Astoria Riverside Park

Mistakes to Avoid When Packing a Moving Truck

2011-10-17T20:07:00.000-07:00

Once you’ve decided to move yourself, rented a moving truck, and started packing it, there are plenty of things you can do to make your move easier — and plenty of mistakes you might make that will cost you time and stress during your move.

Here is a list of common mistakes to avoid when packing a moving truck.

Underestimating the amount of time you’ll need. There will be things that just didn’t fit into a box, things that don’t fit neatly into the space you’ve allotted, and things that just plain take a while to get out of your apartment and into the truck. For peace of mind, allow extra time for the ins and outs of packing your truck.

Not wrapping delicate objects. Bubble wrap may be expensive, but you’ll be grateful when your glasses and other breakable pieces arrive safely. If you can’t get bubble wrap, use cloth napkins and towels to protect plates and glasses.

Not wrapping or covering furniture. The furniture may be durable enough to have a few boxes stacked on it, but you’re still risking marks to the finish or upholstery. Many truck-rental companies will rent or sell you pads to cover furniture; you can also use old blankets.

Putting heavier boxes on top of lighter boxes. Don’t do this! Also, don’t pack tables on the bottom, unless you’ve disassembled them (their legs might not be able to handle the weight.)

Leaving shelves in bookshelves. Dresser drawers can be left in, however, though some people prefer to take them out and load them with items to move. Do not attempt to move furniture still loaded with items, however, as the weight and instability of drawers can be problematic.

Treating pets like furniture. Even if your pet isn’t at risk from falling or shifting boxes, the temperatures in the moving truck itself can be dangerous. Take your pet in the car. (Fish tanks require a separate set of moving procedures.)

Hanging clothes inside the truck. Many moving or storage companies will sell you boxes with built-in rods from which you can hang clothes, and that way you don’t have to worry about boxes slamming into your ironed shirts.

Saving the least important for last. It will help to think about what you’ll need from the truck first, since that’s what you’ll want to pack last. When you’re unloading at your new place, you won’t want to push through fourteen boxes of books and knickknacks just to find your toiletries, for instance.

Not getting a dolly to wheel boxes onto the truck. If you make this mistake, your back and arms will let you know, and quickly!

Assuming the moving truck drives like your car. Odds are, your car has better steering and better suspension — and less room for objects to bounce around. Tie down as much as you can. If you don’t pack very tightly, assume the boxes will have moved by the time you arrive at your new apartment.

The Do’s and Don’ts of Moving Pets

2011-10-17T20:06:00.000-07:00

Moving isn’t just hard on you. Packing, moving and unpacking can also take a toll on your pet — especially if have a long way to travel to your new home. Here are some do’s and don’ts for moving with a pet that could help ease the transition.

Moving pet do’s
Moving pets can be tricky. Can they go in the moving van? (No.) Can I ship them? (Yes.) Can they stay in a hotel? (Depends.) Here’s what you should do when you move with your pet:

•Do plan ahead: If you know you’re moving cross-country and are flying to your new home, make all the necessary arrangements for your pet to fly with you. This means making special accommodations for your dog to be transported, either on the plane in the cargo hold or shipped by a pet transport company like WeMovePets.com. (Small dogs might be able to fly with you as passengers.)
•Do buy a good pet carrier: If you’re driving a long distance or flying, then you’ll need a good pet carrier that will protect your animal during transport.
•Do talk to your veterinarian: He knows your pet well and can advise you on whether your cat is up for major traveling. If needed, he can even prescribe a pet tranquilizer to help calm your animal down, particularly if you have a nervous dog or neurotic cat.
•Do get your pet used to the drive: If your cat never goes anywhere with you, take him on short drives leading up to the move. That way, he won’t spend the entire drive with his claws in your leg, making the trip both painful and dangerous.
•Do change your pets’ collar tags: The day you head to your new home, put the new tags on identifying your new address and new phone number in case the worst happens and you get separated from your pet.
•Do keep pets away from the moving madness: While loading up the moving van, keep them in a quiet place away from all the turmoil.
•Do find a new veterinarian before you move: Having a new doctor in your rolodex might save you precious time. Make sure to have not only the new vet’s phone number, but his address and directions to his office.
•Do comply with local laws. Many municipalities require pets to be registered with animal control in case a collar is lost. Follow the laws once you move, or you could be fined.
Moving pet don’ts
There are many things that can go wrong during a move. Losing or hurting your pet shouldn’t be one of them.

