Avignon Apartment Homes

Improve Your VIP Experience: Flexible Ways to Pay Rent and Build Credit at Avignon

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 19:59:26 GMT

At Avignon Apartments , we are committed to providing our VIPs with the best tools to manage their apartment homes effortlessly. We want to highlight the various ways you can handle your monthly rent, including some exciting benefits that help you build your financial future just by living with us.

1. The AppFolio Resident Portal App

The easiest way to manage your living experience is through the AppFolio app. It is a one-stop shop for your most frequent needs:

Convenient Payments: Set up one-time or automatic payments using a bank account (e-check), credit card, or debit card.
Split Payments with Flex: We have integrated Flex directly into your AppFolio app. This service allows you to split your rent into two payments throughout the month. Flex pays your rent to us in full and on time, while you pay them back on a schedule that fits your cash flow.
Full Transparency: View your current balance, previous statements, and full payment history anytime.

2. Build Your Credit for Free with Pinata

Your consistent rent payments should work for you. We are proud to offer Free Positive Rent Payment Reporting to major credit bureaus through our partner, Pinata.

How it works: You will receive an email invitation from Pinata to sign up for this service. Once you are enrolled, your on-time payments are reported to the credit bureaus.
The Benefit: This helps you build your credit score over time without any extra cost. It is our way of rewarding your reliability and helping you reach your long-term financial goals. (Please note: we do not utilize any resident reward or marketplace features through Pinata; this service is strictly for your credit reporting benefit.)

3. More Ways the App Helps You

Beyond payments, the AppFolio app remains your primary tool for staying connected with our Fullerton community. You can:

Submit Maintenance Requests: Easily upload photos and descriptions of any needed repairs.
Manage Renter's Insurance: Access your policy or update your provider details.
Stay Informed: Contact the office via text or phone, update your contact preferences, and access your lease documents.

At Avignon Apartments , we treat every resident like a VIP. Whether you are looking for more flexibility with Flex or looking to boost your credit score through Pinata, we are here to support your lifestyle.

Celebrate the Holidays in Fullerton, California

Wed, 22 Nov 2023 16:25:10 GMT

Holiday Activities in Fullerton, CA

Knott’s Merry Farm : While Knott's Berry Farm is always a top choice for you and your family, it's even better during the holidays! "Knott's Merry Farm" takes over the entire park from November 17 to January 7, decking it out with holiday lights, décor, food, treats, activities, and more. The whole family will always have a great time at Knott's Berry Farm, and it becomes even more special and unforgettable around the holidays! Take a look at this trailer to get a taste of Knott's Merry Farm!

Winter Fest OC : Living in sunny Southern California does not mean that your family can't enjoy a fun-filled winter vacation. Orange County is the perfect place to have a winter party. The Winter Fest this year takes place from November 24 to January 7 and includes over a million beautiful lights, an abundance of festive decorations to make anyone go crazy, a plethora of exciting events, a snow play area, a 150-foot tubing slide, a carnival, a Christmas market, and an abundance of cuisine.

New this year is the North Pole Journey, a one-of-a-kind winterland experience where wide-eyed participants learn exactly how to become an elf. Winter Fest OC will be chilling at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa. Tickets can be purchased here .

Holidays at the Disneyland Resort : Why not spend some time at the Magic Kingdom during this magical Christmas season? There's plenty of time to see the park decorated for the holiday season and enjoy the sights, sounds, and smells of some special events, like the Festival of Holidays, which pays homage to multicultural food, music, and traditions. The holiday-themed experiences, events, and cuisine begin on November 10 and run through January 7.

Holiday Shows and Performances in Fullerton, CA

A holiday concert is the ideal way to get into the spirit of the season. Fortunately for us, there are lots of enjoyable holiday shows in Fullerton this year! To truly get into the spirit of the holidays, don't forget to check out one of the shows on our list!

Santa Claus Conquers the Martians : It might grow boring to watch the same old Christmas plays every year. However, are you familiar with Santa Claus Conquers the Martians, an annual event returning for a 17th year running? Your entire family will love this outrageous science fiction movie that has been brought to the stage! Visit the Maverick Theater in Fullerton between November 18 and December 23 to see a performance that will stay with you forever!

Holiday Concert on the Pier : There's no better way to get into the holiday mood than to give to the less fortunate while taking in a delightful concert. For a free afternoon filled with festive music and the spirit of giving, head over to Redondo Beach. You can enter to win prizes by just bringing an unopened new children's gift to donate to a child in need! This is the ideal approach to enjoy the holidays and really embrace the giving spirit. This event runs from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on December 9.

Holiday Series at the Chance Theater : Without your favorite films, television series, and novels, the holidays just aren't the same! The Chance Theater in Anaheim's Holiday Series this year consists of two unique productions: Fancy Nancy Splendiferous Christmas (December 1–23) and The Secret Garden, the Musical (November 24–December 23). For a night of surefire entertainment for the whole family, combine the enchantment of the holidays with the wonder of a live theater production. Visit the theater's website to find out how to get tickets!

Holiday Shopping in Fullerton, CA

Searching for genuinely exceptional presents for your dear ones this year? If so, you’re in the right place! There are lots of distinctive shops and small companies in Fullerton that have exactly what you're looking for. Discover some of the greatest and most distinctive shops Fullerton has to offer by reading on!

Stitch + Feather : Is there a special woman in your life? Then you should definitely shop at this boutique! This store can be difficult to resist because it is filled with not just stylish apparel and accessories but also items like coffee tables, makeup bags, mugs, and fragrant candles! Make sure to visit this Downtown Fullerton location to choose gifts for all the key women in your life.

The Brick Basement : Are you sick of the same old generic gifts? Visit The Brick Basement in Downtown Fullerton to get genuinely one-of-a-kind gifts for your loved ones! Choose from 25 different sellers offering a huge selection of handcrafted furniture, accessories, jewelry, tea sets, handbags, and more. This downtown Fullerton antique mall is the ideal location to locate a one-of-a-kind gift!

The Wonder Emporium : This toy store is the ideal location to purchase holiday gifts for your children! This store, which sells toys for all ages, is only 15 minutes from Fullerton in La Habra. Board games, plush animals, crafts, educational toys, and other items are available here. There's bound to be something in the vast variety to cheer up any child!

Holiday Activities in Fullerton, CA

Safe Celebration

Don’t forget about safety while you're out celebrating with holiday activities in Azusa.

Before you leave home, make sure your Christmas tree is safe. Never leave the lights on if you’re asleep or not home, don’t use string lights with broken or worn cords, and never light candles on the tree. Every year, the National Fire Protection Association estimates that 160 house fires start with Christmas trees, and we don’t want you to be one of those victims.

Here’s another holiday safety tip: Practice candle safety. Holiday-scented candles can help you get into the holiday spirit, but they can be dangerous, too. Every year, firefighters respond to an estimated 7,610 house fires caused by candles. And guess what? Christmas is the peak candle-fire day. So remember: Never light a candle within 12 inches of anything flammable, and never leave a lit candle unattended.

