Guest post by the American Red Cross The past year has reminded all of us that no one is beyond the reach of disasters. In the U.S., millions of people across the country were impacted by an unrelenting wave of devastating disasters — from back-to-back hurricanes to record-breaking wildfires, historic storms and, of course, home fires — compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. Through it all, the American Red Cross has worked in countless ways to help disaster survivors, providing them with emergency lodging, hot meals, relief supplies, emotional support and resources to aid in recovery.  In ..read more

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As we conclude our celebrations of Women’s History Month at AvalonBay, the Women’s Leadership Network (WLN) would like to thank two of our remarkable leaders who inspire and lead thousands of AvalonBay associates. We asked Debbie Coombs and Sarah Mathewson to reflect on what they have learned over the past month, what they plan to keep doing, and what brings them hope. What have you learned during this Women’s History Month? DC: This month began with a “choose to challenge” message from Tina Cassidy. Her view from outside AvalonBay was a great start to a month of discovery. I have ha ..read more

As we conclude our celebrations of Women’s History Month at AvalonBay, the Women’s Leadership Network (WLN) would like to thank two of our remarkable leaders who inspire and lead thousands of AvalonBay associates. We asked Debbie Coombs and Sarah Mathewson to reflect on what they have learned over the past month, what they plan to keep doing, and what brings them hope. What have you learned during this Women’s History Month? DC: This month began with a “choose to challenge” message from Tina Cassidy. Her view from outside AvalonBay was a great start to a month of discovery. I have ha ..read more

Big cities attract a variety of different people from all walks of life. This rich diversity is precisely what makes big cities so appealing to live in for many people. Some move to pursue their careers or to go to college, while others want a change of pace or to enjoy the vibrant culture of city life. Whatever the reason, moving to a big city can be exciting and exhilarating, but it still presents its challenges. Life-changing events, including moving, can have serious effects on your mental and emotional health. Moving to a new town, in particular, can decrease your happiness and contribut ..read more

Finding a new job in a new city can be an exciting but stressful proposition. Following through could conjure new methods of career advancement and countless other opportunities, but moving can be an expensive and challenging process. This second point is particularly true if you’ll be moving to a big city in an unfamiliar area or need to make accommodations for any pets you’ll be bringing with you. Preparation is key when it comes to successfully moving and finding a job in a new city. Being financially prepared, knowing when and where to look, and making smart decisions in regard to your cu ..read more

Renting your first apartment can be both exciting and overwhelming. Finances, moving, large amounts of personal time, and filing and waiting for rental applications are all aspects of the rental process and can increase feelings of frustration and stress. The process requires some preparation, as there is a lot of new information to consider. This guide covers the basics of apartment renting that a first-time renter should know. By following it, you can learn the ins and outs of how to find and rent an apartment for the first time. Understand Your Finances and Create a Budget Creating a budge ..read more

Even when the new place you’re moving to is a better fit for you and your animal, moving can be confusing, scary, disorienting, and cause a large amount of anxiety for pets. To create a smooth transition and mitigate these issues, consider the following tips. Choose a Pet-Friendly Neighborhood When you move to a new area, you want to make sure you are aware of how pet-friendly the neighborhood is. One of the best ways to do this is to simply search for pet-friendly neighborhoods in your area — for example, “top pet-friendly neighborhoods in Seattle” or “top pet-friendly neighborhoods in Los A ..read more

As remote work continues to become more common, many people are discovering a need for a functional at-home workspace. Having an organized workspace can increase your job satisfaction and productivity when you work from home — but creating an efficient and comfortable home office doesn’t have to take up a lot of space, especially if you don’t have a lot of space to spare. If you’re relocating to a new city, moving into your first apartment, or simply moving your work from your office to your home, it can be a great time to take stock of your space and how you can utilize it. Below are some sm ..read more