Apartment Life: In Review
Now that the first semester of living in an apartment is over, I would like to take some time to look back on how things have gone. I think this will be a two part series (A blog post with a sequel? That's unheard of!). The first one will cover things that my roommate and I have found essential to living in an apartment. The second will cover the pros and cons of living in an apartment as opposed to living in a dorm.
So hi ho here we go.
Rubber Ducky Time!
My roommate and I found out from our landlord a week prior to moving in to our apartment that a shower rod for the bathroom was not included. Of all the things in the world you'd expect to be in an apartment, that was not included. Since my roommate was providing the shower curtain, I purchased the shower rod but I moved in first.
Taking a shower without a shower curtain is near damn impossible so don't even bother trying it unless you want to hose down the entire bathroom. On the same note, also check to see if chairs come with the desks that are in the bedrooms. The ones you saw during the apartment showing may have belonged to the old tenants.
Dowel Rod to Keep the Bad Guys Out
Regardless if you have a working lock on your sliding door, you should always invest in a thick chunk on wood or dowel rod to wedge in the door. You never know who might be climbing onto your balcony in the middle of the night (reference Apartment Life Pt. 2).
Saving the Trees
A kitchen essential sometimes not included is a dish drainer. This will save you time you would have spent drying and also a handful of trees. Use the paper towels for spills and have a hand towel for when you want to dry dishes by hand. Make sure you get a dish drainer with a removable bottom. Lime scale will build up on it over time and you might want to wash it off before it gets thick enough to touch the dishes. Also, some are designed to hang over the edge of the sink so the excess water can drain back in. If you discover water on your counter, it's because you have it facing the wrong way (we found this out at the end of this semester).
Emergency and Nonemergency Numbers
You know, just in case your neighbors start freaking out in the middle of the night or simply won't shut the fuss up (another reference to Apartment Life Pt. 2). It'll also come in handy for real emergencies. Have them locked and loaded into your cell phone or have them written down. The Tenant Union's Manual to Apartment Awesomeness (not the real title) has the emergency, nonemergency, and utility company numbers all listed in the back because they think of everything.
Miscellaneous Stuff
1) Go buy a plunger. You WILL need it. Remember, most two bedroom apartments only come with one bathroom.
2) A door mat is great once less-than-pleasurable weather starts happening or if you stomp around in mud.
3) Designate a sponge for dishes and one for the stove and oven. Spills on the stove and in the oven do not clean themselves up and they actually smell worse the second time they are reheated.
4) Make sure you have enough soap for the bathroom and kitchen. You'll be amazed by how quickly you go through hand soap. Also keep Clorox or Lysol wipes on hand. They are the easiest way to clean up and disinfect counter tops.
So hi ho here we go.
Rubber Ducky Time!
My roommate and I found out from our landlord a week prior to moving in to our apartment that a shower rod for the bathroom was not included. Of all the things in the world you'd expect to be in an apartment, that was not included. Since my roommate was providing the shower curtain, I purchased the shower rod but I moved in first.
Taking a shower without a shower curtain is near damn impossible so don't even bother trying it unless you want to hose down the entire bathroom. On the same note, also check to see if chairs come with the desks that are in the bedrooms. The ones you saw during the apartment showing may have belonged to the old tenants.
Dowel Rod to Keep the Bad Guys Out
Regardless if you have a working lock on your sliding door, you should always invest in a thick chunk on wood or dowel rod to wedge in the door. You never know who might be climbing onto your balcony in the middle of the night (reference Apartment Life Pt. 2).
Saving the Trees
A kitchen essential sometimes not included is a dish drainer. This will save you time you would have spent drying and also a handful of trees. Use the paper towels for spills and have a hand towel for when you want to dry dishes by hand. Make sure you get a dish drainer with a removable bottom. Lime scale will build up on it over time and you might want to wash it off before it gets thick enough to touch the dishes. Also, some are designed to hang over the edge of the sink so the excess water can drain back in. If you discover water on your counter, it's because you have it facing the wrong way (we found this out at the end of this semester).
Emergency and Nonemergency Numbers
You know, just in case your neighbors start freaking out in the middle of the night or simply won't shut the fuss up (another reference to Apartment Life Pt. 2). It'll also come in handy for real emergencies. Have them locked and loaded into your cell phone or have them written down. The Tenant Union's Manual to Apartment Awesomeness (not the real title) has the emergency, nonemergency, and utility company numbers all listed in the back because they think of everything.
Miscellaneous Stuff
1) Go buy a plunger. You WILL need it. Remember, most two bedroom apartments only come with one bathroom.
2) A door mat is great once less-than-pleasurable weather starts happening or if you stomp around in mud.
3) Designate a sponge for dishes and one for the stove and oven. Spills on the stove and in the oven do not clean themselves up and they actually smell worse the second time they are reheated.
4) Make sure you have enough soap for the bathroom and kitchen. You'll be amazed by how quickly you go through hand soap. Also keep Clorox or Lysol wipes on hand. They are the easiest way to clean up and disinfect counter tops.
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