If you’re looking for somewhere to live this holiday season, check out Avignon Apartments, a luxury apartment community in Fullerton, CA. We have all the amenities

The Top 5 Tastiest Taco Stops in Fullerton, California

Tue, 02 May 2023 16:22:00 GMT

The Ultimate List of Summer Activities in Fullerton, CA

Tue, 14 Jun 2022 16:29:00 GMT

How to Get the Most Out of a Pet-Friendly Apartment

Thu, 16 Sep 2021 19:44:00 GMT

Did you know that almost three-quarters of renters have pets ? It can be hard to find a pet-friendly apartment, but once you do, it’s oh so fun to have a furry friend as part of your family.

So how do you make sure you are living your pet-friendly apartment life to the fullest? Give your pet plenty of active time, create a space just for them, and get to know your community’s policies and amenities. Following those steps, you and your pet will be as happy as can be.

Give Them Plenty of Active Time

According to FETCH, “up to 50% of dogs in the U.S. weigh too much”? And sadly, “like people, overweight dogs are at risk for health problems, from arthritis to heart disease.”

Luckily, there are plenty of things to do inside an apartment to help your dog or other furry friend get plenty of great exercise. For dogs, you can do obedience training—which works the body and mind—and play games like find the treat .

For cats, it can be a little harder to help them get the exercise they need. Be sure to set aside a few minutes a day for structured exercise time . Get a laser pointer, some toy mice, and a tantalizing bit of yarn to get your cat’s attention.

To fully enjoy inside time, it’s important to get outside time, too. If you start with your cat as a kitten, they may actually enjoy taking walks with a harness on! And dogs, of course, are famous for loving walks. Find a dog park nearby to help your dog use up some of their social energy, too.

Create a Space Just for Them

Do you ever come home from a long day and just need 10 minutes alone to reset? Your pet might relate to you! Often, they need just a little time alone when they’re sleepy, irritable, or just feeling like people are in their personal space.

“It is important that [pets] have a space to go when they feel these emotions,” says the Humane Society of Macomb . “It’s best for owners to give pets their own area rather than allow their pets to take out their frustration on other people or animals.”

Find a spot in your apartment—it doesn’t have to be big—that your pet can call their own. Try to make it comfortable, quiet, out of direct sunlight, and personalized to your pet. That way, when they feel overwhelmed, they have somewhere they know they can go to reset.

Get to Know the Policies and Amenities

Before you move into a pet-friendly apartment, make sure you know all the policies regarding pets. That will allow you to plan ahead and ensure you and your furry friend can settle in nicely. And be sure you know about your apartment complex’s amenities! Here at Avignon Apartment Homes , for example, we have a pet-washing station for pet owners to use. It’s a fun and convenient way to get that coat squeaky clean!

Take advantage of your pet-friendly apartment by giving your pet plenty of active time, creating a space just for them, and getting to know your community’s policies and amenities. And if you’re looking for a place where you and your pet can live in peace, Avignon Apartment Homes is a pet-friendly apartment community in Fullerton, California. We have one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments ready to be leased. Learn more here .

Founders’ Park: Beautiful Historic Site Near Fullerton

Thu, 12 Aug 2021 23:11:00 GMT

The hustle and bustle of modern life can be exhausting. Luckily, there are a lot of historical sites near Fullerton, California, that can give you the feeling of a simpler time. One awesome site is Founders’ Park in Anaheim. Read on to learn a little more about it!

A Little History

The Anaheim Colony was founded in 1857 , and the settlers planted 50 20-acre vineyards of grapes. But in the 1870s, a plague wiped out the grapes, and oranges were planted instead. And as you know, the area is still famous for oranges today!

“Of the city’s four historic districts, the Anaheim Colony is the largest and first to be adopted in 1997,” according to Anaheim Colony . Anaheim Colony’s “boundaries match that of the original German colony founded in 1857.”

What’s Founders’ Park?

Founders’ Park comprises a one-acre area on the west side of the original Anaheim Colony. There are several historical points of interest , including these:

How to Enjoy the Site Today

Walk around and check out the vegetable garden, water pump, clothesline, and sundial to try your hand at some historical activities and feel like you’ve stepped back in time. And to take it up a notch, Anaheim’s website says that “Founders’ Park is the perfect setting for tea parties, themed fundraisers, intimate weddings and corporate events.”

Founders’ Park is located at 400 N. West Street, Anaheim, just a few minutes away from us in Fullerton. Check it out next time you’re close and feel a little closer to history! And if you like the area, consider moving to Avignon Apartment Homes ! We have one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments in Fullerton, California.

Image courtesy of Tripadvisor

Unique Summer Activities in Fullerton

Tue, 13 Jul 2021 01:19:00 GMT

Summer in Fullerton, California, is a fun time. We’re near Disneyland, Los Angeles, and the beach, and our city itself has some great, unique activities. From fishing to shopping to exploring to seeing outdoor shows, here are some of our favorite summer activities in Fullerton:

Fishing and Duck-Watching at Laguna Lake Park

Fishing is a quintessential summer activity, so head over to Laguna Lake to give it a try! Catch and release panfish or even catfish, enjoy a walk around the lake, and then break for lunch on one of the picnic benches. As you’re fishing or walking, you can enjoy the beautiful, colorful ducks that hang out on the water.

Shopping at the Fullerton Market

One of our very favorite summer activities in Fullerton is visiting the Fullerton Farmers Market . You’ve got produce, craft creations, prepackaged goodies, and hot food from amazing local vendors. The market is open on Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m. and will run through October. Head over to the downtown plaza on 125 E. Wilshire Avenue to check it out!

Exploring Downtown Fullerton

There’s something exciting about just walking around downtown, and Fullerton has lots to see and do. You can try amazing restaurants like Crepes Bonaparte and Crawfish Cave ; experience history firsthand at the Fullerton Train Museum and the Chapman Building ; or just relax outside Rialto Cafe and people-watch as you sip on a cold brew.

Attending Outdoor Movies and Concerts

This summer in Orange County, the OC Parks Summer Concert Series and Sunset Cinema Film Series are back! From June 18 to September 10, there will be 10 free concerts and 13 free movie showings. The concerts will be on Thursdays at 5:00 p.m., with the music beginning at 6:00 p.m. The movie nights will be on Fridays at 6:00 p.m., with the movie beginning at sundown. Visit the website to see a schedule of the events.

There you have it—some of our favorite summer activities in Fullerton. After you experience a few of these must-try summer activities in Fullerton, California, we’re sure you’ll fall in love with Fullerton! When you do, consider moving to Avignon Apartment Homes . From everyone at Avignon, we wish you an unforgettable summer!

Avignon Apartment Homes offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments for rent in Fullerton, California.

Learn How You Can Improve Your Credit Score with Online Rent Payments

Thu, 03 Jun 2021 22:49:00 GMT

Do you want a quick way to build your credit score? Simply paying rent won’t improve your credit score on its own, but there are a few things you can do to make sure your rent payments are counted towards a higher credit score.

If you want your rent payments to improve your credit score, start paying rent online, make sure your rent payments are reported, and pay with your credit card to increase your credit score even further. If you do those things, you will get a boost in your credit score in no time!

