Looking for the perfect dish for your Thanksgiving spread? The team at Timbercreek Communities has you covered with their very own personal picks for a fantastic Thanksgiving meal!

Cranberry Sauce

For Timbercreek Communities President, David Melo, no Thanksgiving table is complete without cranberry sauce. This jellied side is best paired with a perfectly roasted turkey or mashed sweet potatoes. Already have this classic on your holiday lineup? Up your game with this cranberry sauce recipe that incorporates a touch of high-quality local wine.

Gravy

Don’t forget the gravy! Sylvia Scott, our Sales & Leasing Director, adds it to just about everything on Thanksgiving -- except the pumpkin pie of course. This mouthwatering gravy recipe can be made with meat drippings from your main course, or chicken or turkey stock.

Stuffing

Candice Crawford, a Building Manager at Timbercreek Communities and Jeff Gorman, our National Maintenance Manager agree that stuffing is the unsung hero of the holiday. This side dish can be made to accommodate eating restrictions and preferences. For example, use just nine ingredients to make this Simple Vegan Stuffing.

Wild Blueberry Pie

Jerry Forrester, one of our Building Managers, can’t wait to dig into some Wild Blueberry Pie this week. When it comes to Thanksgiving desserts, saving room is key.

Pierogi & Sausage

Pierogis are a delicious dumpling that originated in Eastern Europe. Chris Adamiec Timbercreek’s IT Manager recommends adding them to your holiday menu. Pair them with your favourite brand of kielbasa sausage or sour cream.

Glazed Ham with Spicy Horseradish

Steven Royiwsky, who oversees our Quality Assurance & Special Projects, suggests pairing glazed ham with spicy horseradish for a holiday dinner your family will request year after year. This Glazed Ham with Horseradish Cream recipe from Martha Stewart is a decadent must try.

Sweet Potato Pie

Who could forget Sweet Potato Pie at Thanksgiving? Property Administration Supervisor, Tina Choy, adores it. If you’ve never tried it, sweet potato pie is sweeter than pumpkin pie and just as rich and creamy.

We hope you love these cherished Thanksgiving recipes from the team at Timbercreek Communities!

Which of today’s recipes will make it onto your table this weekend?

Don’t forget to spend some time reflecting on what you, your family and friends are most thankful for this season. Wendy Adams, Halifax Regional Manager, saves room for gratitude every year by asking the little ones at her table to write down what they are thankful for, keeping them for later reading once they are older.

For more information about family-friendly Timbercreek Communities apartments, please visit our website. 

We love how many fun places there are to visit in October! From picturesque apple orchards to terrifying fear farms, today’s list of five local destinations for fall fun includes a little something for everyone.

Kitchener-Waterloo Fear Farm

Prepare to be scared. The Kitchener-Waterloo Fear Farm (936685 Blenheim Road) is not for the faint of heart — or anyone under the age of five. This terrifying destination is recommended for fearless 15+ year olds. Fear Farm is open Fridays through Sundays, 7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m., all month long. If you survive one of the farm’s five terrifying haunts, treat yourself to the Creep-tastic Candy Park, The Gruesome Autumn Grill, The Freakish Fritter House or the brand-new Blood-Curdling Bakery. Check out this amazing farm early in the evening to avoid lines.

Bingemans Screampark

So you survived the Fear Farm, are you ready for something a little more intense? Bingemans Screampark (425 Bingemans Centre Drive) in Kitchener is just a 15-minute drive from Mooregate Apartments (50, 66 & 80 Mooregate Crescent). Last year over 7,000 guests were too scared to complete the haunt. Can you handle it?

Clovermead Honey and Adventure Farm

For those who prefer not to be terrified this fall but still want to enjoy a memorable daytrip, Clovermead Honey and Adventure Farm (1302 Imperial Road) is the quintessential family-friendly October outing. Their adorable slogan, “Jump, Play, and Bee Happy,” tells you just about everything you need to know about this Alymer attraction. Activities include a corn maze, wagon rides, jumping pillows and farm animals. Online reservations are encouraged to avoid long lines.

Kustermans Fall Festival

Located near London, Kustermans (23188 Springwell Road) is the perfect mix of family-friendly fun (during the day) and spooky festivities (at night). While the sun shines, visit Kustermans for fun for all ages including train rides, giant jumping pillows, zip lines, farmcade games and more. At night, if you dare, take part in your choice of two horrifying haunt tours. Visit Kustermans on weekends in October. The venue will also extend its opening hours on Thursday, October 27th.

