Apartment Activities

By Philip Shea, Associate Editor

This month, MHN teamed up again with research and consulting services firm Kingsley Associates—which surveys over 1 million residents each year—to figure out what residents are looking for in terms of community events and social gatherings. For many, having familiar and neighborly relations with fellow residents is an important dynamic that serves to make a community feel like home. Whether it’s a movie night, cocktail party, holiday party or plain meet-and-greet, tenants will undoubtedly find value in getting to know the people they live near and see on a regular basis. Management can use this opportunity to showcase the property’s features even further, enticing current residents and perhaps even attracting new ones. If tenants feel a connection with their neighbors and to the community as a whole, it goes without saying that the prospect for lease renewal is far more likely. After all, why leave a place where you know you have friends?

“I would like to see this place actually become a community instead of just a place to live.” —Alexandria, Va.

“It would be nice if there were monthly social activities for the residents not necessarily sponsored by the apartment management. We would be happy to chip in for events.” —Plano, Texas

“I would love to see fitness classes, especially outdoor ones.” —Bothell, Wash.

“I’m an outgoing person, but it still seems kind of hard to make social connections in this community. The few social activies I showed up for had poor turnout.” —Bloomfield, Colo.

“I’d like to see a meet-and-greet activity for people with dogs. It would build a bigger sense of community if people who saw each other walking their pets every day had the opportunity to get to know each other a little better.” —Atlanta

“I’d like to see social gatherings for singles looking for partners or friendship.” —Hendersonville, Tenn.

“Having more child activities (child picnics, games, etc.) would help improve social experience. Also, catering to the multi-cultural ix of the resident community would be beneficial, such as celebrating major festivals of different cultures together.” —Foxboro, Mass.

“I do not think it’s [right] to charge $100 to reserve the clubhouse. Everywhere I lived before, it was free or $25 per day to reserve it, aside from the refundable deposit.” —Redwood City, Calif.

“How about having a cocktail party to celebrate a milestone, with live music and food catered by various local restaurants? Or maybe a wine bar sampling various wines by vendors in the area?” —Dallas

“Wow! The Christmas Party was outstanding. All staff and personnel are attentive and friendly. Glad to be in this community!” —Garland, Tex.

“I don’t really care about socializing in the building. I would rather see more money spent on new exercise equipment.” —Alexandria, Va.