•Don’t wait until the last minute to arrange transportation: Book both of your tickets well in advance of your move.
•Don’t try to transport your pet in the back of the moving van: It’s not safe during the move. Make other arrangements.
•Do call any hotels before arriving to confirm that your pet is welcome: Many hotels do not allow pets to stay in their rooms, though that trend is changing. Consult PetsWelcome.com for pet-friendly hotels that allow animals to stay with their owners.
•Don’t forget to pack a pet travel kit: This kit should include food, a bowl, a leash, medications, and plastic bags to scoop up waste. You may also want to bring toys to provide fun distractions for your pet.
•Don’t feed your animal right before the move: They might get motion sickness.
•Don’t forget the walks: If possible, try to keep up with your animal’s normal routines: Walks, feedings, bathroom breaks. This should help keep their anxiety down from the move activities.
Moving your pet can be fairly easy if you follow some easy pet travel do’s and don’ts. The Humane Society also has great information on moving with pets, as does the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Kudzu Stink Bug Spreading Across Georgia

2011-10-17T19:04:00.000-07:00

ATLANTA -- If you've noticed clusters of small, brown, dome-shaped bugs clinging to the outside walls of your home, you're not alone. A new critter seems to be spreading across Georgia, bringing a nasty stink.

Its scientific name is Megacopta Cribraria. They're also known as "globular stink bugs". But, most people call them kudzu bugs. They're relatively new to Georgia and North America.

Researchers believe they came here from Asia within the past couple of years, following the kudzu they apparently like to eat. In the fall, kudzu bugs gravitate to the light colored walls and windows of houses and buildings. They're apparently looking for a place to stay warm through the winter.

Last November, 11Alive reporter Marc Pickard reported on the discovery of the kudzu bug. Back then, the bug's population had not spread very far. "Its confined to just a very small number of counties," University of Georgia Entomologist Dr. David Suitor said in November 2009.

"An intense survey found the bug in eight northeast Georgia counties with Hall and Gwinnett being the closest to Atlanta," Pickard reported.

Now that kudzu bugs have been spotted inside the city, they may be on the move and growing in numbers. Though the spread of the kudzu bug could mean a check on the ever expanding patches of kudzu in Georgia, they could cause some concern in the agriculture community. They could damage soy bean crops.

The kudzu bug is a stink bug. It definitely has an odor.

The spread of the kudzu bug could be related to the spread of all kinds of stink bugs. Reports have been coming in from up and down the East Coast that stink bugs have been spreading in large numbers, posing a threat to crops.

If you're noticing these bugs on your house, you should check the seals around your doors and windows. You can also vacuum up the bugs. Just make sure you discard them AWAY from the house.

http://www.11alive.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=159118&catid=8

Why Sandtown?

2011-08-10T18:35:00.000-07:00

"The Sandtown Community is one of the oldest communities in Fulton County, Georgia and is located within 15 minutes from the airport and downtown Atlanta."

Sandtown has the official county designation as the Sandtown Overlay District. The Board of Commissioners of Fulton County, Georgia established the Sandtown Overlay as part of a strategy designed for the purpose, among others, of promoting the health, safety, order, prosperity and general welfare of the citizens of Fulton County through the regulation of design, aesthetics, location, bulk, size of buildings and structures, and the density and distribution of population.

For most new residents to South Fulton, any reference to Sandtown evokes thoughts of Sandtown Park, Sandtown Church or the former Sandtown Elementary School, now A. Philip Randolph. As late as 1950, County maps recognized Sandown’s boundaries as bordered by the City of Atlanta and extending on Campbellton Road from Enon Road to the Chattahoochee River (Douglass County).

Others can remember when Campbell's Grocery at the corner of Boat Rock and Campbellton was the local source of shopping for the community. At the same time, Sandown’s crossroads were near Boat Rock and Cascade. Fulton Industrial was not even on the maps until the 60’s.