Start Paying Rent Online

According to Experian, a credit score is determined by the following elements :

When you pay rent online, those payments become part of your payment history. As you pay on time and in full and continue to do so, that becomes part of your score, too. At Avignon Apartments , we have conveniently implemented a resident portal to make online payments easy.

Report Your Rent Payments

Once you have paid your rent online, you must make sure your payments are recognized by the credit bureaus and calculated into your report. According to RentTrack , “It’s not possible to report information directly to the big three credit bureaus: TransUnion, Experian and Equifax.” Using a reporting agency such as RentTrack will make sure your payment is seen by credit bureaus.

Pay with a Credit Card

To boost your score even more, using a credit card specifically to pay your rent may be something worth considering.

“Open a credit card and use it to pay your rent . . . then pay your credit card balance in full each month,” says LaToya Irby, credit expert for The Balance. “The timely credit card payments will help boost your credit score.”

You don’t have to pay your rent with a credit card, but it can be a nice little boost to your credit score in combination with the benefits of paying your rent online.

As you pay your rent payments online and make sure the rent gets reported to credit bureaus, you will see your credit score improve. Furthermore, paying with your credit card will make sure you get the fullest benefit for your credit score!

Avignon Apartment Homes Will Help You Go Green

Tue, 25 May 2021 17:08:00 GMT

Each day, 38 billion gallons of public water is used in the United States. Watering gardens and lawns, washing dishes, flushing toilets, showering, and washing clothes are some of the common activities that use a lot of water. The problem is, water can be a scarce resource in many locations, including Southern California.

At Avignon Apartment Homes , we do our part to take care of our environment and promote sustainable living. Here are three ways we go green at Avignon.

We Don’t Waste Water

Since Fullerton is prone to droughts, Avignon has drought-tolerant landscaping, which means we use plants that don’t require much water, such as succulents and other native plants. Additionally, we have installed a drip irrigation system, reducing the amount of water needed to care for our beautiful landscaping.

Indoors, we save on water with our plumbing system. Most toilets use about 3.5 gallons of water every time they flush, but not ours! We have low-flow toilets , which use about 20 percent less water than regular toilets. Each low-flow toilet can surprisingly save up to 13,000 gallons of water per year.

We Avoid Unnecessary Paper and Plastic

At Avignon, we save on paper by doing everything—rent payments, service requests, applications, and notices—online. This eliminates the need for unnecessary paper waste. Plus, it is more convenient for residents. In addition to this, we have a water bottle refill station on the property, significantly reducing the waste from plastic water bottles.

In our community, we strive to provide quality services to help make your life as a resident a little easier. Visit our new resident portal to pay your rent online, enter a maintenance service request, browse our calendar for upcoming activities, and much more!

We Encourage Residents to Recycle

A great way to go green is by recycling . We have recycling bins in our office, and we encourage all residents to recycle as well. Things that can be recycled are empty cans, clean plastic bottles and containers, paper, and cardboard. Please be careful not to recycle liquid, food, plastic wrap, plastic bags, or cups with plastic or wax coating.

In Fullerton, you can recycle at West Coast Recycling Center . By making the extra effort to recycle, you will be doing your part to take care of our environment.

We’re Excited to Announce Organic Waste Recycling!

Organic waste recycling will be coming soon to our local community, and we can’t wait to participate! This initiative will help keep millions of pounds of food waste out of landfills and turn them into compost and renewable natural gas. We’ll keep you up to date as this program expands throughout the state.

At Avignon Apartments, we want to help you go green. We do our part to preserve resources, and we encourage all of our residents to do the same!

Live Happy at Avignon Apartments in Fullerton, California

Wed, 07 Apr 2021 22:40:00 GMT

Fullerton, California, is a gorgeous city located in northern Orange County. The area has some of the best weather in the world. Warm sunny days, cool evenings, low morning clouds and fog, and sea breezes are the norm. This locale is known for its world-class museums, performing arts, professional sports, boating, and beach recreation. With all these beautiful amenities, it’s no wonder that Fullerton is one of the best places to live in Southern California.

If you are looking for a place to live in this paradise, we have the scoop on the best apartments in Fullerton. Let’s take a look at Avignon Apartments and what makes them the obvious choice.

Awesome Amenities

The atmosphere at Avignon Apartment Homes radiates the feeling of home. The vibrant lawns and clean lines of the buildings are elegant and classy. Around each corner is a new surprise, from a gorgeous pool to a state-of-the-art pet washing station. The perfect environment for happy living awaits!

Avignon Apartment Homes also offers these fantastic amenities:

Those that live here love having everything they need so close at hand. And with several pet-friendly amenities, your furry friends will love it too!

Spacious Floor Plan Options

We have a floor plan to meet the needs of just about anyone. With four floor plan options ranging from one to three bedrooms, you will be able to find exactly what you need. We even have two-story townhomes available! Each unit is newly updated with stainless steel appliances, electric range/oven, dishwasher, garbage disposal, custom cabinets, ceiling fans, urban wood-style flooring, quartz countertops, vertical blinds, and air conditioning.

In addition, our apartment homes come with some of the latest smart home technology. This includes a Ring Video Doorbell and cable-ready hookups for entertainment! Stay on the cutting edge at Avignon Apartment Homes.

If you are on the search for apartments in Fullerton, consider Avignon your new home! You and your family will love the space, the amenities, and the atmosphere, not to mention the amazing location. For current availability, contact our team today!

The Golden Rules of Goal Setting

Wed, 10 Mar 2021 20:02:00 GMT

Have you ever thought about where you’d like to be in five years? What about next year, next month, or even tomorrow? What kind of person do you want to be today? These are essential questions to ask yourself. That’s because if you’re going to succeed at anything, you need to have a vision, and you need to set goals that bring you closer to making that dream a reality. Goals provide us with a direction and motivate us to focus, work harder, and prioritize what we consider to be important in our lives.

For many of us, however, setting goals can be quite tricky. It takes careful consideration, commitment, consistency, and the ability to maintain realistic expectations. That said, we’ve got some tips and tricks to help you find success.

Setting goals? Our team at Avignon Apartment Homes has discovered the golden rules of goal setting to help you accomplish more in 2021.

Set Goals That Matter

When setting goals, it is essential to make sure that you go after something that truly matters to you. This is because it is easier to commit to something when there is value in achieving it. Motivational speaker Natalie Cook shares, “Motivation is the defining factor that turns a good thought into immediate action.” Motivation is critical in our ability to fight through the inevitable challenges which exist along the path towards greater success.

Create a Plan of Action

Author Steve Marabolia states, “It is important that when we make a resolution or establish a goal, that we take the Action necessary to accomplish that goal.” He capitalizes the letter “A” in action to emphasize that growth and accomplishment happen only due to direct action and continual effort. It is easy to state what you want, but usually much, much harder to get it. Most individuals go their entire lives without accomplishing their initial dream.