Apple Land Station

One of the best things about fall is fresh, delicious apples. Pick your own apples, find the perfect fall pumpkin and say hello to the friendly farm animals at Apple Land Station (329 Richmond Street) -- a first-generation farm located near Thorndale. If you pay the farm a visit, be sure to take home a sweet treat from the bakery. Fall festivities run daily with different hours depending on the day. Visit the Apple Land website to learn more.

We hope you explore these fun places near London and Waterloo this October. Best of all, they are located within a short drive from your Timbercreek Communities Apartment. Want more information about Timbercreek Communities? Simply visit our website today. 

Your home isn’t simply a place to sleep and store your things. Your home should reflect who you are and what you love. Timbercreek Communities understands that you want your home to look nice, but you may not want to spend a lot of money (or have a lot of time) to make your home, feel like home. To help, here a few clever and cheap ways to make your apartment look nice.

Well Organized Mudroom

You don’t actually need an entire room to devote to muddy shoes and hanging coats.  A wall by the doorway will do just fine. A well organized mudroom or wall is the perfect location in your home for muddy boots, hooks for your keys and coats, and a shelf for papers or mail that you need to organize. When the entrance way to your Timbercreek home is neat and organized, it sets the right tone for the whole space.

Temporary Rustic Deck Tiles

An easy way to refresh and add a touch of warmth and refinement to your balcony is with these temporary rustic deck tiles. These tiles are pre-stained and removable (so you can clean the floor underneath). They can even be cut to fit around corners or poles. These tiles are meant for outdoor use only and will help you transform the balcony at your Timbercreek home into a rustic deck for just $3.44 per square foot!

Hexagon Mirror Wall

You can arrange these two-toned hexagon wall mirrors any way you like. You can cluster them together to create a mirror wall, or get creative with your own design. They come in packages of 10 (5 pieces in 2 tones). The double sided tape to hang them is included.

Wooden Blanket Ladder

You can re-purpose an old ladder into a functional, organized, display and storage rack for your blankets (or towels). It looks great in the living room, by the bed for those cold winter nights when you need an extra blanket, or in the bathroom as a towel rack. You may want to stain the ladder (in a well ventilated area) to a shade that best suits your space.

Gallery Wall

A great way to personalize your apartment is to hang things on the walls. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on artwork to create and curate your own gallery wall. All you need are few inexpensive frames (or create your own frames using your choice of washi tape). What you choose to put in the frames is up to you! It can be photos, images from magazines, a colourful abstract painting you make yourself -- even old greeting cards or wrapping paper remnants can become a work of art!

We hope you give some of these cheap tips and tricks a try. If you’re willing to put in just a small amount of time and money, you can make your apartment look nice and feel like home. For more information on Timbercreek Communities for rent across Canada, please visit our website.

Moving into a new home or apartment this year? Plan a faster, easier move into your new space with these amazing moving tips from the apartment-living experts at Timbercreek Communities,

1. Change Your Address

This is an easy step number one. Two weeks before the big day, contact the postal service to change your address to your new location.

2. Pack An Overnight Bag

As you begin the time consuming job of packing up all the items you have accumulated, set aside your favourite everyday essentials. Put these items into a backpack so you know exactly where they are when you unload all your possessions into the new space. You’ll thank yourself later.

3. Take A Pic

Before you invest too much time into packing, stop and snap a picture of your most complicated electronics set up. This is an easy way to remember which cord goes where without taking up any precious brain space.

4. Donate What You Don’t Need

Isn’t it amazing how quickly stuff magically accumulates? Consider donating gently-used items you no longer use or want to a local charity. If you’re truly serious about making a change, check out Marie Kondo’s best selling book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. This is a great how-to guide for life-changing decluttering. Some charities will even pick up your unwanted items from your home. Do your research to see what local charities near you accept physical donations.

5. Next Level Labels

It's always a good idea to label your moving boxes. Make your move as smooth as possible by adding a second line that indicates which room the box should be placed in. This will save time and hassle when it's time to unpack in your new space.

6. Invest In Clear, Plastic Bins

Labeling your boxes by room means they’ll probably end up in the right place-- fingers crossed. Even with excellent labels it can still be challenging to find the towels, bed sheets or eating utensils you need quickly after a move. Pack these items in clear plastic bins so you can spot them easier on moving day.

7. Go Vertical

For fragile items like plates, pack them vertically, just like old-fashioned records. They’re less likely to break this way.

