From convenience to location and amenities, we’ve put together a list outlining five reasons why you’ll love living in Lakewood’s apartment communities in the greater Edmonton area. 

1. Easy Access to Neighboring Areas 

Lakewood is a community 20-minutes south of downtown Edmonton and a few blocks from the budding Mill Woods neighborhood. The location is ideal because it is close to movie theaters, popular restaurants, and exciting nightlife. Lakewood also boasts some great shopping options to make errands a breeze, with stores like Costco, Walmart, IKEA, and Nordstrom Rack nearby.
 

Recreationally, there are some excellent local parks where you can explore the great outdoors. Residents can enjoy embarking on a challenging hike, taking a peaceful dog walk, and kids love playing at the many public playgrounds.  

2. Floor Plans that Grow with You

Maybe you’ll start your apartment living journey by choosing a studio or a one-bedroom home. However, as life happens, you may find yourself making plans to grow your family or add another roommate. Many apartment communities in the Lakewood neighborhood offer open-concept layouts with a high bedroom count that will accommodate your evolving living situation. If you’ve ever moved before, you’ll appreciate the convenience of choosing to live in a community that offers multiple floor plans, so you can move within the property instead of across town. 

3. Amenities that Suit Your Lifestyle

When searching for an apartment, it’s important to ask yourself, “What are the amenities I need to have in my home?” It’s essential to know what matters to you during your apartment hunting process, so you can manage your expectations of what you can afford and what can be considered an “add-on.”  
 

Suppose you have a family and are seeking a space with extra amenities. Then finding a home with a big kitchen, ample storage space, large closets, and a private patio or balcony might be high on your priority list. Or, maybe you often entertain and need a dining room or an extra space to host gatherings. Amenities like walk-in closets, kitchen islands, energy-efficient appliances, and gas ranges are a few upgrades that various Lakewood apartments offer. 
 

Luckily, apartments in the greater Edmonton area provide a plethora of homes that feature a range of finishes and amenities, so you’ll be able to find a space that includes everything you need, and maybe some fun extras too!

4. Exclusive Resident Events

Apartment communities in Lakewood offer resident events and social activities that bring communities together and encourage neighbors to get to know one another. If you’re looking to meet new people or are seeking an opportunity to get out of the house and socialize, these events are the perfect opportunity to do so.
 

With more people working from home than ever before, it’s crucial to prioritize stepping out, turning off the computer, and interacting with people face-to-face on a daily basis. The benefit of attending resident events is simple — you don’t have to drive or go anywhere besides a few steps from your front door! 

5. Affordability 

Rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Edmonton averages at around $1,195 per month. In Lakewood, you’ll be able to find apartments that are reasonably priced while being centrally located and offer amenities that meet your needs and lifestyle. With so many other bills and expenses to cover, it’s comforting to know your home is realistically priced.
 

When touring apartments, make sure you’re clear on your price limit and what you’re willing to sacrifice in terms of upgrades and amenities. This will help you get a clear understanding of your priorities to properly budget for a new apartment. Moving can be pricey, and you want all your bases covered during the process to avoid surprise expenses. 

Lakewood Heights Apartment Homes

Lakewood is a close-knit community that offers something for everyone. For anyone looking to find an apartment in Edmonton, please don’t hesitate to contact us at Lakewood Heights Apartment Homes in the Lakewood neighborhood.
 

We offer studios as well as one and two bedroom options to provide all the space you need to live comfortably. Along with a cozy space to call home, we are also a pet-friendly apartment community and welcome your fur babies! We have a dedicated onsite dog park and a special pet play area for you and your beloved pets to stretch their legs and meet new friends.
 

Our knowledgeable, hands-on staff can schedule you a personal virtual or in-person tour to see more of our community and envision what life is like at Lakewood Heights. We would love to help you find your new home in the Lakewood neighborhood in Edmonton, AB!

The post Edmonton, AB Residents: 5 Signs You’ll Love Living in a Lakewood Neighborhood Apartment Community appeared first on Weidner Apartment Homes Blog.

Check out these great winter cleaning projects to keep you busy when it is too cold to go outside!

