It’s not all about the beach in Miami. Sometimes you need a hot outdoor spot right at home.
Miami is one of those cities that almost has too much to offer. From apartments with amazing views, compliments of amenity-filled rooftops, to luxury features like high-class fitness centers, it’s not always easy to narrow down your options in this abundance.
One must-have amenity in any Miami apartment is a killer outdoor space. You need some greenery and a perfect gathering spot, to enjoy the wonderful weather with friends. That’s why finding places with solid courtyards or gardens in Miami is essential, and these 10 apartments will totally fit the bill.
Source: Rent. / Alea
There are a couple of cool courtyard-like spaces up and down Alea, which uses its vertical space very well, The actual courtyard hosts the community’s dog run, but this colorful spot gives you a great view and a patch of greenery. The bright mural on the wall, ceiling and pillars of this outdoor space provides character that’s totally Miami, offering up a unique space for a moment of relaxation, shaded from the Florida sun.
Known as the historic center of the city, living in the Miami Central Business District puts you in the hub of so much activity. You’re close to work and fun within the six city blocks that make up this downtown neighborhood. Public transportation makes it easy to get around this dynamic area as well, whether you’re heading out to eat, checking out an art gallery or simply heading off to work.
Source: Rent. / Opera Tower
Planting up rather than out, the front of Opera Tower gives you a vertical garden of greenery to enjoy. Set higher than the palm trees lining the entrance, lush bushes seem to grow straight from the building itself. This funky garden not only adds a great pop of color to the pristine building but really makes the space stand out.
Sitting along the shores of Biscayne Bay, the Edgewater neighborhood isn’t far from the center of everything happening in Miami. It offers a perfect mix of parks, shops, restaurants and waterfront recreation. Margaret Pace Park, also nearby, gives you easy access to trails, tennis and superb picnic spots, while Biscayne Boulevard is where you’ll find posh shops and great places to eat. It’s all right outside your door waiting for you.
Source: Rent. / Gables Ponce
A sleek courtyard surrounded by tall palms and shapely landscaping highlights a great hangout space at Gables Ponce. Curved couches face into a small fountain with cabana-style seating off to the side. There are even outdoor cabanas, a must in this Central Gables neighborhood.
About seven miles from Miami’s center, you’ll hit the beautiful suburb of Coral Gables. Known for its tree-lined streets and historic landmarks, this area is also home to the University of Miami, so you’ll find a nice dose of college students. There’s also amazing shopping and dining along the city’s Miracle Mile and a beautiful dose of nature at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden.
Source: Rent. / Brickell 1st Apartments
You’ll find the soothing rock garden at the very front of Brickell 1st Apartments. Every time you enter, this pool is here to greet you as the small fountains agitate the water so it trickles over the smooth stones. It’s like having a tiny zen garden to help you transition into being back at home, hopefully helping your daily stressors fall away before you reach your front door.
The true urban jungle of Miami, Brickell is the financial center of the city, so living here puts you in proximity to plenty of tall buildings. It’s also where you’ll find great rooftop bars, art galleries and fashionable shops. It’s the downtown you’d expect to find in Miami.
Source: Rent. / WYND 27 & 28
A good courtyard is a functional courtyard, and thanks to the ample seating at WYND 27 & 28, you get just that. Funky flooring defines the space, while a planter with a tall and lanky tree sits front and center. Long rows of cushioned benches surround the space, providing a woodsy feel to this great hangout spot.
Giving you a dense concentration of the arts, the Wynwood Arts District combines art galleries, museums and amazing pieces of street art to create a truly unique and eclectic neighborhood. Among all this unfettered creativity, you’ll find cool antique shops, fun bars and quirky places to eat, so the vibe stays true no matter what you’re doing.
Source: Rent. / Cordoba Luxury Rentals
The best way to take in the courtyard at Cordoba Luxury Rentals is through a wide angle. The mass of tall palm trees makes it hard to get a view of the whole space at once, although they create a great park-like atmosphere. A little hardscape and some clusters of bushes add to the easily navigable area thanks to paved pathways.
For those who love to travel, or find themselves on frequent work trips, Cordoba may be the perfect neighborhood for you. It’s only six miles from Miami International Airport. College students may also eye this area since it’s also near Florida International University. Aside from its ideal location, the area boasts fantastic parks, shopping and a few golf courses.
Source: Rent. / Villa Majorca
A sweet courtyard with a stately fountain provides a stellar first impression of Villa Majorca. Two tall palm trees frame the entrance with tropical plant life filling in the rest of the landscaping. Another Coral Gables gem, this tranquil space is a truly unique amenity.
This smaller community provides residents with luxury living in the heart of Coral Gables Apartments are very spacious, and community amenities include a fitness center and hot tub. You also get the perk of enjoying the surrounding simplistic and clean Mediterranean-style architecture.
Source: Rent. / Blue Lagoon 7
Every courtyard needs a decent seating area, and at Blue Lagoon 7 the combination of white furniture with green grass gives everything a pristine look. Snag a seat on the circular lawn and hang out with friends, or settle into the couch under the cabana. This is just one piece of the expansive courtyard that includes other pods of seats, along with nice landscaping.
Big on luxury and outdoor space, Blue Lagoon 7 provides an array of green and blue retreats to absorb that fresh Miami air. Sitting right on the waterfront, there’s no shortage of crystalline views. A great pool, outdoor gaming area and multiple gas grills add even more to the outdoor space here. You can take a dip, play a game of ping pong or lawn chess and grill up some goodness all in one swoop.
Source: Rent. / Platform 3750
The garden at Platform 3750 is very interesting. Rather than on the ground, it fills an entire wall above the parking garage. Flowers bloom vertically and plants hang down on this special spot that takes gardening to the next level, literally. A beautiful palm tree stands out from a bricked planter as well to draw the eye to one of the most interesting gardens in Miami.
Known as Miami’s oldest, continually inhabited neighborhood, Southwest Coconut Grove is another great spot to call home. Living here puts you close to dining, shopping, entertainment and pristine beaches. There’s a lot of charm and history here as well, which manifests in the funky shops and delicious restaurants.
Source: Rent. / Avalon Doral
An outdoor lounge sits within a tropical garden at Avalon Doral. Find tranquility in this space just off the pool thanks to the rounded chairs and four-top tables surrounded by leafy greenery and palm fronds. Funky lighting makes this space usable even after dark, and the overall tropical ambiance really puts you in the Florida state of mind.
Downtown Doral may be a few miles away from Miami’s city center, but it’s a happening spot all the same. Walk along the main street for shopping, food and fun things to do, or explore Downtown Doral Park. This park covers three acres right in the heart of this suburb and includes a playground, picnic tables and a great jogging path.
Grab an apartment with one of the best gardens in Miami
Finding that perfect Miami apartment is never easy, so make sure you know what’s really important before you really start your search. From the location to the pool to plenty of other amenities, don’t forget about that stellar outdoor space as well. You can get a great place to chill outside even at home, with the sun and amazing weather of Miami at your fingertips.
Featured Image Source: Rent. / Avalon Doral
Lesly Gregory has over 15 years of marketing experience, ranging from community management to blogging to creating marketing collateral for a variety of industries. A graduate of Boston University, Lesly holds a B.S. in Journalism. She currently lives in Atlanta with her husband, two young children, three cats and assorted fish.
Doors can be a portal to another world, or maybe just a great first impression when you walk through a home. But when they don’t look their best, a dated or damaged door can make an entire space feel off.
The doors inside your home come in a wide variety of styles, and can be updated in just as many ways. Some updates can be done on the cheap, while replacing doors entirely will likely come at a higher cost. What follows are key things to know about updating your interior doors, including options and costs.
What Are the Different Types of Interior Doors?
Interior doors come in many styles and price points. Here’s a look at some of the most popular options, plus estimated costs (including materials, labor, and equipment).
• Traditional Standard doors, such as a bedroom door, swing in or out to open and close. This type of door can be either hollow core, solid composite, or solid wood. Cost to replace: $50 to $600.