8. Vacuum-Seal Your Clothing

Reduce volume by vacuum sealing clothing, particularly clothes that are out-of-season. After your move, these compact bags will be easy to store in the closet until the seasons change.

9. Hire A Sitter

If you are moving within the same city and have little ones and/or pets at home, simplify your life significantly by arranging a babysitter for moving day.

10. Pack Up Before Help Arrives

Friends and family can be amazingly helpful during a move. Be respectful of their time and energy by packing up all your possessions before their arrival. Your aunt and neighbor are probably not going to know where and how you want your possessions packed. Save their assistance for the actual moving of boxes and furniture.

Moving doesn’t have to be stressful. Timbercreek Communities wishes you good luck as you transition into a new home.

For more information about Timbercreek Communities’ apartments, located in dozens of cities across Canada, visit our website today.

After months of searching, you finally found an affordable pet-friendly apartment. But now what? Living in an apartment with a furry friend can be a bit of a learning curve for newbies. Do it right with these simple rules of petiquette from Timbercreek Communities.

A healthy pet is a happy pet

Ensure that your new pal is safe and healthy. Check with your veterinarian if your pet requires any of the most important vaccines (such as rabies). It is also wise to ask your veterinarian about parasite preventatives for your cat or dog if you live in an apartment building. Don’t worry -- these shots are remarkably affordable, and booster shots can be scheduled in advance by your veterinarian.

Social and desensitize

Socializing and desensitizing is training lingo for teaching your pet what constitutes good and bad behavior. The first step in this process is taking note of what your pet likes and dislikes. Next, expose your pet—slowly, and at a distance—to the object, person or behavior you want them to learn to love. With time and careful instruction, your pet will learn to be the friendly well-behaved little buddy you hoped for.

Keep your neighbors in mind

It’s hard to believe, but your snuggly dog or adorable cat could actually be your neighbour’s worst nightmare. There are many reasons why neighbours might resent your pet -- from allergies to fear. Keep the person next door in mind to guarantee a positive living situation for all. Keep your pet close to your side, and try to keep noise to a minimum as much as possible.

Clean up counts

An apartment is often a shared space. Cleaning up after your pet at home is always a good idea. Regularly vacuuming and dusting keeps your apartment odorless and hygienic. When out and about, making sure to always take doggy bags with you is key so you can pick up after your pet when nature calls.

We hope you enjoyed Petiquette 101!

For more information about pet-friendly Timbercreek Communities apartment rentals, located in five provinces and over 27 cities in Canada, please visit our website today. 

Roommates can be your new best friends or the bane of your existence. At one point or another, we all have to deal with them. Learn how you can avoid awkward confrontations and unfortunate situations in your apartment with our Living with Roomies: Survival Guide put together by the apartment experts at Timbercreek Communities.



Look For Red Flags

Searching for roomies isn’t easy, especially if you’re new to the city. As the hunt drags on, you may be tempted to jump into whatever setup you find first. Be sure to look for red flags before you make your choice. Meet your potential roommate(s) over coffee to get a feel for how you interact. Ask important questions, and trust your instincts. If you don’t like the person all that much after chatting, there’s a good chance you won’t get along when you’re sharing a living room.

Put Everything In Writing

When you become roommates with a stranger, it’s a good idea to put everything in writing with a roommate agreement. How you split the rent, which spaces are shared spaces and whether or not overnight guests are welcome are all details to put into writing to prevent arguments in the future.

Talk About Money Before

The big ‘M’ conversation should happen before anything and everything else. Everyone needs to agree, and then put into writing, the exact dollars and cents they’re responsible for. Pro tip? Decide in advance how each person is paying and who is responsible to deliver the payment to management every month.

Declare Some House Rules

House rules are a great idea. They’ll keep you sane and prevent you and your roomies from driving each other crazy. Grab some pizza, pull out a notepad and have each person declare their own boundaries and guidelines upfront. Get crafty and turn your rules into decor.

Prepare To Compromise

Even if you do everything by the book, no roommate situation is perfect. When something comes up, take a deep breath, relax and prepare to compromise to find a solution that works for everyone.

Good luck as you get settled with your new roomies! For excellent apartments in Canada’s finest cities nationwide, check out Timbercreek Communities today. 

Almost everyone could use a little more space in their home. The problem is more space usually means more money. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to affordably make your space feel much larger than it really is. The Timbercreek Communities blog team is here to help you make the most of your living space with these 5 tips to make your small space look large.