1. Give your bed a deep clean

Even if you wash your sheets regularly, your bed could still benefit from a deep clean a few times a year. Take the time to wash your sheets, pillowcases, comforter or duvet, and any other blankets you might keep on your bed. You can also clean or replace your pillows, clean your headboard, and check your mattress for signs of being worn out.
 

You will sleep so well once your bed has had this full refresh, and this will allow you to continue your regular maintenance, like washing your sheets on a regular basis, once spring arrives.

2. Dust everything

Dust has a way of landing in even the most remote locations of your home. Dedicate a cleaning session to tackling all the obvious and hidden dust particles throughout each room. Make sure to tackle your baseboards, ceiling fan blades, the top of your refrigerator, and any vents in your home. If you are feeling especially ambitious, have a friend or family member help you move your large appliances and furniture to dust underneath and behind those too.
 

If you want to further improve the air quality in your home, consider investing in an air purifier to reduce the amount of dust, dander, and pollen that make their way in.

3. Declutter

This can be a super time-consuming task if you are not careful. So consider doing this room-by-room, rather than committing to doing your entire home all at once. It can be very hard to believe just how many things can accumulate even in a smaller apartment home. Start small with your bathroom or linen closet, and build your way up to more daunting rooms like your office or bedroom. This way you will not lose motivation from starting off too strong and getting overwhelmed by the amount of clutter you have to sort through and reorganize, relocate, or recycle.

4. Deep clean your kitchen appliances

Your refrigerator and oven are probably used regularly and could benefit from a deep clean now that all the cooking associated with the holidays has passed. Wait until you need to go grocery shopping (when your refrigerator is at its most empty state) and pull out everything to make the entire space accessible. Clean the shelves, drawers, and walls of your fridge and then place everything back inside. Now your fridge will be ready for your next grocery haul!
 

If you have a self-cleaning oven, go ahead and use that setting and clean your microwave while it does its thing. If you do not, remove the racks from your oven, give the inside a clean with your favorite cleaning product, and then clean and replace the racks. Don’t stop there though; take the time to give your stovetop a good cleaning too. You will be amazed at how great your oven will look when you are done!

5. Walls

It is so easy to do your weekly cleaning and overlook your walls every time. Take a day to wash the walls throughout your home. You will especially want to focus on the walls in your kitchen around your stove, your bathroom walls, and any areas of your home that your children are often playing (or coloring!) around. All you need is a bucket of warm water and a sponge, and your walls will look like new in no time. You can also use warm soapy water if you have children that love to color, pets that have beds or play areas against a wall, or difficult smudges around your kitchen.

You are going to be so glad you took advantage of your cold, snowy days in January and February to get ahead with all of this cleaning. Now, when the forecast predicts the first warm, breezy day of the year, you will be free to do any fun activities that you can think of!

The post Winter Cleaning Projects to Prepare Your Home for Spring appeared first on Weidner Apartment Homes Blog.

Keep reading to be inspired to set some goals of your own for this year!

Drinking more water

Everyone would greatly benefit from drinking more water. This simple change will improve your digestion, skin, hair, nails, and more. You do not have to eliminate other beverages from your life, but saving them for special occasions or waiting until you have met your daily water goals can be a great motivator!
 

If you benefit from reminders, you could download an app to periodically notify you to pour yourself a glass of water. You could also get a water bottle that is marked with a timeline of how much water you should have consumed by each hour of the day.

• Reading more

You might want to spend less time looking at screens, or maybe you want to expand your mind and interests. Either way, reading could be a great new pastime for you to set goals for this year. If you need some motivation, you could join a book club or start your own with your friends and family.
 

Set yourself up for success by drafting a list of books that you want to read each month or over the course of the year. You could do a monthly theme based on genre, subject matter, or author to stay inspired to continue your reading journey.

• Advance yourself professionally

If you feel like you are in a bit of a rut with your current job or field of work, take this year to prepare yourself for the next level. Create a plan based on where you are now and where you want to be with the necessary steps to get there. Once you have done this, figure out how to accomplish those steps.
 