• Pocket These space-saving doors slide “into” the wall when they’re open. Pocket doors hang from the top and slide along a track mounted in a space inside the wall and across the top of the door opening. Cost to replace: $140 to $1,000
• French The door with a certain je ne sais quoi, French doors can be either single or paired, and can have either a full (single) glass pane or a number of divided panes. French doors are often used as exterior doors to porches or patios, but they can also be a great way to let light diffuse inside a home. Cost to replace: $200 to $4,000
• Sliding A cousin to the pocket door, sliding doors save space by sliding in tracks at the top and bottom of the door frame. Unlike a pocket door, however, they don’t disappear into the wall. Glass sliding doors are typically used as exterior doors to a patio or deck, but can be used indoors to separate rooms while maintaining visibility between them. Cost to replace: $400 to $4,500
• Bifold Also called folding doors or concertina doors, bifolds are made of panels that fold next to each other when opened, sliding on tracks both on top of and below the door. Single bifold doors are sometimes used as doors to smaller closets, and a pair of bifold doors might divide a large room. Cost to replace: $35 to $70
• Barn A sliding barn door in the home takes rustic farmhouse trends to the next level. These doors slide on a track mounted on the wall above the door. Barn doors have a low profile, as they do not swing out. Cost to replace: $150 to $4,000
• Saloon Head straight to the wild west with these doors. Sometimes called cafe doors, saloon doors hang on a pivot hinge, meaning they can easily swing in and out with a nudge. Because they swing in both directions, they’re commonly used as kitchen doors or in cafes where traffic goes both in and out. Cost to replace: $100 to $500
• Murphy You may have encountered a murphy door before without even knowing it. Often custom made, murphy doors are typically bookcases that swing out, turning a door into storage space. Cost to replace: $700 to $2,500
Recommended: How Do Home Improvement Loans Work?
Signs You May Need New Interior Doors
Interior doors in a home can take quite a beating. They’re slammed, kicked, scuffed, and may have been pounded on a few times. Depending on their quality and age, there’s a chance your doors may simply have seen better days.
If these signs sound familiar, it may be time to buy some new doors for your home:
1. The door is stuck and has trouble staying open or closed. The more someone struggles to open and close a door that doesn’t budge, the more damage they’ll do. If a door’s always sticking or never manages to stay closed, it may be time to replace it.
2. The door is warped or cracked. Age will affect the quality of any door, and if the frame or hinges are visibly cracked or peeling, it’s time to think about replacing them.
3. The door’s style is dated. If your kitchen’s classic saloon-style doors feel decidedly old school — not in a good way — it might be time to consider replacing them. Even if they still work, dated styles can negatively impact a home’s value at the time of sale.
Depending on the style of door and the complexity of the installation, swapping out an interior door can cost anywhere between $150 to $2,000, with an average of $750. A good portion of the cost is professional labor.
While hanging a door might sound simple, doing it wrong can lead to improper closure or a door that just won’t close at all, which leaves you back at the drawing board. It could be worth asking for estimates from a few professional contractors if you decide to replace several interior doors at once.
A door can make an impression — good or bad — when someone enters a room. That first impression might become very important when considering home value. This kind of home improvement project could pay off when you eventually sell your home.
Recommended: Tips for Maintaining the Value of Your Home
DIY Ways to Update Your Interior Doors
Replacing interior doors altogether can be expensive, and is not always necessary. If your door is in good shape, an inexpensive DIY can update your interior doors to look more modern or trendy.
Here are some interior door upgrades you might consider before ditching a door altogether.
• Swapping out door knobs and hardware Sometimes dated brass or an ornate finish might make a standard swing door feel out of place. For between $75 and $150, you can update a door’s knobs and hinges.
• Trying a new hue A fresh coat of paint might transform a door’s entire vibe. Instead of a standard white, you might opt for a neutral shade, make a statement with a black door, or choose a rich, deep tone that complements other colors in your home. You can even switch things up by painting the frame and the door different colors. Although you have to remove the door from its frame, this project is DIYable, and can typically be done within a day or two.
• Updating hollow core doors Hollow core doors are the standard type of door installed in many homes when they’re built. It’s a swing door with a flat surface. These are basic doors that can be a blank slate for your personal taste. For example, you might use molding and beadboard panels to create a paneled look on standard doors. This can make a builder-grade, hollow-core door look custom-made. This DIY project is a small investment for a big payoff.
Recommended: What Are the Most Common Home Repair Costs?
The Takeaway
Doors inside your home don’t just provide privacy, they’re a feature of the property. If your interior doors are in poor shape, replacing and updating them could help increase the value of your home, making the upgrade well worth the upfront outlay of money.
If you don’t have enough cash on hand to cover the cost of upgrading your doors (or any other part of your home), you might consider using a personal loan for financing. This is an unsecured loan that can be used for virtually any purpose, including a home renovation or upgrade. Once approved, you get a lump sum of cash up front you then pay back (plus interest) in monthly installments over time. Rates are typically fixed and lower than credit cards.
Think twice before turning to high-interest credit cards. Consider a SoFi personal loan instead. SoFi offers competitive fixed rates and same-day funding. Checking your rate takes just a minute.
SoFi’s Personal Loan was named NerdWallet’s 2023 winner for Best Online Personal Loan overall.
SoFi Loan Products SoFi loans are originated by SoFi Bank, N.A., NMLS #696891 (Member FDIC). For additional product-specific legal and licensing information, see SoFi.com/legal. Equal Housing Lender.
The first stages of sharing a living space can be tricky for any couple. After the initial excitement of moving in together and purchasing matching robes, you might suddenly notice a laundry list of pet peeves your significant other is guilty of. Or perhaps you start spending your days staring at their wall art that you simply despise…
One man, who’s currently staying at his girlfriend’s place, recently detailed on Reddit how much he can’t stand her decor. Now, he’s wondering if he was a jerk for telling her why he won’t invite colleagues over, so below, you can find the full story, as well as a conversation with Dr. Lee Baucom.
This man has been staying with his girlfriend while his apartment is being worked on
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Image credits: Prostock-studio (not the actual photo)
But apparently her decor is not up to his aesthetic standards, so he refuses to invite anyone over
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Image credits: HorribleMeatloaf (not the actual photo)
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Image credits: decordilemma (not the actual photo)
Unfortunately, it’s quite common for couples to quarrel over interior design
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Image credits: Ksenia Chernaya (not the actual photo)
Compromise is crucial in all aspects of a healthy relationship. You and your partner might not see perfectly eye to eye on where you want to live, where you want to spend the holidays, which car you want to purchase, and what to make for dinner, but if you love each other and respect each other enough, you can always come to a decision. However, one topic in particular that seems to have many couples arguing is interior design. In fact, 60% of British couples admit to having fought over it. Thankfully, many of them are willing to bend on the issue though, as 70% say they could sacrifice a room to allow their partner space to decorate to their quirky heart’s desires.
Women do tend to call more of the shots in interior decorating, as 56% say they are completely in charge of their home’s design, compared to only one fifth of men. Men are even 5 times more likely to leave interior design completely up to their partners. But there are also certain items that are more likely to cause quarrels between couples. According to a survey from Mattress Online, when it comes to what the most hated interior features are in the bedroom, 38% of women mention sports memorabilia, while 26% of men can’t stand glam furniture.
Nearly a fifth of men are also bothered by having too many pillows, but both men and women equally agree that wall typography is a no-go. And in the living room, half of all men hate seeing fake plants or fruit, while a third of women don’t want to lay their eyes on any gaming equipment. 56% of people admit that they would consider hiding a piece of their partner’s furniture if they didn’t like it, and 40% say they would put off moving in with someone until they removed an ugly piece of home decor.
“The problem is not just her taste, it is her that is being rejected”
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Image credits: Jack Sparrow (not the actual photo)
So what are you to do when you love your significant other but you’ve considered burning down the apartment just to eliminate that recliner they’ve had since college? To gain more insight on this topic, we reached out to relationship coach and marriage expert Dr. Lee Baucom, who was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda. “Our homes and our furnishings — our ‘things’ — are not just representatives of what we like. They are extensions of ourselves. We are attached to our decorations because they are a part of ourselves,” Dr. Baucom noted.
“Don’t like my taste? That is a rejection of me, too, which is why home remodels are often such points of disagreement. And why mixing homes when people move in together, becomes so touchy,” the relationship expert continued. “Who’s ‘self’ gets to stay and who’s ‘self’ is kicked to the curb. In this case, the girlfriend is feeling it. The problem is not just her taste. It is her that is being rejected. It is her that is being seen as immature, not just her furnishings.”
