Community Living

[perSue]

I know that in some apartment/condo complexes, they have set rules for many things.
For instance, I cannot create my own compost pile outside. But I would *love* to have one (since I have a _very small_ garden).

Does anyone else living in a small community like this?

What frugal/practical ideas do you have to reuse/reduce/recycle etc?

thanks!

[Vegreenmom]

I live in an apartment complex and I generally am able to do anything that someone in a house can do. With the compost heap thing, you could create a compost box to keep if you have a patio area at your apartment - I know that some don't.

[dcompton]

I've lived in apartment complexes for years until a month ago. I was sometimes annoyed by how strict they were about what went on patios/balconies (virtually nothing). I know it was necessary to keep some of them from looking like landfills, but it would have been nice to just once in a while be able to out a towel out to dry -- for just a couple of hours. I did once in a while sneak by drying a lap quilt or blanket by putting up a small folding table and "pretending" it was a table cloth!

[Vegreenmom]

I've lived in apartment complexes for years until a month ago. I was sometimes annoyed by how strict they were about what went on patios/balconies (virtually nothing). I know it was necessary to keep some of them from looking like landfills, but it would have been nice to just once in a while be able to out a towel out to dry -- for just a couple of hours. I did once in a while sneak by drying a lap quilt or blanket by putting up a small folding table and "pretending" it was a table cloth!

That would suck! We've lived in two complexes and never had a problem with putting things out. I have a birdfeeder I made out of a burnt chopstick, a plastic container lid, and a little silver pail...I just painted everything but the chopstick (the perch) green. I also on a regular basis put out drying racks with tons of clothes. Not to mention we're the first apartment you see (the patio would be the first thing you see) when coming into the complex. Man, I can't imagine what I'd do if a place got mad about doing something like that!

[Telephus44]

I live in an apartment complex and we can't put out birdfeeders or hang laundry on the balcony/patio area. We also can't use it as a storage area.

We can garden, and there are a lot of people here who do flowers - some people do vegetables.

I also try and take advantage of the dumpsters here, since we have a high turnover rate (we live near a teaching hospital, so lots of med students in residency). I've gotten a lot of nice things from our dumpsters, my bread machine probably being the best.

We used to have community recycling containers, that way I could recycle our glass and newspaper. They started a community yard sale two years ago, that also helps with reducing trash and recycling.

[Vegreenmom]

I live in an apartment complex and we can't put out birdfeeders or hang laundry on the balcony/patio area. We also can't use it as a storage area.

Wow I still can't believe I'm reading about complexes not allowing these things - especially bird feeders. To me, it's your apartment and it's supposed to be YOUR HOME and they should let you do those kinds of things. I would be absolutely pissed and give them a piece of my mind if I was ever told that I couldn't have bird feeders.

As for storage areas, that I wouldn't agree with - because it could just look trashed and cluttered. But we have a door there that leads to a little storage area.

I think it may be a difference in location - those of you who can't put things out : What kind of area do you live in, or what state? Maybe it's more common in a different area of the country to not allow things like that? Hmmm I'm going to have to do some looking into this...I've never heard of a complex not allowing those things (though I've heard of them not allowing satellite dishes).

[perSue]

we can have satellite dishes.
i even think bird feeders are ok. i dont have one, so i dont pay attention to others so much.
but i have asked about recycling (too expensive) & composting (too smelly) and gotten 'no's.
some people have balconies and others have ground level porches or gardens. i have a garden.
it's odd, but that's ok. i've just been trying to find a composting inside (no worms please) where i can control the smell and spread on the garden. but they do best in outside weather.
i wonder if i could place a container in the middle of the garden - like with some other flower pots?

[justpeachy92]

My stepmom always put her coffee grounds directly in her garden and potted plants. If I remember correctly she also put egg shells directly there.

[zakity]

I can't imagine they would notice a compost "pile" in a pot mixed in with your other planters. And, if you put no meat and dairy in it, your compost pile does not smell. You do need to stir it occasionally.

[bumplett]

yep, I think you could have a compost 'pot' in the garden and noone would have a clue! -

I toss my tea bags directly into my potted plants - just because they like it

[perSue]

I think I'll try the compost in a pot in the garden then.
We dont eat (much) meat here (at least there are never leftovers) & dairy we just dont eat either.

so i'll try the compost in a few plant pots & we'll see!

Thanks!!!

[peanut]

We used to live in an apartment when the girls were little. We composted in a garbage can in our storage room. Totally freaked out my sister when she came to visit. LOL It worked though. But boy, you had to keep the balance of the chemicals just right, or it did stink. But then, that's how you knew your chemicals were off. A good working compost pile doesn't stink.

Jean

[lottaLove]

At the apartment we used to live in, they had a few strict rules. On the balcony, we were only allowed a single chair (no patio set, no barbecue, no bird feeders or satellites). In the apartment, no additional water-consuming hookups (no dishwasher or apartment-style washing machine). There were 2 washers and 2 dryers in a coin laundry room, however we could not wash any large blankets, shower curtains, bathroom mats or pillows. Basically it was clothing only (there were posted signs). We could not paint or put things up on the walls. I had to brace my bookshelves and dresser to the wall to avoid hazards with DS, and when we moved out I had to patch and paint those areas before they did their inspection, or I would have lost my security deposit. We also were not allowed to have any exercise equipment such as a treadmill or elliptical machine, in case the noise would carry to the tenant below.

I had several complaints filed against me while we were living there, so I think that all it takes is one irritable tenant complaining for new rules to be created. (The complaints against me were for things like doing too much laundry in one day, noise in the halls from DS crying as we walked up to our unit, vacuuming my apartment at 10pm)

[shoiji]

I am in an apartment and they do have a long list of what you can and can't do.

Flower plants in the front of the building. Vegetables in the back. No hanging out laundry on the patio. (people still do this, me included just take in as soon as dry) no barbaque on patio, no stuff in utility closet. One thing is when you move out any nail hole left unfilled in is $50.00 each.

I do realize that alot of the stuff is to keep the place looking nice and also because of fire hazards.

The town I am in right now has a local dump where they also allow people in the community to come and get free compost. I will sometimes use dry leaves to help insulate what ever plants I still have in pots.

[Vegreenmom]

"One thing is when you move out any nail hole left unfilled in is $50.00 each."
*eyes bug out*
To me, that is just ridiculous. It wouldn't even cost that much for them to fix it. Whew that just SUCKS!