1 Bedroom Apartments Ottawa

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When your days are packed with meetings, appointments, after-work exercise and catching up with friends, the last thing you want to fuss about at the end of a long day is your living quarters. 

With time being such a valuable commodity, apartment living frees up your time to spend it how you really want.

Here are some reasons behind why more and more professionals are opting for the low maintenance lifestyle of apartment living.

1. Safety In Numbers

When you lead a busy schedule, the last thing you want to worry about is security back home.  Choosing to live in an apartment, rather than a stand-alone house, offers the age-old adage of safety in numbers.  Most apartments have security guards, which discourages opportunities for crime.  With 24-hour emergency service and an on-site building manager, you can feel secure in knowing you are protected at all times.

Apartments are built with residents’ safety in mind.  Fire safety plans, emergency stairwells and exits, smoke alarms in every apartment and fireproof concrete floors and walls minimize of a widespread apartment fire. As well, the building’s fire panels are monitored 24/7, and should the alarm be activated, the fire department will be there within minutes – giving you total peace of mind when it comes to your safety and security.

2. Convenience at Your Fingertips

Apartments offer you the convenience of having many amenities right on site.  In addition to laundry facilities and plentiful storage space, some apartments also have pools, saunas and convenience stores – great for people who prefer to buy food as needed, rather than shopping in bulk to stock up on weekly items.

All of these on-site conveniences enable you to better manage your time because you aren’t required to go out of your way to get what you need.

Apartments are usually situated near bus routes, allowing you easy mobility and quick access around town.   Because location is a huge factor when considering which apartment to rent, most apartments are established near grocery stores, cafes and pubs to make life more pleasant for the tenants.

3. Enhanced Social Opportunities

Apartments are excellent for people who value self-reliance, but don’t want to live entirely in isolation.  Many apartments contain communal areas such as exercise rooms, recreation rooms, or even party rooms that can be rented out – all of which offer excellent opportunities to meet and mingle with other tenants.

Apartments are very accommodating of guests – most apartments have a visitors’ parking area and some even offer guest rooms.

4. Kinder on the Wallet

Smaller in size than a house,  apartment electricity and hydro bills are usually much cheaper, particularly if you share your apartment and can divide the bills among others.

Apartments are usually rented on a term contract, with a minimum rent period.  This living arrangement suits professionals who change jobs often, or work in different areas of town, and want the freedom to change apartments to move closer to work accordingly.

All maintenance work is paid out of the property manager’s pocket, not your own.  With no long-term overheads, this leaves you financially free to save your money for travel, hobbies or even higher education if you intend to return to studying.

5.  The Good Life

When you live in an apartment, you are not required to look after lawns and gardens.  Nor do you have to fix any problems with leaky faucets, flooded toilets, dents in walls or peeling paint.  Plus, most apartments have 24-hour emergency maintenance service, so if something goes wrong, there’s no need to spend valuable time sifting through the Yellow Pages searching for the right type of repair company. This frees up you up to focus on your professional or social life.

Not sure if renting an apartment is right for you? Perhaps you’ve been scared away by some of the rumours (or so-called “facts”) you’ve heard about living in an apartment building? Well, despite what you may have read or heard, apartment living is extremely desirable, safe, and efficient. This article will “bust” some of the long-standing myths about apartment living. Just be warned – the realities might surprise you.

Myth #1: Nobody would willingly choose to live in an apartment.

Many people think that the “ultimate dream” is to live in a nice house with a garage, a big backyard, and the proverbial white picket fence. But is it really? Research conducted by the U.S.-based National Multi Housing Council (NMHC) shows that apartment living is steadily gaining in popularity – and that a surprising 40 percent of people living in an apartment do so by choice (and not because of their financial situation).

So, why would people choose to live in an apartment, even if they can afford a home? It’s quite simple, actually. Among other reasons, apartment complexes usually offer superior locations that are closer to workplaces and popular shopping centres, renters appreciate the lack of maintenance and repair responsibilities, and the freedom to pack up your things and move to a new location on a regular basis (as opposed to being tied down to a lengthy mortgage) cannot be overlooked.