We also asked Dr. Baucom how couples can respect one another’s preferences and create a space that feels at home for both of them. “When a couple moves in together, being aware of both comfort and that the decor is part of the self, can lead to an open discussion about what is important and what is not,” he shared. “If the goal is blending lives together, the question is no longer about ‘your stuff versus my stuff,’ but how do we make it ‘our’ place?”
“He was not willing to be on her side, loving her for her personality, quirks and all”
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Image credits: Ketut Subiyanto (not the actual photo)
As far as this particular couple, Dr. Baucom says that the OP missed the fact that rejecting the decor was insulting his girlfriend. “He thought it was just stuff. But it was ‘her.’ The interesting thing is he hides behind the ‘first impression’ excuse,” the relationship expert added. “In these gatherings, it is coworkers. They already know him. Also, he has done the same thing as she in the decor. He was seeing it as an extension of himself. It was his girlfriend’s. And at the root, he was not willing to be on her side, loving her for her personality, quirks and all. He was more worried about what people might think of him. He made her stuff all about him.”
“Stuff is never just stuff,” Dr. Baucom added. “We know that about our own ‘important stuff,’ but forget it when we think it is ‘just stuff’ for someone else. Being aware helps us see beneath the surface, to the inner life of other people.”
We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments below, pandas. Do you think this man was wrong to feel embarrassed of his girlfriend’s decor? Feel free to share, and then if you’re interested in checking out another Bored Panda article discussing similar relationship drama, look no further than right here. And if you’d like to gain more insight or guidance on your own relationship, be sure to visit Dr. Baucom’s site, Save The Marriage, right here!
Readers were quick to side with the girlfriend, reminding the man that adults are allowed to have fun too
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You never get a second chance at a first impression.
It is important that potential buyers get a great first impression when they come to your home for an open house or see your listing online. Factors like cleanliness, brightness, and furniture placement all make a big impact on the home’s overall appearance. Making buyers feel comfortable in a new space is key to selling a home. We asked our Facebook friends for their best tips for staging a home to sell.
Here are five tips for staging your home:
“Make sure all furniture is about one and a half inches from the wall, this creates the illusion of more space. Clear all personal pictures. If the front door is worn, paint it an interesting color that is inviting and make sure the path to the home is welcoming.” – Michael L.
“You hope that you will have a lot of people in short period of time, freedom of movement is essential.” – CENTURY 21 Ilford
“Good photos get action. Make sure the lights are on and that you are using a good camera. Don’t use your cell phone!” – Kristy W.
“Everything off the counters! Toilet seats down. Blinds all the way up to show off recently cleaned windows.” – Wayne F.
“Stage with smaller furniture to make rooms bigger and go with light colored furnishings unless the area dictates darker classy designs.” – Peter C.
Find more great tips on our Facebook post, and visit CENTURY21.com for more home selling advice.
In just five years since college, I have experienced every living situation imaginable (read on for the list). Based upon my rental resume, one would think that once I found myself living alone, in a modest one bedroom, I would stay put. I didn’t.
Recently I made the difficult – but financially wise – decision to give up an apartment all by myself to move to a shared condo with a roommate. For the forfeited privacy, I will save $400 a month.
Sharing living space is never easy, but I think it is often most difficult when you are friends with (or in love with) your housemate(s). In fact, sometimes rooming with strangers makes a lot of sense. How do I know? Chalk it up to experience. Here’s a breakdown of where I’ve lived since college:
I rented a 10×12 room in New York City, across the street from a Harlem housing project, sharing the apartment with an immigrant single mother and her teenage son.
I lived back at home with my parents.
I lived with my girlfriend.
I rented a room in a home owned by a couple of guys my age.
I lived alone in a one bedroom apartment.
Now, I am back to living in a condo with a roommate (sometimes two, on the few days a month the owner is not traveling internationally).
When I was living with roommates previously, I couldn’t wait to have “a place of my own”.
Once I got that place, it was everything I had hoped for: peace and quiet 24 hours a day, and the freedom to cook, play the guitar, or have friends over whenever I pleased.
But, boy, did it cost me. It cost $1,000 a month, to be exact. Now, that rent included utilities – even cable and internet – and was a great deal for Eastern Massachusetts. But at the end of a year in that apartment, I realized I was paying for space I didn’t use, and didn’t need. Though I had achieved one goal of living alone, I was also deferring my other goal of owning a home, because every month of expensive rent was less I could put into the bank.
Between visiting friends, visiting my parents just fifteen minutes away, and traveling for business, I was hardly home. When I was home, I was usually sleeping. So I sucked up my pride, hit Craigslist, and amazingly found a perfect shared living situation just a mile from my old apartment (and my job – I got to keep my super-easy commute!)
In addition to having a bedroom and private bath on the 3rd floor of the condo, I had a great first impression of my roommate, which always helps. Two weeks in and we have hardly seen each other, which seems typical for busy professionals our age.
So far, I don’t miss living alone. I know sooner or later I will, but then I’ll just look at the $400 going into my bank account each month and all will be well.
Have you ever lived in a strange situation to save money? Or gone out on your own despite the expense? I’d love to know!
This post is by April Dykman. Yes, you read that right. April was recently wooed back to Get Rich Slowly and will be writing here a couple of times a month. She plans to focus on interviewing experts on money-related topics, which also helps her justify that journalism degree…
Bill had to sell his house quickly.
He was being transferred out of state, and the company wasn’t footing the bill. Instead, they offered him a higher salary. Now he had to sell quickly or risk paying two mortgages.
But Bill wasn’t sweating it. After all, his house was in a great neighborhood in a desirable part of town. He hired a real estate agent, confident that once the “for sale” sign went up, the buyers would come knocking. He’d get a quick sale at asking price, no problem.
Only a month went by, and there were zero offers. Bill had to move soon and was getting nervous about those double mortgage payments, but no one was interested. Then, to really rub salt in the wound, buyers were leavings tons of negative comments!
So what was the problem?
You aren’t making your house ready for buyers
Bill refused to make his house buyer-friendly.
His real estate agent, Lynda Conway, had warned that unless he got the house show-ready, it would sit on the market and sell for far less than asking price. Lynda, who heads The Turner Team in Austin, Texas, and teaches for the Austin Board of Realtors, says Bill’s mistake is a common one.
“Many sellers think they can just put a sign up and that’s enough,” she says. “But buyers don’t fall for that. They want to back up their moving truck, unload their stuff, and put their toothbrush in a cup by the sink.”
And when sellers refuse to believe they need to get their house ready to go on the market, they can suffer financial consequences. In Bill’s case, his refusal to invest in sprucing up his home was about to cost him a double mortgage payment, not to mention the stress of trying to sell his house from out-of-state.
It can also result in a lower final selling price. Lynda recalls one seller who refused to make basic repairs and cosmetic improvements. “After a long time on the market, we finally got an offer,” she says. “But the owners felt insulted because it was $20,000 below list price. They wound up taking the offer because it was the only one.”
So if this mistake can cost you time and money, not to mention cause some serious stress, why do sellers refuse to make their houses more attractive to buyers?
The three reasons you aren’t getting your house ready for buyers
Lynda says there are three main reasons that sellers don’t get their houses in tip-top shape.
First, they don’t believe it makes a difference. Like Bill, they think their house will sell itself, so the extra investment seems like a waste of money. “Bill was really cautious about spending any money because he was being transferred on his own nickel,” says Lynda. “He refused to believe that a coat of paint would make a difference.”
Second, they don’t think there’s a problem. Lynda says it’s often difficult to convince smokers and pet owners that their homes don’t smell like roses. Bill, for example, was both a smoker and a pet owner. “Some sellers don’t realize it smells because they’re so used to it, or else they don’t think it’s a big deal,” says Lynda. “But it’s a huge deal to buyers.”
Third, they think they don’t have the money. Remember the clients that got $20,000 less than list price? Lynda says that it wasn’t until they were all at the closing table that they finally admitted to her that they didn’t have the money to make her suggested improvements. “Some sellers don’t want to admit that they don’t have money on hand, but I can’t help them if they aren’t willing to talk about it.”
So how can you avoid these problems and sell your house quickly (and for list price)?
Make your house show-ready
You’ve got to invest in wowing potential buyers.
When Lynda showed Bill the negative comments people were leaving about his home, he finally relented, telling Lynda, “Okay, tell me what to do.” They took the house off the market while he worked his way through the to-do list. After $2,500 in updates and repairs, they put the house back on the market at the original price. In three days they received three offers.