Maybe you have realized that your current work life could use some improvements. Try cleaning off your desk and organizing its contents and blocking your time, if you struggle with feeling overwhelmed by your work. You could also dedicate a certain time of day to respond to non-urgent messages and emails if you struggle with that.

• Grow your relationships

Consider dedicating some time this year to improving or growing your relationships with your friends, family, and coworkers. This might look very different from one relationship to the next. For some relationships, you might need to set some healthy boundaries. For others, you might make yourself more available to spend quality time together.
 

Take some time to reflect on which relationships you most wish to improve, and consider what specific needs those relationships have. This is not a goal that you have to announce to everyone you know, and your actions may come across more sincerely if your loved ones don’t know why you are making these efforts.

• Reduce your stress

Take some time this year to focus on you and what best helps you to manage the stressors in your life. For some, this could be physical exercise, whether that means running, lifting weights, yoga, or just a nice daily walk outside. For others, this could be incorporating breathing exercises, journaling, or establishing a daily self-care routine.
 

A good start to reducing your stress is identifying what it is that stresses you out, why it bothers you, and how you can overcome this obstacle. Consistent stress can severely affect your quality of life, so definitely consider this as a goal for this year!
 

Sometimes setting goals for the new year can be seen as cliché, but this truly is a fantastic opportunity to start fresh. Forget about the unhealthy choices you made last year, and begin this year with a positive, goal-oriented mindset. You are sure to succeed if you keep at it, and this time next year you might find yourself in a totally different mindset.
 

The best way to maintain your goals is to not be too focused on the results. It can be difficult to keep wanting to work out if you only want your body to look a certain way, rather than wanting to strengthen your body over time. Likewise, it can be difficult to read a lot of books if you are more focused on accomplishing a certain number of novels, rather than trying to expand your mind and cut down your screen time.
 

Whatever your goals are for this year, we wish you the best of luck in accomplishing them!

The post Goals for the New Year appeared first on Weidner Apartment Homes Blog.

Let's take a look at what makes St. Albert, AB a great place to live!

City Meets Nature

One of the locals' favorite pastimes is visiting St. Albert Botanical Park. Just a short ten-minute drive from downtown lands you at this beautiful outdoor space, where you can relax, have a picnic, or stroll through the grounds surrounded by gorgeous natural landscapes. Numerous other parks are scattered throughout the city, such as Red Willow Trails and Lois Hole Centennial Provincial Park. Each space offers the chance to carry out a nature walk surrounded by local birds and plants that you can enjoy anytime. Five minutes away, you will encounter Enjoy Centre. This is a greenhouse shopping mall that provides everything you need to create your own garden oasis on your apartment patio. No matter the activity, the natural beauty integrated throughout St. Albert creates an outdoorsy atmosphere amidst the bustling city lifestyle.

Cultural Experiences

Other activities in St. Albert include visiting one of the Arden Theatre programs. Each of these performances enriches you with a unique cultural experience, and many of the performers are St. Albert locals. For those looking to connect with their community, St. Albert Farmer’s Market is the perfect place to meet your neighbors! The market is held weekly from mid-June through mid-September. Here you’ll have access to fresh local produce, flowers, honey, and handmade items. Want to learn more about St. Albert? Check out the Musee Heritage Museum, which showcases the well-documented and rich historical exhibits of the city where nearly 66,000 people are proud to call home. The museum holds dozens of archives, several community programs, and a rotation of different exhibitions each week.

Entertainment and Activities 

A short 20-minute drive south-east, you’ll enter Edmonton. This larger sister city offers many exciting and fun activities, like the famous West Edmonton Mall. Here, you not only have the opportunity to shop, but you can also swim, ice skate, and enjoy the delicious fare. This mall is the largest in North America and even features a roller coaster! Enhance your perception of Alberta by visiting the Royal Alberta Museum, the Muttart Conservatory, or the beautiful Winspeare Centre. Each of these locations educates visitors about the area’s history, horticulture, and the arts. Those who aren’t afraid of heights can get a convenient and wide-lens view of the city by riding the High Level Bridge Streetcar. If you’re seeking even more opportunities to explore nature, visit The Elk Island National Park, which features the three B’s of Canada – Birds, Beavers, and Bison! Plenty of memories await you when choosing St. Albert and its surrounding destinations as your home.