Myth #2: Apartment buildings have high crime rates.

Many people think of apartments as havens for “undesirable” segments of the population and that these buildings are rife with drugs and crime. However, in reality, apartments actually help create safe and secure neighborhoods.

Much of the belief that crime is higher in apartment complexes is based on the faulty logic in believing that one apartment building is the same as a single “house”. If you compare the two this way, then yes, chances are there is more crime in an apartment than an ordinary household. But if you think of an apartment as dozens or hundreds of separate “houses”, you’ll find that the crime rates are no higher than they are in any other type of dwelling.

Furthermore, many apartment residents say they choose apartment living specifically because they feel more secure! With 24-hour security systems, “Lobby Watch” video cameras that can be monitored on your own television, intercom packages, and onsite superintendents, modern apartments are extremely safe. And with so many people coming and going, it is actually more difficult for criminals to act without being discovered.

Myth #3: Apartments contribute to a neighbourhood’s traffic congestion.

While there’s no denying that a single apartment building can be home to hundreds of people, it simply isn’t true that apartments generate more traffic congestion than other types of dwelling or neighbourhoods.

As a large amount of apartment residents are young professionals, students, and seniors (as opposed to large families), they average only one vehicle per family/household, as they are more likely to use public transportation to get around town. As well, people who rent apartments generate 30 to 40 percent fewer vehicle trips than the average single-family home.

Myth #4: Apartments increase local infrastructure costs.

While some people believe that apartment buildings put an increased burden on the community as a result of a local infrastructure costs, the clustering of apartments makes them substantially less expensive to service. It actually costs less, on a per-household basis, to provide public services to apartments, as they require few kilometres roads, sewers, and water lines.

If more people lived in apartments, instead of buying up new single-family developments (which require public services and utilities to be spread over a larger geographic area), more funds and resources could be used to support other areas of the community.

Remember, don’t let the myths fool you – when it comes to great locations, affordability, security, and minimal impact on local infrastructure and resources, renting an apartment is always an excellent choice.

There are many reasons a person could need to sell their home quickly, and one of the most common it seems is the threat of foreclosure due to a job loss. There are also other reasons people need to sell quickly. If you are inheriting a house, and it is going through probate, you could be in need of a quick sale. If your property has been fire damaged and you are ready to move, that could be another reason you would look for a quick sale and need a cash offer.

The advantage of a cash offer is that you do not have to worry about the buyer needing to get a loan from a bank. This means the chances of the deal falling through are much lower. It also means the closing can often times take place sooner. You will need to wait for the title company to perform a title search, but you won’t have to worry about the bank setting up appraisals, sending documents to underwriting, etc…

If you are looking for a cash offer on your house in the Grand Rapids area, your best bet is to speak with a local company that buys houses quickly. You can find these companies by looking for “we buy houses” signs, or searching the internet in your local area. In Grand Rapids, try a search similar to “sell house grand rapids” or cash offer for house grand rapids”. They can usually write you a cash offer within a day or two. Make sure you work with a company that has a good reputation.

So to sell your Grand Rapids house fast, look for a quick cash offer from a local house buying company.

Moving into an apartment can be a stressful experience – not just for you, but for your pet as well. Here are a few tips to help make your cuddly critters feel at home in your new apartment rental.

Check the Rules First

Before you move into your apartment with your pet, always check with your landlord and your city department first to see if there are any rules and regulations you have to follow. Some cities and municipalities have specific by-laws that may require you to leash your pet at all times or limit the number of animals you can have in one residence.

In addition, some landlords have their own “in-house” rules regarding pets (such as liability for damages done to the property by animals or rules concerning the health and cleanliness of your pets), while some still don’t allow pets in their apartments at all. Any rules about pets and apartments should be clearly outlined on your lease.