“Buyers are picky,” says Lynda. “If you want to get top dollar for your home, you have to prepare for that.”
And the good news is that if you have more time than money, Lynda says there’s a lot you can do yourself to improve your home’s appeal.
So how can you make your house best in show?
Five ways to make your house show-ready (and net more money)
Lynda says here are five things you can do to make buyers fall in love with your home.
Start packing now. You’re about to move, right? So get some boxes, packing tape, and a Sharpie and put your stuff in storage. “Decluttering your home makes it look bigger and cleaner,” says Lynda. “You can make your house more attractive to buyers and get a head start on moving.”
Give it some elbow grease. “Clean your house like you’ve never cleaned it before,” says Lynda. “Windows should sparkle. Make sure the house smells nice and fresh, not like last night’s fish dinner or grandpa’s cigars.” Lynda says sellers can deep clean themselves, or if they have more money than time, they can hire a professional.
Do a daily sweep. Steaming the carpets and dusting the ceiling fans is important, but all is lost if your bathroom counter is cluttered with hair products or there are dishes in the sink. “Do a daily wipe-down on all surfaces, especially in the bathroom and kitchen,” says Lynda. “Keep counters completely clear to make them look as big as possible, especially important in a small space.” Lynda had one client who put her toiletries in her travel bag while her home was on the market. “She’d get ready in the morning like she was on a trip, then put the travel bag away and out of sight.”
Make a good first impression. “When a buyer pulls up to your house, you have five seconds for that house to sell itself from the curb,” says Lynda. “And when the front yard looks inviting, that creates positive expectations about what you’ll see inside.” Take care of the obvious, like lawn care and putting your yard gnome in storage. Then give the front door some TLC. “Your front door should be warm and fresh, she says. “You can give it a coat of paint or replace it entirely.” Lynda also recommends adding some color. “Buy cheap, colorful pots, potting soil, and some flowers,” she says. “I like the combination of rosemary and flowers because it smells nice and looks attractive.” The bonus of potted plants? You can take them to your new home!
Deal with the bigger issues. Here’s where it can get expensive, depending on the condition of your home. But if your house is in serious need of a coat of paint and a new roof, you have to either deal with those issues or adjust the price accordingly and wait for a buyer willing to take care of it themselves.
Finally, consider getting a pre-inspection. Lynda says almost no one does this because people think, “why open a can of worms?” But the can will be opened eventually when the buyers have your house inspected. And then those problems might cost you a willing and able buyer.
“When a buyer falls in love with your home, then finds out there’s a major problem you didn’t disclose, they fall out of love very quickly,” she says.
They’re angry and distrustful, even if you honestly weren’t aware of the problem. “Buyers feel like you should have known because it’s your house,” she says. “And sometimes they’ll terminate and refuse to even negotiate the repairs.” Lynda says when buyers are willing to negotiate, they may want the price lowered by double, or even triple, the cost of repairs. Ouch!
But she says if you get your home pre-inspected, you won’t be caught off guard. You can attach repair receipts to your seller’s disclosure or have the house re-inspected and attach the report. And most importantly, says Lynda, “you won’t lose a deal or have to come down on your list price.”
What are some ideas you’ve used to make your home more appealing to buyers? Or from a buyer’s perspective, what are the major turn-ons and turn-offs when you walk into a house?
Editor’s note: TPG’s Erica Silverstein accepted a free trip from Oceania Cruises to attend the unveiling of Vista. The opinions expressed below are entirely hers and weren’t subject to review by the line.
“Is this a luxury cruise ship?” That was the question on everyone’s lips during the maiden sailing of Oceania Cruises’ Vista, the first new Allura-class vessel to debut for the upscale cruise brand.
We gawked at the beautifully designed public spaces, with their detail-oriented accents, eye-catching light fixtures and highly textured materials. (Yes, I petted the walls of the elevators and stroked every chair.) We luxuriated in enormous standard cabin bathrooms and sumptuous Tranquility Beds. We dined on exquisite freshly made pasta, perfectly cooked fish and decadent desserts. We ordered smoked, bubbled, herbed and ice-balled cocktails at the ship’s craft cocktail bar and took photos of each creative concoction.
Vista is clearly a ship for travelers who love to explore new destinations, prioritize fine dining and premium beverages and immerse themselves in chic surroundings. However, in the cruise space, this ship is clearly in the upscale category and not true luxury.
Then again, when you’re curled up on a circular day bed, drink in hand, on a resort-style pool deck in the Mediterranean, Vista might just provide all the luxury you need.
Overview of Vista
Vista debuted in May 2023, the first new ship for Oceania Cruises in a decade and the flagship of the line’s new Allura class. It carries 1,200 passengers in cabins and suites that all have either a true balcony or a French veranda (meaning you can open doors to the fresh air but can’t step outside).
The ship’s target demographic is well-off, mature couples who are looking for destination-focused itineraries on a ship with elevated dining. For a small, 67,000-ton ship, Vista wows with eight restaurants, plus a bakery and private dining rooms for wine-paired meals. It also stands out for its expanded Culinary Center, for cooking classes and demos, and Artist Loft, where passengers can get crafty under the tutelage of resident artists.
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Fans of the line will appreciate that Vista is modeled from sister ships Marina and Riviera, and the layout is strikingly similar.
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Vista is not an all-inclusive ship, but it’s more inclusive than lines such as Celebrity Cruises or Holland America. Its fares cover all dining (except for private, wine-paired dinners), fitness classes, nonalcoholic beverages and in-port shuttles. Its booking promotions may offer additional inclusions, like free Wi-Fi, airfare, excursions, beverage package or shipboard credit.
What I loved about Vista
Dining choice
Some people love to return again and again to their favorite restaurants; others prefer to try a new venue every time. I fall into the latter category, so I loved that I could eat at a different restaurant each night of my cruise on Vista.
I could get dolled up and go to a steakhouse or Italian restaurant, or I could play it casual and eat on the buffet’s outdoor terrace or at the pizzeria. I could enjoy a multi-course sit-down lunch or take my pick of eight burgers at the grill. Vista also had plenty of options for between-meal grazing – a quiche from the Bakery, a scone at Horizons’ afternoon tea, or a cookie from the Concierge Lounge.
Not only did Vista’s large selection of eateries keep my meals interesting, but there wasn’t a bad option in the bunch. Sure, sometimes I didn’t order the right dish, but I enjoyed every meal I ate on board.
Design
Vista will wow you with its gorgeous looks from the moment you step on board. The atrium gives a knockout first impression with its stunning floor-to-ceiling sculpture with a changing light display.
The bold center archway of the Grand Dining Room will immediately catch your eye, as will the ceiling design of the intimate Privee dining room. Each specialty restaurant has been designed with care, from the brick oven-inspired ceilings of Ember to the pagoda-style floor lamps in Red Ginger.
The noteworthy Grand Lounge sports geometric chandeliers and glass shelves of vases and glass sculptures, while the faux wood paneling on the pool deck sets it apart from any cruise ship Lido you’ve ever seen. The glam settings make you feel like you’re a movie star and add to the decadent feeling of being on vacation.
Cocktails and mixology program
The new mixology program on Vista is one of its standout features. I happily ordered cocktail after craft cocktail at the Founders Bar in the name of research, trying drinks with smoke bubbles on top, frozen fruit balls in their center and unique ingredients (like tea) in their centers. The concept turns your standard pre-dinner drink into a playful and exciting event. It also makes a ship carrying mainly retirees feel hip and trendy.
Vista also carries a line of nonalcoholic “liquors” to make zero-proof cocktails that taste like the real deal, as well as nonalcoholic beer. It’s a fabulous option for sober cruisers or travelers who need to rest their livers after a lively evening. Unfortunately, not all bars carry nonalcoholic cocktails. On my cruise, I found them on the menu at the new Aquamar restaurant and Horizons observation lounge.
What I didn’t love about Vista
Nightlife
I failed to find anything serious to critique about Vista, so what I didn’t love about the ship is more about my personality than any real failing of the cruise line.
Evenings on Vista do not offer a variety of pursuits. You can go to a bar, with or without music. You can try your luck at the casino. You can attend the one show each evening, but only if your dinner time allows for it. That’s pretty much it.
