New Years Eve Plans for 2014!

Boston offers a multitude of options for New Year’s Eve, but where should you go?

Before you pick a place to go, please, remember that the MBTA and Commuter Rail is free and running until 2 a.m., so you have options to get home safely! You can take either the Red Line or Kingston/Plymouth Commuter Rail line to get back to Quincy.

Now, for our young professionals that may be looking for a party in downtown Boston, we have a few suggestions. If you’re looking for an “Average Joe” type party with no ticket or cover charge then check out the Mass Ave Tavern. You do not have to get dressed up, as it is just a casual dress code. 

Now, if you are looking to hang out with the “Who’s who of Boston,” and want to dress to impress then we recommend Studio 57 at the Revere Hotel. Studio 57 is a bit expensive, but we can help you save some money! If you have a group of four people or more buying tickets, you can get $20 off your ticket prices on EventBrite.com. We also have a 25% promo code for you to use to save some more money. The promo code is: 57. 

If those options aren’t what you re looking for you can search more options on EventBrite.com, and you can buy tickets to almost anywhere in Boston on Event Brite’s website. 

Things to do During Winter at Faxon Commons!

The temperature is going down and the idea of leaving your warm apartment is more daunting than ever. For those of you bold enough to travel outside the confines of your luxury residence, we've compiled a list of winter activities worth leaving the house for:

Traditional Outdoor Fun

-Skiing. Whether you are a pro-skier that doesn't have the time to travel to a more northerly destination, or if you have never seen a pair of skis, skiing at Blue Hills is a great option for anytime fun. Only 20 minutes from Faxon, with reasonable prices ($16 for a snow pass, $16 ski or snowboarding lesson), skiing at the Blue Hill is a perfect opportunity to make the most of a winter day.

Wachusett Mountain is a scenic drive down route 2 and a great mountain for the experts down to the beginners. Be sure to check out their events including the Polar Express Celebration on December 22nd or their New Years Eve celebration.

-Ice Skating. If you, or your kids, would prefer to skate, the Shea Memorial Rink is now open for the season! The Rink is open for public skating Sundays 2 p.m. - 3:40 p.m., Tuesdays 1 p.m. - 4:40 p.m., Thursdays Noon - 1:40 p.m. and Saturdays 2 p.m. - 3:40 p.m. Skating is free! The rink has skate rentals available.

-Sledding. If you're feeling even more adventurous, go sledding! Some favorite local sledding hills include Milton Academy, President's Golf Course in Quincy, Kelly Field in Milton or Furnace Brook Golf Club also in Quincy.

Indoor Fun

- Get fit with hot yoga or rock climbing. Yes, you can do these two activities anytime but the cold weather makes working out and staying healthy that much harder. Why not try something new, fun and warm instead of running outdoors everyday? Try the Rock Spot Climbing in Dorchester or try hot yoga at Bikram Yoga Studio in Quincy.

For a truly unique exercise/play experience, check out the Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park in Boston. This is not just for kids. Give it a bounce!

- Museums. The easiest and most intellectual way to enjoy a chilly day. We know the museums tend to be a little on the expensive side, but the MFA is free after 4 p.m., and the ICA is free on Thursdays. Check out these amazing museums and grab dinner in Boston to enjoy a nice evening out.

- Get in the Holiday Spirit. There are tons of local spots to warp up your holiday shopping. Take a stroll through Faneuil Hall, get your last minute hostess and family gifts - let the lights, the trees and the holiday music put you in the mood.

Just because it's cold doesn't mean you have to be bored and miserable! There are plenty of things to do in the Boston area to keep you entertained no matter what your preferences are.

Tips for Moving Into Your New Apartment During Winter!

Our friends over at Apartments.com have provided us with a fantastic guide for moving into a new apartment home during the cold-winter months. Check out some of their helpful tips!

Even though it may mean carrying heavy poxes and furniture up flights of stairs in 90-degree heat, summer is the most popular time of the year to move. However, some leases start in the height of winter, and moving at this time of year has its own set of considerations.

If you live in or are moving to a cold climate in the winter months, here are somethings to keep in mind:

Allow extra time: Whether your move is across town or across the country, winter driving can take considerably longer, especially if your move date coincides with an unexpected storm. Consider adding a few extra hours or even a day onto your truck rental when you reserve it, or find out in advance how much it will cost if you go over your allotted time. If you're using professional movers, book them for at least the day before your lease ends rather than the day of; otherwise, if a storm delays their arrival, you could be stuck paying your landlord a penalty for overstaying your lease.

Protect your floors: At your old place, wait until everything is in the truck before cleaning the floors. Take off your shoes and leave them outside to avoid losing any of your security deposit for mud and/or ice you tracked in. At the new place, invest in tarps (or use old sheets) and put them down on the floors and carpets before moving anything in. You could take off your shoes with every new load, but doing so will waste valuable time - and possibly money if you're using movers.

Protect your stuff: Keep in mind that the storage area of the moving truck is not heated, so anything that could suffer from prolonged exposure to the elements should ride with you in the car or the cab of the truck. This includes live plants, electronics like TVs and computers, and, of course, your pets. If your TV is too big to fit anywhere but the back of the truck, let it acclimate to room temperature for at least 24 hours before plugging it in.

Look for deals: In notoriously cold climates like the Midwest, renters can often save money by moving in the winter. There will be less competition from other renters, so landlords may be more willing to negotiate in order to avoid being stuck with an empty apartment. Movers may also lower their prices in winter since there is less demand for their services. Shop around for deals and don't be afraid to ask for lower prices; in winter, the landlords and movers need you just as much as you need them!