Choose the Right Pet for Your Apartment

Cats, small dogs and birds are well suited to apartment living. However, before adding a pet to your apartment, it is important to consider whether or not doing so is right for you. Especially for those used to living with animals in a larger house, some people may find that living with a pet in an apartment – especially smaller one-bedroom apartments – to be rather undesirable in the long run.

Caring for Your Cat

Most apartment cats become “indoor cats” by necessity. However, that doesn’t mean they’re still not interested in the outside world. An easy-to-install perch or ledge attached to the windowsill will give your cat a nice view of the world beyond your apartment. Also, remember that your cat needs plenty of exercise, and in a smaller living space, that means you’ll need more toys and climbing structures to allow the cat to act on its natural behaviours like stalking, pouncing, playing and scratching.

Devoted to Your Dog

One of the most important issues for caring for a dog is adequate exercise. Unfortunately, this can become quite difficult while living in an apartment. Without a big backyard to play in, apartment renters have to be sure to take time out of their day to take their dog for regular walks. As a general rule, any dog should be given at least two walks per day and a selection of safe toys to keep them physically and mentally stimulated while you’re away from the apartment.

Apartment Risks for Pets

Apartment buildings provide unique risks for pets and their owners. Perhaps the single biggest risk of living in an apartment for rent with pets is the chance that your furry friend will fall from the balcony or jump through a window. If you decide to bring your pet onto the balcony, make sure that your pet is secured with a harness and leash and remember to never leave your pet unattended. However, many owners prefer not to take their pets outside on the balcony at all – this option is perhaps the best approach for accident prevention.

Talk to your veterinarian about living with your pet in a high-rise apartment. He or she will help you to better understand the issues involved.

A timber frame home provides its owners with a whole list of benefits. In no particular order, here are a few:  Beauty, strength, design flexibility, energy efficiency, quicker build times, and increased resale values.

In Canada we have a rich tradition of building with wood, especially in provinces like British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec where a vibrant forestry industry has been a major engine in their respective economies for centuries.  Who wouldn’t want the warmth, grace and character of heavy timbers on the inside of their home?  Enter timber framing, one of the oldest methods of building in the world, which involves the use of heavy timbers joined together with furniture-like mortise & tenon joinery, and hardwood pegs.

On top of providing beauty and warmth to a home, the sheer size of the timbers makes the home very study and long lasting – existing timber frames in Europe have been around for over 800 years.  As well as strength, you get design flexibility from a post and beam home.  Due to the fact that the large posts in the home take all the vertical loads, interior partition walls can be placed anywhere – or not at all – depending on how open a floor-plan you want.

The last major benefit of timber frames homes comes in the form of energy efficiency.  The walls and roof system are built around the timber structure, providing clients with an uninterrupted thermal envelope, full of insulation, instead of structural members.  It’s the timber structure on the inside that resists dead and live loads, which allows increased levels of insulation inside the walls.

Finally, with all the craftsmanship and high quality materials found in timber frame homes, it’s no wonder that they consistently out-price similarly sized conventional homes when it comes time to put them on the real-estate market.  With all the benefits associated with timber framing, wouldn’t it make sense to consider it the next time you build?

If you’re renting an apartment, you probably know that a portion of your apartment rent can be deducted from your taxes. However, you might not know that you can also deduct certain moving expenses from your next tax return, including transportation, packing and storage costs.

You Can Deduct Moving Expenses If …

To be able to claim moving expenses from your taxes, your move has to fit in one of the following categories:

·        You moved to your new home or new apartment to start a job or a business, or to attend full-time post-secondary courses at a university, college or other educational institution.

·        Your new place of residence is at least 40 kilometres closer to your workplace or school than your previous home.

·        You moved from one place in Canada to another place in Canada.

Eligible Moving Expenses:

The Canada Revenue Agency allows you to deduct reasonable amounts that you paid for moving yourself, your family and your household effects, including:

·        Transportation costs associated with moving from your old residence to your new one (e.g., gas, meals, and accommodation).

·        Transportation and storage costs for your household effects (e.g., packing, hauling, storage and insurance).

