Preparing Your Apartment for Summer

Posted on May 14, 2015 by gottarunrunrun

The cold winter is behind us and in a flash spring will turn to summer. Fortunately for Arcadia Run residents there isn’t much you have to do to prepare your new apartment home for the Manassas, VA summers. Here are 3 quick things to help you get ready for summer.

Spruce up the Balcony

There’s no better way to enjoy the warm weather than relaxing on your balcony. Arcadia Run’s apartments come with a personal balcony or patio. Add some furniture and a few plants to make the space your own.

Your AC Unit

For Arcadia Run residents there is nothing you have to do to prep your AC unit. The apartments and AC units are brand new, so you can rest assured that your unit is ready for the heat.

But it’s important to be prepared so in the unlikely event that you do have an issue make sure you have the number to our excellent maintenance staff.

Fire Up The Grill

Ovens can really heat up a house. Break out your grill and prepare to make your dinners outside. This will keep your home cooler as well as save on your energy bills.

The warm season in Manassas, VA lasts from May 29 through September 11. The average temps in July are in in the upper 80s. It’s the perfect time to get outside and enjoy our new clubhouse and pool, which are scheduled to open up on Memorial Day.

SOURCES: apartmentguide.com, care2.com, weatherspark.com

Be a Tourist In Your Own Town!

Posted on May 7, 2015 by gottarunrunrun

If you’re new to Arcadia Run and Manassas, Virginia, then you’ll love the idea of being a tourist in your new hometown. What better way to fully explore and enjoy this wonderful place you now call home? In fact, even if you’ve been in the area for a while, it’ll still be fun to hit all the most popular places in Manassas!

According to Apartment Guide, here are a few ways you can get to know your city like a true tourist:

Start Small

With all there is to do in Manassas and the surrounding area, it might be overwhelming to try and tackle it all in one day (if not impossible!). If you’ve just settled in your new apartment home at Arcadia Run, we suggest taking a stroll around the community to familiarize yourself with the amenities, walking trails, and your new neighbors. Use this time to seek out where you’ll go grocery shopping, any restaurants you’ll frequent or even parks you’ll want to enjoy a picnic in.

Utilize Maps, Guidebooks and Brochures

Now that you’re familiar with the Arcadia Run community, it’s time to really be a tourist. Head to the Manassas Visitor Center to pick up a few brochures and guidebooks. You’ll also find helpful information here about the Amtrak and Virginia Railway Express commuter trains.

Take Tours

While sifting through your brochures, keep an eye out for any guided tours through parks, or even Historic Manassas, that pique your interest. The Manassas National Battlefield Park offers several walking tours and the Manassas Museum even hosts monthly bike tours.

Visit Attractions

Whether you go on a guided tour or venture off on your own, visit all the notable attractions Manassas is known for. With several landmarks and historical buildings scattered throughout town, you’ll find a gem around every corner. Take a look at this Yelp page to see a list of attractions in Manassas.

With town-wide events, farmer’s markets throughout the summer months, and an endless list of things to do, Manassas is certainly a town you’ll love living in. And what could make living in Manassas even better? Living in a new modern apartment at Arcadia Run! Check out our latest floorplans available to find the one that’s perfect for you.

Source: Apartment Guide

Reasons to Live in Northern VA

Posted on April 25, 2015 by gottarunrunrun

Northern Virginia is in the heart of it all and if you’re looking to lead an active lifestyle this is the place to be. There is so much to do for night owls and daytime adventurers alike. Here are just a few reasons why Northern, VA living is the way to go.

Museums and Monuments

Located near the Nation’s capital means tons of free museums and monuments to visit. But aside from what near-by DC has to offer, Northern Virginia has a lot of historical landmarks to visit as well. In fact, we have over 50 free museums and historical sites. From the George Washington Masonic Memorial to the National Inventors Hall of Fame, there’s endless fun for history buffs.

Fitness Enthusiasts

If you are in to staying fit an active, then Northern Virginia is the place to be with over 20 5Ks, 10Ks and triathlons to choose from. And that’s just in the fall. Also, Turkey Trots are a popular event out here, so you’ll be sure to find one at a community near you.