78 Degrees?

2011-08-09T21:32:00.001-07:00

What temperature do you set on your thermostat during these sultry summer days? (To clarify, I’m asking about the times of the day and week when you’re home but don’t have guests.)

Larry Teller, of the EPA believes in 78 degree, and here’s why:

•It feels fine to me, especially when coming into the house on a hot, muggy day (Contrast is often what counts in life),
•The other day, when the air conditioner maintenance guy was leaving, and resetting the thermostat, he asked, simply, “78 degrees?” He has no incentive to make me sweat, right?
•My own agency offers energy-saving/pollution reduction tips for the cooling season, including
1.Switch to energy-efficient light bulbs
2.Use ceiling fans instead of, or when needed, to supplement air conditioning,
3.Close shade and blinds when you can,
4.Check and replace air conditioner filters, (or ask your First Communities maintenance staff to check them for you)
5.Plug duct leaks, and (here comes my favorite),
6.Set your thermostat higher when no one is home, and program it around your schedule
•The paragon of common sense and virtuous, energy-saving, living is also on my side: Consumer Reports boldly recommends a 78 degree setting
How do you handle this in your house? Advice is welcome.

Back To School Tips

2011-08-09T21:29:00.002-07:00

MAKING THE FIRST DAY EASIER
•Remind your child that she is not the only student who is a bit uneasy about the first day of school. Teachers know that students are anxious and will make an extra effort to make sure everyone feels as comfortable as possible.
•Point out the positive aspects of starting school: It will be fun. She’ll see old friends and meet new ones. Refresh her positive memories about previous years, when she may have returned home after the first day with high spirits because she had a good time.
•Find another child in the neighborhood with whom your youngster can walk to school or ride with on the bus.
•If you feel it is appropriate, drive your child (or walk with her) to school and pick her up on the first day.

EATING DURING THE SCHOOL DAY
•Most schools regularly send schedules of cafeteria menus home. With this advance information, you can plan on packing lunch on the days when the main course is one your child prefers not to eat.
•Try to get your child’s school to stock healthy choices such as fresh fruit, low-fat dairy products, water and 100 percent fruit juice in the vending machines.
•Each 12-ounce soft drink contains approximately 10 teaspoons of sugar and 150 calories. Drinking just one can of soda a day increases a child’s risk of obesity by 60%. Restrict your child’s soft drink consumption.

BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL CHILD CARE
•During early and middle childhood, youngsters need supervision. A responsible adult should be available to get them ready and off to school in the morning and watch over them after school until you return home from work. •Children approaching adolescence (11- and 12-year-olds) should not come home to an empty house in the afternoon unless they show unusual maturity for their age. •If alternate adult supervision is not available, parents should make special efforts to supervise their children from a distance. Children should have a set time when they are expected to arrive at home and should check in with a neighbor or with a parent by telephone.
•If you choose a commercial after-school program, inquire about the training of the staff. There should be a high staff-to-child ratio, and the rooms and the playground should be safe.

2011-08-09T21:29:00.001-07:00

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."

How Much Rent Can You Afford?

2011-04-23T02:57:00.000-07:00

The most important thing to consider when looking for an apartment is whether you can AFFORD to live there! No matter how great an apartment or rental house is, if the monthly rent and utility costs are more than you can pay, you cannot live there. But, how much is too much?

Generally, the maximum amount of rent you can afford is deduced from your yearly income. The rule of thumb is usually that you should pay no more than 25-30% of your before-tax income. However, that number can change based on various factors and expenses that you must consider for yourself.

I found that there are some very important things to consider when you are figuring out how much rent you can afford. For instance:

CAR PAYMENTS/TRAVELING COSTS
Do you own a car or rely on public transportation? Either way, there are important things to take into account derived by your preferred mode of transportation.

If you own a car there are often car payments to consider. How much a month must be allocated towards making these payments?

Furthermore, if you commute to work or drive frequently, you must also remember to include your gas bills. With the price of gasoline approaching $3.50 these days, gas costs can put a huge dent in your wallet.

Even if you don't have a car, many people must rely on alternate modes of transportation like the bus, subway system, or taxicabs. Unfortunately, all of these things cost money, so it is important to take into account the average amount of money you spend on getting around.