My cruise did not offer karaoke night, evening trivia and games, or a pool deck party. I missed the two special-guest acts, a pianist and a guitarist, and the song-and-dance performances by the onboard cast failed to impress. The ship didn’t offer any secondary shows at night — no comedians or musical acts you came to listen to and not talk over.
To be fair, small-ship upscale cruising isn’t about nightlife, and most travelers on Oceania are perfectly content with a long dinner, an evening dancing or drinking in Horizons and an early bedtime. The library does have some board games you can borrow, so consider that as an alternative activity.
Service
One should never judge a ship’s service based on its first sailings when the crew is still getting used to each other and the layout and procedures of a new ship. I mention service solely to answer the question of why Vista isn’t considered a luxury ship.
In terms of hardware, Vista is one fine ship, which rivals the vessels belonging to luxury lines like Silversea Cruises and Seabourn, even nipping at the heels of over-the-top sister line Regent Seven Seas Cruises. It’s in the “software,” so to speak, where the line relegates itself to the upscale sector. And that’s fine.
In addition to not offering truly all-inclusive fares, Vista doesn’t offer the personal, often fawning service you find on true luxury lines. I barely met my room steward. No one offered to carry my plate at the buffet. The chefs weren’t offering to make me dishes off-menu, and on occasion, I had to work to flag down a waiter to bring me a drink. Personally, I’m fine with this level of service, but it does not put Vista in competition with ultra-luxury ships.
The few service issues will improve over time. But Vista, by nature, will never offer the crew-to-guest ratio or over-the-top service levels you’d expect to find on a more expensive cruise line.
Vista cabins and suites
Vista has only eight major cabin and suite types, making cabin selection a relatively straightforward process. Its three main non-suite cabin types – French Veranda, Veranda and Concierge Level staterooms – have identical interior layouts, so you’re really only choosing between perks and exterior space.
New and noteworthy on Vista are Oceania’s first dedicated solo cabins, 270-square-foot balcony cabins with a twin bed, smaller bathroom and slightly narrower design than a regular veranda room. They’re Concierge Level rooms, so solo travelers get extra benefits, such as access to the Concierge Lounge and Aquamar Spa Terrace.
My cabin was a regular Concierge Level room with a private veranda. At 291 square feet, it was the same size as a Veranda room, but with a slightly nicer interior design. (French Veranda rooms are identical to Veranda rooms in design, but where the Veranda cabins have a private balcony, French Veranda rooms have floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open to a railing; you can get fresh air but you can’t step out.)
I was very happy in my Concierge Level room on Vista. Oceania’s Tranquility Beds are some of the best in the business, and I loved falling asleep between a snuggly duvet and 1,000-thread-count sheets. Even better, the bed is flanked by three-drawer nightstands, 100V plugs and USB ports and reading lights.
Storage is decent with a two-door closet, two deep drawers in the desk, two coat hooks on the wall and a few additional shelves. It was the perfect amount of space for me, but I could see how a couple might fight over the drawer space.
The room had a mostly forgettable love seat, other than it looked nice and pulled out into an extra bed. The oval marble table was a perfect size for room service breakfast.
The highlight of the room, in my opinion, was the spacious, marble-tiled bathroom. Here, there was storage in spades: two glass shelves in the large shower, one large drawer and shelf space in the vanity and a corner unit with four deep drawers and three shelves in a mirrored cabinet. The shower had a rain head and a wand on an adjustable mount. The large no-fog mirror lit up at the touch of a button, perfect for putting on makeup.
I also appreciated the comfortable, padded balcony furniture. Standard balconies on Vista come with two upright chairs and a round drinks table, but the cushions made the seating comfier than the mesh-and-metal versions you find on many big-ship cruise lines.
Other thoughtful touches in the room include an electronic thermometer and do not disturb sign touchpad, quiet-close drawers, wooden hangers and carafes of Vero water, plus reusable water bottles to take on tour (to reduce single-use plastic water bottles). The mini fridge was stocked with soft drinks, though my cabin attendant didn’t seem to notice that I was drinking exclusively club soda. You’ll also find the requisite safe and hair dryer (neither of which I used), an umbrella and a shoehorn.
Concierge Level rooms come with extra perks, most of which are useful but not necessary. You get access to the lovely Aquamar Spa Terrace, with its hot tubs, day beds and thalassotherapy pool. You also get access to the Concierge Lounge on Deck 9; I don’t know why you’d want to watch TV in this windowless lounge, but I appreciated the 24/7 drinks and snacks and access to a concierge.
Other amenities include a welcome bottle of Champagne, pashmina-style cashmere lap blankets for use in your cabin and a tote bag. Perks include priority embarkation, lunch and dinner room service from the Grand Dining Room menu (I totally missed this one), priority specialty restaurant reservations, and complimentary laundry (up to three bags), pressing (on embarkation day) and shoeshine service.
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Penthouse Suite on Vista. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
For those with an urge to splurge, Oceania has four additional suite categories, each with butler service and access to an Executive Lounge. The Penthouse Suites are simply an expanded version of the balcony rooms, with additional closet and seating areas. The Oceania Suites have a full living and dining room, a separate guest or TV room, large balcony, guest bathroom and marble-clad master bath and dressing area. They are mostly found on Deck 12, but two on Deck 11 aft have wraparound corner balconies.
The eight Vista Suites, which I didn’t see, are even bigger than the Oceania Suites and located at the front of the ship, so they have extra-long wraparound balconies. The three Owner’s Suites span the entire aft width of the ship, with two balconies, and are designed by Ralph Lauren Home. A light-filled grand foyer opens onto the living, dining and bar area on one side and the enormous master bedroom with king-sized bed, walk-in closet and generous bathroom with soaking tub and ocean-view shower.
Vista restaurants and bars
Oceania prides itself on being a foodie cruise line, and Vista carries on the line’s tradition with six major dining venues included in the cruise fare, over-the-top extra-fee wine-paired private dinners and a new mixology program that goes above and beyond what its competitors are offering.
It’s hard not to nitpick a line that brags it has “the finest cuisine at sea” (and has even trademarked that tagline). Each meal may not be the best you’ve ever had on a cruise ship, but each meal you have will be solid, with plenty of choice of both where to dine and what to select from the menu. Vista is certainly a ship foodies will appreciate.
Restaurants
I made a point to try every restaurant on board during my weeklong cruise, and it actually took some scheduling to make it happen. It’s a good thing most of Vista’s sailings are 10 days or longer, so you have ample time to sample all the dining venues and even make repeat visits to your favorites.
You are allowed to make at least one advance reservation for each of Vista’s four specialty restaurants — possibly more depending on the length of the cruise and the type of cabin or suite you book. Once on board, you can ask if there’s walk-in availability for additional meals.
The Grand Dining Room is perhaps the most gorgeous main restaurant I’ve ever seen on a cruise ship. The design, with white archways in the center of the room, is also functional; it separates the giant venue into nooks, so it doesn’t have that hotel ballroom feel.
At breakfast, you can order everything from grilled lamb chops and broiled kippers to omelets, pancakes and lighter fare, such as yogurt parfaits. The highlight of the lunch menu is the “Taste of the World” sampler platter themed around a different country each day.
The dinner menu makes three suggestions for themed meals: selections from Jacques Pepin’s namesake French restaurant on Vista’s sister ships, global cuisine and Aquamar Vitality cuisine (ie lighter dishes). Don’t miss the creative Humphry Slocombe ice cream for dessert, with flavors like Elvis the Fat Years and Harvey Milk & Honey Graham.
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Terrace Cafe on Oceania’s Vista. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
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The Terrace Café is Vista’s buffet venue with indoor and outdoor seating. The stunning wall mosaics set the tone for the sophisticated spread you can sample here. Think daily sushi, an array of fine cheeses, made-to-order omelets, pasta and steaks and premium ice cream (including one Humphry Slocombe flavor at lunch and dinner). The vegetarian options weren’t always the best at the Terrace Café, though it often had gluten-free pasta.
On either side of the Terrace Café are several new and returning casual dining venues that should not be overlooked.
Waves Grill has always been one of my favorite grill venues at sea. Midday, it serves sandwiches, hot dogs, grilled entrees (mahi mahi, cajun chicken) and a huge selection of burgers, including Wagyu, veggie and salmon, in addition to the classic cheeseburger.