Lifestyle Variety

One of the many things that make Northern Virginia unique is its lifestyle variety. Loudoun is great for those seeking a more rural, small-town feel while Arlington and Tyson Corner offer the hustle and bustle nightlife. And if you’re looking for a nice neighborhood suburb, you can find that too! There is truly a place to call home no matter what environment you’re looking for.

Shopping

If shopping is what your after, we have some very well-known destinations like The Fashion Centre at Pentagon City and Tysons Corner. And don’t forget about the Galleria, which is a very popular tourist location as well as a favorite stop for the locals.

Seasons

Northern Virginia prominently displays all four seasons with perfectly hot summers and beautifully snowy winters. We get the warm scenery of the changing leaves in the fall and nothing is quite as beautiful as the cherry blossoms in the spring.

Outdoor Activities

There’s plenty to do outside in Northern Virginia with bike trails that extend through DC and all the way to West Virginia. There are plenty of youth and adult sports to get involved in and if you’re into boating, fishing or camping we have those options as well.

Nightlife

Northern Virginia is famous for its nightlife with restaurants and activities for all tastes. From sports bars and cocktails to music and dancing, there’s never a dull night out on the town. One of Northern Virginia’s claims-to-fame is the Wolf Trap National Park, which hosts a variety of concerts all year round.

With Phase 2 now open at Arcadia Run, it’s a perfect time to stop by and see if Northern Virginia living is a good fit for you!

Sources: nothernvirginiamag.com, about.com, arbourrealty.com

Styling Tips to Use In Your Living Room

Posted on April 20, 2015 by gottarunrunrun

It’s certainly an exciting time to move into a new luxury apartment at Arcadia Run! We can’t wait to meet our newest residents in 2015. And, moving into a brand new apartment also means a blank canvas to decorate your new digs! So, here are a few of our favorite style tips to use when furnishing your new living room:

1. Pick a Theme

A cohesive theme is the first thing to determine before furnishing your new living room in your Arcadia Run apartment. Whether you choose nautical, whimsical, or anything else imaginable, make sure everything you buy for this space falls into your chosen category.

3. Avoid the Overly Trendy

While essentially every style is a trend in some way or another, some trends have more staying power than others. Stay away from overly trendy pieces, as they will likely go out of style sooner rather than later.

2. White on White

Speaking of trends, want an en vogue look without investing too much? Opt for white-on-white décor in your living room instead. This crisp look is trendy without limiting you to white-on-white forever. Down the road, white furniture and decorations can be seamlessly incorporated into other themes.

4. Metallic Accents

For a fresh take on a little glamour, add small metallic accents to your living room. These could be in the form of a gold picture frame, silver bookends, or even a bronze accented coffee table. Whatever you choose, be careful not to overdo it as too many metallic finishes can make a room feel cluttered.

5. Stylish Organization

Chances are, you’ll want to include some organizational features in your new living room. Instead of stacks of items in the corner or unsightly bins, try to find an elegant storage solution. Stores like Ikea and Crate & Barrel offer plenty of shelving units that are as stylish as they are functional.

6. Nature Inspired

Want to have a living room that’s welcoming and refreshing? A natural themed space may be just the option for you. Choosing natural colors and textures gives you more flexibility when searching for pieces. And, as long as they stay within the same theme, furnishing your new space will be a breeze.

Half the fun of moving into a new Arcadia Run luxury apartment is making your new space your home. The other half is enjoying the amenitized community, friendly neighbors, convenient location, and the charming town of Manassas, Virginia!

Check out our latest new apartments for rent and find the one that suits you best!

Source: Real Simple

Best Indoor Plants For Your Apartment

Posted on April 14, 2015 by gottarunrunrun

There has been plenty of buzz around the benefits of having plants in your apartment or home. As natural air purifiers, plants can bring a refreshing ambiance to any space. And, with the amount of natural light in our new apartments at Arcadia Run, any sun-loving plant is sure to thrive.