·        The cost of revising your legal documents and driver’s license to reflect the address change,

·        The costs associated with disconnecting and switching over your utility hookups (e.g., cable, Internet, phone, hydro and gas).

·        A maximum of 15 days’ living expenses near new or old residence (e.g., hotels and meals).

·        The cost of cancelling your old lease.

·        The cost of selling your old residence (including advertising, notary or legal fees, real estate commissions and mortgage penalties).

·        If applicable, the costs associated with maintaining heat and power in a vacant old residence.

Expenses That Are Not Deductible:

Although the list above covers many of the costs associated with moving to a new apartment, there are many expenses that are not deductible (including some that are similar in nature to those that can be claimed). These include:

·        A loss on the sale of your previous home.

·        Expenses for work done to make your previous home more saleable.

·        Transportation expenses for house-hunting trips before your move.

·        Mail-forwarding costs.

·        Expenses to replace items such as drapes, carpets and toolsheds.

Be sure to keep all of your receipts and documents supporting your claims – even if it’s not necessary to send them with your tax return, the CRA may want to see them at a later date.

Please keep in mind that the information presented in this article is very general and is subject to change, as tax laws are modified on a frequent basis. For specific details about which moving expenses you can claim, the maximum amount you can claim and the forms you will need to make your claim, be sure to check out the Canada Revenue Agency’s website or meet with a professional accountant.

Let’s face it Ottawa, Ontario, Canada is full of government workers and people that work in the downtown core. Now keeping this in mind : Where should one buy a home in Ottawa if they rely on the Public Transportation (OC Transpo) for their Monday to Friday commute to work?

Here’s how long it would take you to go from your home in Ottawa to your work downtown for 8 o’clock on a Monday morning.

About Ottawa

Ottawa, Ontario is the National Capital of Canada located near the United States border and the St-Lawrence River. The 2006 Census gives Ottawa a population of 812 000 making it the fourth largest in the country and the second largest in the province. Ottawa is a great city offering many attractions for people of all ages.

Looking for a home for sale in Ottawa? Call Roch St-Georges, Ottawa Real Estate Agent. 613-889-7732

The Ottawa senators are based in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. They are the present Eastern Conference champions and hold the Prince Of Wales Trophy. They are one of the most successful teams in the league. Ottawa Senators tickets are always in demand. Therefore, it is a good idea to buy the tickets well in advance.

Going Down The Memory Lane With The Senators

Bruce Firestone, an Ottawa real estate developer, established the team. The team started playing in 1992. They defeated the Montreal Canadiens at the Civic Center. The rest of the season was a bad one for the Senators. They lost 39 games. The next season, they acquired QMJHL star player Alexander Daigle. The Senators with players like Alexi Yashin and Alexander Daigle played some good games. The Senators hired Colorado Avalanche and Jacques Martin as the teams head coach.

The Senators picked up in the 1996-97 season. They made a 31-36-15 record and earned 77 points. They faced the Sabers in the first playoffs. They lost to the Sabers in the next two games after a hard fight. Rick Dudley took over as the team’s general manager that season. In 1998-99, the Senators scaled to the 3rd position from being 14th in ranking. They earned a record 103 points- the first hundred points in club history. Before the 2000-01 season, Yashin was stripped of captaincy. He was traded to the Islanders for Zendo Chara, Bill Muckalt and Jason Spezza.

In 01-02, the Sens played against the Flyers in five games to score a win. However they lost in the second round series to the Leafs. On January 9 2003, the Senators filed for bankruptcy. Despite their financial problems, the Sens won the Presidents Trophy with a total of 113 points. They defeated the Islanders and the Flyers in the playoffs, but lost to the Devils in a game less than finals.

Eugene Melnyk purchased the team that year to bring financial stability. In the 03-04 season, the Sens finished with 102 points. On June 8 2004, Bryan Murray was appointed as the head coach of the Sens. The 05-06 season was expected to be a good one for the Sens. They were seen as strong contenders for the Stanley Cup. They acquired Dominick Hasek as a free agent and Dany Haetly. The Senators won 19 out of 22 games and made a total of 113 points.