In the morning, it offers a downsized breakfast buffet with made-to-order omelets. At night, it transforms into a pizzeria with Italian-style pizza, a burrata menu (do not miss the burrata and tartufo dish) and a sinful Nutella pizza dessert. Pro tip: You can place an order at Waves and ask for your dish to be delivered to your table at the Terrace Café, so you don’t have to choose between the options.
Past Oceania cruisers might wonder where Waves’ famous smoothies and power bowls got to. The answer is Vista’s new “healthy” dining venue, Aquamar, set up on the opposite side of the Terrace Café from the Waves Grill.
In the morning, don’t miss Aquamar’s selection of avocado toast or its freshly made juices, unusual lattes and smoothies. (You haven’t lived until you’ve spiked your morning OJ with turmeric and cayenne pepper.) Energy bowls, banana pancakes and omelets round out the breakfast menu.
The lunch menu at Aquamar is vast. You can order poke-style bowls or compose your own, do a breakfast repeat with omelets and avocado toast, or order sandwiches from around the world, including tuna tacos, falafel pita, a Mexican chicken wrap or an Impossible burger. Wash it all down with a nonalcoholic cocktail that will have you convinced you’re drinking the real thing.
All the previously mentioned restaurants allow you to dine at will, but Vista has four reservations-required dinner spots that are the stars of the show. Three return from sister ships Marina and Riviera, while one is new, replacing French restaurant Jacques.
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Ember restaurant on Oceania’s Vista. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
The new entrant to Oceania’s food scene is Ember, serving inventive American fare. Though the venue is one of Vista’s signature restaurants, it has a more casual vibe than the others, and meals here don’t take quite as long. Consensus on my sailing is the standout dishes are the spinach and artichoke dip, lobster mac and cheese (with an actual hunk of lobster-in-the-shell on top) and the triple chocolate brownie sundae.
On the opposite end of the spectrum is Polo Grill, Vista’s fanciest restaurant, where dinners can take hours. It’s a classic steakhouse in a dimly lit setting with an enormous menu where protein is the star.
While it was perhaps not my favorite dining venue on board, the salmon I ordered was cooked perfectly, so moist and tender that I raved about it for the rest of the cruise. Folks at my table ordered everything from filet mignon to a whole Maine lobster, and everyone was satisfied with their choices.
Also, you may be understandably tempted to order the Polo Quartet of four desserts to finish your meal. I will save you the trouble by telling you the key lime pie is hands down the best of the bunch, and you should order the full-size version and skip the tasting plate.
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Polo Grill on Oceania’s Vista. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
Toscana is Oceania’s long-standing Italian restaurant, but on Vista, it’s newly enhanced with dishes created by the ship’s godmother, Italian food star Giada De Laurentiis. If you enjoy veal, this is your spot; nearly half of the secondi menu consists of veal dishes (you can also order lamb and roast suckling pig here). I tried Giada’s branzino and wasn’t wowed.
Whatever you order, make sure to order at least one pasta dish with Toscana’s incredible ship-made pasta. You can’t go wrong with Giada’s lemon spaghetti or the pesto gnocchi. If you need to skip dessert at one specialty restaurant, this is where I’d pass … unless you are a die-hard tiramisu fan.
The final specialty restaurant is Red Ginger, a pan-Asian dining experience. Perhaps it’s because I love Asian food, but I have a hard time choosing what to eat at Red Ginger because everything looks so good. You could make a meal on appetizers alone.
To start, try the sushi, duck and watermelon salad or summer rolls. For your main, consider the miso-glazed sea bass, lobster pad thai, bulgogi ribeye steak or red curry chicken. You might think dessert is a non-starter, but the caramel tapioca was tasty, and the soft ice cream with Japanese togarashi is a fun mix of sweet and spicy.
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Red Ginger on Oceania’s Vista. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
Vista also offers multiple options for intimate or private wine-pairing lunches and dinners on board. They include a wine-pairing lunch at Ember and wine-themed dinners in private dining rooms attached to Toscana and Polo Grill. Hidden between those two restaurants is Privee, another intimate dining room where two special dinners are held: Odyssey (described as a “gustatory journey for the senses”) and the Dom Perignon Experience that pairs special Champagnes with equally special dishes.
But the food options don’t end with the restaurants. The Bakery by Baristas was a popular spot for daily beignets, quiches and pastries. Afternoon tea in Horizons is an Oceania specialty, with your choice of Twinings tea, scones with jam and clotted cream, tea sandwiches and cakes and petits fours all wheeled around in glass carts by formally dressed waiters.
Bars
Vista’s bars are hopping before and after dinner because there’s not much else to do on board at night.
The Martini Bar is the most happening lounge, located near the Grand Dining Room, several specialty restaurants and the casino. A pianist performs here on and off throughout the evening. You can find all your standard mixed drinks here, as well as a special martini menu. At peak times, you might not be able to find a seat.
On the other side of the casino is the Founders Bar, a new concept for Oceania, dedicated to creative craft cocktails. If you like your drinks topped with smoke bubbles, frozen balls of fruit or sprigs of herb or dried fruit slices, this is your spot. Seating is limited, but you can request your drink be delivered around the corner to the Grand Lounge, a stunning scenery area where a classical string quartet plays in the evening.
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Founder Bars on Oceania’s Vista. ERICA SILVERSTEIN/THE POINTS GUY
Be careful — it’s so fun trying out all the crazy concoctions that you might bust your drink budget if you haven’t upgraded to the premium beverage package.
Horizons is the observation lounge at the top of the ship, looking forward. We heard rave reviews of the live band here and some choice words about the resident DJ, but if you want to watch the sunset or get your groove on after deck, Horizons is the bar for you.
Baristas is the coffee bar by day and aperitif bar by night. Get your daytime caffeine fix with Illy espresso, macchiatos, cremas and more, including coffees spiked with booze. After 6 p.m., you’ll find an Italian-influenced list of aperitifs and digestifs (amaretto, Campari, limoncello), as well as wines and cocktails (such as an Aperol spritz or negroni).
The pool bar serves all the daiquiris and coladas you can drink while lounging on Vista’s gorgeous, resort-style pool deck. You can also order drinks at any of the restaurants. Aquamar has a lovely menu of nonalcoholic cocktails, fresh juices, lattes and smoothies.
Vista is also introducing new immersive cocktail experiences for the cruise line, which unfortunately had not yet debuted on my sailing. These will include a customizable Bubbly Bar in Baristas, a Bloody Mary Bar at lunch in the Terrace Café, a Macallan whisky and chocolate pairing, and cocktail-making seminars pairing Brugal 1888 rum with ice cream or tea.
Vista activities and shows
An Oceania cruise is a destination-focused trip, so onboard activities are kept to a minimum. You’ll find trivia contests, spa seminars, casino tournaments and technology classes at the LYNC Digital Center, such as travel photography and photo editing for social media.
Where Oceania excels in onboard activities are with cooking classes and demos in the Culinary Center and art classes at the Artist Loft. Oceania brings on real chefs and working artists to lead the workshops. Sign up as soon as you get on board because these popular classes fill up quickly.
I tried a “drip technique” painting class where we decorated glass plates, and it was a far cry from the watercolor or needlepoint classes you might find on other ships. The two-part class explored a unique technique, and even though I’m not experienced in crafting and my plate looked pretty bad after the first class, the artist knew what he was doing, and my final product was surprisingly good. It’s also a fun way to socialize with other passengers and the artists in residence.
Vista’s culinary center is three times larger than the versions found on sister ships Marina and Riviera. In addition to the test kitchen with 24 individual cooking stations, a second room can be arranged for lectures or even dinners. Classes are themed, often related to the ship’s destination, and yes, you can eat what you cook. They do cost extra; fees start at $79.
On a warm, sunny day, Oceania’s gorgeous resort-style pool deck is the place to be with padded loungers and day beds, a main pool with a wading area around it and a couple of hot tubs. Sporty types should head to the ship’s topmost half decks for an outdoor running track, shuffleboard, croquet/bocce, pickleball, mini-golf and a golf-driving cage.
The Aquamar Spa on Deck 15 offers a barber shop, salon, fitness center with aerobics studio and sauna and steam rooms in the men’s and women’s locker rooms. Concierge Level and suite guests receive complimentary access to the Aquamar Spa Terrace at the front of the ship, with two hot tubs and a thalassotherapy pool.