“Science says only 8 percent of people actually achieve their goals,” says Marcel Schwantes , host of the Love in Action podcast. This is because, for many, goal setting begins and ends in January. We fail to realize there are 11 more months in a year, 334 days, 8,016 minutes, and 480,960 seconds. That’s 480,960 opportunities to move a step in the right direction. Don’t become another statistic. Instead, choose to create a plan of action. Start by visualizing your end goal, then work backward towards step one. Start small and be consistent. Change takes time.

Keep Climbing the Stairway

Marian Wright Edelman, founder of the Children’s Defense Fund, once learned a powerful lesson from Martin Luther King : “He introduced me to the idea of taking one step, even if you can’t see the whole stairway when you start. I think because of that, I have a much greater capacity to accept failure and move on.” Ironically, the first step is often the hardest one to take. Human beings are creatures of habit, which makes change difficult. That said, it is essential to remember that bumps in the road will happen. The key is to stay positive and stay committed.

Setting goals can seem scary at first, but by following the golden rules and adopting the right attitude, you can accomplish anything. Remember, change takes time. Start small and be proud of yourself for taking initiative. As the ancient Chinese proverb Dao De Jing states, “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”

Three Local Restaurants to Try in Fullerton

Wed, 24 Feb 2021 22:15:00 GMT

We have amazing local restaurants near Avignon Apartment Homes. From casual diners to fine dining, there are so many options. So we narrowed it down to three of our favorites for Mediterranean, seafood, and tacos:

Adana Grill

For healthy, delicious food, Adana Grill is a can’t-miss option! They serve Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine using seasonal and local ingredients.

According to their website, Adana is a city in Turkey that is the home of the kebab! True to their name, the restaurant serves lamb, chicken, and beef kebabs. You can also order doner bowls, Mediterranean salads, and shawarma. And for dessert, there’s a choice of Turkish baklava, pistachio rolls, or rice pudding. Check out Adana Grill at 1105 S. Euclid Street in Fullerton!

Fish Daddy Grill

In Fullerton, we’re so close to the coast, and one of the many advantages of that is that our selection of local restaurants features amazing seafood. So you’ll want to check out Fish Daddy Grill at 231 N. Euclid Street. They’re known for their grilled fish, great prices, and friendly service. Here are some favorites from their menu :

If you are not a fan of seafood or are vegetarian, and your friends or roommates want to give this restaurant a try, there are still options for you! There are pasta and salads and great starters and sides like sweet potato fries, grilled zucchini, and even beans for some protein. All delicious!

Esteban’s Family Tacos Taqueria

See if you can scroll down the Esteban’s Family Tacos Taqueria Facebook page without drooling. Everything looks just as delicious as it tastes! This restaurant is known for its great prices, fresh ingredients, and attentive service.

Head over to 2634 W. Orangethorpe Avenue #5 in Fullerton for sizzling chicken fajitas, pambazos, huevos rancheros, and menudo and pozole with handmade tortillas. Mm-mm!

Ready to find your new favorite take-out spot? Try Adana Grill, Fish Daddy Grill, or Esteban’s Family Tacos Taqueria to support local restaurants and up your dinner game. Let us know how it goes!

The Life of a Pet at Avignon Apartment Homes

Wed, 23 Dec 2020 18:44:00 GMT

Searching for the perfect pet-friendly apartment? We get the challenge. Not all apartments welcome pets, and even many who do don’t have the means to give your pet a happy life.

We know how important pets are to living a healthy lifestyle, which is why we are so happy to provide you with an environment your pets will love. Keep reading to learn more about what you and your pets can expect living at Avignon Apartment Homes.

The Benefits of Owning a Pet

Before we talk about the specifics of Avignon’s pet-friendly apartments, let’s dive into the benefits of pet ownership. According to the CDC , “studies have shown that the bond between people and their pets can increase fitness, lower stress, and bring happiness to their owners.” Not only would life at the Avignon be great for your pets, but you would benefit from their happiness, too!

Plenty of Options for Outdoor Play

Our location is ideal for trips to downtown Fullerton, where you and your pets can enjoy the nice weather and explore local eateries, boutiques, and entertainment venues. We are also located a short drive from La Palma Dog Park , which features separated large and small dog areas.

In our community, we have garden pathways perfect for a stroll with your four-legged friends and Pet Waste Stations to make these walks as easy and clean as possible. And after you’re done with a fun day in the sun, we have a great pet washing station where you can treat your pets to some extra pampering.

Our Considerate Pet Policy

We want to make caring for your pet as easy as possible, which is why we have developed a considerate pet policy for you and your neighbors. We ask that dogs be kept on a leash while entering and exiting your apartment and while on the grounds. There is a weight limit of up to 50 pounds, and we welcome cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, birds, and reptiles! We have dog breed restrictions due to size and behavior traits. Please call our leasing office for more information. If you have any questions or concerns, we would be happy to address them.

At Avignon Apartment Homes, we want you and your pets to be happy. With our ideal location, pet-friendly grounds, and pet policies, you and your pets will be enjoying your time in your new home before you know it!

Three Holiday Home Maintenance Tips to Help You through the Season

Fri, 13 Nov 2020 22:34:00 GMT

What comes to mind when you think about Thanksgiving? Turkey? Roasted potatoes? Stuffing? It’s enough to set your mouth watering—and your nerves breaking when one of your needed appliances fails to turn on.

Unfortunately, a faulty appliance can ruin a good holiday meal. In a recent survey of over 381,000 appliances, Consumer Reports reported that 6 percent of respondents had problems with cooking elements not working, while another 5 percent struggled with refrigerators not cooling properly, and 11 percent reported dishwashers not cleaning properly.

A broken appliance doesn’t need to ruin your holiday celebrations. Here are three holiday home maintenance tips to get you through the season.

Conduct a Deep Clean of Your Kitchen

If you’re having people over this year, the group is going to be very small, but you’re also going to be cleaning your house top to bottom. Don’t leave your appliances out of this wipe down. Clean the coils behind your refrigerator (they’re probably covered in dust), clean the oven and stovetop, and run your dishwasher for a full cycle with nothing but a single cup of white vinegar on the top rack. Keeping everything clean will improve your appliances’ ability to function properly.

Test Your Kitchen ahead of Time

With everything clean, it’s time to take your kitchen for a spin. Weeks before your holiday dinner, try baking something—a pie, a casserole, whatever you fancy—and use each of the burners on the stove top. Make sure everything cooks evenly, and run the dishwasher to make sure the dishes all come out clean. If you notice anything amiss, you’ll have plenty of time to get it fixed.

Call in the Maintenance Team

If, during the previous steps, anything went wrong, now is the time to right it. And you’ll be best off calling a professional in to do it.

At Avignon Apartment Homes , we want your home to be a place of rest, not stress. Whether the freezer has begun to leak or the oven doesn’t heat the right way, we want to know about it. Simply visit the Avignon Apartment Homes Resident Portal and submit a work order, and our team will work on fixing any necessary issues. We’ll make sure everything is in working order before it’s time to put the turkey in the oven.

This holiday season, get ahead of kitchen snafus before they can damper your celebrations. Follow these holiday home maintenance tips and you’ll be sure to get through the holidays just fine.

Three Reasons Why You Should Rent

Thu, 29 Oct 2020 22:39:00 GMT

According to RentCafé, 34 percent of Americans are renters. That means over 100 million people! And the number is growing.