Ready to Relocate?

If you’re looking to plant roots (garden pun intended) and call St. Albert home, look no further than Gateway Square Apartment Homes. Conveniently located near Highway 2 and Highway 216, your commute to large area employers like PURE Canadian Gaming, University of Alberta, or EPCOR Utilities will be a breeze. Nearby schools like Wild Rose Elementary School and Sir George Simpson Junior High are conveniently located for your little ones. There are also many tasty restaurants nearby and within walking distance for you to enjoy without needing to drive. Gateway Square offers desirable amenities as well as spacious one and two-bedroom floor plans. To get started on finding your next home, contact our leasing office today to schedule a tour of Gateway Square Apartment Homes!
 

The post St. Albert, AB – Where Nature, Art, and Excitement Combine appeared first on Weidner Apartment Homes Blog.

Let’s have a more in-depth look at Odessa, Texas, so that you can see if it is the right option for your next home.

The Climate of Odessa, TX

Generally, Odessa is arid and hot. Temperatures escalate to the 90s during the summer, and residents can expect the sun to shine for roughly 70% of the year. The area hasn’t experienced more than 14 inches of rainfall in the past few years, but the occasional showers help keep the landscape and weather pleasant. Winters are also quite favorable, especially if you are not a fan of snowfall, which is less than one inch per year.
 

Employment in Odessa, TX

Like most other cities in Texas, Odessa’s economy thrives on its oil industry, along with the energy sector following close behind. The city has a very low unemployment rate, and its economy continues to experience healthy growth year over year. 
 

Therefore, you should have no trouble finding a suitable job in Odessa. Employment opportunities are one of the main factors that heavily affect decision-making when choosing where to move, and Odessa takes the stress off your shoulders in this regard. Due to the booming oil industry, other sectors also thrive, and it is easy to find jobs that pertain to different skill sets. Many of the area’s other top employers include local schools, the medical center, restaurants, and retailers.
 

Culture and Leisure in Odessa, TX

In Odessa, you will find lots of theater and performing arts lovers, and there are numerous venues where people go to enjoy plays, dramas, concerts, and more! Some of the notable venues include the Permian Playhouse and the Globe of The Great Southwest. Moreover, children can also enjoy fun activities at the various amusement and theme parks located throughout the region.
 

If you are a sports enthusiast, you can enjoy the many football and ice hockey games held at the Ector County Coliseum. Be sure to visit Ratcliff Stadium to catch an exciting high school football game and connect with your community.
 

People are amicable in Odessa, and you will also notice a lot of cultural and economic diversity among the residents. The city attracts a wide variety of people, and each neighborhood provides a rich culture and strong bonds between neighbors. Thanks to the low unemployment rate, low crime rate, and low cost of living, people are happy to call Odessa home.
 

If you are considering making Odessa your new home and want to explore housing options, check out High Plains Apartment Homes. Our modern apartment community offers spacious one and two-bedroom apartments with modern touches you need for a comfortable lifestyle. High Plains also offers desirable amenities where you can connect with your neighbors and build a sense of community. Some of our shared spaces include a sparkling outdoor pool and outdoor grilling stations.
 

Apart from the exquisite architecture and design incorporated in the homes at High Plains, the community is also centrally located to make schools, shops, entertainment, and area employers easily accessible. If High Plains sounds like the perfect place for your new home in Odessa, TX, contact us today to schedule a tour with one of our friendly, knowledgeable team members. We can’t wait to welcome you home to High Plains Apartment Homes!
 

The post All You Need To Know About Living in Odessa, TX appeared first on Weidner Apartment Homes Blog.