Here are a few of our favorite indoor plants that add a little greenery to your new apartment home. And, if you furry friend is joining you at Arcadia Run, we’ve also noted whether or not a plant is safe for pets!

English Ivy

English Ivy is a beautiful plant and when cared for correctly, can grow into a dramatic, cascading centerpiece. It looks great when placed in a hanging planter or displayed on a pedestal. It’s adaptable to different locations and also helps filter your air. English Ivy is in fact toxic to pets, so be sure to keep at a safe distance.

Aloe Vera / Succulents

While you may recognize Aloe for its soothing qualities, the term ‘succulent’ is lesser known. Succulents are typically fleshy plants, like cactus or aloe, that require very little water and maintenance. Their easy-to-care-for qualities make them a great choice for busy professionals. And, while most succulents are safe for pets, Aloe is not.

Snake Plant

Don’t be alarmed by the name, these plants are quite friendly and easy to care for. They absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen into the air, helping to make your apartment feel its absolute freshest! While a snake plant is great for your apartment, it’s not great for pets. So be sure to keep in a safe spot, or choose another plant!

Mini Herb Garden

Maintaining a mini herb garden is a wonderful way to incorporate some green in your apartment, especially if you love to cook. Nothing is better than having fresh herbs nearby by for seasoning or garnish. Parsley, Greek Oregano, Basil, Rosemary, Lemonbalm, Sage and Thyme are all pet-friendly herbs.

Christmas Cactus

Lastly, if you want a little extra brightness come winter, a Christmas Cactus is a wonderful choice. Green year-round, this plants blossoms with brilliant flowers mid-December. They are easy to maintain and are safe for both cats and dogs!

Source: Huffington Post, Apartment Guide, Better Homes Guide, ASPCA

April Happenings in Manassas, VA

Posted on April 3, 2015 by gottarunrunrun

Ahh, it’s officially the spring season and we are so happy that it is! It’s finally warm enough to head outside and explore all that Manassas VA, home to Arcadia Run, has to offer.

Here’s a line up of all the fun happenings this April in Manassas!

First Friday: Founder’s Day!

This upcoming First Friday is certainly a special one – because it also coincides with Founder’s Day! Founder’s Day celebrates the Foundation of Manassas as an independent city, with participating First Friday shops and restaurants focusing on the history of our beloved Manassas. So make sure to head down to Historic Downtown from 6pm to 9pm this first Friday in April!

Browse Farmer’s Markets

The spring season also means Farmer’s Market open back up for business! In Manassas, we have several markets bringing fresh produce to shoppers weekly. Check out the markets and operating hours at the Harris Pavilion or in Lot B at Prince William and West Street.

Live Well Festival

This year on April 18th will be the 8th Annual Live Well Festival (formerly known as Spring Cleaning Day). With a 5K Run, free health screenings at the Harris Pavilion, kid’s activities, entertainment and sidewalk sales, we think this festival is one of the best ways to kick off the spring season!

Saturday at the Park

Also on April 18th from 10am-3pm is the Saturday at the Park event at Manassas National Battlefield Park. Presented by Prince William County Public Schools and SPARK: The Education Foundation for PWCS, this is a wonderful way for you and your kids to explore the park and learn something new while you’re at it. With different activity stations featuring everything from bird watching to water chemistry, this day is sure to be packed full of fun!

Pied Piper Theatre: Shrek the Musical

Coming to the Hylton Performing Arts Center this April is the Pied Piper Theatre with Shrek the Musical! This hysterical and adventurous musical is great for the whole family and will certainly be a wonderful weekend activity. For ticket information and upcoming showtimes, visit the Hylton Performing Arts Center website.

5 Signs Renting Is For You

Posted on March 27, 2015 by gottarunrunrun

Anyone in search of a new place to live will have to make the choice of whether to rent or buy their home. Buying a home has it’s own appeal but today’s market conditions are making a great case for Renting an apartment. While the age-old debate of buy vs. rent can’t be settled in one article, hopefully these points will guide you in making your decision.

You Are Investment Minded

It used to be a sound part of any retirement plan to buy a home with the intent to downsize later to add to your nest egg. But this strategy is quite a bit riskier in today’s market where home values can just as easily go down as they can go up.