More and more people are recognizing the benefits of renting instead of buying, and some people have decided they never want to buy! So here’s why you should rent: The costs are more affordable, you don’t have to take care of maintenance and repairs, and you have more mobility. Keep reading for more details.

Costs Are More Affordable

Having monthly expenses you can plan on is huge when it comes to peace of mind. That’s one of the greatest reasons why you should rent: With maintenance, repairs, and other expenses varying from month to month for homeowners, renters benefit from a set cost. That might be part of the reason a 2019 survey found that 82 percent of renters said renting is more affordable than owning.

When you first buy a home or rent an apartment, there are upfront costs—but these vary greatly between renting and buying. While people with a mortgage typically need to pay a 20 percent down payment, renters only need to pay a security deposit. And this deposit is returned when they move out, so long as the renter hasn’t damaged the property.

Then there are the costs that add up over time. Homeowners need to pay property taxes and homeowners insurance. And according to a 2017 study by the Insurance Information Institute , the average homeowners policy costs $1,211, while the average renters insurance policy costs only $180 per year.

You Aren’t Responsible for Maintenance or Repairs

When the unexpected happens, renters can rest easy, knowing that someone else is responsible for making repairs . For example, if something is broken and needs attention, you can report it to our Avignon Apartment Homes staff, and our knowledgeable and friendly staff will help, ensuring that your home stays in tip-top shape. That’s much preferable to making a trip to the hardware store, isn’t it?

You Can Move Whenever You’re Ready

One of the main reasons why you should rent is mobility. You never know when a new opportunity is going to come up, so as a renter, it’s nice to have that relatively short lease so that you can pack up and go when you need to. With a mortgage, on the other hand, you might be tied down for 30 years, making it much harder to move when opportunities arise.

To help make mobility an even bigger perk of renting, we’ve instituted our loyalty bonus: If you move from Avignon Apartment Homes to another AMC property or vice versa, we’ll give you $250 to help you hit the ground running.

To sum up, here’s why you should rent: The costs are more affordable, you don’t have to take care of maintenance and repairs, and you have more mobility. At Avignon Apartment Homes, we want to make coming home the best part of your day; come visit us and see why renting might be the best decision for you.

Paying Rent Online? Here’s One Amazing Benefit

Wed, 05 Aug 2020 09:08:00 GMT

We’ve all got a mental checklist of things we want to be better at: paying rent on time, drinking more water, sending birthday texts to friends, and trying to boost our credit score. We may not be able to help you with drinking water or remembering your friends’ birthdays, but what if we told you that paying rent online can actually help you boost your credit score?

When you pay rent online at Avignon Apartments, your payments get reported to credit bureaus, which shows them that you are responsible with your money. And if you pay your rent with a credit card, that may boost your score even more! Here’s how it works.

Pay Online to Have Your Payments Reported

It takes more than just paying rent to build credit. As Bev O’Shea at NerdWallet explains , “Simply paying your rent will not help you build credit. But reporting your rent payments can help you build credit—especially if you are new to credit or do not have a lot of experience using it.”

At Avignon Apartment Homes, we make it easy for you. Our online rental payment system reports information to the credit bureaus. So when you pay through the portal, credit bureaus receive a record of your on-time rental payments, which contributes to your good credit. In order to opt-in for the credit reporting, follow these steps:

Show Credit Bureaus That You’re Responsible

Once your rent payments are reported to the credit bureaus, how do they affect your credit score? Here is what your credit score is made of :

Paying rent online allows those payments to become part of your history. And the longer you pay online and on time, the better. How much better?

One survey of New York City renters found that 76 percent “of those tenants would see their credit scores improve if their rental payments were included. . . . Getting credit for on-time rent payments not only affects your credit score but can actually have a profound, positive impact.”

Pay with a Credit Card to Boost Your Score Even More

Have you ever gotten a credit card to pay for one specific thing, like gas? You could try the same thing for paying rent!

Whether you pay with a credit card or not is completely up to you, but it can help boost your score even more than just paying rent online by itself.

Head over to the resident portal to check out our online payment system. As you pay your rent online, your payments will be reported to credit bureaus, showing them exactly what they are looking for. And if you pay with a credit card, you may increase your score even more. Give it a try next time rent is due!

In Honor of National Bagelfest Day, Make One of These Four Bagel Recipes

Fri, 17 Jul 2020 18:16:00 GMT

National Bagelfest Day is held every July, and since any excuse to eat bagels is a good excuse, we wanted to share some great bagel recipes with you! We have a fascinating bagel made of meat (yes, meat!), a sweet cheesecake recipe, a freezer bagel breakfast sandwich, and a curry chicken salad bagel sandwich.

Meat Bagel

This Meat Bagel recipe from Ditch the Wheat takes low-carb options to new heights! With onions, butter, ground pork, eggs, tomato sauce, and spices, this recipe is easy to make and tasty to eat.

“A meat bagel is meat formed into a bagel shape and consumed like a bagel,” says Carol Lovett, the inventor of the recipe. “It’s the perfect bagel for the keto, Paleo, low carb, Whole30 & maybe the carnivore diet!”

Blueberry Lemon Cheesecake Bagel

Jumping from savory to sweet, this mouthwatering bagel recipe from Kitchen Sanctuary is a must-make! Get a bagel of choice (probably not the meat bagel), blueberries, sugar, water, Mascarpone, and lemon curd. Heat up the blueberries in a saucepan with the sugar and water until they start to leak their color. Then get your toasted bagel, add the Mascarpone, lemon curd, and blueberries, and eat like a sandwich. Yum!

Freezer Bagel Breakfast Sandwiches

When life gets busy and breakfast time is chaotic, freezer meals are a lifesaver. Slice bagels and add breakfast ingredients like bacon, egg, cheese, and sliced bell pepper. Wrap them in foil and freeze for up to 60 days. When you’re ready to eat one, wrap it in a paper towel and microwave for one to two minutes, or bake in the oven at 400 degrees for about eight minutes.

Curry Chicken Salad Bagel Sandwich

Curry plus bagel is a winning combination! Make a curry chicken salad like this one from Fifteen Spatulas . Then toast a bagel of your choice, spread mayonnaise or Greek yogurt on both sides, and add the salad, a drizzle of sriracha, cucumber slices, and your favorite leafy greens. You can even make the salad the night before and have the leftovers on this bagel sandwich for lunch the next day!

We hope you enjoy celebrating Bagelfest with one of these bagel recipes! You’ve got the meat bagel, the blueberry cheesecake bagel, the freezer breakfast sandwich, or the curry chicken salad sandwich. Choose one that sounds good to you, and get creating!

Join Our Beach and Park Cleanup Day!

Thu, 09 Jul 2020 18:25:00 GMT

Three hundred million pounds . That’s how much trash the Ocean Conservancy volunteers have collected from beaches over 30 years. Every September, these volunteers gather to clean up beaches, and every summer, members of the AMC community do the same.

We’re sad that we can’t physically gather this year, so we encourage you to hold your own beach or park cleanup on July 25 or any day that works in July. Let’s make a difference together! Here’s the why, how, and safety guidelines of beach and park cleanup.

