One of the best things about living in an apartment is the number of amenities available. From fitness centers to walking trails to dog wash stations, today’s apartment communities offer activities and features designed to appeal to a cross-section of tenants. If you’re planning to move to a new Central New Jersey apartment soon, these tips will help you make the most of your community’s amenities.

Make Visits to the Gym a Priority

Gym memberships can definitely be budget busters, particularly if you’re often too tired to make the trip to the gym after work. Your apartment community’s fitness center may not offer all of the high-tech equipment you’ll find at mega gyms, but it probably features the machines you need for a vigorous workout.

Working out close to home offers several benefits, including:

• Short Commute: In most cases, you’ll be able to walk to the center in just a few minutes.
• No Excuses: Bad weather or traffic jams won’t keep you from working out when your complex has a gym.
• Socialization: Working out in the fitness center is an excellent way to meet your neighbors.
  

Keep It Clean

Car washes may seem like a minor expense – until you total the amount you pay over a year. Some apartment communities offer car wash stations that make keeping your vehicle clean cheap, easy and convenient.

After washing your dog in the bathtub, you probably spend at least 20 minutes drying the walls and floor. There’s no need to saturate your bathroom if your complex offers a dog wash station or pet spa. The spas feature elevated washing surfaces, leash anchors and water sprayers. Some even offer integrated drying abilities.

Enjoy the Great Outdoors

If you’ve recently downsized from a house, you may be missing spending time outdoors. Luckily, many apartment complexes offer ample opportunities to get a little fresh air. Take strolls around the property, push your kids on the swings at the tot lot, use the grills for an impromptu barbecue, or roast a few marshmallows in the fire pit.

Do you enjoy gardening? Although you may not be able to plant a large garden when you live in an apartment, you can try your hand at container gardening. Many plants, including tomatoes, peas, carrots, cucumbers, peppers, radishes and lettuce, grow well in containers on your balcony.

Simplify Your Life with On-Site Clutter

Although modern apartments usually offer ample closet space, you may not have enough room to store seasonal decorations or sports equipment. Although you can certainly buy storage cabinets and containers, keeping large items in your apartment can detract from your décor and clutter your unit.

If you’re lucky, your apartment community offers storage areas big enough to store your bike, surfboard, Christmas tree or patio furniture during the winter.

Book the Community Center

Entertaining a large crowd can be a little challenging when you live in an apartment. If you’re planning an anniversary, birthday, engagement or World Series party, the community center offers the ideal location for your gathering. Common rooms often offer large-screen TVs, ample seating, kitchen facilities and other amenities for a small fee.

Rent a Garage 

Wouldn’t it be nice to hop in your car and drive away immediately no matter what the weather? Unfortunately, clearing ice and snow from your windows and windshield during the winter is just part of living in Central New Jersey – unless you rent a garage.

Garages protect your car from the heat and inclement weather. Thanks to your private garage, you’ll never have to worry about being late to work because you didn’t allow enough time to scrape the ice off your car. Scalding hot steering wheels and seats also won’t be an issue during the summer when you have a protected parking space.

Sources:

Better Homes and Gardens: How to Grow a Plentiful Container Garden

https://www.bhg.com/gardening/vegetable/vegetables/growing-vegetables-in-containers/

Rental Housing Journal: Which Apartment Amenities Actually Matter for Potential Tenants?

https://rentalhousingjournal.com/which-apartment-amenities-actually-matter-for-potential-tenants/