Solving Basic Apartment Problems
Sometimes you don’t want to wait for maintenance to solve a problem. For small repairs and upkeep around your rented Round Rock apartment, you can probably do it yourself.
Be sure to look at your rental agreement before attempting anything. You want to make sure that tinkering with equipment or amenities is allowed.
One of the easiest situations to solve is stopping an overflowing toilet.
It can be startling when a toilet starts to overflow. Quick thinking is essential.
For newer toilets, simply turn the valve behind the toilet. For older toilets, you’ll need to raise the lift arm inside the toilet to cut off the water.
Once the water stops running, you can get to work on unclogging the toilet.
You’ll want to know how to change the air filters in your air conditioning or heating unit. You may notice a small door on the side of your unit. Open it and you’ll find a cardboard filter.
Remove it and look at it. You’re going to want to check on it about once a month. If it gets really gross, change it—a truly dirty air filter can’t do its job anymore.
You can also remove clogs from garbage disposals. First, make sure there’s no power going to it. Then try to dislodge whatever is stuck in there. If you can remove it, great. If you’ve broken it up, you can reattach the power and flush it out.
Other projects you might be able to tackle yourself include fixing leaky faucets, tightening door hinges and replacing a peep hole.
You can also save on your heating and cooling bills by checking the seals on any doors and windows. Even a rolled-up towel by a window on a cold winter’s night can save you money.
Affordable plastic sealers can be applied to windows during the winter months and can make a big difference in heat retention.
Again, you’ll want to check with your apartment community and consult your lease before becoming Mr. or Ms. Fix It.
But, assuming it’s okay, it can be empowering to solve problems yourself.
Round Rock Recreation Opportunities
Spring is around the corner, and that means you can start taking advantage of all of the great outdoor activities in your area.
Whether you’re renting an apartment in Round Rock, Georgetown, or Austin, there are tons of opportunities for active and passive recreation.
Georgetown has 30 public parks offering such amenities as basketball and tennis courts, baseball diamonds and soccer fields. The city also has hiking and biking trails and disc golf course.
Round Rock TX has 34 parks—that’s 1,700 acres—and two recreation centers. Clay Madsen Recreation Center boasts a weight room and aerobics classes.
Austin has a wealth of options: golf courses, swimming pools and the Barton Creek greenbelt. It also has the Dougherty Arts School, with such adult offerings as ceremics, photography lessons, painting and drawing and textiles.
Sounds great, you may say, but where am I going to meet people?
Georgetown hosts softball, men’s, women’s and co-ed soccer, tennis, kickball and volleyball.
The Round Rock Parks and Recreation Department runs similar adult athletic leagues, but also includes kickball, softball and men’s flag football.
The City of Austin offers similar sports, and private leagues can be found nearby as well: Town Lake YMCA 18+, the S. Austin Men’s Basketball League and Super Social Sports to name three.
When looking for an apartment in Texas, consider the area near the apartment. Ask yourself, is it near any running or hiking trails? Could I bike on the roads near my apartment? Does my apartment have bicycle racks or would I need to keep my bike inside?
One of the best ways to get to know your new city is to bike around it. You’ll see more than you would from a car.
Staying active is the cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle. It improves physical and mental well being and can be lots of fun.
Getting involved in community sports, or at least using community facilities, is a great way to become acquainted with your new hometown. The friends you meet and experiences you have may be ones you’ll remember for years to come.
Things to Do in Georgetown, TX
If you’re considering renting an apartment in Georgetown, you’re in luck.
Georgetown is filled with exciting activities, lively stores and restaurants and excellent public services for you to enjoy.
If you’re unfamiliar with the area, a great place to start would be its stately town square. The streets surrounding the Williamson County Courthouse are linked with lovely small businesses and it’s home to town events, such as the Georgetown Swirl and the Art in the Square.
From there, you can explore local attractions such as or visit Southwestern University, a nearby liberal arts college.
There are numerous shopping opportunities for essentials and gifts in town. Enjoy a good meal at any of the town’s fine restaurants, spanning American, French, Asian, Italian, Mexican and other cuisines.
For entertainment, Georgetown has the Georgetown Palace Theatre and City Lights Theatres.
Nearby parks include: Old Town Park, San Gabriel Park, Veterans of Foreign Wars Park and Mickler Park.
Georgetown is home to St. David’s Georgetown Hospital. It’s about a half away away from Austin and three hours to Dallas.
Some Georgetown TX apartments in town include: Waters Edge, The Oaks at Georgetown Apartments, Georgetown Place, Georgetown Park, Victorian Villages and Alpine Apartments.
A Little Piece of Texas at Home
You’re renting an apartment in Texas. Be proud of your state!
There are loads of ways to incorporate Texas iconography into whatever decorating scheme you have.
What better place to start than the Texas flag? The Lone Star looks great as a framed flag on a wall or as a subtle design motif on a throw pillow or blanket.
