5 Tips for Hosting Thanksgiving in an Apartment

Autumn weather is officially in full swing. Before you know it November 22 will be here – Thanksgiving Day! People often have fond memories of the holiday including everything from watching football to the large meal shared with loved ones. Guests at a party can enjoy it carefree, but the host sometimes becomes frazzled from all the multitasking required to pull off the perfect party. Hosting the holiday can be stressful; cleaning, cooking, and entertaining take a lot of time and energy. Here are some tips and tricks for hosting Thanksgiving in your apartment:

  1. Tidy up in advance: If the thought of cleaning your apartment from top to bottom in one day seems unrealistic for you, try taking it one day at a time. Start the Monday of Thanksgiving week by tackling two or three tasks each evening such as scrubbing the bathroom, folding the laundry, and loading the dishwasher. By Thursday your space will be sparkling!
  2. Make a timeline: It can be helpful to make a tentative timeline for yourself of when guests will be arriving, when to put out appetizers, dinner time, and even how long you anticipate guests staying as they nurse food comas! Setting reminders and timers on your cell phone are other ways to remind yourself of things such as when it’s time to start baking the biscuits. 
  3. Frozen produce are your friend: When it comes time to get cooking the turkey might actually be the easiest part. Prepare it how you wish and just pop it in the oven. The tricky part is timing all your side dishes to be hot when the main dish is ready. Using frozen veggies such as string beans, cubed squash, and even mashed potatoes will make life easier when all you have to do is steam them in the microwave or simmer on the stove just before the turkey is done. They also help you save precious space in your fridge to chill beverages and desserts.
  4. Maximize space: If you are hosting a large crowd, maximize space by rearranging some “non-essential” furniture such as end tables or large lamps. Temporarily moving just a few items can open up quite a bit of space for socializing.
  5. Ask for help: Crafting the perfect holiday gathering on your own can be overwhelming, don’t be afraid to ask a guest or two to arrive early and help set the table or cook!

Hosting Thanksgiving doesn’t have to be an intimidating task when you live at one of the Polinger Company properties. Each of our communities boasts unique kitchen features that will make preparing your feast easy and enjoyable. Bethesda Place and Highland House feature granite countertops, the perfect place to slice and dice! Country Place and Brighton Village offer gas cooking and eat-in kitchens. Guests will be impressed by the modern Cleansteel™ appliances located in The Swift Petworth. They will be begging you to host again next year!

4 Benefits of Using the Metro

When it comes to choosing a location to live it is important to take into consideration which modes of transportation you will be utilizing. When you live in the Maryland-DC area a car is not always a must-have. Check out four benefits of using the Metro:

  1. Never Sit in Traffic: When you use the Metro to commute to and from work, you don’t have to deal with distracted drivers, sun glare, and poor weather conditions delaying your ETA. Living in an apartment close to a Metro Station makes your commute that much more time-efficient!
  2. Save Money on Transportation: Owning a car can be a hassle. Not only do you have to worry about finding parking, but also monthly car payments! The Metro offers affordable fares and the option of the SmarTrip® Card, a rechargeable fare card for frequent riders.
  3. Convenient for Fun Activities: Living near a Metro is beneficial for socializing and weekend trips. When you are moments from a station it is easy to travel into DC for the afternoon to take in a show or eat dinner or for those that live in DC take a trip up to Maryland for a leisurely getaway!
  4. You Can Multitask: Unlike when you’re driving to and from your destination, you can multitask on the Metro! Send out emails, do a crossword, or read a book to pass the time. Your day will be so much more productive when you use the travel time to get ahead on your to-do list.

Using the Metro clearly offers some significant perks when it comes to getting around town. If you are moving and intend on utilizing the Metro every day, or just every now and then, explore different Polinger Company properties with easy Metro Station access. The Swift Petworth Apartments are two blocks from the Georgia Ave-Petworth Metro Station, Highland House and Highland House West Apartments are two blocks from the Friendships Height Metro Station, Congressional Towers, and Rollins Park Apartments are three blocks from the Twinbrook Metro Station, and Bethesda Place Apartments are located just over the footbridge to the Bethesda Metro Station.

Discover the Metro Station and schedule that fits your needs. Live life conveniently!

4 Perks of Pet-Friendly Living

There is nothing more exciting to pet owners than seeing the words “pet-friendly” during the search for a new apartment. Animal lovers know firsthand just how beneficial living with pets can be.

  1. Companionship – Dogs and cats provide companionship which helps combat feelings of loneliness and promotes the feeling of being loved. It is easy to relax when you have your furry friend curled up on your lap or next to you on the couch. 