Weidner Apartment Homes, a global real estate investment and property management company, announced today that it acquired the multifamily community Uptown at Kirkland Urban Apartments in downtown Kirkland, WA. This asset is a rare class-A community in Kirkland’s Central Business District, one of the most desirable locations in the greater Seattle area. This acquisition marks Weidner’s fourth property in Kirkland and grows its portfolio to 6,705 units in the greater Seattle area.
 

Uptown at Kirkland Urban is a 185-unit, luxury, mid-rise, mixed-use community. Nestled in the newly renovated Kirkland Urban Development, residents can enjoy fine dining, boutique shopping, and public parks within walking distance. The community also offers stunning views of Lake Washington and the Kirkland Marina, less than a mile away. Uptown at Kirkland Urban’s seamless access to I-405 allows for efficient commutes to local employment hubs in downtown Bellevue, Redmond, and Seattle, including Microsoft’s headquarters, Meta’s regional hub, the Bellevue Central Business District, and Google’s Kirkland office.
 

Uptown at Kirkland Urban was built in 2019 and provides a high-end living experience with luxury studio, one, and two-bedroom apartments. Each home incorporates designer finishes and modern features and has an average size of 815 sf. The community spaces include a state-of-the-art, 24-hour fitness center, a deluxe resident lounge, work-from-home stations, and an expansive rooftop lounge views of downtown and Lake Washington.
 

Weidner Apartment Homes is the current owner and manager of Uptown at Kirkland Urban Apartments. The company is eager to expand in Kirkland and provide the community with well-managed, quality rental homes.
 

The post Weidner Apartment Homes Acquires a Rare 185-unit, Mixed-Use Multifamily Community in Downtown Kirkland, WA appeared first on Weidner Apartment Homes Blog.

If you’re looking for a modern, pet-friendly apartment in the greater OKC area, check out these three reasons why you’re going to fall in love with 35 Degrees North Apartment Homes.

1. The Location

Edmond is home to top-rated schools, prominent colleges and universities, and a bustling business district. It is quickly becoming the go-to neighborhood for college students, families, professionals, and retirees. 35 Degrees North is only twenty minutes from the heart of OKC and ten minutes from the University of Central Oklahoma. College students, campus employees, and professors who want to live off-campus can have their own spacious and private apartment while still benefiting from a short commute. 35 Degrees North also places residents in the Deer Creek Public Schools school district, the top-rated district in OK. These modern apartments are close to popular locally-owned restaurants, the Quail Springs Mall, chic boutiques, big-box stores, and local grocery stores, making everything you need close by and accessible. 
 

Nature lovers will strengthen their passion for the great outdoors in Edmond. With the area’s beautiful public parks, scenic bike trails, nature centers, playgrounds, golf courses, and lush green open spaces, Edmond is the perfect city to get out and explore. Lake Hefner and Arcadia Lake are popular in the summer months, and there are sprawling vineyards, like Clauren Ridge Winery, to visit in the fall. Edmond is also home to many cultural and art experiences, with museums like the Edmond Historical Society Museum, cultural centers, art galleries, and live music venues dotted around the city. 

2. The Apartments

Due to Edmond’s rapid growth, the city is constantly evolving. It’s an established area that has quickly become the “go-to” spot for apartment renters around OKC. Apartment communities like 35 Degrees North are changing the way people think about apartment living. This brand-new community features four unique floor plans, so renters can find the layout that works best for their lifestyle. With both one and two-bedroom options, these modern apartments feature luxury kitchens, granite countertops, a full-size washer and dryer, vaulted ceilings, walk-in closets, stainless steel appliances, and large windows that fill each home with natural light. 
 

Students and busy professionals will appreciate that each layout offers a laptop-friendly workstation and plenty of USB outlets to keep everything charged. Families and singles will enjoy the open-concept floor plans that allow one room to flow seamlessly into the next, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The private patios and balconies allow residents to create an outdoor living space to take in the sights and fresh air, just steps outside their door. 
 

These pet-friendly apartments are complete with hardwood-style vinyl plank flooring and neutral color tones, so you have a blank canvas to create a space that is uniquely you. 

