need or want anymore, and it will save you money come move-in time.

Free boxes: The Internet is a wonderful thing, especially when you are moving! There are plenty of websites where you can search for people who are getting rid of free boxes so you don’t have to buy and assemble new ones.  

DIY: If you think you can move into your new apartment home by yourself, then by all means go for it! Borrow a friend’s pickup truck, or just make multiple trips back and forth. Moving on your own terms will also create a less stressful moving experience!

Source: forrent.com

The 2016 Renter: An In Depth Look

At Arcadia Run, residents have to “get used to getting more” everyday. Our new apartment home community has many amenities and features that are important factors for renters when it comes time to choose their new apartment home. Luxury apartment features include granite countertops, laminate “hardwood” flooring, designer kitchen cabinets, lots of storage space, and more, while our BRAND NEW amenities really take the cake. The Clubhouse at Arcadia Run holds our resort-style pool, modern business center, fitness center, leasing office, lounge, and more! Check out how Arcadia Run stacks up against the needs of 2016’s renter in the infographic below:

The One-Day Room Makeover For Your Apartment 

If you’re moving into a new apartment home at Arcadia Run, you are probably thinking about bringing along everything from your previous home. If you already live in an apartment home at Arcadia Run, then you’ve probably thought about redecorating your space. Thanks to HouseBeautiful.com, we have put together a guide to makeover a room (or two for the more ambitious) in only one day!

Clear out: Take everything out of the room and clear the space. This will give you a clean slate so that you can imagine what it will look like.

Clean: While the space is cleared out, clean the room! You’ll feel much better about redecorating if you are also being productive.

Rearrange the space: Plan out a new way to rearrange the furniture in the room, whether that means swapping the couches, or completely thinking of a new setup. Believe it or not, there are tools online where you can virtually arrange everything in the room before you even move the furniture.

Don’t break it up: Apartments look larger when big objects and furniture are up against the walls, so try your best not to break up the room by putting things in the middle of the space.

Move lighting: Lighting plays a surprisingly large part in the way a room looks. While you are rearranging furniture, think about where the lighting can move to best suit the arrangement.

Switch out one piece of furniture: If you have the time and money to do so, go for it and buy a new piece of furniture. A simple, updated piece will give the room a new vibe.

Cover it up: Don’t want to buy a new piece of furniture? Cover it up! There are plenty of inexpensive options for slipcovers, tablecloths, etc. to disguise your existing furniture.

Paint your furniture: Although painting furniture does take time, this could make the largest impact on a room. If you are ambitious enough to paint your furniture, there are plenty of quick fix paint options.

Accent pillows and new accessories: Accent pillows and other accessories, like art, can largely contribute to the colors in a room, and are relatively inexpensive to replace. If you want the full effect of a room makeover, this is a great way to add pattern and color.

Add greenery: Plants bring a friendly element to a room, and it is an easy way to brighten up the space with color.

No matter how you decide to redecorate the space, there are many inexpensive and quick ways to give your apartment home an update. Learn more about how you can rent a new apartment home at Arcadia Run by visiting our website today!

Sources: freshdesign.comhousebeautiful.com

6 Local Vendors to Check Out at the Manassas Farmer’s Market

The Historic Manassas Farmer’s Market, located in Downtown Manassas behind the Harris Pavilion in parking lot B, is held every Saturday, 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. We are so proud of our local farmer’s market, which Prince William Living Magazine recently named as one of the best in the area!

From the fresh produce and signature sweets, to the one-of-a-kind products and organic goods, the Historic Manassas Farmer’s Market can’t be beat. Read on to learn about a few of the many fabulous vendors featured in Historic Manassas’ Farmer’s Market this year:

 

A Sign for the Times

Manassas, VA

A Sign For The Times by Ashley is home to a number of handmade, graphic design signs in a wide variety of styles, for all ages.

Calico Jack’s

Bristow, VA

Calico Jack’s is well-known in the Manassas-Bristow area for their hand crafted, natural and organic products for the body and home. From soy candles, lip balm, deodorant and lotions, to goat’s milk soaps, organic face oils and powders, these are some of the best organic products in the area. Calico Jack’s products are never made with harmful chemicals and are always free of sulfates, parabens and phthalates. Visit Calico Jack’s website for more on their unique selection of natural and organic products.