Some believe the downside to renting is you will never obtain the valuable asset of a home after paying off a mortgage. However, as a renter you can take the down payment you would have put down on a house into a more sure investment.

And while the mortgage you pay may be less than rent, your actual expenses as a homeowner may be more when you factor in things like property tax, insurance and maintenance. Experts say these expenses can add around 3% to the cost of your home annually—money that could be invested wisely instead.

Your Life Is A Little Unpredictable

According to the New York Times, it takes at least five years of paying a mortgage before the monthly savings catch up to extra cost of your monthly rent. Most experts believe in the “5-year rule,” which is if there is a chance you will be moving again in 5 years, then you should stick to renting.

If you have a job that is unpredictable or if you feel you are in an unstable job market, then it probably makes more sense to rent. Also, if you want the freedom in the future to look for jobs outside of your current city, then renting is an easier way to keep that option open.

You Have A Busy Schedule

Owning a home not only requires an investment of money, but often requires your time to maintain the home. This may not be an issue for some, but for those with busier schedules it’s a point worth considering.

The benefit to renting, especially for a busy professional, is the fact that it’s the landlord’s responsibility to handle costly and time-consuming maintenance issues. Not to mention the peace of mind that comes from not being financially responsible for surprise maintenance issues that are inevitable with any home.

You Want to Grow Your Family

This goes back to the 5-year rule. If you are growing your family it’s important to consider if you will outgrow your space over the next few years. Moving expenses, down payments and closing costs can really add up especially when moving multiple times in a span of just a few years.

You’re Not Particularly Handy

This one may be a little difficult for some of us to admit, but it’s important to consider what we can and can’t do ourselves before investing in a home. Consider the expense of the maintenance you can do yourself as well as the cost of hiring professionals to do what you can’t.

While the decision to rent or buy will depend on your individual situation, hopefully you now have a little more insight to make the best choice for you. Check out the new modern apartment homes in Manassas, VA we have available at Arcadia Run.

SOURCES: NYtimes.com, USnews.com, WSJ.com

Why Apartment Living is Perfect for Millennials

Posted on March 26, 2015 by gottarunrunrun

At Arcadia Run, we can attest to the fact that apartment living can be a great choice for consumers in all stages of life. Whether you’re single or have a family, in the city or in the suburbs, apartment living can make sense for many people in many different situations. But there are plenty of reasons why renting is the perfect choice for millennials in particular, including the following:

Flexibility: The flexibility of renting an apartment is ideal for millennials who don’t want to be tied down to one particular area. Once a lease is up, renters have the option to renew – or to pick up and move to a different area, city or state! The ease of renting and the flexibility offered by short-term leases are key factors in the attractiveness of renting for many millennials.

Financial freedom: Many millennials aren’t willing or able to taken on a mortgage for a home, especially when many members of this generation are busy paying back student loans while also trying to put away money into savings. An apartment can be particularly appealing when there’s the option to split the rent with a roommate (or a few roommates)!

Modern living: Many apartments offer the modern lifestyle that millennials crave. One factor in modern living is the apartment building itself, and at Arcadia Run, you’ll find modern apartment features such as over-sized kitchens, granite kitchen countertops and extended windows. Amenities are another factor that can make apartments modern, and at Arcadia Run, millennials are sure to love the resort-style swimming pool, fitness center and clubhouse coming to Arcadia Run this year!

Less stress and less maintenance: if something breaks in your apartment, you don’t have to worry about the stress of replacing or fixing it – you just call the front desk! This ease of maintenance that apartments offer is perfect for on-the-go millennials who don’t have the time to deal with these issues that often arise when owning a home.

Perfect amount of space: Single family homes can often have way too much interior (and exterior) space for busy millennials to keep up with. And unused space translates into more cleaning – and who really wants to clean space they don’t even use? Many modern apartment buildings, such as Arcadia Run, offer units that are spacious enough to live very comfortably, but they’re not unnecessarily large either.