The Why of Beach and Park Cleanups

Have you ever spent an hour or two switching between walking, squatting, and lifting weights at the gym? That’s basically what you’re doing when you participate in a beach or park cleanup. It’s a great workout!

Another benefit is that you’re participating in the vital work of taking care of our beautiful planet and helping create cleaner, safer environments for wildlife. Tourists appreciate cleaner beaches, too, with one study calculating that cleaner beaches in Orange County could translate into “ $46 million in just one summer.”

Whether you head to Independence Park or take a trip to Bolsa Chica State Beach for your cleanup, there is satisfaction in knowing that you are making the world a more beautiful place, even if it’s on a small scale. But hey, isn’t it the little things that really matter in life?

The How of Beach and Park Cleanups

First, choose a date that works well for you and your roommates or immediate family—whether that be Saturday, July 25, AMC’s designated day, or another day in July.

Next, gather supplies like reusable water bottles; snacks; trash bags; gloves; broom, dustpans, and buckets (for cigarette butts, glass, and other potentially harmful trash); and a first aid kit.

Last but not least, invite others to participate, either in their own group or with you. But be sure to follow safety guidelines.

The Safety Guidelines

Beach and park cleanups work really well within social distancing guidelines! If everyone brings their own gloves and trash bags, it’s easy to stay six feet apart. Be sure to wear masks “when maintaining a physical distance of 6 feet from persons who are not members of the same household or residence is not feasible.”

If you’re all arriving at a meeting point, keep this CDC advice in mind: “When guests arrive, minimize gestures that promote close contact. For example, don’t shake hands, do elbow bumps, or give hugs. Instead wave and verbally greet them.”

Let’s make our beaches and parks cleaner together! Whether you join us on July 25 or another day in July, take pictures and tag Avignon Apartment Homes in your photos, using the hashtags #AMCcleanup and #livehappy. Have fun, and stay safe out there!

4 Delicious Foods that Help Your Brain

Tue, 30 Jun 2020 16:47:00 GMT

Worried your brain could use some more help? A change in diet could be just what you need. According to Eva Selhub, MD , “Eating high-quality foods that contain lots of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants nourishes the brain and protects it from oxidative stress—the ‘waste’ (free radicals) produced when the body uses oxygen, which can damage cells.”

Food doesn’t just supply you with energy and strength—it helps your brain as well! Here are four foods that will keep your brain healthy—and that taste great too!

Avocados

This creamy, rich fruit makes a big impact on your brain! According to Dr. Isaac Jones , avocados have been shown to “improve brain cell membranes, protect brain cells, and improve signaling.” They also improve brain oxygenation and blood supply.

Avocados are wonderful on their own or added to soups, sandwiches, salads, or even smoothies. You can even use them as a substitute for butter in baked goods to lower the calorie content while boosting the nutritional value.

Berries

Not only are berries a delicious summer staple, but they have been shown to improve cognition and memory as well. For example, one study found that blueberries “improved short-term memory, navigational skills, balance, coordination, and reaction time.” Berries may also slow mental decline associated with aging.

Even though berries are considered a summer fruit, they freeze extremely well, so you can enjoy them all year long. Add berries to your smoothie, oatmeal, salad, or baked goods—the possibilities are endless (and delicious)!

Oranges

We couldn’t leave oranges off this brain-boosting list (we do, after all, reside in Orange County ). This bright, tangy citrus fruit supplies B9 (folate) and polyphenols (phytonutrients) that “promote brain development” and “play a role in development of learning and memory functions of the brain,” respectively.

This citrus fruit is obviously delicious on its own. There’s also no shortage of recipes where the orange is the star-ingredient . From appetizers to dessert, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to incorporate this delicious fruit into your brain-nurturing regimen.

Dark Chocolate

If you’ve been looking for an excuse to enjoy some dark chocolate, we’ve got it for you here: Research shows that it’s good for your brain! Dark chocolate contains a number of healthy nutrients, one of which is flavonoids. Research studies suggest that flavonoids can boost your memory and slow cognitive issues related to age.

“Eating raw chocolate can also elevate mood,” says Brian Vaszily at the Art of Anti-Aging . “This is because cacao contains some very interesting neurotransmitters, sometimes called ‘love chemicals,’ associated with motivation and pleasure.”

When it comes to planning your menu for the week, don’t forget to fuel your brain! Check out the Fullerton Certified Farmers Market for these delicious foods, and enjoy the best brain health of your life!

4 Ways to Care For Your Pet While Living in a Small Space

Sun, 07 Jun 2020 05:36:00 GMT

“Happiness is a warm puppy,” said Charles Schulz , and we think he was right! If you have a pet or are considering getting one, here are four tips for caring for your furry companion while living in a small space.

Give Them Their Own Area

Just like your human companions, pets need their own place to retreat to when they need to nap or take a break from socializing. It doesn’t have to be a whole room—it could be as simple as a pet bed in a cozy corner or a crate with a soft blanket. You could even raise your bed with risers to give them their own space. Many pets love the security of small, confined spaces, so get creative and make it their own.

Pet-Proof the Apartment

Pets are curious, so it’s important to help them explore the space. Keep potentially harmful substances like cleaners or medications out of reach and locked up. That potted plant or your prized possessions? Place them up high, out of sight, or secured behind a baby gate. Pet-proofing takes effort, but it’s worth it for the peace of mind that comes when you know you can leave them home alone.

Provide Exercise

Our pets need mental and physical exercise , just like we do. Give them the attention and care they need by exercising and playing with them. If your schedule won’t allow for this, consider hiring someone to help you out. Getting enough exercise keeps pets healthy and yields better behavior. A win for everyone!

Be Patient

It takes time for pets to adjust to new places , so be patient, and don’t forget to reward them for their positive behavior. If you find that your pet does make a mess, like tipping over a plant or having a potty accident, clean it up right away to maintain the positive feelings in your home—as well as to prevent staining and odor.

Having a pet companion in a small space can be a wonderful thing! As you give them their own space, pet-proof the apartment, provide them with adequate exercise, and remain patient, you and your pets will flourish in your small space!

Pet Owners: 4 Tips to Help Thoroughly Clean Your Apartment

Tue, 02 Jun 2020 13:25:00 GMT

We all love our pets, but it can be hard work to clean up after them! One minute your apartment is spotless, the next it’s totally covered in animal dander and hair. Here are four helpful tips to keep your place from becoming a fur kingdom.

Brush Them Regularly

Those beautiful, soft coats have a downside: the hair! If you have a labradoodle or a sphynx cat, you may not be able to relate, but some furry friends shed a lot . Keep a regular cleaning and grooming schedule to help your pet stay comfortable and healthy while also reducing the amount of dander and hair in your apartment. Dedicating times a few days each week can make a huge difference.

Make White Vinegar Your Best Friend

It’s not an old wives’ tale: white vinegar really is amazing for removing unpleasant scents or stains from your carpet. It’s cheap and easy to use: just pour some in a spray bottle and cover—but don’t soak—the stains. Then, let it dry. You’ll be shocked at how well the vinegar picks up those pesky smells!