Texas history has other colorful emblems, such as Austin’s 1835 “Come and Take It” flag or the 1824 Alamo flag.
Feel free to play with common Texas symbols, such as cowboy hats and boots. Vintage advertisements, a thrift store pair of boots or even spurs can be neat visual elements near bookshelves.
You can frame a series of vintage postcards or pulp paperback covers to place near a desk or end table. There are numerous coffee table books filled with Texas photography and imagery.
If you’re a fan of either the University of Texas, Texas State or Texas A & M, there’s no limit to the amount of decorations and furnishings you can purchase for your apartment in any style.
Some of the best bets are framed scenic prints, such as the University of Texas Tower or the James Earl Rudder Statue.
Give your apartment an even more local bend by taking your own photos. Capture a beautiful spring day on Georgetown’s square or the actual round rock of Round Rock.
For a more regional flavor, it’s easy to add Western accents to a living room. Items such as woven blankets add some more muted tones.
If your rooms have a more modern design, smaller pieces will have a bigger impact. Bookends, small stuffed animals or magnets can show off where you live in an understated way.
When you add Texas decorations to your apartment, you’re letting guests know you identify with an exciting, dynamic state.
Ditch the College Look
Whether you’re looking to rent apartments in Georgetown, Round Rock or Austin, you want to have a fun and comfortable living space.
You may be tempted to revive a few favorite pieces of furniture from your college days. Don’t do it! Even if you’re a busy college student at the University of Texas, you can have a more stylish apartment right now. A few small changes can turn a dorm look into something more polished.
Beanbag Chairs. They’re comfortable, great for laying on the floor and a mainstay of college apartments. But there’s no way to dress them up.
Instead, try: Floor pillows. They stack nicely and accomplish the same goals.
Cheap Shelving. Why mess with a good thing? Painted metal or plastic shelves are heavy-duty and can hold all of your stuff. Stackable milk crates or filing cubes do the same thing.
Instead, try: smaller wood shelves or more well-constructed storage. Beautiful shelves can be a showcase for your stuff. Some shelves can disassemble easily if you have to move.
Store less essential things in a closet and put a few things on display on nicer shelves.
Any Old Lighting. It’s free and it came with your new home. But overhead lighting can look and feel less cozy than you’d like.
Instead, try: Different types of lamps. You can place them around the room and have options for customizing how bright or dim you’d like the room to be.
Mismatched Stuff. Unless you have great style, a bunch of mismatched pieces of furniture will look like just that.
Instead, try: a theme or limited color palate. If all of your stuff is a light wood color, it will match and really look sharp. Black, silver and white are also great colors that match other furniture.
When done correctly, simple ends up looking classy and not like you have less stuff.
A Beat Up Desk or Table. You need a desk to work. You need a table on which to eat. But both of these things can cost a pretty penny.
Instead, try: looking through the classified or Craigslist to find deals. Try to get one table that could serve both needs. One nice piece of furniture will look better in the home than two more weathered pieces.
Posters Without Frames. It’s tempting to just stick your posters up on the wall. Frames are expensive and your taste in posters may change.
Instead, try: framing on a few posters. It makes a big difference in the look of your home. Try to mix it up with framed photographs or even original prints from local artists. Etsy is a great place to start.
Remember, buying some of these things may seem like a big investment now, but you can enjoy them for years to come.
Fun Things to Do In Round Rock, TX
If you’re new to the Round Rock area, you’re in for a treat.
Sure, Austin’s just down the road, but there are plenty of fun things to do right in town.
When locating the right apartment for you, consider how close you’ll be to some of these attractions.
Over on W. Liberty Avenue, Round Rock Donuts is world-famous for its tasty creations. A branch of Lammes Candies is in the Market at Round Rock shopping center.
Round Rock boasts tons of parks, which include:
- Bowman Park
- Bradford Park
- Buck Egger Park
- Chisholm Trail Crossing
- Clay Madsen Park
- Frontier Park
- Greenhill Park
- High Country Park
- Kinningham Park
- Koughan Memorial Water Tower Park
- Lake Creek Park
- Luther Peterson Park
- Meadow Lake Park
- Memorial Park
- Mesa Village Park
- Mayfield Park
- McNeil Park
- Old Settlers Softball Field
- Round Rock West Park
- Rock Hollow Park
- Settlement Park
- Stark Park
- Somerset Park
- Stella Park
- Veterans Park
The Dell Diamond is where the Round Rock Express, a minor league baseball team, plays.
There’s an H-E-B and a Sprout’s Farmers Market, as well as several shopping centers, in town as well.
The Rock’N River Family Aquatic Center and the Clay Madsen Recreational Center are open for swimming.
Apartment dwellers looking to settle in the area should also look for how close they are to I-35, Hwy. 130 and Toll 45 if they plan to work outside of the area.
Small Spaces, Huge Potential
You can make smaller spaces feel welcoming and expansive.
There are plenty of resources online to help you. Here are a few suggestions from Better Homes and Gardens magazine and Home and Garden Television.