Heatly, Daniel Alfredsson and Jasson spezza were the strong points of the team. Healtly and Alfredsson made the first shootout goals in NHL history to win the 05-06 season game against the Leafs. The Ottawa Senators tickets sold well owing to the popular players. In 2006-07, the Sens reached the Stanley Cup finals but lost eventually to the Sabres.The Sens are a popular team and Ottawa Senators tickets are always in demand. They are strong contenders for the Cup this season. So you are a Sens fan, you can search for Ottawa Senators tickets online for cheap tickets.

If you are planning to watch the Sens play this season, it is better to buy the tickets in advance. You can buy the Ottawa Senators tickets on the net. There are various sites offering discounted tickets, however do shop around before buying.

Renting a bachelor or studio apartment is a great choice, especially for students and young professionals, as these apartments can be incredibly affordable and convenient. Despite these advantages, however, many potential renters still can’t get over the lack of living space available in a bachelor apartment for rent.

Yes, the apartment might be small (compared to other one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments), but that doesn’t mean you have to think small! Here are just a few of the things you can do to open up the space and make your bachelor apartment look bigger than it really is:

Simplify Your Life

If it’s your first time renting a bachelor apartment, you’ll probably have to take a hard look at everything you own and decide what you really need to bring with you to your new apartment. Remember, space is at a premium – there’s no room for extra junk that will just sit around.

Put a higher priority on items that can save space by performing multiple functions. For starters, consider your bed. Is there enough room in your apartment for both a bed and a couch? Or would you be making better use of your space by combining the two items with a futon or convertible sofa?

While you can’t bring everything you own into your new apartment, you can keep it elsewhere. Many apartment buildings have onsite storage lockers, and most cities have numerous self-storage facilities to choose from.

Stack ‘Em Up

When it comes to making more space in your apartment rental, stacking is key. For example, if you decide to keep your regular bed, try putting it on risers and buying a set of under-the-bed storage containers – doing so will save space on your shelves as well as in your dresser and closets.

Speaking of the closet, stacking is key here, too. Adding multi-tiered shelves will give you more space for towels, shoes, and well, pretty much anything. Adding a behind-the-door organizer that hooks onto the top of your closet door will also give you a multitude of options with minimal space requirements.

As an extension to the stacking concept, you could also install a shelf that runs along the wall through your entire apartment (be sure to ask your landlord or building superintendent before doing any serious installations, of course). This type of shelf is great for storing books or various knick-knacks at eye level, simultaneously showing off your collections while keeping them from being cluttered elsewhere.

Keep It Clean

Of course, it’s important not to add too much to the walls – if there isn’t enough empty space, the room will feel crowded and small (even if the space is technically being put to good to use). Instead of cluttering the walls with shelf after shelf, you might also want to try to use mirrors and lighting, which will make the apartment appear bigger and brighter.

Living and Working from a Bachelor Apartment

Whether you’re a freelancer, entrepreneur, or small business owner, turning your studio apartment into viable office space is extremely important.

An efficient home office doesn’t have to be in its own separate room. Both desktop and laptop computers are getting smaller, and cell phones are becoming more and more versatile. Wireless technology is quickly becoming the norm, meaning you can fit your equipment anywhere it needs to go – even into the smallest of makeshift workspaces.

You might not have room for a full-size desk inside your bachelor apartment. No need to worry – you can set up a drop-leaf table with a chair alongside it. When you’re ready to work, just open up the table, pull up the chair, and turn on your laptop.

If you need to borrow space from a bedroom, it’s important to separate your work life from your home life. You can do this by tucking your laptop into an armoire, or by setting up a folding screen or room divider between your desk and your bed.

In the end, creating more space in a bachelor apartment is all about making some sacrifices, thinking smarter, and being creative. And remember, it’s not how big the space is – it’s what you do with it that counts.