  2. Health Benefits – Studies have shown that having a pet has multiple health benefits including decreasing stress and blood pressure.

  3. Socializing – It is sometimes hard to meet new people or to know what to talk about when you do, but owning a pet makes it easier. Taking your pet outside will help you cross paths with other pet owners and strike up a conversation. You’ll be sure to bond with a neighbor over cute pet photos and stories.

  4. Life Lessons – Owning and caring for a pet comes with a lot of responsibilities. Pets help people keep to a consistent schedule (exercise, meals, etc.) and foster the development of compassion and trust.

Whether your fur-baby is a dog or cat, Polinger Company offers five living communities that are pet-friendly. Make yourself at home at Country Place Apartments located in Burtonsville, MD where your cat can lounge all day until you return and your dog will be ecstatic to play in the Bark Park. If you are looking for a townhome that is dog-friendly, look no further than Rollins Park Apartments in Rockville, MD where your four-legged friend will enjoy your voluminous living space. Brighton Village Apartments in Gaithersburg, MD is the perfect place to call home if you have a feline friend. Life in Washington, D.C. couldn’t be any better than living at either The Swift Petworth or 2401 Pennsylvania Avenue where dogs and cats alike will rejoice in their lovely homes. The concierge at 2401 Pennsylvania Avenue is more than happy to walk or feed your furry friend when you need assistance!

If you have questions about any of our communities specific pet policies please contact the community’s leasing office. And please stop by for a visit with your pet – they are always welcome and we usually have treats!

 

A Roof with a View

Summer is here!. Several of our apartment communities feature rooftop decks to help you get out and enjoy the weather, have a swim, do some yoga, or simply relax by a fire pit. 

The fire pit on the roof of The Swift at Petworth

 

Not only do our 2401 Pennsylvania Avenue and Swift Petworth communities offer gorgeous apartments in NW DC, they’re also perfectly located for spectacular views of the Fourth of July fireworks display on the National Mall.

Views of the Washington Monument from the rooftop deck at 2401 Penn Ave Apartments

Each year residents and their guests gather to enjoy food, fun, and fireworks all from the convenience of their own apartment building. The Swift also features yoga classes every Tuesday mornings and Sunday evenings. There are commercial-grade grills that may be reserved for your entertaining needs and a cozy fire pit to warm up the cooler nights. 2401 Pennsylvania Ave. treats its residents to some of the best views of Georgetown and Foggy Bottom from its rooftop terrace creating a calming oasis away from the bustling city.

 

Rooftop pool at Highland House Apartments

Only a few miles outside of DC in downtown Chevy Chase, MD, you’ll find Highland House and Highland House West Apartments. These two sister buildings sit in the well-landscaped neighborhood of Friendship Village and both feature rooftop sundecks with swimming pools. Shaded tables line the sundecks to provide a comfortable outdoors for all visitors. The large swimming pools are appointed with lush greenery and relaxing lawn chairs to provide the ultimate relaxing experience. The beautiful tree-lined views sprinkled with the cityscape provide a unique panoramic view. Both communities treat their residents to a refreshing atmosphere suitable for all ages high above the busy city. 

 

It’s great to take advantage of these amenities during the hot summers of Washington, DC and Maryland. A rooftop deck and swimming pool can make a “staycation” feel like a true getaway. For more information on Polinger Company and apartments to rent, visit polingerco.com.

Enjoy Summer Amenities

Warm weather is here and it’s time to take advantage of the outdoor amenities that our communities have to offer.

Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start to summer, and our pools are ready to open at Country Place in Burtonsville and 4000 Massachusetts Avenue in Cathedral Heights, DC. Both communities offer large swimming pools with relaxing sun decks. 

If you’re in the mood for swimming with a view then our Highland House and Highland House West Apartments are built for you. Both feature their pools on rooftop decks with expansive views of downtown Chevy Chase.

Not into swimming? Our Swift at Petworth community features an inner courtyard as well as a rooftop deck. The deck includes a firepit, pool table, and grills.  There are even scheduled yoga classes so you may start your day with the sun. The building at 2401 Pennsylvania Avenue offers unparalleled views of Georgetown and Foggy Bottom, perfect for watching the sunset. 

The residents of Rollins Park and Congressional Towers enjoy free membership to Rollins Congressional Club just next door. This club offers two pools, sun decks, and a fitness center as well as planned events and classes.

Columbia Plaza in Foggy Bottom and Bethesda Place Apartments in downtown Bethesda offer on-site courtyards perfect for a bite to eat or a place to enjoy the beautiful weather. Our communities offer many amenities to enjoy the warmer seasons. For more information visit PolingerCo.com.