Crosby’s Crab Company

Manassas, VA

Crosby’s Crab Company offers the best seafood in Prince William County with a wide array of both raw and cooked shrimp, blue crabs, oysters and lobsters. This market-fresh seafood company has become so popular, in fact, that it was recently named one of the best places to find the freshest seafood in Washington by the Washingtonian! For more on Crosby’s Crab Company, check out their website.

Del Sur Baked Goods

Springfield, VA

Del Sur Baked Goods offers a long list of specialty cookies, Peruvian-style cakes, authentic, custom-filled empanadas and even custom butcher blocks! For more on Del Sure Baked Goods, visit their website.

Loopy Scoops

Manassas, VA

Loopy Scoops offers a delicious selection of local, homemade ice cream scoops, ice cream sandwiches, gelato, sorbets, sherbets, and popsicles. Check out Loopy Scoops on Facebook for more on this local legend!

Taste of Old Country

Gainesville, VA

Taste of Old Country offers a wide range of balsamic vinegars, extra virgin olive oils, seasonings, spices and more, all of which are created right here in Manassas, VA! While the olives in Taste of Old Country’s oils are sourced from their family olive groves in Greece, all of the final product is made right here in Manassas. For more on Taste of Old Country, check out their website.

As of this year, the Historic Manassas Farmer’s Market is officially a year-round market so you can enjoy the many benefits of shopping local all year long!

For a complete list of vendors, directions and additional information on the Winter Farmer’s Market, visit the Historic Manassas website. *Vendors may change by season.

Sourcesvisitmanassas.orgcalicojacksnaturals.comcrosbycrabco.comwashingtonian.comdelsurbakedgoods.comsquareup.com/market/taste-of-old-country

5 Reasons Millennials Are a Generation of Renters

According to a recent Rent.com survey, approximately 8 out of 10 millennials plan on renting for the foreseeable future, which should come as no surprise! After all, the renting lifestyle seems to be a perfect fit for the Millennial generation. Read on to learn a few of the many reasons Millennials seem to be in a renter state of mind:

Minimal Commitment: Millennials simply love the flexibility and freedom of renting! They don’t like to be tied down to one spot, and without the responsibility of a home mortgage, apartment renters are able to move around as they please (after their lease is up that is).

It’s Affordable: With little or no credit history, many millennials are unable to take on a mortgage, or unwilling to take on the responsibility in addition to their student loans and other monthly bills. Alternatively, apartment living offers an incredibly affordable option for millennials, especially if you’re splitting the bill with a roommate!

A Multitude of Modern Features: Many modern apartment buildings offer fresh, fun designs with a wide array of features millennials crave. Arcadia Run’s stunning new apartments, for example, include a number of fabulous modern features such as: oversized kitchens with granite countertops, 9 foot ceilings, full-sized in-unit washers and dryers, extended windows, walk-in closets and more!

No Unexpected Expenses: With everything included in your monthly rent check, there are no unexpected costs associated with apartment living. Unlike home ownership, which can easily accrue additional costs for any number of issues throughout the year: heating and cooling costs to plumbing repair expenses and beyond.

No Maintenance Required: Yet another substantial perk of apartment living is that no maintenance is required! That means no lawn maintenance in the spring, no leaf raking in the fall, and no pathway or driveway shoveling in the winter! Millennials are a generation that seems to be always on the go, so being able to sit back and relax for a few moments instead of having to mow the lawn on a beautiful afternoon is yet another major perk of apartment living!

These are just a few of the many reasons why the Millennial generation loves the apartment lifestyle! If you’re looking for a stunning new apartment in Manassas, VA,  be sure to check out the beautiful 1 Bedroom and 2 Bedroom floor plans of our modern apartments at Arcadia Run today!

Sourcesrescour.comrent.comnmhc.orgnielsen.comappfolio.comrealtrends.commoney.usnews.com

7 Sought-After Apartment Features

Many of today’s renters seek apartments with a number of features and amenities. The unique combination of unit features and community amenities available in an apartment community are what truly differentiates one apartment community from another! Comparing and contrasting apartment features can be stressful, especially if you are unsure about what you want. One key step in the apartment hunting process should be to make a list of apartment features and amenities that are a top-priority for you.