FOOD
Everyone must eat, but how each person eats can make a huge difference. How frequently you eat out versus preparing your own food really affects how much money you will be able to put towards rent each month. If you are prone to feasting out 7 days a week, make sure you note your additional costs!

ENTERTAINMENT/ SOCIAL CATEGORIES
It's easy to forget to take into consideration how much you spend on entertainment costs and social events each month. Unfortunately, for many people, this is where a great deal of their income is spent.

Do you enjoy going to the movie theaters or renting movies?
How often do you go to bars and nightclubs? Do you order the $3 beers or the $10 Manhattans?

MISCELLANIOUS
Oh how easy it is to forgot to take into account your "other" costs. If you are in the habit of spending $1000 a month on your wardrobe, you obviously will not have that money available to put toward ensuring that the roof over your head remains over your head.

Now, I focused on possible costs that you may have each month to show that you must take more than simply a static percentage of your income into account. But, obviously, if YOU have a very low cost of living and do not spend that much, you have more money to pay rent with.

When deciding how much rent you can afford each month, you simply must take into account all of your other expenses. Furthermore, it matters greatly whether you are trying to save money or are content to living "pay check to pay check."

Helping roommates split the rent

2011-02-23T15:26:00.000-08:00

Hi All,

I came across this cool tool written by a Harvard grad student called SplitTheRent.org. It helps roommates figure out, using an objective formula, how to split the rent. It takes into account different size rooms, noise, lack of windows, and other factors that make one room more or less desirable than another.

If you have units with multiple bedrooms that are not equivalent, do you run into any challenges marketing those units to roommates? I imagine that getting in the middle of a personal negotiation between friends (or strangers) might be awkward, but would you consider suggesting that your residents use this tool to take any emotions out of the equation?

I hope SplitTheRent.org can help some of you. It sounds like a great idea to me!

--Zach Kestenbaum
BuildingLink.com

Find Unclaimed Cash & Property

2011-02-18T09:36:00.000-08:00

Find Unclaimed Cash & Property - Greenville News Story - WYFF Greenville

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Every state in the United States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands have unclaimed property programs that actively find owners of lost and forgotten assets.

Unclaimed property laws have been around since at least the 1940s, but have become much broader and more enforced in the last 15 years. Unclaimed property is one of the original consumer protection programs.

More than $32.877 billion is currently being safeguarded by state treasurers and other agencies for 117 million accounts.

Claims can be made into perpetuity in most cases -- even by heirs.

In South Carolina, millions of dollars are transferred annually to the Palmetto Payback Program by companies who cannot locate the owners. Examples of the type of property covered by the program include bank accounts, stock certificates, checks, insurance policies and utility deposits.

The property transferred to the program for safekeeping is held indefinitely for the benefit of the rightful owners. If we are holding property for you, you always have the right to claim your property any time at no cost.

Spartanburg Unclaimed Property:

•Unclaimed Funds

All persons who are listed on the Clerk of Court “Unclaimed Fund” List should report to the Clerk of Court-Payments Office, located at the Spartanburg County Judicial Center, 180 Magnolia Street, Room Number 514, with proper identification such as, photo ID, Social Security Number, & former and current addresses for verification.

Once verification has been established, a check will be mailed to the verified address. No checks will be given out in person. Please contact the Clerk of Court Office at 864-596-2591, for questions and/or concerns.

Melvin Agnew found out that he was on the list Wednesday night.

"It was a prayer answered because we just had church last night and they said someone was going to be blessed this week, and I'm the one," he said. The money comes at a good time for Agnew, who is unemployed.

"Well, I've got to keep my home. And my cars, I've got to keep them. Plus I got a wife. She's disabled," he said. Agnew said that he would be grateful no matter how much cash he is able to claim.

"I don't know how much it is, but every little bit will help me," he said.

Statewide Unclaimed Cash/Property:

•Retirement Funds

•Child Support Payments

Other States & Federal Government Unclaimed Cash/Property:

•Other States

•Federal Property & Cash

•Savings Bonds

The benefits of apartment living

2011-02-16T06:35:00.000-08:00

With the growing number of homes being foreclosed on, apartment living is gaining popularity by the day. Apartment living is the recipe for enjoyment, fun and happiness. It offers you greater opportunities and the freedom to relocate as needed, among many other things. Apartment living is beneficial for both single professionals and married couples.