Downsize and organize. Before you start trying to find the best place for your stuff, now might be a good time to ask yourself if you need it at all.
Even donating, gifting or getting rid of a few items might make living in closer quarters easier.
Smaller spaces can require greater order and organization. Stay on top of mail and paperwork. HGTV recommends that you make sure everything has its place. Clutter begins when new items don’t have a storage place.
Look Up. What you make lack in floor space you can make up for in height. Shelves (freestanding or built into the wall) can house books, clothes, mementos and anything else you may have.
Start Brushing. Consider painting your walls. Lighter colors don’t jump out as much. Brighter or darker colors are more eye-catching, but can make the room seem smaller.
Have Multiple Use Items. Better Homes and Gardens suggests having a dining room table double as a desk. See what other furnishings could be taking on other tasks as well.
Space Wherever You Can Find It. If you can see through (or below) a piece of furniture, it may appear to take up less space. The magazine uses the example of a nightstand.
If You’re Not Using It, Store It. Useable space is prime real estate in a smaller apartment. For example, you may be used to having your toaster, coffee maker, blender and food processor on your counter and ready for action. Now, maybe it should only be your coffee maker and toaster.
If you’re not using it every day, put it away when you’re done with it. It’ll also help the area remain clean.
Don’t Hide Your Storage. Odds are, if you have a small space, you’ve got very little storage as well. Be picky about what goes in your closets. Are you storing it because you use it seasonally/infrequently, or not at all and you don’t know where else to put it?
Invest in storage bins or decorative containers to make this space look nice as well.
Form Dictates Function
Have you ever wished you could do something different in your apartment space?
- Maybe you want to have a conversation in your living room, but everyone ends up watching TV.
- Perhaps you keep meaning to work out on your exercise bike, but the bike in a sad corner of the apartment surrounded by boxes.
- You want to work in your bedroom, but you always fall asleep when you try to work on the computer in bed.
Take a look at your layout and furnishings. Maybe you haven’t designed your space to be conducive to another activity.
Living rooms are a great place to start. Based on the layout, what appears to be its main use? If all of the couches and chairs are facing the TV, no wonder everyone ends up staring at the screen.
Try moving couches and chairs into a ring to encourage conversation. You could move the TV to a corner instead. You may end up watching it anyway, but at least it wouldn’t feel like the default option.
The same goes for any room where you want to exercise. An exercise space needs a lot of floor area and it needs to be inviting.
Be kind to yourself. If you’re used to exercising in front of the TV at a gym, put a small TV in front of your stationary bike or treadmill. If the floor is uncomfortable for stretching or yoga, buy a mat or small rug for it.
You want to make exercise as enjoyable as possible so you’ll do it more. (Why do you think gyms have high-energy pop music and bright colors?)
It can be challenging to introduce another function into a space that already has an established use (like anything other than sleeping in a bedroom).
Try using the space at different times of the day. Change the lighting. Make sure you have enough physical space to complete this new activity. Bring in a desk instead of working on your bed.
If you’re working at your dining room table, don’t let paperwork take over the space. Anything you’re not working with should be filed away.
Don’t underestimate the importance of design. That extra little effort might make all the difference.
Love Thy Neighbors
Neighbors can make or break your apartment living experience.
Great neighbors foster warm, inviting communities. They’ll say hello to you in the hallway, respect quiet hours and even feed your cat while you’re on vacation. They may even bake you some cookies as a welcome gift.
Conversely, bad neighbors can become the stuff of legends. They blast music at all hours, leave common areas dirty and cause bad blood all around.
Being neighborly is a two-way street, but you can do your part by being friendly, considerate and tolerant.
Meet Your Neighbor
This should be common sense. Introduce yourself to the person next door. Say hello when you see them around. If you just made cookies, bring them a plate.
Build that relationship and have that communication channel open.
Accommodate Your Neighbor
Ask them if they have any noise preferences.
Ask them how much they can hear through the wall? Is only action movies cranked up to maximum volume, or can they even hear ordinary conversations?
Ask them about their schedule. Perhaps they work nights and could care less about noise at all hours. But they’ll hate you forever if you listen to quiet music in the afternoon.
It’s good to know these things.
Getting to Know Your Neighbor
Do they go to school? Have babies? Small children? Are they elderly?
Neighbors may have different needs based on where they are in their lives. They could be a new friend. Having friends that live next door can be a lot of fun.
Be Reasonable
Now that you got to know your neighbor, treat them with common courtesy. Don’t blare the TV at 3 a.m. Keep the music to reasonable levels.
Ask them to come to you first with any conflicts or complaints. You don’t want your first warning of a problem to be when the police show up.
Know Your Complex’s Complaint Policy
If a problem can’t be resolved informally, you need to know your rights as a tenant.
Hopefully it never gets to that point, but it’s good to know.
You never know. You may think you have “bad” neighbors, but they are really lovely people just waiting for someone to be nice to them. Take that first step and say hello.
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