Use a Lint Roller

Vacuums are clearly a must, but a lint roller can go a long way! It’s a cheap and quick way to clean up pet hair when unexpected guests show up on your doorstep or you need to hop on a conference call. Lint rollers are a handy tool for any pet owner!

Get out the Baking Soda for Pet Beds

Here’s a tip that’ll save you some grief: when buying a bed for your pet , make sure that it comes with removable, machine-washable covers. That way, you can throw the cover in the wash or hand wash it using a mild soap or normal detergent. To up the ante, add a cup of baking soda to the wash mix. Just like white vinegar, baking soda is an amazing tool for neutralizing odors and a good antibacterial agent.

Pets may smell and shed, but we love them just the same! With these four tips, you can keep your frustration down and your apartment clean.

How to Decorate Small Spaces

Thu, 14 May 2020 05:39:00 GMT

Steve Jobs once said, “[Design is] not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” He was talking about Apple products, but the same applies to interior design, especially when it comes to small spaces. How can we decorate small spaces to look beautiful but also function well? Here are ideas for doing just that in your kitchen and dining area, bathroom, living room, and bedroom.

Kitchen and Dining Area

The kitchen is the heart of the home! But with all the fun gadgets and practical tools to store, it can get messy. Here are some easy ways to spruce up your space without adding clutter:

Bathroom

Bathrooms don’t need a lot of space to be functional, and smaller bathrooms actually leave a ton of room for creative interior decoration! Here are a few ideas :

Living Room

The living room might offer the most freedom when it comes to interior design. All you need is a place to sit, and then the sky’s the limit! Check out these ideas for making the room look put together:

Bedroom

The bedroom might be the most important room to keep looking organized and put-together. It’s a place to feel peaceful as you wind down for sleep and start your day on a positive note. Here’s how you can make a small bedroom feel cohesive and organized:

Let’s make our homes both beautiful and functional! Try some of these ideas for making your kitchen and dining area, bathroom, living room, and bedroom places you love to be.

If You Want to Be a Good Neighbor, Avoid Doing These Three Things

Mon, 13 Apr 2020 19:44:00 GMT

Annie Smith was going into labor, and Hurricane Harvey wasn’t stopping for her. As she and her husband worriedly watched the water rise in their home, a neighbor came over to check on them. A few minutes later, this good neighbor gathered others to form a human chain to help Annie get to a nearby truck and safely off to the hospital.

Being a good neighbor may mean forming a human chain, or it may mean something as simple as giving a smile. Here are our top three things to avoid if you want to be a good neighbor: making too much noise, being too friendly (or not friendly enough), and violating community policies.

Making Too Much Noise

Unsurprisingly, noisy neighbors are one of the most common issues tenants and landlords face. From tap dancing to toddler playdates, even happy noise can drive a neighbor crazy. So, to be a good neighbor, avoid making too much noise, especially near shared walls.

But how can we keep children, spats, and pets from getting too loud? For helping children and pets keep to an inside-appropriate noise level, make sure they’re getting enough active time outdoors (while still adhering to social distancing guidelines). Getting enough active time helps them be more calm and quiet while at home. When it is again advisable to do so, check out nearby walking trails like Fullerton Loop, Hiltscher Park, and Brea Dam Park to get some energy out!

For avoiding loud spats, a great life tip in general is to be assertive—not passive-aggressive—with those who live with you. Be proactive and open about discussing expectations and issues. That way, emotions don’t build up and spill over into yelling.

Being Too Friendly or Not Friendly Enough

In an apartment community, you’re living in relatively close proximity to many other people. That means that getting to know your neighbor is not only nice but also practical. For example, if an issue comes up, knowing your neighbor means it’s much easier to have a kind, honest conversation. “Hey, Amelia is usually still finishing her nap at 3 p.m. She won’t need an afternoon nap soon, but is there any way Ben could practice his trumpet a little later for the next couple of months?”

On the flip side, don’t be too friendly. If you pass your neighbors as they’re coming or going, be respectful of their time. And don’t be a chronic borrower . A cup of sugar one evening is one thing. A new baking ingredient every other week might get annoying.

Violating Community Policy

Our community policies are there for a reason. For example, at Avignon, we have a policy that dog owners keep dogs leashed when entering or exiting their apartment or the parking structure, courtyards, or grounds. Even well-behaved dogs can get distracted by a strange smell or noise and run off unexpectedly. Keeping them on the leash helps protect vulnerable people.

Remember those neighbors during Hurricane Harvey, rallying to help each other. Be a good neighbor by not making too much noise, being friendly, and keeping community policies.

Looking for the Recipe to Healthy and Happy Living? Try Being More Kind.

Thu, 26 Mar 2020 20:54:00 GMT

Kindness. We just can’t get enough of it. Millions of us click on viral posts of random acts online: people proudly post images of the exorbitant tip left to an unsuspecting waitress or videos of a rescue team saving a horse from drowning. Even today’s workplaces are exploring the emotional effects of kind acts among coworkers.

“Office culture can be cutthroat and competitive, leading to hurtful criticism, lack of collaboration, and miscommunication,” says Dr. Pragya Agarwal . “However, now we are increasingly talking about wellbeing in the workplace, and bringing an authentic quality to our work, being gentle with ourselves, and with others around us.”

Research shows kindness and well-being are closely linked. Although the benefits to the recipients of kind acts are evident, science is uncovering connections between kindness and one’s health and overall happiness.

If you need an incentive to take the high road when you interact with people, here are four healthy and happy rewards for choosing kindness.

1. Improves Heart Health

There’s a reason why kind people are known for having big hearts—literally. According to Dr. David R. Hamilton , the emotional reaction to acts of kindness release the hormone oxytocin.

“Oxytocin causes the release of a chemical called nitric oxide in blood vessels, which dilates (expands) the blood vessels,” explains Hamilton. “This reduces blood pressure and therefore oxytocin is known as a ‘cardioprotective’ hormone because it protects the heart (by lowering blood pressure).” So it seems science proves that having a heart is actually good for it, too.

How can you reap these heart-health benefits? Plenty of studies have shown that social support is associated with better health, including cardiovascular health. So get out there in the community, make friends with your neighbors, and see how it benefits your heart—emotionally and physically.

2. Reduces the Risk of Depression

A study headed by Stephen Post of Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine found that when we share our time, resources, and other selfless acts, everything from life satisfaction to self-realization and physical health is significantly improved. Mortality is delayed, depression is reduced, and wellbeing and good fortune are increased.

At Cedars-Sinai , scientists are studying the links between kindness and increased dopamine levels. As dopamine is known for elevating feelings of euphoria, research is focused on the effects dopamine has on mental health.

“Mindfulness-based therapy is becoming increasingly popular for treating depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions,” say doctors at Cedars-Sinai. “The therapy is built on mindfulness meditation, documenting your gratitude, and acts of kindness. People being treated in a mindfulness-based therapy program incorporate acts of kindness into their daily routines.”

Essentially, practicing kindness increases your dopamine levels, which ultimately helps improve your overall happiness and health.