Hang curtains from the top of the wall

Placing your curtains high above your window, just below the ceiling is a great way to create the illusion of larger windows and more space. Make sure to use the right size and length of curtain rod and curtains -- so that they don’t block any light when they are open and make the room feel smaller.

Opt for sofas and armchairs with raised legs

Rather than bulky, heavy furniture that sits on the floor, opt for furniture pieces with legs that raise it off the floor. Think ‘floating’ shelves and bedside tables. This allows light to flow beneath and makes the room feel light, airy and more spacious.

Go for fabrics and rugs in small prints or plain colours

In smaller spaces, use small prints or plain colours for fabrics and rugs. This will visually expand the room by creating a single, unified effect. You’ll want to go for lighter colours as dark colours in a small space can make the room feel oppressive and heavy.

Include mirrors in your space

This is one of those tricks for making a room feel larger that has been passed down for generations. It really works. Well placed mirrors can make a room feel much larger than it is. Large mirrors can be expensive, but the same effect can be achieved by placing several smaller mirrors together. If you paint their frames the same colour, the look will feel organized, rather than cluttered.

Make use of hidden storage and multi-purpose items

Clutter is the enemy of a small space. Hidden storage and multi-purpose furniture can be purchased or built to keep clutter at bay and make the most of limited space. Consider coffee tables, ottomans, headboards and more, as storage opportunities. You’ll have the clean, organized and airy feel that makes your space seem much larger and more livable.

Don’t let a cluttered small space cramp your style. The blog team at Timbercreek Communities hopes this week’s post helps you make the most of your living space. For more information on Timbercreek Communities for rent across Canada, please visit our website.

Another school year has begun. If you’re already feeling stressed, make sure you know how to relax as the pressure builds. The Timbercreek Communities blog team has some simple tips on how to feel less stressed after the first 2 weeks of school.

Go for a 10 Minute Walk

It doesn’t take much for stress to creep into your life. Fortunately, it doesn’t take much effort to relieve that stress, once you are aware of it. Going for a short walk is a great way to quickly put your mind and body at ease. If all you can spare is 10 minutes for a stroll around the block, take the time and do it. If you feel you need a bit more stress relief, try to count your steps as you walk. When you find yourself thinking (especially the same thoughts that brought on the stress) simply bring your mind back to counting your steps.

Step Away from the Screen

You have a lot of work to do, which means you need to look at your computer screen constantly. Be sure to take regular breaks from the screen to avoid increased stress. The artificial light from computer and TV screens can affect melatonin production and interrupt circadian rhythms. This prevents deep, restorative sleep and causes an increase in stress and stress hormone production. To stay productive, you need to step away from the screen with regular breaks.

See Your BFF

Humans are social animals. The feeling of being connected with others is a great stress reliever. Socializing with trusted friends can bring about feelings of safety, security, belonging and enjoyment. It reminds us of the big picture and what is actually important. So, the next time you feel yourself getting tense, reach out and connect with a friend.

Yoga

Yoga has been used for thousands of years to maintain a healthy, flexible body and a stress-free mind. You don’t have to be able to twist yourself into a pretzel shape to reap the benefits. The simple act of focusing your breath and attention as you move will help you deal with whatever life throws at you. This video will help you focus and flow.

Cook a Meal

You can cut the stress out of your day as you cut up some vegetables for dinner. Cooking can reduce stress for a number of reasons. The act of chopping can be a release, the smell of food and spices can function as aromatherapy, and the act of asserting some control in a situation is good for stress levels. In the kitchen you can be in control, as you focus on the task in front of you. The best part is you get to eat after you cook!

You’ve worked hard to get where you are. It will take even more hard work to get where you want to go. Learning to control your stress will add to your overall enjoyment of life. For more information on Timbercreek Communities in London and Waterloo, please visit our website.

Whether you are starting, or returning to school this fall - or you are finished school and are starting a new phase of your life, a rental community makes a lot of sense for 20 somethings. Here’s why we think apartment communities are ideal for young people.

No Maintenance

You have enough on your mind (school, starting your career etc.) without having to devote extra time and attention to household maintenance. When you choose to live in an apartment community, you never have to stop what you are doing to make time to shovel snow, or mow the lawn. Renting an apartment also means no additional maintenance fees, as opposed to life in a condominium. If there is a problem with the plumbing or an appliance stops working, it’s not your problem to solve. All you would need to do is send a message to your property manager, or make a phone call. You also don’t have to worry about upkeep on the exterior of the building you call home.  All you need to be concerned with is keeping up with the life you are building within your apartment and beyond its walls.