Apartment living offers you freedom - if you're offered a promotion through your job, you can move anywhere without being locked into a 10 or a 20 year mortgage. Living in an apartment also allows the single professionals to save money, as they don’t need to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars buying their own home. Renting is much less expensive than paying a mortgage every month.

Many apartment complexes offer amenities to help you lead a relaxing life. Things like pools, laundry services, and safety through gated access are all common. Similarly at an apartment, you have to face less maintenance problems as compared to your own home. In a home, if your sink leaks, refrigerator breaks, your toilet continually runs, your window or door damages, you have to take care of the problem yourself. In an apartment, you need not to worry about all these problems as the apartment management will look into them for you. Professional apartment management can save you a lot of hassle.

Apartment communities are often in desirable areas of town and their residents have an easy access to grocery stores, supermarkets, cinemas, schools, colleges and hospitals. Most apartment complexes have their own gyms and fitness centers for the residents. These gyms are well equipped and are free. You don’t need to travel at all and can get a gym facility within the apartment community.

Renting an apartment enables you to enjoy a stress-free lifestyle and provides great opportunities and growth. Apartment living provides a community environment that might be the desired lifestyle for many people. Living there allows you to live and enjoy your life in your own style.

For additional information on how to choose an apartment, check out "5 things to look for in an apartment"

Rent payments now appear on Experian credit reports

2011-02-16T06:08:00.000-08:00

For those of you without credit cards or mortgages, there's a new way to build your credit: Pay your rent on time.

In January, credit reporting agency Experian started including residential rental payment data on its credit reports. Previously, only mortgage payments were recorded because banks report monthly to the credit bureau.

This change will not, however, affect every consumer's credit because most landlords still do not report payments to Experian. But the company does expect the number of people impacted to be in the "low millions."

"For many, rent was their biggest monthly expenditure, and they never got the credit they deserved for making those payments," said Brannan Johnston, vice president and managing director of Experian's RentBureau. "Historically only negative information showed up for renters through collections or evictions."

So far, Experian has collected histories from more than 45 property managers across the country through its RentBureau division, which it said covers more than 8 million residents nationwide.

But Experian doesn't provide a list of participating properties. If you want to know if your credit will be impacted, you have to ask your management company or order a credit report from Experian.

Through the addition of rental data, one in three consumers falling in the lowest rung of Experian's VantageScore credit scoring model (receiving a letter grade of an F and scoring between 501 and 600) will move up to at least the next level (with a D-grade and a score between 601 and 700), the agency said.

And not only will including rental data help many consumers improve their credit, it has led Experian to open new files for a third of consumers with rental data in its system -- including college students and anyone without a bank account or credit history.

For those of you who aren't as responsible with your monthly payments, you're safe -- for now. Only positive accounts are currently being included on Experian reports. But the agency hopes to begin adding negative accounts to its reports next year.

While credit card issuers typically consider a payment late after 30 days, you're usually considered late after only 5 days with rental properties, said Johnston.

So instead of including negative data for consumers who have been late paying their rent from time to time, Johnson said Experian is likely only to include negative data if someone moved out of an apartment while still owing money, for example.

Experian is currently the only credit reporting agency to include rental payment data, so your FICO score and credit scores or reports from TransUnion and Equifax won't reflect how good -- or bad -- a renter you are.

What Our Residents Have To Say:

2011-02-09T12:26:00.000-08:00

A. Nelson:
Let me just take a moment to tell you why I chose to be a tenant at Astoria Riverside Park.

(1) Best Property Manager in the "World" her name is Ms. Donna Langer. She is #1 and her Assistant Manager Jonathan.
(2) Concern about what she can do to continue to keep the #1 property on the southside beautiful, intreging, clean, overwhelming property.
(3) Ms. Langer is very motivating, encouraging, respectful,I have never seen her in a bad moment, she is always working hard to come up with good ideas on how to make and keep her property nice for her tenants.
(4) Ms. Langer is Innovating, inspiring, always partrating a positive image.