Here are a few of the apartment features and community amenities today’s apartment renters like, love and simply cannot live without, according to a few industry leaders.  While on the hunt for your next apartment, be sure to add these sought-after apartment features and amenities to your list:

Walk-In Closet: According to National Multi Housing Council (NMHC) and Kingsley’s 2015 Apartment Resident Preference Survey, 89% of those surveyed indicated that walk-in closets were one of the most enticing amenities or features they considered when evaluating rental properties.

In-Unit Washer & Dryer: 87% of those surveyed in NMHC / Kingsley’s 2015 study also indicated that in-unit laundry facilities were a must-have apartment feature. Renters are attracted to the convenience of having their own washer and dryer in their apartment.

Patio or Balcony: Additionally, 87% of the responded to NMHC / Kingsley’s 2015 study indicated that balconies or patios were a must when evaluating and comparing rental properties. Even a small outdoor space can have a positive affect on a renter’s decision.

Package Receiving Services: Apartment communities have seen a dramatic increase in the number of packages delivered for their residents over the past few years, as online shopping has blossomed into a $300 billion industry (according to NMHC.org). In fact, the typical apartment community receives over 100 packages a day! For this reason, it comes as no surprise that many of today’s renters, (72% according to NMHC / Kingsley’s study), are looking for apartments with package receiving services.

Fitness Center: In a recent survey conducted by Landlordology.com on what amenities Gen Y tenants want—83% of those surveyed indicated that community fitness centers or gyms were the amenity or feature they valued the most when comparing and deciding between apartments.

Pool: It should come as no surprise that a community pool made the list of the most sought-after apartment features in 2015! After all, who wouldn’t want to unwind poolside at the end of a long work day? Community pools topped ForRent.com’s recent list of the Top 15 Searched Amenities, and 83% of respondents to NMHC / Kingsley’s 2015 survey indicated that community pools were considered a high-value amenity to them.

Pet Friendly: Last but certainly not least—according to AppFolio, 76% of modern renters own either a cat or a dog. That’s why many of today’s apartments (including Arcadia Run) are pet-friendly!

From the spacious floor plans of our one and two bedroom apartments, and the marvelous modern features that come standard in each and every one of our apartments, to our community’s amazing amenities—there’s no question that you’ll get used to getting more at Arcadia Run!

Schedule an appointment, or stop by to check out our brand new apartments, conveniently located in beautiful, historic Manassas Virginia!

Sources2015 NHMC/Kingsley Apartment Resident Preferences SurveyLandlordology.comNHMC.orgrealtor.comforrent.comappfolio.com

Holiday Events in Manassas

Holiday Events In Manassas

The holidays are finally here at Arcadia Run in Manassas, VA, what better way to celebrate than with a nice evening out on the town? And by that we mean in Downtown Manassas of course! There are so many festive activities going on throughout the area during the next few weeks, so take a look at this schedule for holiday happenings in Manassas! 

 

 

Deck the Museum

All month long

The Manassas Museum

Featuring art made by kindergarten and first grade children, the holiday exhibit at the Manassas Museum will be open all month long!

 

A Christmas Carol

Dec 11th 7-9pm, Dec 12th 2-4pm, 7-9pm, Dec 13th 2-4pm

Center for the Arts

Come enjoy an excellent performance of Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale, brought to you by Rooftop Productions.

 

Arcadia Run Holiday Party

Dec 12th from 12-3pm

Arcadia Run Clubhouse

All residents are invited to the annual holiday party where there will be food, fun, caroling, and prizes!

 

Winter Farmer’s Market

Dec 12th, 19th, and 26th from 9am-1pm

Lot B @ Prince William St. & West St.

This limited time farmers market will feature local vendors selling amazing treats and crafts.

 

Carriage Rides Around Downtown

Dec 13th & 20th from 1-4pm

Manassas Train Depot

Tour the streets of Historic Downtown Manassas in a horse drawn carriage.

 

Stocking Stuffer Sale

Dec 14th from 7am-3pm

Novant Health Prince William Medical Center

Join the community and stock up on small accessories, gifts, and snacks for the holiday season.

 

Winter Wonderland Train Show

Dec 16-20, 5-8pm

Center for the Arts

The National Capital Trackers will bring back their expansive holiday landscape & railroad community. (Back by popular demand!)

 

The Nutcracker

Dec 17th & 18th @ 7:30pm, Dec 19th @ 3pm & 7:30pm, Dec 20-23 @ 3pm

Hylton Performing Arts Center

Hurry and get your tickets for this favorite holiday ballet, presented by the Manassas Ballet Theatre.

