Author My First Apartment
Anna R.

Anna R. is currently a research assistant in a biology lab in the Bay Area and is interested in pursuing a Ph.D in Genetics. When she’s not daydreaming about food and browsing recipes on Pinterest, she likes to spend her free time dancing, paddle boarding and swimming. She’s been through a number of different housing situations and is eager to share her experiences with other MFA readers!
Stylish Apartment Decor from Your Favorite Clothing Stores!
Stylish Apartment Decor from Your Favorite Clothing Stores!

Stylish Apartment Decor from Your Favorite Clothing Stores!

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
I don’t know about you, but one of the most exciting things about moving into a new apartment is the decorating! Maybe this your first apartment and you’re going for a whole new look. Perhaps it’s your 3rd or 4th apartment and you only want to make a few small changes to stay within your…
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Tips for Recovering after Moving Costs Wipe Out Your Savings
Tips for Recovering after Moving Costs Wipe Out Your Savings

Tips for Recovering after Moving Costs Wipe Out Your Savings

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
Moving into your first apartment is very exciting, especially when it comes to furnishing and decorating your apartment within the first month! Starting off in a new apartment is also very expensive, with landlords often asking for first and last month’s rent, a hefty security deposit and any fees tagged on for using a broker…
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Time for Apartment Shopping! 15 Labor Day Sales to Check Out!
Time for Apartment Shopping! 15 Labor Day Sales to Check Out!

Time for Apartment Shopping! 15 Labor Day Sales to Check Out!

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
Like many smart shoppers, I’m definitely one who will try to purchase items on sale as often as possible, especially when it comes to apartment furniture and appliances! There are so many great deals that happen around holidays, and Labor Day is no different. In my experience, Labor Day sales focus on selling outdoor furniture,…
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Small Spaces 101: Five Essentials for a Tiny Kitchen
Small Spaces 101: Five Essentials for a Tiny Kitchen

Small Spaces 101: Five Essentials for a Tiny Kitchen

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
When looking for our first apartment, sometimes we have to make sacrifices in amenities so that we can check off the things we truly need. On my latest hunt for an apartment with my boyfriend, one sacrifice we had to make was settling for a small kitchen. As people who love to cook, this was…
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Quick Tips to Help Cut Your Utility Bill This Summer.
Quick Tips to Help Cut Your Utility Bill This Summer.

Quick Tips to Help Cut Your Utility Bill This Summer.

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
Hey you, living under this “heat dome”! Utility costs with your apartment got you down? With all the additional expenses that come with summer (long nights out, vacations etc.), it can be easy to blow your budget and not have enough for those unexpected rises in utility costs (AC, more frequent showering, etc.). If you’re…
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4 Strategies to Making a Winning Rental Application
4 Strategies to Making a Winning Rental Application

4 Strategies to Making a Winning Rental Application

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
If you’re ready to submit applications for your first apartment, congratulations! You have searched rentals, scheduled showings, and you have finally narrowed it down to a few “ideal” apartments you’d love to live in! The hard part comes now, where your potential landlord needs to make a decision to pick the best possible tenant for…
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Three Signs of a Good Landlord
Three Signs of a Good Landlord

Three Signs of a Good Landlord

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
Many of you are starting the hunt for your first apartment. You’ve thought about location, your budget, your “must haves” and your deal breakers. However, one item that people often overlook when they are apartment hunting is making sure that they also pick the right landlord/landlady or management company. A bad landlord can totally ruin…
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How to Update Your Tiny Balcony or Patio for Summer Fun!
How to Update Your Tiny Balcony or Patio for Summer Fun!

How to Update Your Tiny Balcony or Patio for Summer Fun!

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
It’s summer time and that means making the most of the long evenings and nice weather! Not all of us however have a huge backyard that comes along with our first rental, especially in apartments and town homes in very urban areas. Renting an entire house can also be more of an expense than we…
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My Worst First Apartment Decorating Mistakes
My Worst First Apartment Decorating Mistakes

My Worst First Apartment Decorating Mistakes

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
Furnishing your first home can be exciting and fun! You have the freedom to decorate your place however you want and to express yourself through your apartment! Not immune to getting caught up in the fun of furnishing an apartment, I’ve definitely made my share of decorating mistakes.  Here are a few things I would…
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2 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Begin the Apartment Search
2 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Begin the Apartment Search

2 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Begin the Apartment Search

  |   By AuthorMy First Apartment
In a few short months, I will be relocating for graduate school and begin the apartment hunt once again. It’s a new chapter in my life, and for those of you graduating college or relocating for new jobs or professional schools, you too may be feeling excited for the next phase of your lives. Before…
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