You made a "Great" choice to place her here at Astoria Riverside Park alone with Mr. Jonathan. Don't ever let her and Jonathan go keep them here operating Astoria Riverside Park forever. Because if they leave, It would be a disaster.

GO DONNA AND JONATHAN! WHOOOOOOOOOOOPY!

ASTORIA THE NUMBER ONE PLACE TO LIVE!

Office Information

2010-04-12T08:09:00.001-07:00

Jonathan Leake - Property Manager
D'tra Gary - Assistant Manager
Jennifer Ajose - Leasing Consultant
Susie Quinn - Maintenance Supervisor
Jean Geoden - Maintenance Technician
Meniot Dubuisson - Maintenance Technician
Nathan Hayes - Courtesy Officer

Please call the courtesy officer at 404.344.1336 for any issues that you may have after hours.

Office Hours

Monday - Friday 8:30am- 5:30pm
Saturday 9:30am-4:30pm
Closed Sunday
Phone 404.344.1336
Fax 404.344.1337

Astoria Riverside Park
1925 Waycrest Dr SW
Atlanta, GA, 30331
www.astoriariversidepark.com
www.astoriariversidepark.blogspot.com

Service with a smile!!!

2010-03-29T14:33:00.000-07:00

We understand that your schedule is often hectic and that your personal time is extremely valuable. That is why we offer the following services for your convenience:

· The office will gladly accept UPS and Federal Express packages if you are away from home at the time of delivery. The US Postal Service will deliver to the office only if specified to do so by the resident. We are unable to sign for certified mail.
· The office has a copier for use in small quantities free of charge.
· A fax machine is also available for incoming or outgoing fax messages.

Do you have any questions about Please do not hesitate to pick up the phone and give us a call. Our office staff will be glad to hear your suggestions, answer your questions and give you all the information you need. The leasing office phone number is 404.344.1336
...service request?
...rent payment?
...lease renewals?
...referral incentives?
...residents functions?
...anything about else about Astoria Riverside Park?

Keeping yourself and your valueables safe!

2010-03-26T08:01:00.000-07:00

At Astoria Riverside Park, we strive to make our residents feel safe and comfortable in their homes. For preventative measures, please use the following tips in securing your homes and vehicles.
· Do not leave keys in the inside locks of the front or back doors of your apartment. Find a place near the door where you can reach your keys easily in case of emergency.
· Keep blinds closed when not at home.
· Renter’s insurance is strongly encouraged. If you have insurance, write down the serial numbers of electronics so they can be easily identified.
· Do not leave windows open when not at home. Please report any windows that do not close properly to the office.
· Look out for strangers. Report any peculiar activity to the office. If it’s after hours the answering service can page our courtesy officer.
· Remove all valuables from your cars. Remember, if there is nothing in your car to be stolen, then nothing can be taken.

Check out our slideshow!!!

2010-03-17T08:30:00.001-07:00

http://www.slide.com/r/ETH8XDow7D_IhoxiT9B8Uu8qM0Pc-Kh0?previous_view=mscd_embedded_url&view=original

Welcome to Astoria Riveriside Park

2010-03-03T08:26:00.000-08:00

Astoria Riverside Park has a hidden style with unparalleled customer service and admenities . Come tour our unique metropolitan style living communitiy and rest easy knowing you are now home. Live here knowing you never need to leave home-you have it all! Don't miss out on our amazing move in specials. Enjoy the hidden essence of what our beautiful homes have to offer. We have brand new one, two and three bedroom apartment homes designed with an expression of true craftsman style living. We are close to I-85/ I-75, I-20 and I-285. Astoria Riverside PArk is close to shopping, dining and entertainment. The architecture seamlessly blends with the new upcoming surrounding neighborhood and the interior sets an unprecedented sense of luxury. Astoria's club quality amenities make coming home a treat. Our apartments feature: /Controlled Access Entry Gates/State -of -the-art Fitness Studio/Cyber Cafe/Gourmet Coffee Bar/Surf & Sun Poolside with Free Wi-Fi/ Beautiful Interiors/Minutes to Camp Creek Shopping/Oversized Closets/ Vaulted Ceilings/ Clothes Care Facility/Covered Car Wash w/Vacuum/Minutes From I-85, I-75, I-285, I-20 and Downtown Atlanta.