3. The Amenities 

Modern renters are looking for an apartment that is more than just a place to call home. They’re looking for a community where they can live and thrive, and they found it at 35 Degrees North. The amenities help create an active and inclusive community and are designed to give residents everything they need without ever leaving their homes. 35 Degrees North features desirable shared spaces that will expand the resident's living experience and create a comfortable place to relax, entertain, and socialize with neighbors. Some of the other popular amenities include:

• Two resort-style pools
• Poolside BBQ area with picnic seating
• A state-of-the-art fitness center
• An expansive dog park
• A pet washing station
• Sports courts
• A fully equipped clubhouse
• On-site maintenance and management for resident convenience

Residents use the community perks to stay active and connect with friends and family. 35 Degrees North was thoughtfully designed to give residents the comfort, convenience, and privacy of a high-end apartment combined with resort-style amenities to bring people together. 
 

Apartment living isn’t what it used to be, especially in and around OKC. In Edmond and the surrounding areas, renters are looking for pet-friendly apartments with modern amenities, high-end appliances, and a next-levelUpdate management team. 35 Degrees North has all of this and more. Want to find out where you belong in Edmond? Schedule a tour to see all that 35 Degrees North Apartment Homes has to offer today!
 

The post Edmond’s Luxury Apartment Community 35 Degrees North appeared first on Weidner Apartment Homes Blog.

Here are 7 ways that you can make the most of the amenities in your community!

Swimming Pool

Switch up your summer workouts by doing laps in the pool. Swimming is a fantastic cardio exercise that does not take a toll on your joints. You will get the most out of your workout if you don’t go at peak hours, so plan accordingly!
 

Have some friends over for a pool party. Because this is a community amenity, you will want to be mindful of your neighbors who are also trying to enjoy the pool. Make sure not to play your music too loud or get too rowdy. You will also want to check the rules regarding bringing guests, food, and drinks to your apartment community’s pool!
 

24-Hour Fitness Center with Yoga Room

Cancel your gym membership, and walk to your apartment community’s fitness center. Not only will you be saving money, but you will get extra cardio by walking to and from the gym. 
 

Not into major cardio or weightlifting? Check out your apartment community’s yoga room for a relaxing workout that will still boost your heart rate. 
 

Off-Leash Pet Park

If you have a dog that loves to run around and get out their energy, try taking them to your off-leash pet park after work. Your dog can run around AND meet other dogs. Make sure to bring a bag for waste if your apartment community does not have a dispenser nearby!
 

This is also a great opportunity for you to meet some of your dog-loving neighbors and make new friends. Just think about how fun it would be to chat with a friend while your dogs have a playdate! 
 

Sand Volleyball Court or Basketball Court

Hitting the basketball or sand volleyball courts is another great way to get some exercise close to home. You could even talk to your property manager about creating a league within the community for anyone who’s interested in getting to know their neighbors and having some fun in the sun.
 

You could also just have some friends over for a private game of basketball or volleyball!
 

Clubhouse/Resident Lounge

Your community clubhouse is a great option for hosting in the warm or cold months. If your apartment home is not suitable for the gathering or party that you are having, consider reserving the clubhouse for a cozy, furnished venue.
 

Business Center

Whether you work from home, have children that are in school, or just don’t want to invest in a printer or copier, your apartment’s business center can be a great resource. Printing last-minute reports, essays, and presentations no longer has to be a nightmare!
 

Coffee Station with Coffee, Tea and Hot Chocolate

Out of coffee, late for work, or both? Stop by the complimentary coffee station for the hot beverage of your choosing. You’ll be so grateful for this amenity when it saves you from a day spent without caffeine!

If you are looking for a community with features like these, Lincoln at Central Park Apartments Homes offers all of these great amenities and more. With gorgeous, thoughtfully designed one, two and three bedroom floor plans to choose from, you are certain to find the perfect space for your needs and lifestyle. You can experience a virtual tour right from your home, or you can contact us today to schedule a live virtual tour or a private in-person tour with one of our professional leasing team members. We can’t wait to show you your new home at Lincoln at Central Park in Oklahoma City, OK!
 

The post Making the Most Out of Your Apartments appeared first on Weidner Apartment Homes Blog.