3. Reduces Anxiety

In a study published by the University of British Columbia Study , a test group comprised of highly anxious individuals performed at least six acts of kindness a week. After one month, there was a significant increase in positive moods and relationship satisfaction, as well as a decrease in social avoidance in socially anxious individuals. The act itself didn’t need to be big to be effective. Kind acts took larger forms like donating to a favorite charity and small gestures such as putting a quarter in a stranger’s parking meter that was about to expire.

“We found that any kind act appeared to have the same benefit, even small gestures like opening a door for someone or saying ‘thanks’ to the bus driver,” says Dr. Lynn Alden, who led the study. “Kindness didn’t need to involve money or time-consuming efforts, although some of our participants did do such things. Kindness didn’t even need to be ‘face to face.’”

In other words, it isn’t the size of the act that promotes happy feelings but the act itself. When anxiety creeps in, try being more kind. Doing so can help reduce your anxious feelings and replace them with positive ones.

4. May Extend Your Lifespan

Some experts believe one of the keys to a long life is our social network. “What we call loneliness—the feeling that you have no one to turn to, that no one understands you—is a form of stress,” explains Health.com writer Ray Hainer . “And if it becomes chronic, it can wreak havoc on your blood vessels and heart.” With heart disease being the number one killer among Americans, the connection between improved heart health and avoiding stress contributes to a longer life.

Socializing with purpose also has healthy effects. “People who volunteer tend to experience fewer aches and pains,” writes Christine Carter in her book Raising Happiness; In Pursuit of Joyful Kids and Happier Parents. “People 55 and older who volunteer for two or more organizations have an impressive 44% lower likelihood of dying early, and that’s after sifting out every other contributing factor, including physical health, exercise, gender, habits like smoking, marital status and many more. This is a stronger effect than exercising four times a week or going to church.”

Looking for a new strategy for better health and happiness? Try kindness. Studies show that performing kind acts have a positive effect on everything from reducing depression and anxiety to longevity. “We all seek a path to happiness,” says Dr. Waguih William IsHak, a professor of psychiatry at Cedars-Sinai . “Practicing kindness toward others is one we know works.”

The surprisingly wonderful benefits of rental living

Tue, 25 Feb 2020 18:19:00 GMT

While renters are renting for a variety of reasons, there are some common perks that renters enjoy. Here are the most common benefits of rental living.

Reasons why setting goals is a good thing

Fri, 24 Jan 2020 02:08:00 GMT

Don’t let New Year’s resolution failure fool you. Setting goals is a good thing.

Let’s talk about goals.

Wait! Not New Year’s resolutions. I mean regular, everyday goal setting; those goals that you can (and should) start at any time. Although around 80 percent of us fail to achieve our New Year’s resolutions, setting a goal—a SMART goal—will make you feel better. And in some cases, literally.

A SMART goal is a task based on something Specific, Meaningful, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely. And while resolutions may bite the dust two months after we set them in place, the truth is that almost half of us (40 to 45 percent) continue to make goals for ourselves each year.

We, as humans, struggle with following through on New Year’s resolutions. But the practice of continually setting goals is a good thing. Here are six reasons why.

Do you know how it feels to merely coast through life, where you find yourself simply reacting to things? When you target your energies into achieving a specific goal, you are forcing action.

“ Goal setting helps you align focus with behavior because you get feedback on your progress,” says Forbes contributor Jeff Boss . “The actions you take—or avoid—offer clues about your values, beliefs, challenges, strengths and weaknesses which allow you to course correct as necessary and reset your goal achievement strategy (and subsequently, your focus).”

Goals that truly make an impact are those that are specific and follow a timeline toward completion. For example, instead of making a goal to be thinner, a well-thought-out goal will include a series of smaller goals that encourage weight loss and are arranged over a month, a year, or two even years.

“ Think of your goal as the destination. Now think of each step you take toward that goal as a smaller yet attainable step to get you there,” explains Dave Richards , a performance and leadership coach. “If your goal is to launch a business someday, your smaller steps would include defining your products or services or getting funds to start up.”

There is no better feeling than one of accomplishment. And when you set attainable goals, your success at achieving those goals is an incredible boost to your self-esteem. Keep in mind the operative word here is “attainable.”

“By setting goals and achieving them, you send a signal to your brain that you are successful which builds confidence and pride in yourself and that helps build your self-esteem,” says Jennifer Silvershein . “We all love to feel accomplished and meeting or exceeding your goals does just that.”

By setting up a primary goal, which is your main objective, and secondary goals, which are the stepping stones that move you toward your primary goal, Silvershein believes “you can set yourself up for success with the right mindset and the right tools.”

This process of identifying a primary goal that’s supported by secondary goals boosts your self-image. But it can also stave off mild forms of depression. “ Setting goals and targets can sometimes help when a person is feeling demotivated,” reports Jayne Leonard . “However, it is important to make sure that goals are achievable, specific, and realistic.”

For instance, a goal to no longer be depressed may not be all that successful as a stand-alone goal. But setting a goal that is proven to help treat minor forms of depression, such as to eat two servings of fruits and vegetables every day or exercise daily, makes reducing or eliminating depression an added benefit to your primary goal, which may be losing twenty pounds. This brings us to the next benefit: your health.

Of Inc.com’s ten top New Year’s resolutions of 2019, five dealt with improving our health. So while we may not always follow through on those resolutions, they are certainly on our minds. In fact, out of the 2,000 people surveyed, 71 percent of them wanted to eat healthier in the coming year. Sixty-five percent of those surveyed planned to exercise more, and over half (54 percent) hoped to lose weight. Whether you are a fan of New Year’s resolutions or not, making conscious goals about lifestyle changes will have a positive impact on your overall health.

“Staying engaged in life as you age is essential for your health,” say experts at Harvard Health . “Goals should revolve around a purpose in your life: What matters to you now? What is important?” Once again, setting up a SMART goal will help connect your goals with a meaningful outcome within a specified amount of time. And when it comes to goals about your health, the end result feels great.

Let’s consider for a moment what the process of setting goals is doing. According to research by goal-setting theorists Edwin Locke and Gary Latham, goals not only affect behavior and work performance, but they also ignite a desire to put forth a higher and more persistent effort. And because with every action there’s a reaction, people around you are impacted by your efforts.

For example, if your goals are to be more productive and efficient at work and to manage your time better, you’ll likely return home sooner. Depending on what goals you’ve made regarding your habits at home, your family will benefit from the time you are able to spend with them. Perhaps you’ve made a goal to be more patient or a better listener. Those efforts impact others.

You will likely see similar positive effects if you have a goal to volunteer in your child’s school every month or plant a vegetable garden and share your harvest with neighbors. And as the cycle of goal-setting continues, you’ll be motivated to set more goals because of the positive feedback you receive from those who’ve benefited from your efforts. See? Win-win.

Don’t let the bad publicity surrounding resolutions fool you. Setting goals is a good thing. Nothing else is more effective and empowering than setting goals that improve your health, quality of life, focus, and contributions to the things you care about most. So let’s hear it for the new year and make it a goal to ensure it’s the best one ever.