If it’s cool and rainy, consider decamping to the nook- and book-filled library, where you can borrow games, settle in with your laptop or peruse guidebooks. Baristas is right around the corner. The ship also has the requisite shops selling fine jewelry and logo items.
In the evenings, you can find a singer-pianist in Martinis, a string quartet in the Grand Lounge and a band followed by a DJ in Horizons. I heard great things about Vista’s Music Station Band, but somehow I was always eating dinner when they were performing.
Each night, there’s a show in the Vista Lounge, either a guest performer or a typical cruise ship song and dance show by the onboard performers. One of the new shows on Vista was choreographed by Britt Stewart, a professional dancer who’s worked with “Dancing with the Stars.”
Vista itineraries and pricing
Vista will spend its summers in the Mediterranean and winters in the Caribbean. In fall 2023, the ship will also visit Canada and New England and transit the Panama Canal twice. Cruises range in length from seven to 90 days, but most are one to three weeks in length.
Cruise-only prices start from $1,799 for a French Veranda cabin or $2,049 for the lowest-category balcony room on a seven-night Caribbean cruise. Alternatively, you can choose Oceania’s more inclusive and expensive OLife fares; these start from $2,599 for the French Veranda cabin or $2,849 for a regular balcony room.
The current OLife promotion runs through June 30 and includes round-trip airfare and transfers, plus your choice of four shore excursions, a beverage package or $400 onboard credit per cabin. Starting in July, the line will offer a set of included perks, without the need to choose, but the actual inclusions may change during promotional periods.
What to know before you go
Required documents
The travel documents you need for your Vista cruise are determined by your itinerary and homeports. For most cruises, you will need a passport that is valid for six months after your trip ends. For round-trip sailings out of U.S. homeports, a birth certificate and government photo ID will suffice. It’s up to each passenger to determine if any of the ports of call require additional visas.
When you finish checking in online for your cruise, Oceania will email you a boarding pass that you should print out and bring with you to the terminal.
Gratuities
Crew gratuities are added to your onboard bill and amount to $18 per person, per day, in Concierge-class rooms and below, or $23 per person, per day, in upper-level suites. Gratuities can be prepaid. You are always welcome to tip above the auto-gratuity for exceptional service. All tour guides should be tipped in cash at the end of a tour.
A 20% gratuity is added to onboard bar and spa bills.
Wi-Fi
Vista is one of the first Oceania cruise ships to use Starlink high-speed internet. I can attest to the speed of Oceania’s premium plan after attending a 90-minute Zoom meeting with only the slightest of lag.
Every cabin comes with one free Wi-Fi login (for one device at a time), or you can pay to add additional devices or for the premium plan that accommodates music and video streaming.
Carry-on drinks policy
Passengers can bring up to six bottles of wine per cabin for consumption in their room. If you wish to drink your own wine in a restaurant or public area of the ship, you will need to pay a $25 per bottle corkage fee.
Smoking policy
Vista offers designated areas on the Deck 12 pool deck (forward, starboard corner) and in the smoking lounge on Deck 14 forward, outside Horizons. The latter is a gorgeous space with forest-green walls, but it is entirely indoors. This policy applies to e-cigarettes, pipes and cigars, in addition to regular cigarettes.
Smoking is forbidden everywhere else on board, including in cabins and on private balconies. Passengers who are caught in violation of the smoking policy will be disembarked at the next port of call and may also be required to pay additional fees to cover costs for cleaning or replacing damaged furniture or decking.
Laundry
Vista has complimentary self-service launderettes on decks 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11. Each is outfitted with a detergent dispenser, washers and dryers, an ironing board and a seating area with a TV if you choose to wait for your load to finish. You can walk away while your load runs, but set a timer because folks will remove your clothes if you don’t pick them up in a timely fashion.
Alternatively, you can pay to send out your clothes to have them washed and/or pressed.
Electrical outlets
Vista’s cabins and suites offer electrical outlets and USB ports on both sides of the bed and by the desk. You’ll find both U.S. 110V and European 220V outlets. Americans may want to bring an adapter for charging devices in public rooms where the outlets are all European-style.
Currency
The onboard currency is the U.S. dollar. The reception desk can change dollars for the local currency.
Drinking age
You must be 21+ to drink alcohol onboard all Oceania cruises. When the ship is in international waters, young adults ages 18 to 20 may purchase and drink beer or wine (as well as the House Select beverage package).
Dress code
Oceania does not have a complicated dress code with specific attire required on certain evenings. Instead, the line suggests “elegant casual resort wear” for evenings and requests that guests do not wear casual jeans, shorts, T-shirts, baseball caps, casual sandals or sneakers in the restaurants after 6 p.m.
For casual dining, choose the Pizzeria or Terrace Café for your evening meal. Shorts and baseball caps are allowed; athletic wear is not.
Elegant casual resort wear translates into date-night dresses (but not full-on cocktail attire), skirts and blouses or dressy pants and tops for women, and collared shirts and slacks for men. Jackets and ties are not required.
During the day, casual attire is fine, but please don’t wear swimwear, bathrobes or pajamas in public areas. You’ll need footwear if you leave the pool deck.
Bottom line
Vista is an elegant mid-size cruise ship that’s the perfect home base for travelers who appreciate dining variety, enjoy interesting cocktails and fine wines and wish to explore the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.
Cabins and suites are thoughtfully designed, though, for longer voyages, you might need to take advantage of onboard launderettes as cabin storage might be tight.
Vista offers a high-end experience on a beautifully designed ship, but you’ll have a choice in how you spend your vacation budget rather than paying upfront for all-inclusive fares.
Furniture helps give a home personality. It’s a testament to your style and tells visitors a bit about the people who live there. Even though expensive doesn’t automatically translate to opulent or over-the-top, some pricy furniture can have an aesthetic that makes you look twice.
Sometimes expensive furniture indicates the quality and craftsmanship of the piece, making it worth the investment. The idea of what’s expensive really depends on the household budget, as what’s considered affordable furniture to one person may be outrageously priced to another.
Whether you’re gathering ideas for your next renovation project, love browsing luxury products, or looking for unforgettable furniture with an extravagant price tag, here are 12 expensive furnishings that can set your home apart.
RELATED: 7 Mistakes Everyone Makes When Shopping for Furniture
1. Jonathan Adler Aries Cocktail Table
Photo: jonothanadler.com
With the Jonathan Adler Aries Cocktail Table, you won’t have to tell anyone your astrological sign. The table features two vibrant blue acrylic rams heads holding up a tempered glass tabletop; this piece is simultaneously sleek and ostentatious—which can be a polarizing design combination—and comes with a price tag of $3,950. No matter your zodiac sign, this is a furnishing with personality and will definitely start a few conversations.
RELATED: Editors’ Picks: 8 Favorite Etsy Stores for One-of-a-Kind Furniture
2. Courturier King Canopy Bed
Photo: horchow.com
Sleep like royalty in this black wood and brass accent bed by Caracole at Horchow. The Courturier King Canopy Bed is handcrafted with solid wood and a white leather headboard. Coming in at $22,650, this bedroom upgrade doesn’t quite cost a king’s ransom, but almost.
RELATED: 10 Incredible Bedrooms That Will Give You Major Design Inspo
3. Valentina Credenza
Photo: arteriors.com
Soft and sophisticated, the Valentina Credenza is anything but ordinary. An alternative to a traditional console table, the $7,410 Valentina at Arteriors borrows inspiration from the shape of a cradle and translates it into a curving table design. With white lacquer doors with antique brass pulls on an oak base, this table offers modern textures with a midcentury nod.
RELATED: 16 Types of Furniture That Are Going Extinct
4. Beekman Cocktail Table
Photo: ralphlauren.com
The Ralph Lauren Beekman Cocktail Table is a depiction of elegance and affluence. This timeless piece can blend in with many types of traditional furniture and antiquities. Pricing at $11,475, the table is made from kiln-dried mahogany, handcrafted wood details, and a delicate wood filigree, but don’t even think about hosting a happy hour without coasters.
RELATED: The Best Interior Design Services
5. Sottsass Ultrafragola Mirror
Photo: studiopazo.ca
Though not considered furniture in the sense of substantial items like dining tables or office chairs, one could argue that certain types of mirrors can be classified as furnishings due to stature alone. The modern Sottsass Ultrafragola Mirror by designer Poltranova at Studio Paz is a spotlight seeker with a price tag of $19,000 that’s just as lavish. Wavy acrylic sides and neon lights make the piece stand out, and women’s sensuality inspires its design, so it’s an excellent topic of conversation, too.