Millennials who are interested in taking advantage of all the benefits of apartment living in beautiful Manassas, VA, don’t need to look any further than Arcadia Run! Our spacious, modern apartments units are offered in several floor plans, so you’re bound to find the perfect unit for your needs and lifestyle!

SOURCES: ForRent.com

Small Ways to “Think Green” In Your Apartment

Posted on March 23, 2015 by gottarunrunrun

Moving into a new apartment gives tenants a chance to revamp their green living habits. With growing concerns to preserve the environment and reduce our ecological footprints, more and more people are taking proactive steps to live in a more environmentally responsible way.

Here are a few small green ways you can make a big difference when living in your new apartment at Arcadia Run!

Buy eco-friendly cleaning products to use when cleaning your apartment. Or better yet, make your own cleaning products from natural materials you might already have. Most organic cleaners are just as effective as the others – and without filling your space with strong chemical odors!
Why not try out your green thumb and care for a small herb garden on your balcony or patio – or even on your kitchen counter! You’ll always have your favorite herbs handy, saving you a trip to the grocery store.
Who doesn’t love their single-cup coffee maker? Unfortunately, those little empty k-cups easily find their way into landfills, and they’re building up fast. Opt for a reusable k-cup instead – it’s cheaper in the long term and helps reduce waste.
When we’re rushing out the door in the morning, it can be hard to remember to unplug small electronics or turn off a lamp. Try writing yourself notes or setting reminders to do so – you’ll end up preserving energy, which could translate to a smaller utility bill!
Instead of buying bottled water, invest in a water filter pitcher instead. You’ll avoid a trashcan full of plastic bottles and will always have fresh water when you want it.
Build your collection of canvas grocery bags. Using reusable canvas bags are sturdier and better for the environment than the plastic ones. Plus, some grocery stores even offer incentives to use canvas bags instead!

In truth, these are green living habits that can be implemented anywhere. And at Arcadia Run, we love to see our residents do more to preserve the environment – every little bit helps! So what better time to adopt a few easy green habits than the spring season? Warmer weather and blooming flowers will be here in no time at all!

Overcoming Challenges When Moving With Kids

Posted on March 6, 2015 by gottarunrunrun

Moving should be an exciting venture – you’re going to have a new place to decorate, a new town to explore and new neighbors-soon-to-be-friends to meet. But oftentimes, the reality of moving overshadows the excitement, especially when facing the struggles of moving with kids.

Apartment Guide recently compiled a short list of guidelines to help make moving with kids a painless experience – here are a few tips to help ease the transition!

Include Family in the Search
Including your children in the apartment search and bringing them along for tours will help brighten their spirits about moving in the first place. If they help pick your new digs, chances are they’ll feel right at home when you do move.

Explore
When moving to any new location, it’s always fun to explore and see what your new hometown has in store. Kids will be especially pleased to learn that Manassas VA, home to Arcadia Run, has so many fun things to do – from playgrounds and parks, to kid zones and community events!

Find the Positives
It can be difficult for kids to move; it could mean leaving their friends, their school and their room they’ve grown to love. But this doesn’t mean they won’t make new friends, love their new school and have a room that’s even better than their old one! Accentuate the positive points to moving – and when you choose Arcadia Run, there are several!

Keep the Favorites Close
Pack your kid’s favorite stuffed animal or nighttime story last so it’s nearby if you need it. Chances are you won’t be able to unpack every box on your first night in the new place, so it’s important to have the necessities easily accessible.

Don’t Shy Away from Childcare
When the day comes to physically move your belongings from place A to place B, it might help to find childcare for your children. It’ll make your job of coordinating the move a little easier and you’ll be able to tackle the hectic process with little distraction.

Host a Small Get-Together
Once you get settled, Apartment Guide suggests throwing a small get-together with your children’s friends, as well as any other children you’ve met in your new apartment community. This help shows your kids that moving doesn’t mean leaving your old friends behind; it simply means you have more opportunities grow your existing circle of friends!

With these tips, moving your family to a new apartment can be the fun adventure you’re hoping for. And, with the opening of our Phase 2, we’re so excited to welcome new families to Arcadia Run!

Source: Apartment Guide