 

Ugly Sweater Party

Dec 19th from 5-10pm

Heritage Brewing Company

In addition to other events throughout the month, Heritage Brewing Company is hosting an Ugly Sweater Party!

Source: http://visitmanassas.org/events/

Prepare Your Apartment for the Holidays

If you didn’t already know, the winter holidays are almost here! It can be an overwhelming yet fun time of the year, but sometimes things are forgotten when it comes to preparing your apartment home for guests and colder weather. At Arcadia Run we want you (and your apartment) to be ready to bring on the holidays, so here is a list of “to remembers” for this season!

Add the warmth – When the weather starts to get cold, your breezy summer sheets are not going to cut it. Replace bed linens with warmer sheets, like flannel, or add a fleece blanket to make sure you and your holiday guests will stay warm and comfy at night. Also consider area rugs for places like the hallway, because nothing is worse than walking on hard floors with bare feet in December!

Clean – This may be an obvious step, but it doesn’t just mean doing the dishes! During the summer and fall months, allergens, pollen, and dust can get trapped in things like carpets and curtains, or rest on the tops of surfaces. Do a deep cleaning of your apartment to make sure you start fresh this season!

Get ahead of yourself – If you expect that you will have guests visiting for the holidays, stock up on winter home essentials to make your hosting days easier. Items like extra blankets, hot chocolate or tea, and movies & games will save you some last minute trips to the store.

Convert your wardrobe – There is no need to keep your tank tops and mini skirts hanging in the closet when it is getting cold outside. Because of the abundant storage space in Arcadia Run apartments, you can rotate wardrobes according to the season, and store your flip-flops for warmer days at the pool.

Declutter, then decorate – The first thing that many of us jump to during the holidays is decorating, because let’s face it; it is the most fun part! It is important to declutter your space BEFORE you decorate to avoid making a larger mess than you started with. Visit the new Arcadia Run Clubhouse for some decorating tips and tricks!

Buy winter essentials early – Often times during the thick of the cold months, stores will run out of certain “high demand” seasonal items.  These everyday items like lint rollers, static spray, slippers, gift-wrapping supplies, and even calendars will go fast, so get them while you can! And at Arcadia Run, you will have plenty of room to keep everything.

Sources: myhomeideas.com , apartmenttherapy.com

Why Manassas is the Ideal Location to Rent an Apartment

At Arcadia Run, we could not imagine living in a better location than Manassas in Northern Virginia! With beautiful apartment homes, rich history, amazing local businesses and a central location, you can’t beat the accessibility and convenience of our city. Take a look at the many reasons why Manassas is the ideal location to rent your new apartment home!

One of the Best 

WalletHub recently named Manassas one of the best small towns in Virginia! By combining factors like, affordability, economic health, education & health, and quality of life, 1,268 small cities were ranked in WalletHub’s study conducted in October. Our amazing “small city” of Manassas was ranked the 8th best small city in Virginia and #276 overall on the list. The website explains their methodology by saying that living in a small city “creates a sense of greater wealth because of cheaper living cost.”

History

The local culture in Manassas is infused with a rich American history wherever you turn. A very prominent location for important events and battles during the Civil War, Manassas is still home to many historic sites. The Manassas National Battlefield Park, Old Town Manassas, and the Stone Bridge are just a few of our favorite spots to explore!

Convenience

Just minutes from Arcadia Run, is some of the area’s best shopping and dining. From the Manassas Mall, to Bull Run Plaza, and downtown Manassas, there are endless stores and restaurants to visit for your everyday needs! Additionally, Historic Downtown Manassas has weekly events as well as some of our favorite local shopping and dining spots!

Location

Located in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area, Arcadia Run is a great location for those who want to be close to the city for work or for play! Manassas allows for a suburban lifestyle while still being less than 30 minutes to Dulles International Airport and just 45 minutes to the heart of D.C.

Luxury Apartments

At Arcadia Run, there are brand new apartments and amenities to enjoy! Our luxury apartments for rent include modern features such as granite countertops, 42” designer kitchen cabinets, vinyl “hardwood” flooring, abundant storage space, and a variety of floor plans to choose from.

If we haven’t already convinced you that Arcadia Run is the perfect home for you, visit us today to take a look at our brand new amenities, apartments, and meet with our amazing sales team!

Sources: visitmanassas.orgvirginia.org