Increased Safety

Let’s face it, 20 somethings go out late and come home even later. Coming home late at night on your own can be scary. An amazing benefit of living in a rental community is increased safety. Unlike a house (where there is only a single door or window preventing potential intruders from entering) an apartment offers several secure layers of entry. There is the front door of the building and fire doors before you arrive at your apartment door. Many Timbercreek rental communities, such as Avenue Apartments (137 University Avenue, less than 1km from the University of Waterloo) also offer controlled lobby access. Having several neighbours around you in your apartment community also increases your safety. Your fellow residents may also be returning home late at night, and may even watch out for strangers trying to enter your apartment.

Extra Amenities

Most 20 somethings have a busy schedule. You may be scrambling to fit essential things into your day like laundry and workouts. The more you have close to home, the better. When you live in a Timbercreek rental community, you have access to extra amenities that make life easier and more comfortable. A great feature of many apartment buildings is on-site laundry. Packing up your dirty clothes for a trip to the nearest laundromat is a time waster and a hastle. If you drive, it is a huge bonus to have access to on-site parking. Staying active is easy as your apartment building will often feature a free fitness facility -- even swimming pools are accessible to you at many Timbercreek properties including The Dorchester (1231 Richmond Street, London - 0.6 km to Western).

Savings

Many 20 somethings find themselves in debt due to tuition fees and student loans. A big benefit of renting a Timbercreek apartment (instead of renting part or all of a home) is the money that you’ll save. Rent is usually much lower in an apartment and you can expect to save on heating costs. Heating and cooling a controlled space costs less because apartment buildings retain heat from other apartments, so your winter heating bills will be much less high than they would be in a house.

Accessibility

When you live in a Timbercreek rental community your building will be accessible. You will find ramps at entrances and exits, elevators instead of stairs to climb, and one-level floor plans which make life easier for anyone with physical challenges to come and go, independently.

Community

Perhaps the most important reason why living in an apartment community is great for 20 somethings is the community aspect. When you live in a house, you may have a roommate and see a next-door neighbour or two, from time to time. In a rental community, you have next door neighbours, across the hall neighbours, laundry room neighbours, and gym neighbours (many of them in your age range). Making friends in an apartment community can be easy, you just need to smile and be polite to the neighbours you cross paths with.

Convenience, affordability, accessibility and community are hallmarks of apartment communities -- making them a great choice for a 20 something. For more information on Timbercreek rental communities in London and Waterloo, please visit our website.

To have spending money, or staying out of debt, and start saving for tomorrow is a smart plan when your attending college or university. Many businesses are looking for part-time workers all year round. Check out today’s post for four tips on how to find work on or near campus and start making money today.

Take advantage of on-campus services

If you have yet to visit your university’s career services centre, this might be the best place to start. Most institutions have entire departments devoted to helping you identify your skill set, clean up your resume and prepare for interviews. Residents at London apartments (1267 Richmond Street), have it especially easy. In one click you can sign up today for an appointment with a Career Counsellor at the on-campus Student Success Centre at Western University (1151 Richmond Street), located just a 15-minute walk away from your apartment.

Attend a job fair

Job fairs offer an awesome opportunity to meet with multiple employers at once. Each year in September, for example, the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, University of Guelph and Conestoga College all work together to sponsor the nation’s largest Career Fair. This year’s fair is set for Wednesday, September 28th, in Waterloo’s RIM Park.

Search your university’s job bank

Tired of hearing that you’re too young or don’t have enough experience? No online employment database will cater to your demographic more than your university’s job bank. Employers who post there are specifically open to hiring students. By using this database you have better odds of finding a job that is flexible and appropriate for your experience level and skill set. Students at Wilfred Laurier University (75 University Avenue West), located near Waterloo Apartments, have access to over 5,000 jobs posted each year online via the Career Development Centre’s Navigator.

Network, network, network

Finding a great job is often the result of being connected to the right person at the right time. Staying engaged in on-campus activities is fun and might help you connect with a person who has the contacts you need to get hired today. Your university may also host networking events. The University of Waterloo hosts Employer Information Sessions which make mingling with potential employers easy.

Timbercreek Communities wishes you good luck in your search for a job. For more information about apartments located near your university, visit our website today.