RELATED: 13 Ways Decorating With Mirrors Can Transform Your Space
6. Rowland Leather Recliner
Photo: arhaus.com
A leather recliner might be considered a classic piece in many homes. Though it doesn’t command attention like many of the other items on this list, this $4,899 chair at Arhaus can quickly become your favorite seat in the house. The Rowland Leather Recliner provides buttery-soft fabric in a high-back design and motion control buttons to help you find the right position. The cushions have flanged edges giving it a relaxed aesthetic that beckons you with the promise of comfort.
RELATED: The Best Leather Recliners for Relaxing at Home
7. Gin 90 Dining Fire Pit Table
Photo: ecosmartfire.com
The EcoSmart Gin 90 dining fire pit table is a conversation starter for both indoor and outdoor spaces. Available in teak or concrete finishes, the fire pit table can run with ethanol, natural gas, or liquid propane depending on whether it’s placed on the patio or in a dining room. The $6,595 price tag is higher than for a non-flammable table, but the impressive tablescape might be worth it.
RELATED: The Best Teak Outdoor Furniture for Backyard Entertaining
8. Single Man Deluxe Sofa
Photo: marieburgoscollection.com
With its midcentury vibe and faux lamb fur arms and back, the Single Man Deluxe Sofa by Marie Burgos Collection is a piece for people who want individuality in their design. Available in several fabric textures, the sofa comes in three sizes ranging from 79 to 110 inches long and a starting price for the small sofa of $9,250.
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9. Togo Ligne Roset Fireside Chair
Photo: ligne-roset.com
The first impression of a Togo Ligne Roset Fireside Chair is that it’s probably not expensive, likely because it resembles a cozy bean bag chair with better support for your back. However, the price tag of $4,150 is thousands more than you would need to spend on a regular bean bag chair.
Under the unassuming design, three densities of foam aid in the chair’s ergonomics, and you can choose the exterior fabric to complement your home decor. This simple design is inviting and certainly an excellent chair for reading, watching movies, or even napping.
Prices accurate as of publication date June 2, 2023.
Graduating from college is a huge accomplishment, so of course you want to honor the young scholar in your life. Just think of all the places their lives will take them!
There’s just one problem: You know that stereotype about broke college students? That’s not going to change for a while after graduation. They’ve got to find a job (which is sometimes much easier said than done), locate a place to live, and get started on being a grown-up. That’s tough to do when you’re starting from scratch.
But that’s where you come in! If you’ve got a friend or family member who’s graduating, we’ve got some gift ideas to help them embark on post-college life:
1. For the job they’ll have
When people graduate, suddenly their lives become focused solely on finding a job. You can help with that by giving gifts they’ll be able to use as a young professional.
Clothing or accessories appropriate for interviews or workdays will be much appreciated – every interviewee wants to look polished and professional to help their chances of landing and keeping a job.
A resume service could be very useful – there’s an art to creating a resume that will catch the eye of potential employers. There are plenty of services all around that offer advice on making any resume effective.
Likewise, a session with an interview coach could help a recent grad land the perfect job. Anyone can use a few pointers on how to conduct themselves in an interview so they’ll make a great first impression.
Finally, a nice briefcase or laptop bag is the perfect accessory for an interview or day in the office.
Moving after graduation? Check out our infographic: Top 10 Cities for College Grads: Post-Graduation Moving Trends.
2. For the money they’ll make
Many people consider graduation a great time to start thinking about the future. In that vein, why not set up or contribute to a Roth IRA for your recent graduate? They’ll appreciate your thoughtfulness now, but they’ll be especially happy when it comes time to retire and they have a nice little nest egg, partially funded by you.
Many young people are overwhelmed at the choices in front of them when it comes to investing and saving money. Surely they’d appreciate some financial advice as a gift – you could sit down with a recent grad and give them some one-to-one advice, or if you’re no expert yourself, a nice book could do the trick.
Need some book recommendations? We’ve got them: The Top 5 Personal Finance Books.
3. For the home they’ll create
After college, it’s time to get some real kitchen accessories – no more drinking out of plastic Solo cups.
Any graduate will appreciate some grown-up glassware for nights in with friends and family.
You could also buy someone a starter set for the kitchen – a few place settings, pots, pans and utensils. It doesn’t have to be fancy stuff; durable everyday kitchenware is an uber-practical gift.
Anyone with their own place – male or female – needs a few tools as well. Consider giving a small toolbox with some basic necessities: Hammer, screwdriver, pliers, wrench. These starter tools will help your young friend hang pictures on the wall, do minor maintenance tasks, and learn to become more self-sufficient.
Looking for cooking tools? We have recommendations for The Best Kitchenware on a Budget.
4. For the places they’ll go
Many graduates dream of traveling the world, either for their jobs or in their vacation time. There are many fun, inexpensive accessories you can give as gifts to support that dream:
Passport holders make great presents, as well as travel logs for them to document their many upcoming adventures.
If your recent grad loves vintage accessories, an atlas might make them happy – there’s something romantic about plotting a trip on paper instead of online.
If they prefer the digital life, gift them with iTunes or Amazon gift cards so they can download music and audio books to keep them entertained on their travels.
If you know someone who’s traveling, you might share The Benefits of Renting Vs. Staying in a Hotel.
Congratulations to all the college graduates out there! What would you like to receive as gifts?
In some rental markets, apartment hunting can be as competitive as a job search. In fact, modern, savvy apartment seekers often visit apartments as prepared as if they’re on a job interview. If your apartment search lies in a highly-competitive rental market, like New York City, you may want to employ a few clever approaches to help secure your tenancy. Here are some tactics to help you nab your first choice apartment and seal the deal on the spot!
Dress for the apartment you want
Remember the old saying “dress for the job you want?” It applies to your apartment search, as well.
If your first-choice apartment is in a swanky high-rise building, then ditch the Saturday sweats and dress up for an in-person visit. A variation of the same rule applies if you are hoping for a hip pad in an up-and-coming neighborhood. Skinny jeans, a flannel shirt, and nerd-chic glasses might help your future landlord visualize you living there. Within reason, do what it takes to look like you are the perfect fit for the new space!
Over-prepare
Most folks who land great jobs do their homework, carefully studying the company they are interviewing with. Borrow this best practice to convince a property manager that you’re the right person.
Come prepared with knowledge about the community. Use search engines like Apartment Guide as a resource to study the amenities and features the community offers, then let the leasing agent know how much you value those options. You can also use sites like Yelp to learn more about the neighborhood and rave about how much you love restaurant X and coffee shop Y. Community managers may well appreciate your knowledge – and compliments!
You can also borrow this job search tip: bring a cover letter to introduce yourself. This will get a property manager’s attention and help them remember you after your initial tour.
Think like a networker
Once you’ve made a positive first impression, you might dig a little deeper to make a personal connection with the landlord. If the decision comes down to two renters with similarly positive credentials, the landlord might choose the one he feels most comfortable relating with.
Think like a networker. As in business networking, you should ask questions and then really listen. Keep your ears open for commonalities with the community manager. You might be from the same hometown, have attended the same college, or share the same favorite restaurants. Develop a rapport with the property manager by paying attention to and highlighting these details.
Follow up with a friendly thank-you
Best behaviors for job hunting – and apartment hunting – include a proper “thank you.” Once you’ve nailed the interview, send a note to thank a landlord or apartment community manager for their time, perhaps mentioning specific things you like about the apartment. Be sincere, and let them know it’s your first choice.
Because time is of the essence in apartment searches, email might be your best form of communication, though it never hurts to drop a handwritten note in the mail. (Even if the note arrives after you’ve signed the lease, your community manager will be glad she chose you!)
Remember your rental reputation
Of course, all of these strategies rely on the basis that you are prepared to be an excellent resident. Keep in mind you must also meet any legal apartment community requirements, including perhaps passing a credit check, to be the best candidate for an apartment that is in demand. You may be asked for referrals from former landlords, as well.
If you’re confident, prepared and sincere, however, you’ll likely have a much better shot at nabbing your favorite apartment on the first try!
Photo credits: Shutterstock / auremar, Robert Kneschke