Looking through the apartment listings can be a pretty confusing experience. Just what are the differences between a junior one-bedroom and an alcove studio? A convertible three-bedroom and a flex two-bedroom? Knowing the layout of each type of apartment and what features each type contains will greatly improve your chances of finding the perfect apartment rental for your needs and lifestyle.

Walk-Up Apartment / Low-Rise Apartment

A walk-up or low-rise apartment is located in a building that does not have an elevator (which means it might be a bit more difficult when you’re moving in). Walk-ups are usually older buildings that are less than five storeys high and may not have a lot of amenities such as laundry rooms, storage lockers or wheelchair accessibility. Generally, monthly rent for a walk-up is less expensive than the monthly rent for a high-rise apartment.

High-Rise Apartment

A high-rise apartment is found in a building that is generally six or more storeys tall. High-rise apartment buildings have elevators and often have onsite laundry facilities, pools, fitness centres, comprehensive fire alarm systems, and security systems to monitor tenant entry and exit. In addition, many high-rise apartment buildings feature onsite management staff to assist you in the event of an emergency.

Bachelor Apartment / Studio Apartment

A great choice for students, a bachelor apartment (also called a studio apartment or an efficiency apartment) is a small one-room apartment with a separate bathroom. The one room serves as a bedroom, dining room and living room and is usually connected to an open kitchen. Bachelor apartments can range from very small (just big enough for a sofabed and a desk) to very large (with enough room for a king-size bed and a separate sitting area and dining area).

An alcove bachelor (also called a convertible bachelor or convertible studio) is usually configured in an L-shape with a distinct area or nook for dining or sleeping.

1-Bedroom Apartments

A one-bedroom apartment consists of a living room, kitchen, bathroom and a separate bedroom equipped with a built in closet. Occupancy may often be limited to two people.

A junior one-bedroom usually implies an extra-large studio apartment that is large enough to section off a separate sleeping area or bedroom.

2-Bedroom Apartments

A full two-bedroom apartment has two separate bedrooms in addition to a living room. It may or may not have a separate kitchen. Bedroom sizes can vary widely, from a baby’s room or small office to an extra-large master bedroom suite.

A convertible two-bedroom apartment (sometimes called a “flex 2”) is actually a one-bedroom apartment, but it is large enough and laid out in such a way that a wall could be put up to create a second bedroom. Similarly, a convertible three-bedroom (or “flex 3”) is a two-bedroom apartment that can be converted into 3 bedrooms.

A wing apartment usually has two bedrooms as well as a small common area such as an eat-in kitchen, but no living room. These apartments are ideal for students or roommates who don’t require much in the way of common living space.

Loft

A loft can be classified as a big, open space with few internal walls. Usually the result from a commercial building having been converted into residential units, lofts generally have very high ceilings, extra-large windows and often have exposed plumbing pipes and columns.

Penthouse Apartment

A penthouse is an apartment on the top floor of an apartment building, usually featuring extra balconies or a rooftop deck. A penthouse is normally considered to be quite luxurious and is an extremely desirable (albeit expensive) place to live.

Basement Apartment

As the name implies, a basement apartment is located in the lowest storey of a building and is partially below ground level. Windows and proper ceiling height are enforced by city codes. This type of apartment can also refer to the basement on a house that has been converted to an apartment. This type of basement apartment may have its own separate entrance and may have its own bathroom, kitchen, laundry room and heating system separate from the rest of the house.

Duplex Apartment

A duplex is an apartment with two levels. This could include a true bi-level apartment with an enclosed upstairs and downstairs, or it could also be an open space with an extra-high ceiling and a loft or mezzanine.

Railroad Apartment

In a railroad apartment, there is no hallway. This type of apartment consists of a series of rooms that are connected to each other in a straight line (just like cars on a train), meaning a tenant will have to walk through each room to get from one end of the apartment to the other.

Balcony / Terrace

The terms balcony and terrace are often used interchangeably to indicate a railed platform extending from the outside of the apartment. It can be small enough to accommodate one or two people standing or large enough for a picnic table, lounge chairs and plants.